Gia and Cross

[The Adelaide Connection]

There have been random mentions in other threads, but I think the time is right for this one to command its own.

What are peoples thoughts come seasons end? Should either be given another contract?

My thoughts have come 360, I would like to see both retained (obviously if Gia wants to go around again).

I don't think Gia will get any slower, he doesn't seem to be having any issues with his body at this stage, and he generally has had a great year. He could be managed again (with sub role stints) and at worst he would be excellent as playing mentor in the Footscray team.

We do have a lot of "one paced midfielders" but I would hate to see Cross go elsewhere. his form at Willi sounds like it has been excellent and he has shown he has a lot of footy left in the last two weeks. Something tells me that unfortunately we will cut him and he will end up at one of the expansion clubs or, as someone suggested, at Melbourne under Eade.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Gia and Cross

Keep them both on for 1 more year.
Great club men and leaders.
Still have enough to offer and will be great for the future VFL team

[GVGjr]

Re: Gia and Cross

The reason why we have been playing so well is that we have both the younger guys and the senior guys all performing as a solid unit.

The senior players have been terrific.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Gia and Cross

I'd let both of them make their own calls. The problem is, I don't think either can be guaranteed a game each week if they play on, but if they're accepting of that and willing to do the hard yards and help with the development of our younger players - then why not.

Gia has had a fantastic year and Crossy has been awesome since coming back in and playing very defensive roles.

[GVGjr]

Re: Gia and Cross

Gia has had a fantastic year and Crossy has been awesome since coming back in and playing very defensive roles.

There was a couple of his handballs were globetrotter like.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Gia and Cross

There was a couple of his handballs were globetrotter like.

The highlight for me was his finish on goal after missing a couple of gettable ones last week.

I really rate Rory Sloane - given his style of play and his running ability he's not an easy man to keep quiet.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Gia and Cross

I really like both players but I think that if Gia cannot keep the ball in his control it goes very quickly back the other way without much pressure. Sure he is a good mentor and can kick goals when needed but as we have seen Hunter is a very smart player too and a bit quicker than Gia. Also don't forget Higgins. I think Gia should go but give him purpose in the VFL side.
Cross if he continues like he is at the moment I would give him 1 year with no guarantees. End of next year it could be Boyd and Morris. If keep Gia and Cross it would be 4 senior players in one hit.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Gia and Cross

No to both .
Can't afford to have possibly 5 players retire at once .
Both great players, but we need experience into the likes of Stringer Macrae and Hrovat.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Gia and Cross

Not really sure, is next year a designated 'development' year? If so, maybe keep them on.

But if we're gunning for serious improvement, Hunter, Stringer, Mcrae, Hrovat, Stevens, Smith and others need to be played full time and stand up. They've all seen Gia and Cross for 12-24 months and know how they prepare, train and play. So it's not about being a role model, its about game time and delivering performances above and beyond what the kids just mentioned could do.

Gia and Cross will be another year older and another preseason on. If they're both not likely to play the majority of the year at at least their current form then the arguments to recruit new kids to refresh the list gets stronger. Keeping them on makes us feel good, not sure it's the best long term move.

Great servants no matter what happens.

[Bornadog]

Re: Gia and Cross

Retire them both, I have loved their work but sometimes players just go that one years too long and the team suffers. Good examples from recent times are Johnno, Eagleton, Aker.

We can keep Boyd, Murphy, Morris as our over 30 players and we then have Cooney, Griff, Minson to add as senior players.

[GVGjr]

Re: Gia and Cross

We have to be very mindful not to fall into the easy trap. We need to learn a lesson from the way so many players in the last 5 years went on for one or two seasons too many.

It might all become clearer at the end of the season anyway.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Gia and Cross

Retire them both, I have loved their work but sometimes players just go that one years too long and the team suffers. Good examples from recent times are Johnno, Eagleton, Aker.

We can keep Boyd, Murphy, Morris as our over 30 players and we then have Cooney, Griff, Minson to add as senior players.

I knew I missed a senior player (Murphy). Bob looks like you could squeeze 2 years out of.
But yes maybe it time for Gia and Cross to go. They can thank the AFL for knocking a couple of years off players careers when they pushed so hard to speed the game up and then cut the inter-change to slow it down.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Gia and Cross

I agree to retiring both, there are too many younger talented players that need to get regular games and these guys are near the end.

[comrade]

Re: Gia and Cross

Surely Gia would make a great captain/coach of the VFL side?

Personally, I think Cross has another year in him. I just don't think it will be at the Bulldogs.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Gia and Cross

Surely Gia would make a great captain/coach of the VFL side?

Personally, I think Cross has another year in him. I just don't think it will be at the Bulldogs.

Agree on both. Personally would be comfortable retaining Cross but have a feeling the Club won't offer him another year. I hate our special players donning another jumper and mostly get bitter and twisted about it, but in Crossy's case I wouldn't mind - if he wants to play on and gets an offer elsewhere good luck to him. I thought Gia's retirement from the senior list was pretty much settled.