The Great Man

[Stiffy_18]

Unfortunately with the money players earn older players tend to hang in for too long. However in this case I believe Roo will know when his time is up. With his moon boot on today it looks as it might be the end of a great career. Kouta has gone with dignity and will be given a send off by Carlton. I don't think you have to necessarily have a game to have a send off from the crowd. Roo has been an ornament to the club and I wish him well with his future decision.

I agree and IMHO, it might have been a driving force behind Ben wanting to play on. He hasn't put in the groundwork for his life after football and when told that its the end, he didn't exactly know what to do next.

OTOH, Roo has been planning for life after football for a long time now. Numerous business interests such as hotels, car yards, vinyards etc..... Roo pretty much knows what to do when the end comes. He will still continue to generate a very good income without playing football. Thats why I think he might not go down the same path as Ben.

I might be wrong as this is just based on my observations from looking outside in and joining the dots.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Congratulations to Roo equalling Benny Harts games record for tonite. I want to see him break the record next week though...

From the tiser.

HE was handed No. 32 - and still does not know why.

"After a while," says Ricciuto of his trademark guernsey, "I came to like the number. At Waikerie, (former St Kilda and West Torrens walking headline) Robbie Muir had come to play. He was No. 32 at St Kilda (Ricciuto's AFL team as a supporter). So I thought, `That will do – it's not a bad number'."

And it has stuck. Ultimately to be a prophetic number.

At age 32, Ricciuto will wear it for the last time, perhaps tonight against Collingwood or in next month's final series should Adelaide qualify. And then what becomes of No. 32, a symbol that in Adelaide immediately brings association with Ricciuto?

"I don't have the answer to that," he says. "The club has given me the option – retire it for a while or hand it on. I've not made my final decision."

If it stays on offer to an Adelaide player for next season, Ricciuto asks it be assigned to a "suitable type of player". So well defined is Ricciuto's image in Australian football, that no one – certainly no one at West Lakes – needs to have that remark explained.

It might loom as a burden for anyone to walk in Ricciuto's shadow, let alone his No. 32 jumper. But the next No. 32 at Adelaide will see Ricciuto hand over the guernsey with a simple – yet proven, certainly by his career – philosophy.

"Make sure you make the most of your talent, get everything out of your body – and enjoy it," Ricciuto says.

"That's what I asked of myself – work as hard as possible to get the most from your body and the talent you have."

 

[jenny61_99]

Congratulations to Roo equalling Benny Harts games record for tonite. I want to see him break the record next week though...

From the tiser.

HE was handed No. 32 - and still does not know why.

"After a while," says Ricciuto of his trademark guernsey, "I came to like the number. At Waikerie, (former St Kilda and West Torrens walking headline) Robbie Muir had come to play. He was No. 32 at St Kilda (Ricciuto's AFL team as a supporter). So I thought, `That will do – it's not a bad number'."

And it has stuck. Ultimately to be a prophetic number.

At age 32, Ricciuto will wear it for the last time, perhaps tonight against Collingwood or in next month's final series should Adelaide qualify. And then what becomes of No. 32, a symbol that in Adelaide immediately brings association with Ricciuto?

"I don't have the answer to that," he says. "The club has given me the option – retire it for a while or hand it on. I've not made my final decision."

If it stays on offer to an Adelaide player for next season, Ricciuto asks it be assigned to a "suitable type of player". So well defined is Ricciuto's image in Australian football, that no one – certainly no one at West Lakes – needs to have that remark explained.

It might loom as a burden for anyone to walk in Ricciuto's shadow, let alone his No. 32 jumper. But the next No. 32 at Adelaide will see Ricciuto hand over the guernsey with a simple – yet proven, certainly by his career – philosophy.

"Make sure you make the most of your talent, get everything out of your body – and enjoy it," Ricciuto says.

"That's what I asked of myself – work as hard as possible to get the most from your body and the talent you have."

How great the club has given HIM the option!

 

[Damp Squarie]

What goes around comes around Jenny.
Roo has paid the club back in Spades over the years and Friday night was no different.

Those two captains goals in the last quarter were true Roo - needed,cooly delivered and as straight as arrows.

He's getting better each game isnt he.
Next week will be a ball tearer...312 has a certain ring about it but 315 would be better

 

[earlsta]

I think Van Berlo epitomizes the No 32 Jumper.
I'd love to see him swap.

 

[- PC -]

I think Van Berlo epitomizes the No 32 Jumper.
I'd love to see him swap.

That would be the closest thing to a coronation the AFC would see

 

[King Elvis]

I think Van Berlo epitomizes the No 32 Jumper.
I'd love to see him swap.

Would be a bit of a slap in the face to Nigel Smart though.