From the recent article on Kirk on the website:
I hope I've inspired: Kirk - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club
It's unlikely that they're going to say "Roos the idiot thought Kirk should be delisted, it was only the wisdom of Maxfield that saved this great champion", but if you read between the lines, it's pretty clear that Kirk was in line to get the chop whether Eade or Roos was coaching. It's not the first time this has been said either.
That said, it's nothing against Roos. If anything, it shows just how great a coach Roos was at an interpersonal level. The fact that he listened to Maxfield, that he was willing to take on board advice on list management from a player (when appropriate), that he was willing to change his mind and give Kirk another chance based on promise shows great strength of character and flexibility. That Roos was then actually able to draw the best out of Kirk, and then go on to form one of the greatest leadership double-acts to be seen at the club, says even more.
There's no shame in considering Kirk delistment material at the end of 2002. The fact is, he was. He was playing poorly, he wasn't coming along, he just didn't seem to "click". It took one great act of wisdom from Maxfield to back him, it took another, equally great act from Roos to listen.
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