Aging players

[Rosy]

Our 5 30ish+ players have, on average, only participated in around half of our games this season.

Richo 6 out of 21
Joel 12 out of 21
Cousins 14 out of 21
Simmonds 10 out of 21
Brown 12 out of 21

Total 54 games out of a possible 105.

The club signed Cousins partly due to supporter pressure and I don't think they'd be game to delist Richo for fear of supporter backlash. I suspect both will be around next year due at least partly to financial rather than playing considerations.

I'm all for having experienced senior players on the list to help develop and guide the kids but I certainly hope their deteriorating bodies, another year on, will enable them to play more games than they sit out. If not they'd be better being involved in an off-field capacity rather than taking a spot.

Big decisions to be made in the next couple of years. I wish we had an elixir of youth and Richo and Joel could hang around for a premiership. ld

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

Theoretically we should've been improved in recent weeks by the return of Tuck, Coughlan, Simmonds, Brown, McMahon & Bowden, however the wheels have fallen off completely. I've consistently advocated keeping a respectable number of older players on the list for balance, but have changed my view and am now happy for the club to cut deep and go with the younger brigade. We have many 22-23yo players coming into their prime so it's not like we'd be going back to square one.

 

[craig]

I wouldnt get too excited with many in that 21 -24 bracket either , plenty of duds and deficients in there.

 

[Brodders17]

we could well go into next year with only 4 over 25s.
richo- 35, cuz-31, newman- 27 and moore- 26.

this would involve delisting brown simmonds pettifer cogs polak and king and trading tuck and mcmahon, with johnson and bowden retired.
maybe unlikely that theyd all go but not impossible.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Theoretically we should've been improved in recent weeks by the return of Tuck, Coughlan, Simmonds, Brown, McMahon & Bowden, however the wheels have fallen off completely. I've consistently advocated keeping a respectable number of older players on the list for balance, but have changed my view and am now happy for the club to cut deep and go with the younger brigade. We have many 22-23yo players coming into their prime so it's not like we'd be going back to square one.

Good to hear L2R.

richo- 35, cuz-31, newman- 27 and moore- 26.

Should retire.

 

[Col.E.Kurtz]

Theoretically we should've been improved in recent weeks by the return of Tuck, Coughlan, Simmonds, Brown, McMahon & Bowden, however the wheels have fallen off completely. I've consistently advocated keeping a respectable number of older players on the list for balance, but have changed my view and am now happy for the club to cut deep and go with the younger brigade. We have many 22-23yo players coming into their prime so it's not like we'd be going back to square one.

I think that list management by spreadsheet has some distinct limitations and part of the problem is that many of our 'senior' players have a style of play and/or play positions that help you when you are going well but can't turn the tide when things are going really badly.

The one who is still a warrior is Tuck, but he came in when Chimp when out so that was a net loss.

 

[Brodders17]

richo- 35, cuz-31, newman- 27 and moore- 26.

Should retire.

i reckon that we should get rid of the other 3 after next year and let richo play on. he would then be over 10 years older than the rest of the list! ;D

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

I think that list management by spreadsheet has some distinct limitations

Mmmm I'm no coach/list manager, just a footy fan with a database that says older teams historically have an advantage over younger teams.

 

[TigerFurious]

Good post Rosy. You forgot about Johnson who couldn't even get to the starters line.

It was a bad decision for Wallace and the match committee to go into the season relying on so many senior players, in vital positions no less to carry the team.

History shows that the end comes very suddenly for players over 30. I hope the club has learned it's lesson.