Luke McPharlin

[Patty_Moz]

Way to miss the point. Sandi was getting retired by you lot a couple of seasons ago because he was "injury prone" and past it.

I got the point. But Mcpharlin is also the same age as Brown and Glass and where are they? Did they exceed their expiry date?

Mcpharlin debuted in the same round as Pav yet has missed 75 more games over his career, he has always been injury prone and his time has come. Comparing him to Lake has no relevance to the argument whatsoever.

 

[Ripper]

I got the point. But Mcpharlin is also the same age as Brown and Glass and where are they? Did they exceed their expiry date?

Mcpharlin debuted in the same round as Pav yet has missed 75 more games over his career, he has always been injury prone and his time has come. Comparing him to Lake has no relevance to the argument whatsoever.

He is still (and always will be ) younger than Goodes, who was serviceable tonight. I would leave it up to him. Pav is a freak for durability.

 

[Patty_Moz]

Goodes is probably the only player who has been more durable than Pav.

I get your point but if it was my choice I'd be tapping him on the shoulder.

 

[malpaso]

I think Luke is waiting to see what we might get in FA etc because if we fail then he might just sign for another year and play half the games. I reckon he'd still be fit enough and possibly just swap with Silvagni in terms of team roles to get that last shot.

 

[Nickos66]

He and the club will come out with the decision in a couple of weeks you'd have to think, at least not before the GF.

 

[stax on the mull]

He and the club will come out with the decision in a couple of weeks you'd have to think, at least not before the GF.

He would be entitled to a trip around the MCG in an open car if he retired before the GF.

What a champion he's been. He'll get some brownlow votes this year. More than he did in his All Australian year.

 

[Galvo]

I was just reading an article on Brian Lake. Apparently he had calf surgery this year, as well as his suspension and is now primed for the GF.

Are we sure surgery isn't an option for Luke? I thought he was still very good in the first half of the year and if we can get another year or so out of him with regular breaks while the young guys develop it would be a great outcome.

 

[manpurple]

I think Luke is waiting to see what we might get in FA etc because if we fail then he might just sign for another year and play half the games. I reckon he'd still be fit enough and possibly just swap with Silvagni in terms of team roles to get that last shot.

This, but more emphasis on the team asking him to hang on for a year.

 

[markfarmer]

Geeezz Luke was in AA form in the first half of the year... then he's had a few niggles like everybody else...Rioli, Lake, Steve Johnson, Jobe Watson, and MORE and you You saying its over for him......... man... shallow thinking............. Go another Year. Especially as a defender,,,, you can't go wrong... If we get 17 games then we are laughing... The only matter in the matter is if he wants to do it......Do it Luke

 

[Freo Dr]

When not injured Luke is still as fast as any of the key forwards out there. Just go back to the Adelaide game where he made Tex Walker look like a goose with a little shimmy and U-turn. When a player loses that speed you know it is time to go but he hasn't. Pav was struggling with Achilles issues in 2012 finals series and all the doubters were out then too just because of his age.

Has been an absolute champion for the club and there is every chance he can get his body better over the off season and play on another year to ease the transition where needed - particularly saved up for games against certain teams like Sydney. I think a mutual decision will be made partially based on what comes with FA (i.e. Frawley). Would also be handy thrown into the forward line for some games when required as well because he has always been one of the best marks in the comp.

 

[Quant]

He needs to be managed, why not an arrangement like Chapman? Silviangi isn't exactly the most reliable defender when it comes to being fit!

Frawley deal looks off, doesn't make sense to retire him if he wants to go another season.

 

[Wizard]

He needs to be managed, why not an arrangement like Chapman? Silviangi isn't exactly the most reliable defender when it comes to being fit!

Frawley deal looks off, doesn't make sense to retire him if he wants to go another season.

Other then out of your backside, where are you getting this?

 

[clivenator26]

Other then out of your backside, where are you getting this?

I think since nothing has been signed/announced he is clearly no chance to come to Freo.

(ignoring the fact that nothing can be signed until post GF) : /

 

[george2]

I think since nothing has been signed/announced he is clearly no chance to come to Freo.

(ignoring the fact that nothing can be signed until post GF) : /

You just totally contradicted yourself with you sentence in brackets.

 

[clivenator26]

You just totally contradicted yourself with you sentence in brackets.

REALLY!? how embarrassing for me.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

REALLY!? how embarrassing for me.

Yeah. No formal announcements can be mad until start FA week.

 

[RickSanchez]

Sorry if it's old news or whatever.

McPharlin 'likely' to play on, says Lyon

Ross Lyon has given the biggest indication yet that All Australian defender Luke McPharlin will play on into 2015.

There has been external speculation that 32-year-old McPharlin would leave the game after an injury compromised 2014 campaign.

But Lyon said his conversations with the defender indicated he was leaning towards playing a 16th season of AFL.

“I think he’s more (than) likely,” the Freo senior coach told RSN Racing and Sport radio station.

