What is stopping Eric from taking over the part time rucking?
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From everything I have read about Joey - I get the feeling he is probably leaning to retiring. He has a young family and no doubt a partner who probably would appreciate him home a bit more or least family support. Maybe, Joe has now reached the pinnacle and played a major part in our Premiership he feels the desire may not be there.
I am conflicted. When Joey came to the club I was excited, but concerned with his injury history and work rate. He teased us all in early days with great marks and the promise of great things, thrown into that were days like for memory where we played the Bulldogs at Ballarat and I remember him doing next to nothing all day and being very disappointed in him and wondering if he was invested in the team ethic.
Fast forward and he is now in one of my favourite players and I honestly think we don't win the Premiership without him. He isn't our best player but probably our most important.
I don't want Joey to retire. I want him to give it one more year and see what this great team can achieve. On the other hand, if in his mind he doesn't feel like he would be invested then I don't think we can push him to play. Nor should we give him special circumstances that he can start training in New Year etc. When you start making special deals for players you start to divide team culture - if it's good for him why can't I do this etc.
I honestly hope I am wrong with this next statement - If Joey retires we will really struggle to win the Premiership in 2025. He takes the best defender every week and still manages to kick 2/4 goals every week and assist in others. His ruck work was a worry previously - now I think we would agree he is a massive asset in the middle. Such a smart player who just finds space and the ball around the ground.He can't be replaced.
I hope Fages and others can talk him around for one more year. Get Big O and Kiddy and Linc to speak to him and say we need you for our chance of a flag.
If he retires I'm not sure what the club will do. Play two rucks and maybe Oscar forward more?
Taberner from Fremantle was a very good forward a few years ago. Since then injury and form have curtailed him so much so he was delisted. He is a decent height and can clunk a mark. He would cost us nothing as a delisted free agent. But, he can't ruck like Joey.
One more year of investment please Joey.
The 2025 draft we are going to have to look very closely at getting a key forward. The are the hardest players to trade for.
I reckon that tweet could be applied to literally the top 50% of all players in the game with clubs approaching players of all clubs. What a benign tweet.
I wonder if Jack Lukosius would prefer to stay in QLD
I reckon that tweet could be applied to literally the top 50% of all players in the game with clubs approaching players of all clubs. What a benign tweet.
I wonder if Jack Lukosius would prefer to stay in QLD
Reality is that if he does want to go home I think we're happy for him to do so. He has been such a good player for our club and now a premiership player.The one thing that makes me question starcevich situation is that last year he signed a one year extension that took him to free agency at end of 2025.
Usually we’ve been pretty good at adding multiple years on our players.
Reality is that if he does want to go home I think we're happy for him to do so. He has been such a good player for our club and now a premiership player.
We have to expect that a lot of clubs will go after our young stars as they approach free agency. We just have to hope our culture and list management team are strong enough to fend them off.
Hippy was actually in the ruck for the Ashcroft goal!What is stopping Eric from taking over the part time rucking?
Yeah… the more we talk through the various options of Lions post Joe,
The more I realise how irreplaceable he is.
When Joe is on, like this final series, he working the whole ground in both offence and defence - down in defence, wing marking option and forward offence and defense. That mobile height and aerial presence does make a difference. But yes if he does go it will change our style a bit.We can go smaller. The modern game doesnt need 3 tall forwards, and with Levi and Mccarthy back, we will be right.
Rumours going around that Starcevich will be exploring a move back to WA after 2025 season.
Big loss as he is one that the backline revolves around. West Coast really being aggresive in making contact
Starc is a wonderful defender. However, if we were to lose an A grader, our backline has the most depth with Brain, Doedee and Answerth all able to play similar type games.So we get him for another tilt, then send him on his way with our genuine best wishes.
And who knows, lot of time for him to reconsider.
It’s come out, through the media that is, that apparently Battle had been bagging the Saints as a club and it’s people to people all around the place, hence why he was told to stay away. He’s obviously not wrong.Absolutely. A great club creates an environment players want to stay, but supports the players as human beings above all else.
Compare this approach to that trash club St. Kilda who literally wouldn't let Josh Battle come to the B&F for exercising his right as a free agent.
Yeah. I know the Saints traditionally have a poor culture but they didn't tell him not to turn up to the B/F for no good reason.It’s come out, through the media that is, that apparently Battle had been bagging the Saints as a club and it’s people to people all around the place, hence why he was told to stay away. He’s obviously not wrong.