- Mar 23, 2007
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We are about halfway through the season and several of our elder statesmen are surely playing for their careers.
Burgers is 37 at the end of this year. Given the recent departures of some senior players and some others likely to call it a day at this year's end, if he stays fit, expect they will consider giving him one more year. I'd give him one more if he stays fit.
This is obviously Rough's (32) last year.
Poppy (32) certainly looks like he has lost that blistering pace and huge leap. He is still quick and serviceable, but is nowhere near as dangerous. I'd probably give him one more as Moore and Hanrahan aren't ready.
If Birch (31) can't get his body right and string together at least 4 - 6 quality AFL level games, am not sure why we would retain him. Don't see it happening so expect he will also be asked to retire at year's end.
Hendo (30) has been a revelation, so definitely stays on.
Frawley (30) has to stay as we have so few key defensive options and has been solid.
Tim Mohr (30) am unsure about. Obviously injured, but think I read somewhere we gave him a two-year deal to sign-on, so expect he stays.
Surprised about the talk of people wanting to trade Issie (30). We got cut to ribbons by the Bombers speed - Morrison is not a quality replacement and Hendo (30) and Scully (28) are not young. Has to stay unless a club stumps up an early second round pick.
Stratton (30), McEvoy (29), Cegs (28), Breust (28) and Shiels (28) all stay for mine.
At 28 and with the injuries he's had, surely Schoey's time comes to an end.
I never understood why we drafted Mirra (28) and still don't. Solid depth but not really AFL-level quality, at a time when we don't need depth, we need to find players who can build long careers. There are always late picks that end up being top line players and would rather us have gone after an opportunity like that, than a mid sized shut down defender.
For mine, the end for the older players (28 and over) comes for Rough, Schoey, Mirra and Birch.
What do others think?
Burgers is 37 at the end of this year. Given the recent departures of some senior players and some others likely to call it a day at this year's end, if he stays fit, expect they will consider giving him one more year. I'd give him one more if he stays fit.
This is obviously Rough's (32) last year.
Poppy (32) certainly looks like he has lost that blistering pace and huge leap. He is still quick and serviceable, but is nowhere near as dangerous. I'd probably give him one more as Moore and Hanrahan aren't ready.
If Birch (31) can't get his body right and string together at least 4 - 6 quality AFL level games, am not sure why we would retain him. Don't see it happening so expect he will also be asked to retire at year's end.
Hendo (30) has been a revelation, so definitely stays on.
Frawley (30) has to stay as we have so few key defensive options and has been solid.
Tim Mohr (30) am unsure about. Obviously injured, but think I read somewhere we gave him a two-year deal to sign-on, so expect he stays.
Surprised about the talk of people wanting to trade Issie (30). We got cut to ribbons by the Bombers speed - Morrison is not a quality replacement and Hendo (30) and Scully (28) are not young. Has to stay unless a club stumps up an early second round pick.
Stratton (30), McEvoy (29), Cegs (28), Breust (28) and Shiels (28) all stay for mine.
At 28 and with the injuries he's had, surely Schoey's time comes to an end.
I never understood why we drafted Mirra (28) and still don't. Solid depth but not really AFL-level quality, at a time when we don't need depth, we need to find players who can build long careers. There are always late picks that end up being top line players and would rather us have gone after an opportunity like that, than a mid sized shut down defender.
For mine, the end for the older players (28 and over) comes for Rough, Schoey, Mirra and Birch.
What do others think?