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Perth Glory midfielder Travis Dodd has slammed his former club Adelaide United for having an ‘AFL mentality’ when it comes to age.
Dodd had an acrimonious departure earlier this year from the Reds, the club he made 137 appearences for over six years. Originally from Adelaide, Dodd made his NSL debut with Adelaide City in 1996.
Speaking to FourFourTwo after the Glory’s 1-0 opening round win over United, Dodd said Australia has an AFL view of footballers who have hit 30 years old.
“Unfortunately age is an AFL mentality in this country,” the 31-year old said.
“I know certainly in Adelaide … it seems like once you hit the age of 30 you’re over the hill and can’t play anymore. I was talking to the [Adelaide] chairman Greg Griffin at the end of the season and certainly when offering contracts that’s definitely a factor in offering deals. And he [Griffin] readily admitted it’s an AFL mentality.”
The Reds have had a huge amount of player turnover in the off-season, with 12 players departing and eight new player signings.
Among the departures were 29-year old Lucas Pantelis to Wellington Phoenix, 29-year old Adam Huges to Perth Glory and 32-year former Socceroo Paul Reid.
While it is the norm for many AFL players to retire at 30, in football players often play well into their 30s.
Dodd cited the examples of 36-year old Patrick Zwaanswijk for the Central Coast Mariners and Manchester United’s 37-year old Ryan Giggs as footballers who have continued to perform well after reaching 30.
“I think we need to be careful when making comparisons,” he said.
“You do become more mature as a player and you read the game a lot better than years earlier. Certainly you’re using the brain a lot more, and not reliant so much on the legs… it’s not the right approach to take. It’s a completely different game and a much better game. Age is just a number.”
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