Lonie quits, Burns to decide..

[Swanny36]

COLLINGWOOD captain Scott Burns is yet to decide his playing future but there has already been one shock retirement from the Lexus Centre with running defender Ryan Lonie calling it quits.

Lonie, 25, informed the Pies he is hanging up his boots after 123 senior matches in the black and white.

Lonie, who was taken with pick no.34 in the 2000 national draft, has been plagued by injury during the past two seasons. He managed just one senior match this year and five during the past two seasons.

Veteran skipper Burns, who was a late withdrawal from Saturday night’s team that lost to St Kilda and subsequently exited the 2008 premiership race, is considering his future.

Collingwood footy manager Geoff Walsh said the reliable midfielder would discuss his future with the club in coming days before coming to a decision.

“Nothing has been discussed yet,” Walsh told The Herald Sun.

“Scotty has been on a one-year deal for the past two or three years, so there's nothing to read into at this point.”

Up to five AFL clubs are believed to have approached Burns’ management regarding a potential assistant coaching role should the highly-regarded Magpies leader opt to call it a day on his 264-game career.

Ageing defenders Shane Wakelin and Simon Prestigiacomo are others likely to be mulling over their futures in coming days.

Coach Mick Malthouse said after the match he would like at least one of his stalwarts to continue playing to give his defence “support”.

Wow, did not expect that...I expected him to get delisted, but not quit on "his own terms"

http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=67654

 

[mattys123]

Would have to be more to the story regarding Lonie.

Obviously has some sort of chronic injury problem, or the personal problems he has had to deal with continually since the death of one of his parents has become too much.

He was good for us in the 2 grand final seasons, and I wish him all the best.

Hope Burnsy makes the decision based on his own interests for once, but he will probably put the development of the team 1st and retire.

Either way, he's been a champ for us, and good luck to him in whatever he decides to do.

 

[Kirby]

I think Lonie saw the writing on the wall.

 

[Darpy]

Hope Burnsy makes the decision based on his own interests for once, but he will probably put the development of the team 1st and retire.

Either way, he's been a champ for us, and good luck to him in whatever he decides to do.

i think it will be best for the development of the side if he goes around one more season. there is still a leadership and maturity gap there and Pendles and the like could benefit immensely from one more season under Burnsy

 

[loki04]

i think lonie saw the writing on the wall.

agree

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Injury has shortened Lonie's career and injury will determine whether Burns plays on.

Its not for us to decide whether Burns should hang around. We'd all like him to but only he knows whether his calf will hold up.

He proved on Saturday he was capable of making hard personal decisions in the teams best interests.

We'll already be carrying Presti and Rocca with fitness concerns, so that will weigh on his mind.

 

[Pie eyed]

Would have to be more to the story regarding Lonie.

Obviously has some sort of chronic injury problem, or the personal problems he has had to deal with continually since the death of one of his parents has become too much.

He was good for us in the 2 grand final seasons, and I wish him all the best.

Hope Burnsy makes the decision based on his own interests for once, but he will probably put the development of the team 1st and retire.

Either way, he's been a champ for us, and good luck to him in whatever he decides to do.

Hear Hear. Lonie copped a fair bit of flack the last few seasons but was a great servant for the club. All the best for the future Aba.

 

[Barwick17]

Bye Ryan, I think its more a case of pride and wanting to end on his terms instead of being delisted, which is a little ironic as his tendancy to be scared of his shadow casted doubt over his pride.

Anyway, all the best

 

[Invigoration]

Lonie got shopped around too from what I've heard, obviously there wasn't much biting and he chose to go out on his own terms.

 

[Ron]

Anyone who plays over 100 games for our club deserves nothing but out thanks, so thank you Lonie for being a good servant of our club, and i wish you all the best in the future.

Hopefully Burns decides to go around one more time.

 

[kemosabe]

I think Lonie saw the writing on the wall.

...more likely saw too much of the writing here on BF

 

[Dave The Man]

Anyone who plays over 100 games for our club deserves nothing but out thanks, so thank you Lonie for being a good servant of our club, and i wish you all the best in the future.
.

True and Hope his Little Boy grows up to be a Gun Footballer for Collingwood

 

[smiddaz123]

Ever since his dad died, things just went downhill for him. I feel really sorry for him in all honesty.

Father dying and his career going downhill at the same time wouldn't have been easy to deal with.

 

[Godfrey Jones]

watching his enthusiam when he hosted the black and white tv show made me really feel bad for the bloke...

he's just so young to retire. its a shame. if he got back to full fitness he could definately play for another 3-4 years at least and i still beleive he can add value to our side.

Oh well, thanks Lonie mate. How exciting was he during 02-03?? those running goals...

Will he hang around to help out our VFL time, that would be nice.

 

[beez]

Loved watching Ryan play as I think most people did. As stated above, his 02 and 03 years were fantastic and its unfortunate he is unable to replicate those wonderful left foot goals.

 

[FootyEater]

always liked lonie as a player, at his best i thought he was a pretty damaging half back flanker. i think its a shame he still cops criticism about his hardness.

all the best

 

[The King of Leon]

Gonna miss seeing Lonie slam them through from 65 with such ease, such a top bloke too, the kind of person who always has time to have a chat with the supporters, wish him all the best, Praying for Burnsy to stay on, we need his toughness in and around the packs.

 

[Spagger83]

this thread and story just made my day!
thanks for the memories Ryan.

ok so now with the sentiment out of the way...who gets the number 3??
my hope would be either Swanny or Heater take a lower number.
maybe even the Dawes, or Goldy??

 

[Jabso]

Swan or Heater aren't going to take a lower number this deep into their career.

Anyway congratulations to Ryan Lonie on a good career. 100+ games is no mean feat. His first few years were great and it's sad to see that he never really improved on that due to a lot of problems with injuries and family problems. He's played some good football for us especially his 2002 finals series.

 

[Jabso]

Would have to be more to the story regarding Lonie.

Obviously has some sort of chronic injury problem, or the personal problems he has had to deal with continually since the death of one of his parents has become too much.

He was good for us in the 2 grand final seasons, and I wish him all the best.

Hope Burnsy makes the decision based on his own interests for once, but he will probably put the development of the team 1st and retire.

Either way, he's been a champ for us, and good luck to him in whatever he decides to do.

I think the death of his father took a lot of out of him. I know it happened a while ago but it coincided with the loss of form and the fact he's retiring at 25 means he probably just wants to get on with life and look after his family.

Sure he was probably going to get delisted but it's a surprise that he won't look to revive his career.

 

[spartan-magpie]

number 3 to ben cousins or kerr or whichever good player we pick in the draft...

also well done lonie.. good career.. and good luck with ur future endeavours...

 

[Dribble42]

I dont think losing his old man had a lot to do with it to be honest. Injuries number one, and little Oscar and the soon to be wife might have just helped him realise there is more to life than footy.

Well done Lones and lets hope Nath also gets a 2nd chance back in Melbourne!

 

[skeetz]

I will always remember him streaming through the center and belting through a sausage roll from outside 50. Me and dad would jumping around yelling ONLYYYY THE LONNIIEEEEEE!!!
Good times, great memories.
Congratulations on playing over 100 games for the biggest and best sporting club in Australia. That's no mean feat.

 

[DAWESOME!!]

Yeah, congrats to Lonie on a good career that included a couple of great years but struggles with fitness that did him in in the end. Really added some spark and excitement to the team at his peak.

Praying Burns goes around again. Heart of the team - the kids stand 6 inches taller when he's there.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Congrats to Lonie on a good career, 123 games is nothing to be sneezed at whatsoever. All the best for the future and well done on making the right decision for the club.