McManus V Cockroach

[Kenny_01]

The fact that McManus is seen as a "legend" of our club says it all.

Essendon have Hird, Brisbane have Voss, WC have Matera, Kemp, etc... and who do we have.... McManus

I for one am sick of his performances and wish he would just retire. But it won't happen.... so the cockroach analogy is fair.

 

[E Shed]

I think Pav will make a fair legend when he retires.

 

[Jetau]

I think Pav will make a fair legend when he retires.

The problem is, will he retire at Freo? If we can't get our shit together in the next two years, he will be well within his rights to ask for a trade to Adelaide. We will need to get close to a flag to keep him here, I think.

 

[dockers_bengals]

I think Pav will make a fair legend when he retires.

I think Bell will get there first and then the Wiz.
On Macca if he is the best option to play before others then so be it.They have been dropping poor form players so I'm quite happt to back in their decisions

 

[E Shed]

I think Bell will get there first and then the Wiz.

True but I was thinking of someone who is a one club player for us. Bell is a champ no doubt but most of his silverware was won at another club. Doesn't diminish his standing at Freo but Pav has done everything here.

 

[freocynic]

The fact that McManus is seen as a "legend" of our club says it all.

Essendon have Hird, Brisbane have Voss, WC have Matera, Kemp, etc... and who do we have.... McManus

I for one am sick of his performances and wish he would just retire. But it won't happen.... so the cockroach analogy is fair.

Here! Here!

Fair dinkum, its like the management at Freo said "we have to try and make some of our own club legends. Lets keep this McManus guy around for 200+ games". Then when you see his name on a board saying 200 or so games along with Shane Parker, it will look like Freo has some history. At most other clubs he would have been a 100 game player, but at no other club would he have played 200 games.

 

[freocynic]

anyone who talks that negatively of macca is a disgrace to the purple, and most likely a fair-weather supporter who would be better suited following the mob up the road.

Hey feo1, i'll talk negatively about anyone who I dont think performs up to the standard - and that is Macca and has been for several years! Its way past "he's just having a bad day. Or a bad month." Its he's not good enough, and hasn't been good enough for a long time.

As for being a fair weather supporter - How is saying a guy that plays on our team needs to go being a fair weather fan??? I am following the team. Not one player. In a team sport the interests of the team come first.

 

[freocynic]

McManus In (still)
OBrien Out (?)

Can someone at the FFC find the Mortein?

 

[Rob]

Macca is a club legend and deserves to go out on his own terms. Hopefully Harvey will keep him up to date on how he thinks he is going so Macca knows when the time is right.

Never seen a man bleed purple as much as Macca!

I agree with that, but it would be nice if Macca let us know what his terms are. The cold hard facts are that we are going to achieve diddly squat this year unless we can blood as many young kids as possible.
Half a dozen extra games for Macca instead of a 20 year old might make a fair bit of a difference in 3 years.

 

[Chops_a_must]

Anyone not sympathetic to Macca, simply hasn't been a Freo supporter long enough as far as I'm concerned.

Yes he makes a lot of mistakes, but half our side are terrible in that regard. I'd much prefer him in the team to Apple Schammer or Peake.

Even though he is no longer up to AFL level, I don't think there are too many players I would prefer out there than him, leading our young guys. His work ethic can't be questioned and he crosses that line between stupidity and courage every game. To me, that's exactly what you need around these young guys.

Both times he did his knee, he developed the strongest upper body in the club. Compared to Ryley Dunn, who has had 5 years of leg injuries, and still looks like he's never done a bicep curl. A lot of respect for stuff like that. I can't imagine Hase being like that for example.

I remember a guy by the name of Paul Kelly single handedly changing the culture at the Swans. It has what has made them such a force in the last decade. If all our players took a leaf out of Macca's book, we wouldn't be where we are. And perhaps it's something the club can use...

I really hope they are able to find a paid spot for him as a spotter or training mentor next year, or something. Because I imagine he is the sort of guy you lift for and with, when you train with him.

I'd hate to see where we would have been without him.

His dedication and work ethic is something I can only dream of having, and fully respect. Made something out of nothing for himself.

 

[estibador]

Anyone not sympathetic to Macca, simply hasn't been a Freo supporter long enough as far as I'm concerned.

It's my sympathy for Macca that makes me want him to retire.

He's made the common sportsman's mistake of trying to go on too long. He deserves to go out as a fan favourite for what he's done for this club. But right now, rightly or wrongly, his continued selection is turning fans against him.

 

[Stoner08]

I think if Macca had played for the Eagles he would enjoy a similar rep to someone like Mainwaring. Just run all day racking up ball, a few turnovers par for the course, wouldn't matter as he'd of been surrounded by more skilled players, heart and soul of the club, that kind of thing. Instead for his best years he was the best player in a mostly dreadful team and so stood out much more as did his errors.

My favourite story about Macca was told to me by a mate who was in the rooms after a loss in Melbourne. He said other players were laughing and talking about their stock portfolios while macca sat staring a wall, inconsolable about the loss.

2 knee recos, still running hard and giving his all every week. You couldn't ask for a better example to they young players in terms of dedication and heart.

