We have heard it all before and perhaps even said it ourselves – the story of the champion player who ‘went around one season too many’.
The story of the club stalwart ‘keeping an up and coming kid out of the side’. The story of the superstar who changes clubs right at the end to get those last few games, be it to prove a point, reach a milestone or just because he felt he ‘still had something to offer’.
With Buddy Franklin’s unprecedented nine-year contract at Sydney taking him through to age 35, the topic has been brought into sharp focus this year. Others have also come under scrutiny – such as Nick Dal Santo, Chris Judd, Jonathan Brown, Daniel Cross and Paul Chapman.
At various times after the 2013 season, each of the above was urged to hang up the boots by various club and media personalities. One, Brown, was talked in to playing on and, after last weekend, probably now regrets it.
Judd chose to play on and it must be said that, right now, the jury is still out deliberating on that decision. The other three have all been very serviceable at their new clubs and, without having been the superstars of old, have at least justified their selection each week.
Then we go to the other end of the scale. A near 40-year-old Dustin Fletcher is in almost career best form, 34-year-old Adam Goodes is showing men a decade younger than he just how this game is played, Brent Harvey continues to ooze shinboner spirit along with class every game and a 30-year-old named Gary Ablett is still head and shoulders the best player in the AFL in the judgement of most scribes and only seems to be getting better as he matures.
Someone once said it isn’t the mileage but the wear and tear that matter. In fairness, for every Dustin Fletcher there are a dozen players whose spirit might still shine but who, even as early as age 30, can no longer make their bodies do what they demand of them. Sadly, there are players far younger than 30 of whom this can be said too.
So, a few questions come to mind.
Whether it is from your own team or from the competition as a whole, do you think we should forget age as a criteria and judge our players purely on capability to fulfil their role.
Or, is age too big a factor – and a risk – for a professional sports club to ignore?
Of the older players, who at your club do you think has passed their used-by date and, just as importantly, who should go on next year – no matter what the calendar might say?
Would you support your team drafting a player over the age of 30 or should they pass up that short term experience in favour of taking on and grooming a rookie?
chris
Guest
Doesnt the AFL have a duty of care to the players of the top sides who have to more frequently play the better sides and therefore are exposed to stronger bigger bodies more often in a season and therefore more prospect of injury. Geelong and Hawthorn have for the last few years been exposed to this and I suspect the players have had a greater load to bare than teams lower on the table, they would have been exposed to more oppurtunity for injury through repetition against bigger bodies and the increased physical load. How is there not a lack of care for these patients relative to teams who are not subject to the same stresses. I acknowledge that if you play better teams you get "match hardened, but also match fatigued. The teams lower on the ladder also miss out on the oppurtunity to play better teams and to learn from them.
Cat
Roar Guru
on the opposite side of that though is players make enough money these days by age 30 to set themselves up very well. There will be some who will give up the game to spend time with young families and/or outside business interests rather than try to squeeze a few more years out of their bodies.
Cat
Roar Guru
Corey retired last year Oliva, I am 99.99% sure Lonergan will go around again, he is signed through the 2015 season (signed a 3 year deal in october 2012). Enright is on a year to year contract, IMO it will be up to him, if he still wants to play I think his form and almost non-existent injury history will see the club give him every opportunity to play on. Mackie is signed through 2015 as well, Taylor just signed a 5 year deal last off-season, James Kelly just re-upped for next year just a few weeks ago. Jimmy Bartel is signed through 2015. Not sure we will see any retirements this year.
Cat
Roar Guru
How about Josh bootsma then, even at 21 he wasn't mature enough to act like an adult, imagine if we suddenly threw a bunch of 16 year olds into the media spotlight? (PS: since they would be under 18 would AFL clubs only have to pay them junior wages?) How about a 16 year old receiving a major concussion, is there an increased risk to them because their brains are still developing? I don't know the answer, but it is worth considering. All the examples of under 18's playing in AFL come before AFL became a professional full time job, while some 18 year olds can make the direct jump to AFL right after being drafted, many need to wait a year or more to build up their lean bodies, this would only be exacerbated bringing 16 year olds in. Too many risks for mine and not enough payoff for it.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
I agree. As sports scientists explore non-illegal substances and other methods of prolonging careers, there will be an increase. We are starting to understand the body more and more, what affects it and how to heal it.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
I can see that side of the story Olivia, but the examples you give are somewhat flawed for luck has had a huge influence on Menzel and the early stages of scharenbergs career. As for Gumbleton, he is still on Freo's list, and will be given every chance to shine for freo needs that extra tall forward. Also, look at types like OMeara, who was good enough to plat at 16, but was not permitted.
