With the mass retirements this year (both with us and at other clubs) it’s sad to see such a wealth of experience depart. Driven by cap and list pressure & the need to offload a number of players to participate in the draft, it is necessary to offload legends of the club. Our veterans are retiring. Hawthorn have released club greats to other clubs for a final year or two (the players feeling they still have more to offer). Boomer Harvey was shown the door at North despite solid form at the end and being the games record holder
What i’d love to see it 1-2 veteran retention spots. Positions for long serving players of a club who wish to remain at their club as a player but perhaps at a reduced capacity: eg they know that they might have limited senior appearances (and sign on significantly reduced pay accordingly) & also know that they will play significant reserves time to impart their wisdom & skills to younger players (adding depth to club lists).
This would be to reward long serving players who still have something to offer. To qualify perhaps 10+ seasons or 200+ games at a club, to ensure that a player can depart on their terms, even if it is in marginal decline, but supporting the next generation of players coming though.
There is already capacity to rookie list a veteran but having 1-2 spots on a list specifically for retaining a loyal servant of a club help cultivate a club’s culture, history and loyalty.
Just the ramblings of a supporter lamenting the departure of Reg, Smooch, Macca & maybe Kizza
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