Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

[Rocket Science]

Re: Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

So you agree with me, he is a good depth player.

Can we agree to delete the word "good"?

He's a warm body, nothing more...a la Skipper and his extra year.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

won't have any of it...all senior players with exception of eagleton should go on!! Westy deserves to run around until he says he's had enough!! Champs go out on thier terms!!

Here here well said brother

[Happy Days]

Re: Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

All I know is Eagleton is more-or-less in the team for his kicking, and his kicking was woeful last night, so he might have done his dash.

And as far as Aker is concerned, he played 0 good games last year, 11 this year, so hes on track for 22 in 09

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

Perhaps they were all carrying injuries, but it looked to me that time has caught up with Johnno, Aker, Welsh, Hudson and Eagleton for the last half of the season.

What can we expect from them next season?

Johnson's decline has been rapid. He's very slow, and although injuries hamper this, I think it's got a lot more to do with his age. He's on the ground often, doesn't hold his marks and continually makes skill errors. 09 will be his last IMO - and he'll play as a deep forward, because he's no midfielder/half forward. He's too slow, his skills/decision making are average and he's not creative. It's FP for 09.

Aker will still play some good football next year, but I do think he's losing pace quickly. He's not dynamic anymore. His ball use is sublime but because he's lost his pace, I think his days of being a midfielder are restricted. He'll still be able to play parts in there, but I would think he has to play mainly up forward. Not down back, not on a wing.

Welsh is an interesting one, and I suspect he'll be a game by game proposition. If he plays like he has the last few months, he'll be playing at Williamstown. However, he did a decent job of negating Scarlett last night. Problem is, he gave us nothing as an actual 'forward'.

Hudson's hard to gauge. He'll have to be monitored a little better next year, missing a few games here and there so that he doesn't completely burn out. Probably only see him having one year left, maybe two - it all comes down to how we manage him though. He'll still be handy so long as he has the intensity at the contest.

Eagleton is gone; ball use, as displayed last night, has past him. Serviceable player over the years but he needs to be cut.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

aka was good.
he played alot holding back Ablett, and he had him moving back under pressure nearly everytime he got the ball

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

Johnson's decline has been rapid. He's very slow, and although injuries hamper this, I think it's got a lot more to do with his age. He's on the ground often, doesn't hold his marks and continually makes skill errors. 09 will be his last IMO - and he'll play as a deep forward, because he's no midfielder/half forward. He's too slow, his skills/decision making are average and he's not creative. It's FP for 09.

Got me thinking about something Rocket mentioned last year, as he felt that too.

* Wants Will to play forward too. Needs to take pressure off Johnno to do it all himself. Concerned Johnno could burn out & fall off the cliff quite quickly.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

Got me thinking about something Rocket mentioned last year, as he felt that too.

I remember you mentioning that TCD.

At this stage you'd have to say that call is spot on.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

West, Johnson and Aker are champions, even at half pace they are good enough.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

Johnson's decline rapid? Firstly kicking 50 goals is not much of a decline. He isn't the player he was last year but he is far from finished, get him fit and a tall foward alongside him and see how he goes.

[phroosh]

Re: Has time caught up with older players faster than we thought?

I agree that Eagleton might have done his dash, but feel all the others are still players we need, even putting aside sentiment, of which there is a fair bit of when it comes to Johnno. As Ernie just mentioned, Johnno would probably benefit from a good tall forward (can anyone find a "Good Tall Forward Tree?) and I feel the same would go for Welsh. I'm a big fan of Will, but he just doesn't move to space like bigger forwards should. Ruck/Rest in square for him.

Hudson may need to be managed, but I think he had a good year. Playing with niggles, along with half the side it seems...