Will McManus retire?

[peppy la pew]

After round 22 everyone was talking up CC and the team.

" 9 on the trot, bodies on the line, etc etc" now, after getting beat by the reigning premiers you are sharpening the knives.

Thank goodness we have, professional, people at the club with the experience and skill to implement any changes to the current list, and not some knee jerk reactionists, as on this board.

By the way folks Robert Walls " FFS " . No cred whatsoever, at all, ever.

Roll on 2007, we will be better for the run.

 

[Brumbies]

Do you honestly think Thornton would of held Hall or Mic......i doubt it.
How did we miss him he hardly played this year, it was most probably best he didnt play all year, if we missed anyone it was Grover.

 

[dominguez]

Do you honestly think Thornton would of held Hall or Mic......i doubt it.
How did we miss him he hardly played this year, it was most probably best he didnt play all year, if we missed anyone it was Grover.

O'Loughlin was too quick for Parker, who doesn't seem to be able to change direction like he used too (though still has something to offer). Thornton is good on the quick midsized forwards. Grover wouldn't have had the pace to go with either Hall or O'Loughlin.

 

[Kenny_01]

After round 22 everyone was talking up CC and the team.

" 9 on the trot, bodies on the line, etc etc" now, after getting beat by the reigning premiers you are sharpening the knives.

Thank goodness we have, professional, people at the club with the experience and skill to implement any changes to the current list, and not some knee jerk reactionists, as on this board.

By the way folks Robert Walls " FFS " . No cred whatsoever, at all, ever.

Roll on 2007, we will be better for the run.

This isn't a kneejerk reaction. McManus and Parker had 3 poor finals. If they were 20-24, then you could say they would improve but when they are over 30... you think they would decline further. I'd rather develop players that will become good players in finals. Even the coaching staff had no confidence in McManus... spent most of the time on the bench and then they tried to hide him in the forward line. Sadly, wasn't good enough to compete with Sydney's powerful midfield... they are the facts.

McManus has given his all to the club but there isn't much for sympathy these days. We need to develop a side to win a premiership. However, if he is happy being a depth player, then we should probably offer him a one year contract. He isn't using up any space on the list because he is a veteran. Parker too.

 

[ImperialPurple]

He isn't using up any space on the list because he is a veteran. Parker too.

That is, I think, what will allow them both to stay on in 2007. They don't take up any space on the list, just salary cap space. IMO, give them both one more year, on reduced contracts. If they are playing for the love of the game and the love of the jumper (which I suspect is a very big part of it for them), they will play for less money (reducing any cap pressure we might be facing + only half their salary is counted anyway), and be outside the main list (therefore not denying a young player a spot). Cookie is in a different position as he's not a veteran... but I reckon give him one year anyway. he knows he's a year-by-year prospect, and he knows he must perform to be kept for the following year. He has certainly done enough IMO. Will be interesting to see how the club sees it.

Having said all that - I do agree with Kenny. We need to develop a side that can win a premiership, and I very much doubt that CC & co see these three with a premiership medal hanging around their necks in 2007/8/9/10...

 

[masai]

Talking about retirements ....... how about Desmond " the seagull " Hedland ?. How long will it be before he is really made to earn his spot in the side ?, as far as I am concerned, his "gold card" should be taken from him and given to Crowley. Back to Subi for a couple of weeks of solid games.

As for Parks, yep he struggled but overall had a good season. Is Thornton a better option ?, I still think Parks has something to offer.

Macca is similar to Parks, on the vets list and still can be handy.

Cook is a no brainer ................ he is the opposite of "The Seagull", yes for 2007 list.

 

[pav_is_god]

All three should play on next year. Macca and Cook should continue to be used of the bench as hard at it impact players, simply for the reason that none of our younger guys have developed enough grunt. Parker is still very useful to the team, but should no longer be used on the 1st or 2nd choice forwards. Hopefully with McPharlin and Grover in full swing and Haddrill back from injury, old man Parker can be used to plug the holes.

 

[Vintage]

We have a really good nucleus of players who look like they will be good players in finals (Pavlich, Sandilands, Crowley, Johnson, Dodd, Hayden, Mundy, McPharlin, J Carr, Murphy, Farmer, Webster, etc) but only one of them is a true midfielder (J Carr). We need to increase that to 4-5.

Gee, I reckon Belly was a bit stiff not to make the cut

 

[Vintage]

from an outsider's point of view, yeah that could be a bad thing...

he basically is just not up to scratch, and by saying he embodies the freo spirit is almost saying that freo are also-rans... in all honesty, when those players like mcmanus, and to a lesser extent parker and cooky move on - you will then have a new spirit at the club and hence a new culture

what im saying is, when those players move on you will usher in a new era at the club - one of success, and when this change occurs is up to them... i can guarantee when all the cobwebs and stigmas of the club's lack of success of previous years are swept away - you will truly be able to move forward as a club

think about it - as solid and sentimental those guys are to the club, once they are gone - your stars of tomorrow will be able to develop and shine - the sooner this happens the better

well done freo, you played a good game tonight, and it was great a season - congrats...

I think there's something in what nibbs had to say.

 

[branco]

I think one of Cook, Parker and McManus will retire

Cook is one of my favourite players so I think he can keep going.
Parker has plenty left too and he finally has a group of taller defenders with him so Parker can now take a less important forward.
McManus looks like he should retire and then he picks it up. Maybe he got better as he cut the Platten/Alvin hair back. If he goes bald next season it might help so get him to shave it so he might look like Andrew Wills but he will play better.

If Cook is retiring that would not be good as he can always provide a spark with the way he attacks the ball and sometimes the other players.

 

[Kenny_01]

Gee, I reckon Belly was a bit stiff not to make the cut

Yeah sorry, was an oversight.

 

[Kenny_01]

from an outsider's point of view, yeah that could be a bad thing...

he basically is just not up to scratch, and by saying he embodies the freo spirit is almost saying that freo are also-rans... in all honesty, when those players like mcmanus, and to a lesser extent parker and cooky move on - you will then have a new spirit at the club and hence a new culture

what im saying is, when those players move on you will usher in a new era at the club - one of success, and when this change occurs is up to them... i can guarantee when all the cobwebs and stigmas of the club's lack of success of previous years are swept away - you will truly be able to move forward as a club

think about it - as solid and sentimental those guys are to the club, once they are gone - your stars of tomorrow will be able to develop and shine - the sooner this happens the better

well done freo, you played a good game tonight, and it was great a season - congrats...

I agree nibbles... top post.

 

[pav_is_god]

Yeah sorry, was an oversight.

just a little one