The Old/Fab Three

[WALL-e]

There was an article in the Herald Sun this morning (not sure how to find it, if anyone can, please do), that had quotes from Triggy that McLeod, Goodwin and Edwards would all be offered new one year deals at this stage.

He did say that it would be based on form so it could change, but it seems the hard culling attitude will slow or stop this year, prbably die to the draft depth, as we've been over before.

He also said the Bird man would be offer one if he showed he had recovered before the year is out.

And that the Hentschel decision will be made at years end.

I bring this up because many of us are of the opinion that one should/will probably hang up the boots at this stage, ofcourse being offered a deal is subject to the player wanting to continue their footy career, but I guess this is just the first step in finding out their status for next year.

It appears they'll all be welcome, health/form permiting.

 

[cmndstab]

I remember Chris McDermott was asked about this prior to the Carlton game on 5AA on the weekend and he indicated that the big three had enough credits in the bank to demand another offer (assuming one of them doesn't totally fall off the truck) but said that they were all humble people and they will knock it back if they feel the time is right. The conversation had mostly been about McLeod (his 313th game and all) and Chris indicated that McLeod was the type of guy that would probably knock it back if he felt he wasn't doing enough anymore.

 

[WALL-e]

I can definately seen Bunji as the type who would hang em up if HE wanted.

 

[Geoffa32]

Out of the three I would like to see Goody retire this year.

Macca can chose when he wants to retire, but I am sure most of us dont want to see him struggle with age.

Edwards seem to be everyoung.

 

[cmndstab]

For my money, McLeod gone at the end of the year, Goodwin stays on one more as captain, giving our young leaders another year to prepare for captaincy, Edwards sticks around another year as well.

 

[Coopers]

I both like it and don't like it. So... yeah.

It was in the rag this morning too.

 

[magtrev]

For my money, McLeod gone at the end of the year, Goodwin stays on one more as captain, giving our young leaders another year to prepare for captaincy, Edwards sticks around another year as well.

On form so far this year, thats how i'd have it as well. McLeod will get a new contract if he wants one though (and rightfully so probably).

 

[johnnypanther]

IMO all 3 should continue playing next season, providing current form continues and no major injury.

They're all playing well in their different roles.

McLeod seems to have touted the most attention to be retired at end of the year, however, i thought his form has been more than good enough and that a lot of the criticism on him has been very unfair
- he is still a gamebreaker and he receives the heaviest tag each week.
I must say that i'm surprised that there appears to be no real attempt to free him a little from the tagging attention he has been getting - some of it "free-kickable" if the 3rd umpire was paying attention.
I think Maric helped at one stage last week.

I do wonder that given that he is going to be tagged in the manner that he is, and because only 4 players are allowed in the centre square, then perhaps he should always be placed in the square?

Back to the point of all 3 playing again next year - there are also the factors of ongoing list management, salary cap, and player contracts to consider.
Given the large number of developing youngsters on our list, it may be better to retain all fab 3 higher paid players, otherwise the club would be forced to pay higher salaries to the younger players much earlier than is the norm (since we have to spend 92.5?% of the cap) and that would cause problems with the cap in subsequent years as the younger players would be expecting increases........
My approach then would have the fab 3 playing on next year and then at the end of Y2010 maybe 2 or all 3 retiring and releasing huge amounts of $ which we could then use to reward the performing kids and keep them here eg Tippett, Dangerfield etc...

 

[aneale]

Goodwin appears to be struggling the most, i'm not convinced he's not carrying a niggle somewhere in his lower leg, calf /ankle say.

Edwards is on 26 disposals a game and Macca can call it when he decides as far as I am concerned. He's the only 30+yo getting tagged every week in the comp FFS. Tells you what the opposition think his form would be like if they didn't.

