Brian Lake to Hawthorn

[Missing Dog]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

I agree, Cooney is dead weight.

[Doc26]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

If we're serious about rebuilding, we should pay Cooney out now and delist him.

Pointless having him on the list in 2013.

DR, this is one argument that I can understand.

We have lost a lot of experience over the past couple of years and we do need leaders to help the kids along the way. Even GWS brought in their fair share of 'Expendables' to help pave the road for them.

My point on Adam is that he can still provide value in 2013 IF he can learn to adapt quickly to his enforced changed circumstances. He has enough current experience at the highest level to impart a great deal of knowledge onto the kids whilst still playing a tailored role given his knee holds up.

Adam needs to build up his currency in other ways IF he is to stay a part of the future.

Whilst it's not a hanging offence to elect to be more interested in what's going on with a smartphone with a now ex Clubman during your Captain's acceptance speech I believe Adam needs to make smarter decisions and show he's got more to offer the Team IF he is serious about prolonging his career.

[Sedat]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

I reckon there has been some very harsh comments on Lake. He gave us incredible service for the vast majority of his time at the club, and in many of those seasons he was being paid way under the odds for the high quality output he was giving us. I understand the rationale in trading him (although I am unhappy with the compensation we've received and the rash haste in finalising the deal) but I think there has been some quite scathing and vitriolic comments aimed at his attitude and general demeanour. I remember a brilliant key defender who marshalled our back 6 during the exciting contending years of 2008-2010, and I also remember several brilliant performances in finals, some of which he had no right to be playing in (the 2010 finals series springs too mind).

Thanks for the memories Brian, and I genuinely appreciate the wholehearted effort you gave out on the field for the majority of your time at the club. You will not be easily replaced.

[China Dog]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

I'm personally happy with the decision to trade Lake. He was a great player in his early days with us, but the last few years have been poor (injuries, attitude, commitment). The dogs have made an applaudable decision, in the best interest of developing a strong club in the future. We now need to move on a couple of others that also lack the commitment and attitude we need for success - i.e. Sherman, Grant and Vespremi. We then need to take full advantage of the draft opportunities we have secured!

[Dry Rot]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

DR, this is one argument that I can understand.

We have lost a lot of experience over the past couple of years and we do need leaders to help the kids along the way. Even GWS brought in their fair share of 'Expendables' to help pave the road for them.

My point on Adam is that he can still provide value in 2013 IF he can learn to adapt quickly to his enforced changed circumstances. He has enough current experience at the highest level to impart a great deal of knowledge onto the kids whilst still playing a tailored role given his knee holds up.

Adam needs to build up his currency in other ways IF he is to stay a part of the future.

Whilst it's not a hanging offence to elect to be more interested in what's going on with a smartphone with a now ex Clubman during your Captain's acceptance speech I believe Adam needs to make smarter decisions and show he's got more to offer the Team IF he is serious about prolonging his career.

While his behaviour that night wasn't flash, my point is not about that.

I cannot recall a club giving a player a third year getting himself right like this, and this is a degenerative condition. At the same time we're giving a chance to another player who suffered a broken leg few have come back from (FWIW I don't mind giving Morris a chance).

It is highly likely Cooney will regularly be unable to play, and even when he does mostly he won't be too great.

I'd rather give his spot to a rookie, even Jong, or give a young kid a chance.

[Bornadog]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

It is highly likely Cooney will regularly be unable to play, and even when he does mostly he won't be too great.

I'd rather give his spot to a rookie, even Jong, or give a young kid a chance.

I heard the club say today that they are trying to manage his knee and are hopeful he can play up to 18 games next year. If he can hit form like he did late in this season when he got 3 brownlow votes, the club said they would be wrapped.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

I heard the club say today that they are trying to manage his knee and are hopeful he can play up to 18 games next year. If he can hit form like he did late in this season when he got 3 brownlow votes, the club said they would be wrapped.

How likely is that?

And how many other injured players at other clubs have had this run?

[Doc26]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

While his behaviour that night wasn't flash, my point is not about that.