While I find Macca frustrating I just think there are people getting paid good money to do nothing but think about what's the best team we can put out on the park every week and if they think Macca's in that team well then they know stuff we are not privy to about the players and the influence they have.

I cant believe you compared Macmanus to Mainwaring.

That's disgusting.

 

[estibador]

IMO...

If Macca truly puts the club before himself he should retire and announce he will train with Freo for the rest of the season while playing for East Freo. Then he should attack every training session like it was his last. What better example for the kids than seeing an inaugural player who truly loves the club devoting himself selflessly on the track with no personal reward in sight? Just for the love of the club.

Might make them start to appreciate how much this club means to a lot of people and what a privilege it is to pull on the anchor. And it's a perfect chance for Macca to leave the sort of legacy he deserves.

 

[Chops_a_must]

IMO...

If Macca truly puts the club before himself he should retire and announce he will train with Freo for the rest of the season while playing for East Freo. Then he should attack every training session like it was his last. What better example for the kids than seeing an inaugural player who truly loves the club devoting himself selflessly on the track with no personal reward in sight? Just for the love of the club.

Might make them start to appreciate how much this club means to a lot of people and what a privilege it is to pull on the anchor. And it's a perfect chance for Macca to leave the sort of legacy he deserves.

You never know if he has behind closed doors.

I'd expect it as soon as we can't mathematically make finals...

But honestly... I think he is still in our best 22. Which shows our squad up for what it is.

 

[estibador]

But honestly... I think he is still in our best 22. Which shows our squad up for what it is.

I can't agree with that. We might not have the best squad in the league but there's no way Macca is in our best 22.

 

[Chops_a_must]

I can't agree with that. We might not have the best squad in the league but there's no way Macca is in our best 22.

When everyone is at their best, definitely not. But given there is no defensive pressure in our midfield, I'd say he is, purely on that basis.

 

[Plugga]

Agree has been great servant

BUT

time to move on people...geez...he is not in best 22. Seems that players at this club are held onto 1 or 2 more years than they should have been, just to build up the club with players who have played over 200 games.

Parker - should have retired after 2006
McManus - should of retired after 2006
Cook - should have retired after 2006

Hopefully he doesn't make the cut today

 

[freocynic]

I've been saying this 2006. I've watched McManus extremely closely for 3 years and I can say without a doubt in my mind he has been our worst performer over the last 3 years, and one of the worst performers in the competition. If you don't believe me, watch the last 10 games of 2007 again.

My main problems with McManus are

1) Goes to ground far too easily in contests. in EVERY contest last season, he went to ground. Has improved on this aspect slightly this season, but still not good enough at AFL level.

2) Always VERY reactive. Cannot win his own ball. Because of his enthusiasm and wanting to show that he deserves his spot in the side, goes overboard when tackling. 2 problems with this, he is always 2nd to the ball, and always giving free kicks.

3) Plays for himself. Again, wants to prove his spot in the side and ALWAYS runs ahead of the ball, even when the situation doesn't warrant. How many times have we seen McManus running into an OPEN shot at goal. This is because he plays russian roulette and wants a kick, as he cannot win ball himself. And if the coaching staff were wanting someone to run ahead of the play, it would be someone that knows how to use it (ie Mundy, Headland).

4) Disposal skills. While I thought his disposal was satisfactory in 2006 and just slightly below par in 2007, now it is delporable. Can not hit a target, cannot dispose of the ball in one touch, always fumbles. Not good enough for AFL football.

Look, I just want what is the best for FFC and have been concentrating on McManus's game for a long time hence this just isn't a knee jerk reaction to his recent poor form. I've been saying this exact same thing since 2006.

What he said

 

[dockertor]

Great post by Kenny (what happened to the original post?)

Its not just the last 3 years either. Macca is the embodiment of whats been wrong with the side for as long as I can remember. Tries hard but just not good enough.

 

[Borry]

Essendon have Hird, Brisbane have Voss, WC have Matera, Kemp, etc... and who do we have.... McManus
.

Bell? Pavlich?

 

[freoextra]

Firstly, I am a great fan of McManus and the way he has conducted himself over the years. Always available to talk to the media when the other heroes hid in the hard times. Plays with guts and determination when others don't want to risk injury and I really look forward to the reception he will receive from the faithful on his last game.

However, he is currently playing on a half forward flank and if he is holding Mayne out of the team then the selectors need to have another think. Granted, I understand Mayne may not be fully fit as yet, but when he is, he must return to the half forward flank. He has more talent than most of the team and must be included!

 

[freocynic]

Can you tell me when that last game will be? I'm hoping this week.

 

[sabre_ac]

Comparing him to a cockroach is completely uncalled for.

The guy has been an excemptional servant of the club and deserves respect.

However it is a pretty big indication where our midfield is at the moment if he is still a walk up start. It has nothing to do with him, years of poor drafting / trading / injury management and current year injuries have simply mean't we have to play him.

I seriously doubt he will be at the club next year, however the guy is a legend.

 

[Docker Clint]

Heart and soul.

 

[Docker Clint]

Comparing him to a cockroach is completely uncalled for.

You really don't have a clue sometimes. You really think he's being compared to a cockroach?