 

[thebirdman 24]

I think Goodwin has been struggling the most this year so:
This year: Goodwin (been having niggles all year)
Next year: Macca (possibly longer if he can handle it and if his output if good) Maybe Burton too depending on his recovery
Year after: Edwards

This allows us to keep experience within the team until our 'premiership window' opens again, and by this team, the younger players like Vince, Thompson, etc will be carrying the team.

 

[smoovy]

Edwards - Will become the first father to play with his son at AFL level
Goodwin - Injuries are a concern
Mcleod - Needs to regain the desire if he wants to go another year.

 

[macca23]

Goodwin appears to be struggling the most, i'm not convinced he's not carrying a niggle somewhere in his lower leg, calf /ankle say.

Edwards is on 26 disposals a game and Macca can call it when he decides as far as I am concerned. He's the only 30+yo getting tagged every week in the comp FFS. Tells you what the opposition think his form would be like if they didn't.

If Goodwin is struggling with injury he deserves a lot of credit, averaging 25 disposals a game - only one less per game than on-baller Edwards.

Edwards form is excellent IMO, totally belieing his age.

Macca is the one that just might go at the end of this year if any of them does. IMO he is not playing with the same intensity of past years, even allowing for the tag, and occasionally does put in short steps.

Having said that he doesn't need a lot of touches to be damaging although his current form compared to his past very best varies much more greatly than the other 2.

 

[Fergus]

Macca is the one that just might go at the end of this year if any of them does. IMO he is not playing with the same intensity of past years, even allowing for the tag, and occasionally does put in short steps.

Having said that he doesn't need a lot of touches to be damaging although his current form compared to his past very best varies much more greatly than the other 2.

The thing that concerns me most with Macca is that whilst he still gets tagged, it is rarely the oppositions best "tagger" anymore. The opposition seem to be using a lesser known player every week to reduce Macca's influence, and he just doesn't work hard enough to shake them.

With regards to the short step, I couldn't agree more. Let's hope that after breaking the games record Macca goes for broke.

 

[Go the Guts]

I'd love to see Goody and Eddy play their 300 before they retire. Obviously Edwards plays his in 2 weeks time, as he deserves. I saw Goodwin has only played 247 which I found hard to believe, seeing as he debuted in round 1 1997, 13 seasons ago. Disappointing that he won't make it to 300, he's been a great servant of the club.
As for Macca, I really feel he will elect to retire at season's end, hopefully on 326 games, or who knows, maybe even 329..................!

 

[Ad76]

I wouldnt be surprised to see Edwards go beyond next year as well.

Durable and consistent for many years, and the type of player that doesnt depend on physical attributes which dip as they age - eg Macca's pace.

IMO Edwards game lends itself to longevity, not unlike Harvey (although I'm not looking to compare the two on talent)

 

[jenny61_99]

If Goodwin is struggling with injury he deserves a lot of credit, averaging 25 disposals a game - only one less per game than on-baller Edwards.

Edwards form is excellent IMO, totally belieing his age.

Macca is the one that just might go at the end of this year if any of them does. IMO he is not playing with the same intensity of past years, even allowing for the tag, and occasionally does put in short steps.

Having said that he doesn't need a lot of touches to be damaging although his current form compared to his past very best varies much more greatly than the other 2.

A good summary Macca. IMO Goodwin is playing far better than he did last year, and with his back complaint this time last year, he looked all but gone. Unless his form drops dramatically he shouldn't be forced to leave either. The big benefit here would be to give our future captain (whoever that may be ) more time to establish himself.

Edwards just keeps on keeping on, and honestly why would you retire him when he's still putting out that work rate?

Macca is the interesting one. I think he's actually done more in-and-under stuff in recent weeks, tackling etc. As I said after the Brisbane game, in his interview at our brekky, it's the first time I've heard him say he'd assess things at the end of the year and he talked about life after footy. Having said that, he told me he still has a passion for the game and the Club and is extremely excited by the young blokes coming through. The thing that you are 100% spot on about is that even with a limited # of possessions, he can be amazingly damaging. (That's why I'd like him to play in a forward pocket).

