Our veteran quandary

[qldmagpie67]

Update on the zoom call
Pendles has a 1 year contract waiting to be sighted when he’s ready. It’s purely his decision if he signs or not. The club want him to play in he’s yet to make that decision himself.

Mitchell was a topic of conversation due to his foot injury and long term prognosis. His form prior hadn’t been electrifying so he’s in the watch list.

Howe is unsure if he will play in at this stage despite trigger clause. He also wants to wait and see how the next few weeks play out.

WHE will go around again.

Checkers will go around again.

Cox is a wait and see. His symptoms from concussion haven’t eased as the club had hoped. He’s 50/50 to get a new deal offered to him.

Sidey has indicated through his management to the club he wants to play on in 2025. Club is waiting to see how the year plays out but hasn’t ruled out a 1 year deal for 2025.

Was some talk on the progress of Richard’s Sullivan Harrison Allan McRae TJ
Club is happy with each but is in the market for a big body inside mid aged 24-26 to work with Nick D long term

[Boot]

Update on the zoom call

Was some talk on the progress of Richard’s Sullivan Harrison Allan McRae TJ
Club is happy with each but is in the market for a big body inside mid aged 24-26 to work with Nick D long term

Come on down Luke Davies-Uniacke!

[RudeBoy]

For those making assumptions about players retiring, I'll just point out that Sidey was one of our match winners when moved into the centre in the last quarter against the Roos. His ability to read the fall of the ball, break tackles and drive the ball into our forward line was exceptional.

I'm not saying this might not be his last year, but I wouldn't be assuming that it is.

[Pies4shaw]

^ He has another 3 seasons in him, if he wants to play on. He started his career as slow as a coach and still is. Covering the ground - not leg speed - has always been his thing. When he stops being able to run them ragged up and down the wings, over 4 quarters, and kick goals from 100 metres out to win Grand Finals, he'll hang up the boots. Until then - it's his call.

[stui magpie]

Update on the zoom call

Was some talk on the progress of Richard’s Sullivan Harrison Allan McRae TJ
Club is happy with each but is in the market for a big body inside mid aged 24-26 to work with Nick D long term

Come on down Luke Davies-Uniacke!

Can Zurhar (however you spell it, you know the one with the shit tatts) play inside mid?

[Boot]

Can Zurhar (however you spell it, you know the one with the shit tatts) play inside mid?[/quote]

Cameron Zurhaar is a free agent at the end of this year so he is half a chance to leave Nth Melbourne for a big contract but he is a tease of a player who has moments of DeGoey like brilliance then goes missing for 6 weeks and Nth Melb have tried to get him fit enough to play through the middle for more time but he just hasn't been able to develop the tank to do it consistently. I'm not sure he is going to be worth the cost of what his contract will be so I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign with either StKilda, Essendon, West Coast or Hawthorn for big $'s.
Luke Davies-Uniacke is incredibly consistent and I think is Nth Melbourne's best player. He was a pick 4 in his draft year so has always exuded class and elite skill and is just entering his prime as an AFL footballer. I'd love to see him arrive at Collingwood next season as a ready made replacement for Scott Pendlebury's pending retirement. He would be the perfect partner for Nick Daicos for the next 5 years as on on-ball dynamic duo.

[Charlie Oneeye]

The problem I see is that our veterans are key players and not just players who have somehow managed to play till 33+.

They could all easily be in our best players for 2025. But, If none retire this year, it will likely mean cold turkey clear out end of 2025, leaving a big void to fill for 2026.

I don't like what Hawthorn did and clean their stalwarts out in one year. It's a problem.

As much as I might wish.. 1 more year !!. Hopefully someone retires.

[RudeBoy]

Cox and Mitchell should retire at season's end.

Sidey and Howe just one more year.

I could see Pendles, Elliott and WHE playing for another 2 yrs.

Checkers and Crisp have another 3 yrs imo.

That would be a reasonable staggering of veteran retirements.

[Pete 70]

Just want to say thanks for the update QLDmagpie - really appreciate your posts mate, and the insights you share.

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

Simple solution to this quadry thing is to recruit young talent.

[RudeBoy]

Thanks for your info QM67.

[qldmagpie67]

Welcome all

If I had to guess (and it’s a guess) Cox is likely to go and depending on Elliotts foot issue either he or Mitchell could go.
As others mentioned all other veterans are still in our best 22.
Krueger can pinch hit in the ruck and looks more at home at FF than Cox
Elliott for all his greatness has been easily replaced up forward. We have found other ave use to goal
Mitchell and his lack of pace have been replaced easily and after watching the job McCreery did with his run with role I think that opens up an opportunity for him for more midfield minutes.

Time will tell any veteran is 1 injury away from the end so fingers crossed that doesn’t happen

[K]

...
Howe has a 16-game trigger clause in his contract. That doesn't sound like the hardest target...
He's already played 4, so 12 more to go.

Hun reports he reaches the trigger against Carlton.

[The Black and White Lion]

Pretty sure we need to delist 3 players. Carmichael has retired, that’s 1. It’s too late for Murphy as we already replaced him in the MSD.

Seems we have no other VFL listed players out of contract for next year other than Richards, Sullivan, Bytel and Eyre. I think they’ve all shown enough to go again. Can understand them chasing a multi year deal elsewhere if the Pies can only offer another 1 year deal. Sullivan tries hard. Bytel gets it a lot but doesn’t use it well. Eyre has height and a beautiful left foot kick. Richards has forward smarts.

Begg could be No.2 delisting but not sure on contract status.

I really think we need at least 1 retirement from the veterans.

[Jen2310]

Pretty sure we need to delist 3 players. Carmichael has retired, that’s 1. It’s too late for Murphy as we already replaced him in the MSD.

It's a bit confusing but no we didn't replace murphy in MSD. You can't replace a senior listed player spot with a rookie spot. Basically we are over the limit for rookies, which you can be until the end of the year.
So we still have one available primary spot.
Carmichael could be filled by Smit and if Begg or bytel goes, then he gets filled by Long (if he gets recontracted)
We'll be allowed to keep rookies on the list for up to 5 years granted they meet certain criteria, so Dean may not need to be promoted to the senior list.
Current rookies
Begg (inactive)
Dean
Long
Bytel
Sullivan
Eyre
Carmichael (retired)
Smit

Can have 6 so end of the year this will need to be evened out.

But I agree, I think we'll need at least one retiree.