Player Watch Reef McInnes

[jmac70]

I think it was a given the way he had impressed in preseason, was gonna get one. And definitely will now. Hopefully gets it done soon so he doesn't have to stress over it.

Why would the club do the deal now? He’s not going anywhere.
More prudent to wait until after the season is over.

 

[Jen2310]

Why would the club do the deal now? He’s not going anywhere.
More prudent to wait until after the season is over.

For his peace of mind so he can focus on his rehab.

 

[jmac70]

For his peace of mind so he can focus on his rehab.

I doubt the club are going to worry about that too much.

 

[Jen2310]

I doubt the club are going to worry about that too much.

Not like his price is gonna change, so no harm in doing now rather than later.
But either way it'll happen.

 

[jmac70]

Not like his price is gonna change, so no harm in doing now rather than later.
But either way it'll happen.

Better to wait to see what else is available, IMO.

 

[Jen2310]

Better to wait to see what else is available, IMO.

like what? they're gonna give him a contract and always was going to.
They gave one to HH after he did his ACL, and they'll do it to reef. Just a matter of when. It'll come before the end of the season.

 

[jmac70]

like what? they're gonna give him a contract and always was going to.

Did you think we would get Membrey last year?
Sometimes, unexpected opportunities come up. I would have thought the club would want to have flexibility.

Out of interest, when was Reef’s last contract renewed?

 

[Jen2310]

Did you think we would get Membrey last year?
Sometimes, unexpected opportunities come up. I would have thought the club would want to have flexibility.

Out of interest, when was Reef’s last contract renewed?

Late last year.
But situation is different now they see him in their best side.
They arent delisting him. He'll get a contract, and been told he was gonna get one on the back of his pre-season. His injury now makes it even more certain.
Just a matter of when it comes thats all. Could be before mid season, but will 100% be before the season ends.

 

[jmac70]

Late last year.
But situation is different now they see him in their best side.

They saw him as part of the best side, at least at the beginning of the year. His injury gives other players opportunity now. Its unfortunate, but it’s a ruthless business.

I think the club will wait on an extension. Happy to be wrong.

 

[Jen2310]

They saw him as part of the best side, at least at the beginning of the year. His injury gives other players opportunity now. Its unfortunate, but it’s a ruthless business.

I think the club will wait on an extension. Happy to be wrong.

They may wait a bit, but nothing is more certain they'll give him one. It'll come before end of the season. But will wait until after his surgery of course

 

[Johno9911]

Tragic for the young fella - and fingers crossed that the process and recovery all goes well for him. Clubs these days are so good at wrapping their arms around injured players - I'm sure he'll bounce back in no time.

On the other side, perhaps a real good silver linings chance for him to spend another 12 months really studying and honing his craft - away from the public eye. I remember Murphy talking about how much learning about and understanding the defensive role helped him, not just experience and the physical side of things, the watching and learning of patterns, game play, positioning etc would invaluable to a young player learning the trade.

Additionally a good chance for him to spend some time in the gym getting really strong - I know many (including myself) had concerns on his size and strength moving in to the backline on the real big strong KPF's. Good chance for young Reefy to really beef up and return in 2026 at the peak of his powers.

 

[Jen2310]

Tragic for the young fella - and fingers crossed that the process and recovery all goes well for him. Clubs these days are so good at wrapping their arms around injured players - I'm sure he'll bounce back in no time.

On the other side, perhaps a real good silver linings chance for him to spend another 12 months really studying and honing his craft - away from the public eye. I remember Murphy talking about how much learning about and understanding the defensive role helped him, not just experience and the physical side of things, the watching and learning of patterns, game play, positioning etc would invaluable to a young player learning the trade.

Additionally a good chance for him to spend some time in the gym getting really strong - I know many (including myself) had concerns on his size and strength moving in to the backline on the real big strong KPF's. Good chance for young Reefy to really beef up and return in 2026 at the peak of his powers.

I wonder if they'll have him involved in helping/coaching with the vfl defenders. Kinda like what Dean did when he was injured a few years ago. Just to keep him involved. Rehab can be a lonely place.

 

[TW Sherrin]

Not like his price is gonna change, so no harm in doing now rather than later.
But either way it'll happen.

yeh it will. he'll get offered less if he gets one at all. 1 ok game doesn't prove the experiment worked. he seems like a good young fella but he's at the back of the queue now and up against it.

 

[Jen2310]

yeh it will. he'll get offered less if he gets one at all. 1 ok game doesn't prove the experiment worked. he seems like a good young fella but he's at the back of the queue now and up against it.

Definitely getting one. You can take that to the bank. Just a matter of when they sort it out. It'll be sometime during the year.

 

[gouki88]

yeh it will. he'll get offered less if he gets one at all. 1 ok game doesn't prove the experiment worked. he seems like a good young fella but he's at the back of the queue now and up against it.

Pretty certain he'll get offered one. Do you think him being a lock in back 6 happened out of nowhere? They clearly liked what they saw behind the scenes over the last few months. Obviously not just 1 ok game

 

[nahnah]

The thing in his favour is it is likely there will be a lot of list spots unless we go on a big FA spree and bring in 4-5 players from other teams

Potential retire:
Cox
Mitchell
WHE
Howe

OOC depth facing nervous wait:
Dean
Macrae
Sullivan
AJ
Frampton
Markov
Steene

 

[Jen2310]

 

[Pragmatic Shill]

Had been the key phrase there. If the club was doing its due diligence it'll pause talks until the rehab is well and truly under way.

 

[Jen2310]

Had been the key phrase there. If the club was doing its due diligence it'll pause talks until the rehab is well and truly under way.

They'll prob wait til he has the surgery and makes sure it has gone well. But they aren't changing course now.

 

[sr36]

Had been the key phrase there. If the club was doing its due diligence it'll pause talks until the rehab is well and truly under way.

Nah. That'd be a shit signal to not just Reef but the playing group.

 

[Pendles!]

He will 100% get a one year contract.

 

[sr36]

He will 100% get a one year contract imo.

Of course he will get a contract. He's 22 and they thought he was a good chance of locking down a KPD spot this year. An ACL isn't going to make them put a line through him.

 

[Abdul_The_Bull]

Nah. That'd be a shit signal to not just Reef but the playing group.

Agreed. There's some capital in demonstrating their commitment to the player while he's down. It would be a nice touch to all, including Reef, that the club have some decency. It also demostrates to those potential recruits / trades that we look after our own.
Besides, Reef was clearly best 22 and you don;t just cut them after being injured. That would be very poor form.

 

[jimmy35]

He’s up against it but good luck to the kid.

 

[Jen2310]

He’s up against it but good luck to the kid.

Its an ACL. He's not dead.