If the struggles of two-time Brownlow Medallists Adam Goodes and Gary Ablett Jr so far this season is anything to go by, then we could be saying goodbye to these long-serving players at the end of this season.
Goodes has chosen to play a full match in the reserves rather than start as the substitute for the Sydney Swans in their intracity showdown against Greater Western Sydney, while Gary Ablett Jr has been ruled out indefinitely after submitting two below-par performances in his return from a shoulder injury.
The former’s decision to go on for a 17th season earned the ire of retired Swans champion Jude Bolton, who suggested on Channel Seven‘s AFL Game Day last Sunday that Goodes may have played on for “one season too long”.
However, John Longmire hit back by saying that he was still part of Sydney’s best 22, even if it meant starting him as the substitute, as was the case against Port Adelaide last Saturday night.
Goodes was substituted out of their Round 1 match against Essendon and it may have been a turning point as the Swans came back from 41 points down in the third quarter to win by 12 points.
His statistics in the Swans’ opening two matches against the Bombers and Port were very low by his standards, with returns of just nine possessions and four tackles, and six and none respectively.
So rather than starting as the sub for the second week in a row, the man himself has decided to go for a full run in the reserves and forgo his place in the side that will face the GWS.
The 35-year-old has compiled just about the best footballing resume possible, winning two Brownlow Medals, the 1999 AFL Rising Star Award, being one of only five players (the others being Vic Belcher, Ryan O’Keefe, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Jude Bolton) to have played in more than one South Melbourne-Sydney premiership side and is the current record games holder for the Swans with 353 games (and counting).
Last year Goodes didn’t play his first match until Round 6 after going down with a long-term knee injury against Port Adelaide midway through the 2013 season. His absence throughout the second half of the Swans’ ultimately unsuccessful title defence was the longest injury layoff in his distinguished and decorated career.
However, he bounced back and went on to play every game for the rest of the year, bringing up his 350th AFL game against North Melbourne in the preliminary final before suffering his second grand final loss as a player (after 2006).
But his poor performances against the Bombers and Power, which have overshadowed the Swans’ 2-0 start to this season, could be enough to suggest that he is well past his best. Retirement could be on the horizon rather than a bid to become the club’s first triple premiership player.
The burning desire to achieve that, after the Swans were thrashed by Hawthorn in last year’s grand final, was one of the factors that initially drove him to play on for a 17th season.
On the other hand, it appears obvious that Gary Ablett Jr is not back to his best yet, after his reconstructed shoulder failed its first two tests against Melbourne and St Kilda.
Like Goodes, Ablett is also a two-time premiership player and a two-time Brownlow Medallist and the shoulder injury he suffered against Collingwood last year sent a massive shiver down the spines of not just Suns fans, but also AFL fans.
It was the first major injury of Ablett’s distinguished career and it ruined any chances he had of becoming the first repeat Brownlow Medallist since Robert Harvey in 1997-98, his form up to that point having been exceptional.
It also ruined any chance the Suns had of reaching the finals for the first time and their inability to regularly win without him in the side was what led to foundation coach Guy McKenna being sacked at the end of the season.
New coach Rodney Eade suggested upon his appointment as Suns coach that Ablett had the potential to become the Michael Jordan of the AFL. However, the little master has failed so far this season to rediscover the form that saw him reign as one of the best players in the AFL over the last eight years.
Ablett currently sits on 270 AFL games and remains on track to play his 300th AFL game at some stage next season, yet his indefinite absence has come at the worst possible time for the Suns. They face a horror fortnight with trips to Geelong (to face the Cats) and Canberra (to face the Giants).
Eade has challenged his players to step up in their captain’s absence as they face the prospect of going 0-4 to start the season. Depending on how long he is out for, it could provide another long-term glimpse of life after him.
It pains many to think that Gary Ablett Jr may never return to previous form, and the same could be said for Adam Goodes.
The same could also be said for Adam Goodes, whose self-enforced demotion to the reserves could be seen as the beginning of the end for the Swans veteran, as was the case with Ryan O’Keefe last year.
Will either play on next season? We might get a clear answer deeper into the season.
