A bit disappointed in Lake's comments for two reasons:
First - the issue of putting him in front of the team is missing the clear preference of Bev that he comes back - he knows what he brings to the team. I would completely understand if Bob decides the rehab is not something he wants to do (has to get the knee repaired anyway but not the drive to regain professional levels of fitness) but walking away would not benefit the team. This is about a team of 45 players and what they offer together. If he comes back fit at 34/5 is Bob legitimately able to hold his position in the team - not on love but on merit? The way he is playing today that answer is an easy yes. When we win the premiership we will have a mix of old and young. But the best should get a game. You don't get a spot in the team unless you deserve it.
So the only circumstance where this has any tiny bit of truth is that a spot on the list is kept for him before we know he will come back - ie risk that he doesn't come back and we lose a spot. Possible but we are only likely to lose a rookie spot or late draft and let's be frank what is a higher risk - Bob coming back and playing one or two seasons as a proven star or whether a pick 80 or rookie will play the same number of games. Again easy to assess - you would back Bob in every time.
Second is the culture of the club and the effect that has on retaining players. If you were a 27 year old free agent and you saw that if you got injured in the next few years you would be dumped or if you saw that the club would back you in for the longest period possible if you continued to deliver - that they treated you well - no favours but backed you when you have delivered for them. I think this makes a difference - players (maybe not Lake) love him and understand he is a current all Australian and captain - if he is not backed after all he has done - why put in the effort. Respect can really pay off.
I suppose for Lake he traded the love you get for being a 300 game player at a club for premierships at another club. I doubt he regrets this but the footy public doesn't love him like Johnno, Lingy, Richardson etc many of these guys are one club stars because the public respects this. Lake doesn't have this its all about him - he is open that he didn't want to go but Hawthorn moved him on to bring new players through - he is justifying this in the way but the reality is that his age he did not add anywhere near what Bob adds to us - so not surprising he hasn't looked at the full picture.
First - the issue of putting him in front of the team is missing the clear preference of Bev that he comes back - he knows what he brings to the team. I would completely understand if Bob decides the rehab is not something he wants to do (has to get the knee repaired anyway but not the drive to regain professional levels of fitness) but walking away would not benefit the team. This is about a team of 45 players and what they offer together. If he comes back fit at 34/5 is Bob legitimately able to hold his position in the team - not on love but on merit? The way he is playing today that answer is an easy yes. When we win the premiership we will have a mix of old and young. But the best should get a game. You don't get a spot in the team unless you deserve it.
So the only circumstance where this has any tiny bit of truth is that a spot on the list is kept for him before we know he will come back - ie risk that he doesn't come back and we lose a spot. Possible but we are only likely to lose a rookie spot or late draft and let's be frank what is a higher risk - Bob coming back and playing one or two seasons as a proven star or whether a pick 80 or rookie will play the same number of games. Again easy to assess - you would back Bob in every time.
Second is the culture of the club and the effect that has on retaining players. If you were a 27 year old free agent and you saw that if you got injured in the next few years you would be dumped or if you saw that the club would back you in for the longest period possible if you continued to deliver - that they treated you well - no favours but backed you when you have delivered for them. I think this makes a difference - players (maybe not Lake) love him and understand he is a current all Australian and captain - if he is not backed after all he has done - why put in the effort. Respect can really pay off.
I suppose for Lake he traded the love you get for being a 300 game player at a club for premierships at another club. I doubt he regrets this but the footy public doesn't love him like Johnno, Lingy, Richardson etc many of these guys are one club stars because the public respects this. Lake doesn't have this its all about him - he is open that he didn't want to go but Hawthorn moved him on to bring new players through - he is justifying this in the way but the reality is that his age he did not add anywhere near what Bob adds to us - so not surprising he hasn't looked at the full picture.
