On Sunday, Dockers’ coach, Ross Lyon, was asked about two of his veteran players, captain Matthew Pavlich, and Luke McPharlin, and talk of their retirement at this season’s end.
“They’ve written their own story for a long time,” he replied, in typical fashion, directly and passionately, “and they’ll continue to do it.”
There are many footballers who would love this response from their coach as they age, just as there are many employees who fear being surplus to requirements as organisations embrace new technologies and a younger workforce. Football was probably the first to embrace ageism.
Footy has always been a ruthless game, where 30 is seen as, if not a use by date, then at a minimum, a best before. But as Ross also mentioned in his post game press conference, “I think the landscape’s changing, how long players play for”, this may not be the case any more.
Clubs are using players smarter now, and training loads are no longer a one size fits all.
I think clubs are also more aware of the value of older players, regardless of a drop in individual output, or where the club may be placed relating to the ‘premiership window’.
This year, we have Dustin Fletcher, Adam Goodes and Brent Harvey, all the ‘wrong’ side of 35, yet still integral to the success of their club.
While a player’s value is ultimately decided by their ability to perform on the field, I feel that increasingly clubs are balancing that with their influence off it. Many within the football industry, the media, the coaches and the fans, focus on a player’s physical capacity to continue, there is one area that I think is drastically underestimated.
I finished playing in 2009, the same year as Michael O’Loughlin, Jared Crouch and Leo Barry. All of these guys had played over 200 games, while Mick played over 300. What amazed me about all three of them was not only their dedication, their mental capacity, or their pure footballing ability, but their ability to stay relevant and popular in an ever changing environment.
These guys all started in the mid-late 90s, and while their careers progressed at different rates, the changes in game style and game plans across their careers were enormous.
The early parts of their careers were still comprised of full forwards that kicked 100 goals a season, midfielders that came off twice a game, and like me in my second game in 2002, youngsters who played 15 minutes of a whole game at the MCG.
By 2009, however, flooding had been invented and largely overcome, Clarkson’s Cluster had won a premiership, rotations were a key discussion in any pre-game meeting, and Geelong were combing for three premierships and over 400 possessions per game.
But more than changes to the game, the personal and personalities that came through our club in the 15 or so years they played changed even more. One of the great challenges for me personally was finding the energy to continue creating meaningful friendships as my older friends left the club.
There were a number of reasons for this, primarily that my motivation for elite football was waning, but I was incredibly envious whenever I looked at the three players mentioned earlier, or other contemporaries such as Amon Buchanan, Craig Bolton, or Brett Kirk, developing strong bonds with the younger players at our club.
As a result of these relationships, these older players were able to stay relevant, influential leaders of our club, but also friends with newer, younger players off it. There is no doubt in my mind that the mentoring provided through these relationships, and the value the younger players felt as a result is still helping the club today.
I feel like Melbourne may have got this wrong in 2010, when James McDonald and Cameron Bruce left the club. The leadership that was lost around this time may have seriously impacted the playing group for a significant time, and it might be a while yet before they fully recover.
There are many challenges in maintaining a career beyond the best before age of 30. Physical wellbeing, remaining mentally fresh, and belonging to a club that values the knowledge and leadership that can only be present in the experienced, are all key elements. But for me, what those outside football clubs will never see, is the way those older players remain important cogs in the sustainability of clubs, in the improvement of young players, and with the ever important challenging of coaches.
But without the ability to adapt to new groups of players that arrive at the doorstep, year after year, these players won’t survive, no matter their ability. Because as a player’s on-field capacity decreases, the only way to ensure survival in a game that values youth and performance above all else, is to also stay relevant off the field.
This is where I failed, but where others have the chance to prolong their careers, and increase the legacy they leave behind.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Older players more often then not can win you a game off their own skill as well when you most need it.
Gecko
Guest
One thing that occurred to me while watching Juddy being burned off on a wing by the Tigers' young Kamdyn McIntosh last week is that you'd rarely see Sam Mitchell venturing out onto a wing. Mitchell's learned that slower players belong down the spine of the ground, whereas Juddy might be learning that the hard way this year (just like Vossy in his final year). Luke, you've made a good observation about players staying in the game longer. I think it's a mixture of many reasons: their bodies are better looked after, their particular team found a role for them (usually down the spine of the ground where pace matters less; if Sydney didn't have a glut of on-ballers, Ryan O'Keefe could have played a lot more games of senior footy), and perhaps more game time is spent in congestion nowadays, which gives an advantage to mature bodies and fast minds.
handles
Guest
100% agree. Junior was the leader on field. The error was compounded by the appointment of two kids not ready to lead as co-captains.
Ironmongery
Guest
Thanks for the article Luke, and well written. I guess part of the challenge with keeping an ageing player on your list is that if they are not pulling their weight on the field then their off-field influence will diminish too - and hence why the Hawthorn approach is so smart.