Gecko
Guest
I agree with Swampy and Michael H. Ablett's future is in a completely different category to Goodes. Though shoulder injuries do take years to fully recover, they affect overhead marking players more than runners. Ablett certainly has many more years of AFL footy left in him. The challenge for Ablett will be whether he can continue to use his shoulder strength to shrug tackles. If he can't, he'll need to find ways to compensate for this lost skill, otherwise he'll become just another decent AFL player.
Michael huston
Guest
Think it's harsh to compare the two, or even to criticise the two at all. Goodes is 35, and Ablett has just faced a massive injury. You can't expect either to be at their best. Goodes won his last Brownlow almost a decade ago, and his first twelve years ago. There's just no way he is going to be able to play at that level for that long well into his 30's. And as for Ablett, I believe both he and Judd have the potential to be electric again if given a clean run of injuries, but form can be messed up. Look at Judd: he's clearly still capable of speed and amazing skill, but he's also shown he can't do that enough, which I think comes down to form. It's sad, but feel blessed we got to witness three absolute legends and dual Brownlow medallists in their prime.
Maggie
Guest
Discussing the future of these two wonderful players in the same article is somewhat misleading. Adam Goodes is 35 years old. Of course he is past his best. The relevant question is whether the best he is now capable of puts him in the Swans' top 21 players. It would do right now for most of the other teams in the comp. I think he will be back in the Swans' team playing a valuable role before the season is finished and he then retires as one of the all-time AFL champions. Gary Ablett however is only (in May) 31 years old. He would have won the Brownlow last year and would be playing super football right now but for that terrible shoulder injury. To make the comparison with Goodes, in 2011 when Goodes was 31 he polled 19 Brownlow votes and won the Swans' Best and Fairest. I sincerely hope time out will heal Ablett's shoulder to the extent that we see a couple more years of his magic before age also catches up with him.
Swampy
Guest
Goodes will take 8 or 9 matches to get fit because of his age but sydney can't afford to play him full games up to that point. If he wants to keep playing, the reality is that match fitness will need to be gained in the NEAFL Ablett on the other hand looks both unfit and sore. As the guy who 12 months ago was out and out the noted greatest player in the league - it is madness to play him at all while he is underdone. They are driving a Ferrari that is running on 3 cylinders. Shoulders take forever to recover. At least 12 months. Buddy and Riewoldt didn't take a mark overhead for about 4 years while their respective shoulders regained strength. Note. Gary Snr got better after 30. There is no reason to think that Gary Jnr won't play at a high level for many more seasons.
Daza
Guest
If Ablett had of played the full season last year, he would have won the Brownlow by a mile! Give him a chance to come back from a very major injury before writing him off. He simply tried to come back too early, once he gets it right, he will come back just as good as he was......unfortunately, the rest of his team mates are not looking so good withourt him!
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
The answer to the title question is easy - yes. The more subtle question is whether their current level is good enough for their respective teams. Assuming Ablett can get over his injury properly, I think the answer is undoubtedly yes, but I'm not so sure with Goodes. There are just too many other high quality and experienced players in the Swans team for him to be allowed to continue at his current level.
Blake
Roar Rookie
I don't think its a physical thing for Goodes. he is a smart enough footballer to know he isn't 23 anymore. if he gets his head right (and playing with hungry young guys will help that) he will be back and contributing to the 22. his leadership and character are irreplaceable and he is the guy you want around if your 20 down in the last quarter in September (yes I'm a swans fan). he may not kick the goal but you know he will be around the ball somewhere. I think Ablett has also lost his desire. the plan was that he would be leading a championship team by now. if he was in a top four team with a Fyfe, D Swan or K Jack beside him we wouldn't be asking this question.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
A brilliant pair. Goodesy was handy at times last year but looks out of sorts this year. I think he should have retired. Ablett may well recover but with pessimistic old Rocket in charge, he might choose to go and do his stuff elsewhere.
pjm
Roar Rookie
They just kept Goodes on last year because he was AotY and the team was going well. They wanted to give him a premiership to retire with but they fluffed that.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Goodes is definitely past his best. I was worried last year when he didn't retire. Ablett it depends if he can get the shoulder right. If he doesn't then it could well end his career. Otherwise I'd probably start playing him forward now.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Goodes is clearly well past his prime / best. Ablett though probably past his absolute peak, still have quite a few year of contribution to come. Just needs to get the shoulder right. Doesn't look like a guy who can play injured.