I cannot recall a club giving a player a third year getting himself right like this, and this is a degenerative condition. At the same time we're giving a chance to another player who suffered a broken leg few have come back from (FWIW I don't mind giving Morris a chance).

It is highly likely Cooney will regularly be unable to play, and even when he does mostly he won't be too great.

I'd rather give his spot to a rookie, even Jong, or give a young kid a chance.

Sorry DR, I wasn't suggesting you had any issues with Adam's behaviour that night and to be honest I don't wish to harp on it or sit on some ivory tower about it.

My thoughts are simply that we've lost a whole lot of experience in recent years and could see Adam filling a void in the departure of experienced personnel who can guide and pave the way for an abundance of kids. To offer this, Adam needs to first identify with this and then adapt to role model the behaviour and culture the Club is heading down to increase his currency.

I don't necessarily disagree with you on your call or Pedro's but I'm still holding some faith in Adam albeit not a great deal.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

Sorry DR, I wasn't suggesting you had any issues with Adam's behaviour that night and to be honest I don't wish to harp on it or sit on some ivory tower about it.

My thoughts are simply that we've lost a whole lot of experience in recent years and could see Adam filling a void in the departure of experienced personnel who can guide and pave the way for an abundance of kids. To offer this, Adam needs to first identify with this and then adapt to role model the behaviour and culture the Club is heading down to increase his currency.

I don't necessarily disagree with you on your call or Pedro's but I'm still holding some faith in Adam albeit not a great deal.

See where you coming from re experience, but as you say is he a good role model?

On that basis, I can understand keeping say Crossy or Morris on an extra year, but not Cooney.

[Doc26]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

See where you coming from re experience, but as you say is he a good role model?

On that basis, I can understand keeping say Crossy or Morris on an extra year, but not Cooney.

From a slightly different angle and maybe somewhat foolishly I have too much respect for both Daniel and Dale from the way they have held themselves not to afford them some credit to make the right decision on their time remaining, that would be based on the best interests of the Club and Team.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

The other view is that the club is doing Brian a favor and being respectful in cutting him lose as he simply wants a change.
If he truly wanted to chase a premiership, I think he has given enough service to honor that.
He was one of my favorites and I will never forget the booming goal from 60m out earler in the year, and many other bits of class. I was always banging on about how we should play him forward. My dream cut too short!

[always right]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

Bo doubt it is gpoing to be difficult watching Brian play against us....particularly if Buddy is tearing us a new one at the other end. One of my fondest memories is Lake dominating Buddy over several seasons following Buddy's domination of us in "that final".

[whythelongface]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

The other view is that the club is doing Brian a favor and being respectful in cutting him lose as he simply wants a change.
If he truly wanted to chase a premiership, I think he has given enough service to honor that.
He was one of my favorites and I will never forget the booming goal from 60m out earler in the year, and many other bits of class. I was always banging on about how we should play him forward. My dream cut too short!

Good points and kudos to the club in allowing him to follow his dream. The club could have turned around and said "no stuff you; you are still contracted for next year" which would not have achieved anything. The club obviously realised that it would be better to get something now of at least some value rather that relying on the AFL to determine our compensation when he would have been a free agent.

[whythelongface]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

If we're serious about rebuilding, we should pay Cooney out now and delist him.

Pointless having him on the list in 2013.

That is a good point and one that I have thought about as well. Is there any worth in keeping him on the list?

For some reason I still believe he can add value. There were glimpses of his ability last season. Maybe I am hoping that somehow his knee suddenly repairs itself or there is some form of medical breakthrough that repairs cartilage.

[Maddog37]

Re: Brian Lake to Hawthorn

I thought the last few weeks were a bit of a breakthrough for Coons. He played well and got about 30 touches in back to back games. I personally feel he has taken a long time to adjust mentally to what needs to be done for him to be a valuable team member rather than the star.

He seemed to feel the weight of the world as he expected to be the Adam Cooney of old and if he couldnt do that he was a failure. I think he has sublime skill and good speed still and if he can find his role then he will still be a very good player. He still has his footy brain and he is smart enough to adjust.