Tom Harley's future

[cat in sydney]

Harley

Just noticed that Tom is currently sitting on 194 games played.

This means that (providing he plays each game from here):
- if we win our QF and the PF, the Grand Final would be his 199th game.
- if we lose our QF, win the PF, the Grand Final would be his 200th game.

Could that be a deciding factor as to whether he calls it quits this year... or is it absolutely certain he'll hang up his boots in September?

 

[Selective Retention]

Re: Harley

Nope it wouldn't be Tom's style to continue on just to get to 200 games.

 

[hamG]

Re: Harley

Could that be a deciding factor as to whether he calls it quits this year

Absoultely not, although it is an unfortunate situation being stuck on 199 in this event.

 

[jim boy]

Re: Harley

It wont be a factor at all, he would put very little importance on such statistical quirks. Will probably go on to join Stephen Hocking on 199.

 

[cat in sydney]

Re: Harley

Be sad to see him stuck on 199, especially if we don't win the flag.

Who else (other than potentiall Tom and Stephen Hocking) are forever stuck on the edge of big milestones?

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Re: Harley

Be sad to see him stuck on 199, especially if we don't win the flag.

Who else (other than potentiall Tom and Stephen Hocking) are forever stuck on the edge of big milestones?

Wasn't Gary Ablett Snr stuck on 248 games? Billy Brownless is stuck on 198 games. Bloody pity...

 

[re cat]

Re: Harley

It wont be a factor at all, he would put very little importance on such statistical quirks. Will probably go on to join Stephen Hocking on 199.

Or Mark Bos

 

[TMS]

Re: Harley

Just noticed that Tom is currently sitting on 194 games played.

This means that (providing he plays each game from here):
- if we win our QF and the PF, the Grand Final would be his 199th game.
- if we lose our QF, win the PF, the Grand Final would be his 200th game.

Could that be a deciding factor as to whether he calls it quits this year... or is it absolutely certain he'll hang up his boots in September?

I've noticed this too (arrived way too early at the Blues match the other week and only had the Record to read).

If we won straight through to the Grand Final and were good enough to win it - leaving Tom on 199 - I'd personally love the romanticism of Harley playing our first Skilled Stadium match in 2010 after unfurling the flag, then retiring after being chaired off by his team-mates and formally handing over the captaincy... Surely it's not too much to ask, is it?

Of course, the idea of having an opportunity to celebrate your 200th match by holding the premiership cup is also appealing - but I'd prefer the first scenario, because it would mean that we won in straight sets.

Hmm... I think I now prefer this fantasy realm to the real world and really don't wanna go back. Haha.

 

[Turbocat]

Re: Harley

Riccardi , Hocking , Bos, Brownless, Sanderson all falling short of major statistical marks but are any the lesser for it. Haley especially as a Premiership Captain he will be remembered till his dying days as the one who stood up there and said "We are Geelong". I would have thought he would still qualify for the 200 club as other games are also counted.

Still if he lead us to a 2nd flag I would offer him the option but I doubt he would play unless he always planned to.

 

[thegerman]

Re: Harley

Will be of small significance, as to join the AFL 200 gamers I think the above point is correct. All games are taken into consideration I believe.

I do like the romanticism of TMS' thoughts, but, Harley isn't that type of guy.

 

[The Rusty Clam]

Re: Harley

I wouldn't completely rule out the idea of him playing on next year, although I don't think he should.

 

[witsend]

Re: Harley

Love Tom but he just cannot keep his feet in a contest any more for some reason.
I think he is too much of a team man to play 1 season too many.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Re: Harley

Love Tom but he just cannot keep his feet in a contest any more for some reason.
I think he is too much of a team man to play 1 season too many.

Too right, Not sure whats going on with the diving to the ground when he gets the ball---- Anyhow my point is that to act as a devils advocate here, maybe he has been playing sore to get his game tally up to close to the 200 ?? would he do that?
Maybe not
but its possible

 

[witsend]

Re: Harley

Too right, Not sure whats going on with the diving to the ground when he gets the ball---- Anyhow my point is that to act as a devils advocate here, maybe he has been playing sore to get his game tally up to close to the 200 ?? would he do that?
Maybe not
but its possible

The other mitigating factor may be the relationship he has with Scarlett on and off the field.
For whatever reason, Scarlo thinks he plays better with Harls in the team.
Maybe one more year but relinquish the captaincy?
But then it's less game time for the likes of Gillies, being the future of our back 50.

I say he retires. Particularly if we bag the flag.

 

[Vegas.]

Re: Harley

He will tank in the QF! Keep an eye out for dropped marks!!

 

[bigcatman]

Re: Harley

i wont think any less of him

 

[rocker_oz33]

Re: Harley

Harley as been a very good player and a great skipper,l remember alot of people on these board who did not want him skipper.but l have to hand it the Harley he once was a very good KPP that turned himself into a really good defender that plays on the leagues most dangerous mid/small forwards. And his defensive marking has been outstanding but this year he has looked a little worse for wear at times.but l think he will finish the year of strong and hopefully with a premiership medal

 

[re cat]

Re: Harley

Too right, Not sure whats going on with the diving to the ground when he gets the ball---- Anyhow my point is that to act as a devils advocate here, maybe he has been playing sore to get his game tally up to close to the 200 ?? would he do that?
Maybe not
but its possible

No not possible. Ever thought he was playing hurt because out backline was depleted with injuries.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Re: Harley

I would be very surprised if he stayed on for 2010. His body has taken more than its fair share of abuse, especially his knees/hamstrings, and at 32 that shit doesn't get any better. Milburn I can definitely see playing his last year next year, with Scarlett finishing up in maybe 2012, depending on whether or not he picks up any chronic injuries.

 

[Bowski]

Re: Harley

Think of it this way
Leigh Brown has 200+ games guys.

 

[darrenmorgan]

Re: Harley

tommy harley is/was a good average player who became a great captain (and his game reached AA levels because of the stunning backline he was part of)
I love the guy, but he is finished, anyone can see that. We just hope he can will 5-6 more games out of those tired legs and hold the premiership cup up one more time in his last game. if its game 199 who cares if he is a dual premiership captain then he will go down as an absolute legend of the club.

 

[re cat]

Re: Harley

Think of it this way
Leigh Brown has 200+ games guys.

and how many flags in that

 

[Bowski]

Re: Harley

and how many flags in that

Sigh...thanks for making my point all the clearer.

Cruel as it may be people will look back on Leigh Browns career and laugh where as people will look back on Harleys and see All australian and premiership captain.

 

[a.f.k.a.y.o.p.]

Re: Harley

Who said he is retiring??
Where was his statement again - must have missed that one........
Bit premature guys.

 

[bigdroppunt]

So today i was reading an article on my iphone from the Australian by Greg Denham, and found the following statement

Harley missed last Friday night's loss to the Bulldogs with on-going knee problems that restrict him when the Cats have a six-day break in between games.

With just 10 games so far this season, which will be his last, Harley has not been able to put more than four games in a row together since knee surgery in the pre-season.

WTF...since when has Harley said this season will be his last.... have i missed something ?

or is Denham just pulling this out of his ass ?