Ian Montgomery
Roar Pro
Spot on with the value of older players Luke. I would actually argue they are even more important and needed in a team going through a "re-build". As a Saints fan I welcome the retention of some of the older players - just look at Schneider's input in round one versus Templeton or Saad. These guys are invaluable to take the load off young up and coming players, not only for their expereince but also to take some of the physical pressure too. An extra expereinced big bodied midfielder wouldnt have gone astray at the Saints this year after Lenny retired. Especially if at the moment we use Dunstan and Newnes to get battered winning contested ball. I'd much rather the club recruited an older player such as Sewell or even retaining Jones or a player like Raines to take the heat off some of our younger guys to do the grunt work. Having Sam Fisher and Riewoldt stick around while the younger guys develop is critical for the Saints. Rookie lists and the sub rule now allow for greater use of expereinced players to continue to play out their career and give the younger players the benefit of their wisdom
sheek
Roar Guru
Great article Luke, I especially like the observation that coaches are beginning to realise "one size no longer fits all." I work in an emergency service that has a much wider variation in ages & fitness levels. The smart crew bosses know each of their crew mates strengths & weakness & how best they can be utilised to the maximum benefit of the whole team in an emergency. If coaches in sporting teams are becoming aware of the same benefits, then that must be a good thing. It's amazing to watch the old bulls in any sport. They may no longer be at the peak of their physical best, but they have the smarts, developed from many years of experience. They know where to go on a field, what needs to be done at a particular time & when to do it. That is something that can only be developed by many years of playing, of accumulated experience. The other thing about the older guys is being mentors to younger players, who know nothing or little else of life & social mores outside of their chosen sport. In bygone days, the mentors might have been work mates in a week job who helped keep you grounded. Now invariably, that role is passing to senior players. It's got to be a good thing for the old fellas! Not to mention the young guns & clubs benefiting also.
Chancho
Roar Rookie
You just have to look at types such as Kelly Slater or Ryan Giggs who are perceived as beyond the age boundary, but given their passion manage their work load to keep going. Obviously in a team sport environment you need the buy-in from coaching etc to allow you to go on, but I guess if you are still of value then that's all the convincing you need. I really appreciated the candour in this article as well Luke, really good hearing the experiences from those who have been at the top, so thanks!
Aussie Bokkie
Guest
Interesting and poignant article Luke -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Tim
Guest
Even look at ones like ollie wines and Jaegar O'Meara, you cant tell me they were not good enough at 16?
Franko
Guest
"Conversely, I think that if a player is good enough, he is old enough. Meaning like in the real world where you can leave school at 15 to get a trade, why cannot younger players ( say 16 above ) who are advanced for their age be allowed a place on a list" Great point. Oh for the days of 16/17 year old Wanganeen / Bradley / Watson. That however would mean an end to the draft and that ain't going to happen.
Tim
Guest
Two things about age, and ageism Veterans are a God sent for the education of the next group of players, but, the better Clubs are best able to utilize them for they can manage them. Like with us at the hawks, you know they will manage Brian lake through the season ensuring he is cherry ripe for the big game. Or with the likes of hodge/Mitchell/Burgoyne, take the midfield workload off them by playing them off half back during games. Conversely, I think that if a player is good enough, he is old enough. Meaning like in the real world where you can leave school at 15 to get a trade, why cannot younger players ( say 16 above ) who are advanced for their age be allowed a place on a list
Don Freo
Guest
Yep.
Don Freo
Guest
I think Luke is a little brighter than most...certainly brighter than people who judge others on age. He'll be AA this year and could play next year...although his wife wanted him to stop 3 years ago...and he (sort of) compromised. McPharlin is still the fastest key defender in the AFL. It will be lifestyle, not mobility that has him pull the pin whenever he does.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Players have up years and down years and clubs are often all too quick to jump the gun on moving on their older players, particularly if the management decide they're in a "rebuild phase". But we've seen with Harvey and I think Richo who had a couple of amazing Indian Summer years at 32-33, where just as we reckon the game has gone past a player they amaze us all. Even when there's the old "they're not going to be here for the next premiership" guff, as Luke points out, the mentoring and stability they can offer can really have future dividends to the team.
Griffo
Guest
Melbourne may have got it wrong! ? Melbourne definitely got it wrong. As a Melbourne supporter I can tell you, I was none too happy at the time. Especially with moving on James McDonald. He was our captain and laid more tackles than any other player in the team. He had lead the league in tackles at one stage in his career. He was just the sort of hard bodied, tougg player in the midfield we needed to take the pressure off the younger players. He was also a very good leader.
johno
Guest
With Dustin Fletcher turning 40 in a months time I am sure McPharlin gets a bit sick and tired of being written off for being 33
Franko
Guest
They have to be careful not to push beyond their limits though. A.Goodes is certainly walking a tightrope this year.