Retirees?

[PattyKwasagun]

Personally I would be shocked to see any of Hudson, Brown or Black not play on next year. They are still all very important to us. Yeah they are all near the end, and they can go through some down periods (like Brown in the last three weeks) - but they can all still be game winners for us and have been this year.

My gut feel is similar, but I'm very hesitant to trust that considering I had the same feeling with Lukey last year, and look how that turned out...

Hope all three play another year at least though. I think Black and Huddo will be done after next year, but Browny may have one more in him after that if his form returns to some extent. If it continues on its current downward spiral, I think he'll pull the plug. As I said, it'd hurt him more than anyone that he's not playing his best and letting the team down consequently.

 

[lukiuslion]

I don't agree about Brown at all! His whole career has been up and down in monthly patches. Yes his older and slower but his been moving well. he was in great form up untill 3 weeks ago, remember our delivery has been terrible latley. there's no way brown will hang up the boots next year, and with a bit of space he could tear a game apart in the next week or two. he creates so many contests.. Everyone jumping the gun here - yes he is not what he once was but I'd hate to see what our team would dish up without him. Hudson fantastic. Black fantastic, I think this season will be his last though.

 

[Scubaveg]

Taking the captaincy off Brown won't make him faster or more agile. I wouldn't be in favour of it tbh

I would like our next captain to have one year transition period with Brown there behinds the scene. I think it will be tuff enough the first year he is absent from the forward line with loosing his captaincy and forward line presence on the same year. For this reason if Brown only has one year left then we need to hand over the captaincy next year. Probably to Addock as the other contenders are still finding their own game at AFL level.

 

[Slax]

I'd be willing to bet that all 3 play on next year. Whilst some people failed to understand the Power decision last season I think that it was very different to any of the situation with any of these three as Power was not playing well and we other players coming through who played the exact same role.
My views on the 3:
Hudosn - an inspired pick up for starters. Has carried the rucking for most of the season and with continued questions over the Burgers ability to stay on the park for a full season we need a quality ruckman until Longer fully develops.

Black - how many ways can you say absolute legend with class to burn. Still doing the in and under work as well as ever.

Brown - whilst form has been patchy this year I still believe that there is more left in the tank. Whilst he may not be part of the next tilt at a flag could have anoth 2 years left depending on how the body holds up.

 

[GoTheLions]

Brown - whilst form has been patchy this year I still believe that there is more left in the tank. Whilst he may not be part of the next tilt at a flag could have anoth 2 years left depending on how the body holds up.

I agree, his form has been up and down all year, and it is generally related to how well we have done in the clearances and how clean we get the ball out if the middle. He has tended to start the season slow and warm up as we go in the past, but he had an interrupted start and is not as young as he used to be. Look how long it took Goose to get his touch back after time out of the game, I think Browny would know what he needs to work on.

 

[Dylan12]

I agree with the sentiments regarding Hudson. I think he is been our best recruit in years and unlike many others, rarely is beaten and I would be more shocked if he didn't play on in 2013.

I commented about 4-6 weeks ago that Browny had returned to his best, but again, like others have said, since then, he has looked like the game has passed him by. What saddens me most is the amount of dropped marks and general poor disposal. If this form continues, I would expect next year to be his last. A few weeks ago I thought he easily had another couple of this year; not anymore.

 

[____]

Could taking the captaincy away from Browny perhaps prolong his career? Or is he too entrenched in that position?

I didn't like the idea of Browny being sole captain at all. We've since become too reliant on him methinks.

Let me guess, you want Patfull to be captain?

 

[patfullfankezz]

Let me guess, you want Patfull to be captain?

Honestly, while I do agree with the philosophy that leadership works best when it's thrust upon the unexpected, I don't think Joelly is it. Maybe after a year or two after his return to form.

I think it should be Daniel Merrett. I am SO going to get a) flamed and b) red carded for this, but I honestly see him as more of a leader than Jonathan Brown, Jed Adcock and Tom Rockliff. I also see him as more important to the team.

Then again, we gave the Captaincy to Browny back when he was the most important cog in the machine, and then we hit a patch of being super-reliant on him. Following that line of thinking, maybe Goose, Jed or Joel would be the best solution.

Maybe I'm just overthinking things and should leave it to the professionals - NURSE! Time for my meds!

 

[Haso]

I would describe Jed as a manager more than a leader, and Rocky and Merrett employ separate but equally effective styles of leadership.

I see Brownie more as a loved and benevolent dictator.