In the last few weeks we have seen several players announce their retirement in Joel Bowden (Richmond), Scott Lucas (Essendon), Kane Johnson (Richmond), Leo Barry (Sydney), Michael O’Loughlin (Sydney) along with ‘All Australian’ and premiership player Chad Fletcher (Eagles) being told he is not a required player beyond this year.
In the past and current day, almost all players get a ‘send off games’. Just looking at the West Coast Eagles, every known player bar one got a ‘send off game’ (ie: Sumich, Jakovich, McKenna etc) except current coach and ex player John Worsfold who was dumped on the eve of a final.
John Worsfold has gone as far as saying that Chad Fletcher, an 180 odd game veteran will not be gifted a farewell game. Fair enough some may say seeing that he has only played 4 odd games this year but you look at someone like Bowden who has been out of favour with the new coach. He got his ‘send off’ in round 20! It raises the question, should players get a send off?
Should it be decided on form? What if the club is out of the finals race like Richmond & West Coast do you then bring them in for a last hurray?
Personally I think you only bring them in a ‘send off game’ if their form warrants it AND IF there is no one else in the squad who would benefit from a development game?
In the case of the West Coast Eagles. Chris Masten is injured which leaves a spot open in the midfield but would players like McNamara, Staker, Bedford & Davis who are all fighting to keep their career alive be better off to be played?
Loading ...
August 19th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
gotta go with youth, worsfold has it right, a bloke fighting for a chance is more worthwhile(long-term) then playing a bloke just for the sake of it. remember when Matthew Croft had a ‘farewell’ game for the Dogs? he booted 5 and was BOG but was dropped for the next week, turned out he was on a performance based contract and tried to sue the club(not sure what the outcome was)over being dropped!!!
August 19th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I remember the game but did not know about the court case. I did a quick search and found out that the AFL backed the Dogs and even helped by paying some of their legal fees etc.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7235/is_200411/ai_n29934233/
http://www.matchcodes.com.au/match-codes-articles/2004/11/16/player-sues-club-for-not-picking-him/
August 19th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
The key word in Worsfold’s comment is “gifted”. If they guy’s not playing good enough football, tough. So-called send off games are terrific, and it’s terrific to be in the crowd and acknowledge a servant of the club, but games, at ANY stage of the season, are for winning. If sentimentality dictates that you take a weak link into a game, then throw sentimentality out the window. Shove Fletcher in the back of a convertible and drive him ’round the ground either before the game or at half time. He shouldn’t play based on anything other than form. Richmond screwed up (again!) by announcing the game as a send-off game for Bowden.
.-= aussierulesblog´s last blog ..Scott ticks the boxes =-.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:58 am
I think he is in good enough form (averaging over 30 possessions a game) but it comes down to the factor of future. I think he will get a game in round 22 but expect the Eagles to blood a few others in the next few weeks as they look at their list.
August 26th, 2009 at 9:19 am
i think morally, Fletcher should get a send off game because he has been a great servant to the club, although most have never considered him this. Fletcher should have left the Eagles years ago and gone to another club to play out his career. If he is in good enough form he should be allowed a final game, if his form isnt then no. but come on, the eagles have bled alot of young players, and what do they have to lose by letting him play? not alot
.-= Mike´s last blog ..Threadless Tshirt Giveaway at jaypeeonline.net =-.
August 26th, 2009 at 9:41 am
@Mike – I think Fletcher will get a send off game as said before, his form has been great and better than some of the younger players Worsfold has wanted to ‘blood/ test’ in Swift, McNamara, Staker etc.
.-= Jermayn´s last blog ..Buddy Should be Suspended =-.