Grant Birchall returns after 2 years out...

[Paul Kersey]

Rest him for rest of year and have him ready to go next season. Remarkable how comfortable he has looked despite missing so much football. Little rust.

 

[eldorado]

He still belongs.

Delist calls are premature. 2020 for mine

 

[TylerDurden]

He still belongs.

Delist calls are premature. 2020 for mine

Correct. Gets a year.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

He still belongs.

Delist calls are premature. 2020 for mine

Absolutely.

 

[PhatHQ]

The grunt just got a little better at Hawthorn...

If Birch was available at the start of the year I wonder if he would have been the front runner for Captain?

 

[Nick the Pig]

Correct. Gets a year.

Will at least be his call I reckon.

Has shown in the limited game time back how important he can still be in a position we sorely need good distribution skills. Clarko will give him the opportunity to go on but there is a chance he may himself pull the pin. Must be hard to still have the faith in your own body after so many set backs.

 

[Fozzanator23]

If Birch was available at the start of the year I wonder if he would have been the front runner for Captain?

No doubt, Clarko loves him, and he shows all the correct leadership qualities. If he can stay fit, we should consider him as skipper in 2020, will take the pressure of Stratton's back who can hopefully find form again.

 

[MasterSamurai]

We need a leader down back and with imp out , scrimshaw body not quite there for rigors of week in week out afl footy, I think Birch is a no brainer to play on. Said it since Rd 1, he has a deal in front of him as long as he gets back to play a few games, now, it throws a spanner in the works with another soft tissue injury but he’s looked like he hasn’t missed a beat plus he’ll be on half the wage so it’s really a free hit!! Plays on for mine.

 

[Bruno Oresar]

Hawks are getting old and Birch has played 2.5 games in 2 years. At 31 the answer to him going on is sadly apparent. I suspect he won’t go round again.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

I don't think we can afford to have him on the list.
He isn't a 22 year old, and when he returned he was very very slow.

 

[Hawthorn23]

So sad. Looked like the AA Birch in the first half last night. He has a spot in that 22 any day when he is fit. Rest him up, and get ready for a big 2020

 

[Fozzanator23]

I don't think we can afford to have him on the list.
He isn't a 22 year old, and when he returned he was very very slow.

Won't cost much next year, you wouldn't think, and easily in our best 22. Potentially could be a huge bargain for us next year.

 

[tommyk72]

Absolutely should be given another year. Don’t know if they’d look at rookie list if they need the main list spots (though may be too insulting).

Calls for captaincy are ridiculous. Can’t get on the park permanently. We need hard at it leaders in the goal face. JOM/TOM/Mcevoy. Worps as a sneaky to be in the leadership group.

 

[Gaston]

You have to remember, except for recent injuries his body is not really bashed up like a midfielder.
With Impey out for at least half of the year, the old hunch back of Waverley just has to go around again.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

You have to remember, except for recent injuries his body is not really bashed up like a midfielder.
With Impey out for at least half of the year, the old hunch back of Waverley just has to go around again.

Worth at least a 1 year contract on smallish $

 

[Brant]

Worth at least a 1 year contract on smallish $

Yup.

Smallish (<$250k-$300k) or a Rookie Spot & it’s a no-brainer.

Re-signing at $450k+ is also a no-brainer...

 

[Wandering Hawk]

We've got too many list holes in too many places to get rid of him. He's shown that he's still got it, and it's a pleasure to watch him.

 

[MrPremiership]

Crazy to not given him another year at minimum chips

 

[PhatHQ]

Didn’t really miss a beat after such a long layoff.
I’d be holding him for 1 more purely on what could be if he gets a full preseason. If he doesn’t get through & he is on a reduced rate then there is always the mid season list management plan if he pulls the pin.

 

[Iceman!]

Birchall confirmed out for 2-3 weeks.

Will be his season done as expected unfortunately.

 

[CHUBBSS]

Tough news but he should get 1 more year, he is too good to end his career like this.

Would hate to see him be delisted and then picked up by another club to go on and play 4 more years.

 

[Dinsdale]

Tough news but he should get 1 more year, he is too good to end his career like this.

Would hate to see him be delisted and then picked up by another club to go on and play 4 more years.

If it were up to us he'd already be signed on.

Sent by shoephone via Tapatoe

 

[TylerDurden]

If it were up to us he'd already be signed on.

Sent by shoephone via Tapatoe

You saying he's contemplating retirement? Or other clubs offering him a better deal?

 

[Dinsdale]

You saying he's contemplating retirement? Or other clubs offering him a better deal?

No, I'm saying we know he's out of contract. So I'm saying sign him up.

Sent by shoephone via Tapatoe

 

[Zack]

Walked into the team gme one, looked like a guy who hadn't played for two years after that.

Honestly he walks into the team. If he can get fit and get games behind him.