“At the end of the day, I’ve got a really strong relationship with Luke.

“He’ll sort it out with his wife Kalinz, (and) he’s also got his pharmacy.

“I think he’s more likely than unlikely.”

Lyon said if McPharlin played on, the club would manage him better through the season.

“We’ve got faith in Alex Silvagni, so it might even be at the point where we commit to only 14 or 15 games for Luke and travel him less, not unlike Roger Merrett at the back end of his career,” he said.

“Luke’s in really good shape, (but) at the pointy end of the year in the past two years his body has fatigued and had some soft tissue (injuries).

“If we can manage that, he’ll be in good shape and we’ll be in good shape.”

McPharlin played 13 games in 2014, but did not compete after round 20 because of a calf injury.

He has played 238 games in a career that began at Hawthorn in 2000.

Would be great for him to play on if he's sure he can handle it. Would be great to get to 250 games as well.

 

[Mogumber]

I'd say that means no Frawley.

 

[StingBitten]

I know not many people would be happy to hear this but I for one am delighted. Deserves to be a part of the 2015 Premiership side.

Alex Silvagni can take priority (until he gets injured for knocking three opposition players out and then knocks himself out) or Macca could even spend some time rotating in forward and showing the youngsters a thing on two. 10 years ago every single Freo game had two lead kickers - Pav and McPharlin.

Time for them both to get their second (or third) wind. Screw luring big Vic players over, hasn't worked yet and won't work again. Freo born and bred to win us our first Flag.

 

[Grape Bear]

mixed feelings from me...

happy to give Macca one more year (he's earned the right to decide when to hang up the boots), but i hope they do the job of managing him better than the last two years. Alex Silvagni to play more games - has show his quality - with maybe Tanner Smith and Alex Pearce to get a look in at different parts of the season. I trust our backline and defence to be able to carry young developing ones and occasional disruption more than our forward line, and it will be essential to give the 2nd and 3rd year backmen a go for their development and for us to know if they have what it takes to hack it at AFL level.

also, if it's pre-arranged that Macca will not be playing the whole season, i hope he will be willing to do it with performance clauses on less coin to help with the salary cap squeeze.

 

[Kunna17]

mixed feelings from me...

happy to give Macca one more year (he's earned the right to decide when to hang up the boots), but i hope they do the job of managing him better than the last two years. Alex Silvagni to play more games - has show his quality - with maybe Tanner Smith and Alex Pearce to get a look in at different parts of the season. I trust our backline and defence to be able to carry young developing ones and occasional disruption more than our forward line, and it will be essential to give the 2nd and 3rd year backmen a go for their development and for us to know if they have what it takes to hack it at AFL level.

also, if it's pre-arranged that Macca will not be playing the whole season, i hope he will be willing to do it with performance clauses on less coin to help with the salary cap squeeze.

think having played Tabs in the backline, and won. Suggests we would go alright with either Tanner/Pearce in the backline against some of the weaker sides. Give them a shot and see how they go.

 

[jusjoshin]

Time for them both to get their second (or third) wind. Screw luring big Vic players over, hasn't worked yet and won't work again. Freo born and bred to win us our first Flag.

So you are thinking Cam McCarthy and Jesse Hogan?

 

[Gekko71]

If Luke is willing to take a hit in terms of salary (given his probable reduced playing time its a reasonable request) then this this could be great news for the club especially if we do manage to land Frawley.

Luke is quality, but his body just ain't up to a full season and pre-season. Reduce his playing loads by about 20-30 percent though and its another story. You could pick up an A-grade defender to slot into the back 6, have luke take it very easy between games and use him for defensive depth as a pinch hitter - or have him rotate with Johnno so that they are both game fit and fresh for the 2015 finals (wouldn't THAT be a luxury?)

Luke up forward wouldn't work - I think his days of being a potent forward are definitely behind him. Having him as an experienced ace in the hole and depth player in ready-reserve for our back six is a damn juicy idea.

 

[Square Peg]

If McPharlin plays on we will have to delist someone else won't we to get to our mandatory minimum of three? Who is left?

 

[StingBitten]

If Luke is willing to take a hit in terms of salary (given his probable reduced playing time its a reasonable request) then this this could be great news for the club especially if we do manage to land Frawley.

Luke is quality, but his body just ain't up to a full season and pre-season. Reduce his playing loads by about 20-30 percent though and its another story. You could pick up an A-grade defender to slot into the back 6, have luke take it very easy between games and use him for defensive depth as a pinch hitter - or have him rotate with Johnno so that they are both game fit and fresh for the 2015 finals (wouldn't THAT be a luxury?)

Luke up forward wouldn't work - I think his days of being a potent forward are definitely behind him. Having him as an experienced ace in the hole and depth player in ready-reserve for our back six is a damn juicy idea.

Especially when our back 6 has been so hampered by injury and suspension. Zac Dawson our lone defender against Port in the Semi may just haunt me for the rest of my days. Great to have Luke on standby to fill the void.