Long way to go til the end of the season, I think all of them deserve a chance to make the right decisions for them and the Club.

 

[Go the Guts]

Couldn't agree more.

 

[subaru]

IMO all 3 should continue playing next season, providing current form continues and no major injury.

They're all playing well in their different roles.

McLeod seems to have touted the most attention to be retired at end of the year, however, i thought his form has been more than good enough and that a lot of the criticism on him has been very unfair
- he is still a gamebreaker and he receives the heaviest tag each week.
I must say that i'm surprised that there appears to be no real attempt to free him a little from the tagging attention he has been getting - some of it "free-kickable" if the 3rd umpire was paying attention.
I think Maric helped at one stage last week.

I do wonder that given that he is going to be tagged in the manner that he is, and because only 4 players are allowed in the centre square, then perhaps he should always be placed in the square?

I have often wondered that. Is he more damaging nearer the goals or in the middle where he probably would take the best tagger?

Blight used to use Jarman to do the kick ins occasionally to break a tag..Craig does see content to leave McLeod with the tag.

I think once a player has reached 300 they can chose when they go..especially since they have all been with the one club. (Aker is probably bit different) , bu then again, moving Hart out turned ouit to be the right move. MMmmm , it's a conundrum for sure.

 

[Asgardian]

There was an article in the Herald Sun this morning (not sure how to find it, if anyone can, please do), that had quotes from Triggy that McLeod, Goodwin and Edwards would all be offered new one year deals at this stage.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,25549174-5014664,00.html

This the same one?

 

[Crows Feet]

I think for the benefit of the team, one or more of the old 4 (Mcleod, Edwards, Goodwin and Burton) needs to step down at the end of the year. I would be unhappy if the club showed them the door but I think they need to stand aside despite their reasonable form. I just think it'll be easier for us to cover for their losses if they exit gradually and not in one foul swoop. If they all hung in there for next year but their bodies then give up on them, it would be very difficult for us to go into 2011 trying to find players to fill the void while maintaining our competitive nature.

 

[jenny61_99]

I think for the benefit of the team, one or more of the old 4 (Mcleod, Edwards, Goodwin and Burton) needs to step down at the end of the year. I would be unhappy if the club showed them the door but I think they need to stand aside despite their reasonable form. I just think it'll be easier for us to cover for their losses if they exit gradually and not in one foul swoop. If they all hung in there for next year but their bodies then give up on them, it would be very difficult for us to go into 2011 trying to find players to fill the void while maintaining our competitive nature.

You could be right, but I think if they all DO stay on for next year, it may not be the massive vortex it could have once been given our young players will all have another full season under their belts. If the Fab Four had have all retired last year, for example, their loss would have been enormous. But getting close to 40 games into those young boys over this season and next, will see us in a very different position - certainly not as vulnerable.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Will Shirley, Gill and Hentschel stay on the list next season?

If they don't, will all three veterans (plus Burton) remain?

Or is there no link between the two? - More a matter of just a case by case analysis.

 

[WALL-e]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,25549174-5014664,00.html

This the same one?

Similar, was shorter, used the same quotes, wrote similar things around said quotes. Just different writers.

I think what Trigg said was pretty accurate, form permitting, tyhey'll be given 1 yearers.

 

[Crows Feet]

Will Shirley, Gill and Hentschel stay on the list next season?

If they don't, will all three veterans (plus Burton) remain?

Or is there no link between the two? - More a matter of just a case by case analysis.

Trent will stay, Rob and Nick will go. I don't think there is a link though as you are looking at regular vs fringe players. The vets are consistently in our 22 the others aren't. Although... if one of the big three retires, Shirley will be retained for depth purposes.

 

[Ferris_rules]

Is Burton capable of playing a Mathew Richardson role into his 30's????

If the trio continue and so does Burton, then Trent surely has to go..................

Time to move on, he has been given ample time to recover and prove himself.