Sexton1
Guest
Nice piece on an interesting question. I don't agree that we'll see fewer players over 30 in the future, however. I think it might be the opposite: the one thing that really goes with age is recovery, rather than speed or strength as such, and as teams move away from the idea that key players have to play every or even most games in a season, older players will get more rest and be used more for impact in big moments and big games (this is already happening in some sports overseas, e.g basketball, admittedly less demanding physically than the AFL). Mind you, as Olivia points out, the game is becoming ever harder on the body, so there's an "arms race" between advances in recovery and conditioning, and the effect on the body of the ever more intense style of play these advances make possible. It'll be interesting to see which wins out.
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
Chen, from what I have seen of Drew Petrie this year he seems to be doing more than enough to justify playing on, but I can't see inside him to know how much work he needs each week. He may decide his body has has enough or he and the club may feel it is worthwhile for him to go round again. What do you think he should do?
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
Gregor, there will always be players who exceed or fall well below any statistical advantage. whitnall and David Schwarz each come to mind here, Alex Johnson at Sydney played a full season before doing his knee (twice) and former Hawk Max Bailey did his three times before his richly deserved taste of Premiership success in 2013. Bad luck is bad luck at any age
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
I suspect you may be right Terry. Gene is the resident Cats expert - perhaps he will give a player by player assessment. I would not be surprised to see Lonergan, Corey and possibly Enright all retire after the finals. Also, totally off topic, if Richmond does choose again to eat its own and remove Damien Hardwick, watch for Cameron Ling to get the position. He has an insightful football brain, an excellent pedigree and is only lacking assistant coach credentials. I wouldn't risk missing out on him - he would be an ideal succession type for Roos at the Demons and the early bird will get him.
Shouts Chen
Guest
But if Brent Harvey has had enough, will the North Melbourne team have the retirements like Drew Petrie?
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
Chen, if that is what he decides it will be because he knows the state of his body better than any of us can and, I imagine, would have had discussions with family and Club on his options. I imagine the same would apply to Goodes, Hale, Fletcher, Enright, Nick Riewoldt, Pavlich, Cox, Sandilands and many others. So long as it is a well considered decision reached after an honest assessment of ongoing likelihood of senior selection based on displayed form, I think any of their clubs would consider at least one more year. If, however, the season makes it obvious that Father Time has finally caught up with them, I hope their clubs will use that factor and not just their birth certificate in deciding their playing future.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Look, What if Brent Harvey decides to retire this year?
Gregor
Guest
Look at Lance Whitnall, youngest ever to 100 games (I think?) but his knees gave him away.
Cat
Roar Guru
if they are playing footy they are getting neither ...
Terry Russell
Guest
I suspect the Cats next year will be where the Hawks are with injured oldies this year. The cracks are just starting to show, particularly in the Cats' defence. Hawthorn, like the Cats, have taken a gamble by having many aging players, including recruiting a 30+ player to fill a need at full back. It certainly paid off in 2013. It may pay off in 2014, depending on whether most of Hale, Mitchell, Lake, Hodge, Burgoyne, Gibson and Sewell can be fit in September. But the Hawks would need some of their young midfielders and defenders to step up in 2015 if they wanna remain in contention in 2015. Sure an individual player's usefulness past 30 can vary greatly, but the only time you'd want a whole bunch of oldies propping up a team is if you're in a premiership window.
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
I'm afraid I echo Gene's reply here Tim - look at a talented youngster like Scharenberg at the Pies, Menzel at the Cats or ex-Don and now Docker Gumbleton. Their bodies were, it seems, unprepared for the workload even at 18. I know there will always be the occasional Tim Watson to succeed as a kid but I have to wonder if even he would have survived today. Is it worth risking a good kid at 16? Perhaps on a case by case basis but as a general rule I like 18 as an age.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Not all benefit from finishing High school, some are better at leaving at 15, and getting a trade. If they are good enough, let them at least have the opportunity to play
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
Very true Jack. That's why I believe that in a time not too far away, playing past 30 will be the Destiny of only a small and fortunate group of players, be they blessed with good genes or just good luck in avoiding wear and tear. The speed and ferocity of the modern game must take a great toll.
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
Thank you Ben. Great link. I know there are major differences in the codes but there are fair parallels which can be drawn.