Is it time?

[bornadog]

All teams here

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Lindsay Gilbee: Still a very smart playmaker and a great user of the ball, but he's right up against it. In a developing team with young defenders like Christian Howard and Easton Wood staking their claims, a 31-year-old who has had extended absences with calf and knee injuries would be lucky to be retained. A one-match suspension for an undisciplined belly-whack won't help his cause, either. Has signalled his intention to play on next season, even if it means going elsewhere.

Ryan Hargrave: Has declared his intention to play on but this prospect seems increasingly unlikely by the week, with Hargrave being dropped after the round 16 loss to Hawthorn and being named an emergency for the two games since. Injury restricted him to just five games last season and after a promising start to 2012, he again seems hampered by niggling body issues. Not a great sign for a 31-year-old.

Daniel Giansiracusa: Has no intention of retiring and appears highly likely to be offered another contract. Despite battling a foot problem that sidelined him for three matches, the 30-year-old is the Bulldogs' leading goalkicker with 21 - a rare commodity for a team struggling to score. Also one of the few Dogs who can be relied upon to hit a target forward of centre.

Dale Morris: Ongoing issues with the leg he broke last season have conspired against the 29-year-old defender, who has played just a quarter in Williamstown's reserves this season. Though on the long-term injury list, he is hopeful of playing before season's end. However, another serious mishap with his problem leg could force him to consider hanging up the boots. Will be given every chance to prove himself.

Adam Cooney: Retirement is admittedly a remote possibility at best, with both the Bulldogs and the Brownlow medallist keen to continue their association. However, further significant deterioration of Cooney's troublesome knee might prompt a rethink. Either way, it's a sad situation for the 26-year-old, who has missed the past four games with knee soreness and might not reappear for the rest of the season.

Daniel Cross: Suffered a season-ending shoulder injury on Sunday but the 29-year-old is contracted for another season and has McCartney's full support. Might come under increasing pressure to keep his spot in the side as young midfielders like Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore and Clay Smith develop, but is one of the most respected players at the club with his professionalism, hardness and work ethic, and will probably pick up exactly where he left off.

[FrediKanoute]

My take is goodbye Gilbee & Hargrave. The others should survive another year, with Morris making a call part way through next year. Gia and Crossy will get another year or 2. Cooney....who knows.

[LostDoggy]

No mention of Murphy, how is he positioned, is he under contract next season?

[chef]

Gilbee, Hargrave and Cooney(I feel he will pull the pin this year) this year.
Gia, Cross and Lake next year.
Boyd, Murphy and Morris the year after.

9 players to probably retire over the next 3 year. We need to get this right.

[Desipura]

All teams here

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Lindsay Gilbee: Still a very smart playmaker and a great user of the ball, but he's right up against it. In a developing team with young defenders like Christian Howard and Easton Wood staking their claims, a 31-year-old who has had extended absences with calf and knee injuries would be lucky to be retained. A one-match suspension for an undisciplined belly-whack won't help his cause, either. Has signalled his intention to play on next season, even if it means going elsewhere.

Ryan Hargrave: Has declared his intention to play on but this prospect seems increasingly unlikely by the week, with Hargrave being dropped after the round 16 loss to Hawthorn and being named an emergency for the two games since. Injury restricted him to just five games last season and after a promising start to 2012, he again seems hampered by niggling body issues. Not a great sign for a 31-year-old.

Daniel Giansiracusa: Has no intention of retiring and appears highly likely to be offered another contract. Despite battling a foot problem that sidelined him for three matches, the 30-year-old is the Bulldogs' leading goalkicker with 21 - a rare commodity for a team struggling to score. Also one of the few Dogs who can be relied upon to hit a target forward of centre.

Dale Morris: Ongoing issues with the leg he broke last season have conspired against the 29-year-old defender, who has played just a quarter in Williamstown's reserves this season. Though on the long-term injury list, he is hopeful of playing before season's end. However, another serious mishap with his problem leg could force him to consider hanging up the boots. Will be given every chance to prove himself.

Adam Cooney: Retirement is admittedly a remote possibility at best, with both the Bulldogs and the Brownlow medallist keen to continue their association. However, further significant deterioration of Cooney's troublesome knee might prompt a rethink. Either way, it's a sad situation for the 26-year-old, who has missed the past four games with knee soreness and might not reappear for the rest of the season.

Daniel Cross: Suffered a season-ending shoulder injury on Sunday but the 29-year-old is contracted for another season and has McCartney's full support. Might come under increasing pressure to keep his spot in the side as young midfielders like Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore and Clay Smith develop, but is one of the most respected players at the club with his professionalism, hardness and work ethic, and will probably pick up exactly where he left off.

Morris cannot go out this way, he will play on next year, and deserves to be given every chance to get back, Cross the same.
The remaining should retire IHMO

[Mofra]

Isn't Gia contracted for next year on base salary?

Cooney is the hard one - can he get back to even 50% of what he was on a regular basis?

[Maddog37]

If all these guys want to play on as per Chris Grants comments in another thread then the chop will come for Skinner, DJ, Vez, Hooper, Mulligan and......who am I missing?

[bornadog]

Gilbee, Hargrave and Cooney(I feel he will pull the pin this year) this year.
Gia, Cross and Lake next year.
Boyd, Murphy and Morris the year after.

9 players to probably retire over the next 3 year. We need to get this right.

This is how we need to manage the older players. We can't do a Melbourne or Richmond and just chop out the experience and think youth will get us through.

[MrMahatma]

This is how we need to manage the older players. We can't do a Melbourne or Richmond and just chop out the experience and think youth will get us through.

But equally need to stagger the retirements. A couple per yr is Breyer than 8 or 9 in 1 yr!

[comrade]

Cooney is the hard one - can he get back to even 50% of what he was on a regular basis?

From the outside, it looks like he's resigned himself to never getting close to his best and in my opinion, he's not the type of character to put in the effort to squeeze everything out of himself.

For the good of the Club, I think he should hang them up at the end of the year. It's a bloody tragedy, but we have to take a pragmatic approach to list management.

[Remi Moses]

Isn't Gia contracted for next year on base salary?

Cooney is the hard one - can he get back to even 50% of what he was on a regular basis?

Gilbee and Shaggy are done.Cooney for mine is done , think Gia is in trouble and Dale and Crossy should be okay.