Maxfield out for the finals

[Troy G]

Stuart Maxfield has been ruled out by Swans medical staff for the rest of the season due to his left knee needing an immediate operation.

[hammo]

That solves a selection problem anyway.

I'd say that's that also means the end of his career with the Swans.

[Foreign Legion]

Well that solves the dilemma - don't like his chances of holding a spot next year though.

Should bite the bullet and finish now - then we can salute a great career on Saturday.

[cruiser]

Link to item: http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Swa...562954420.html
I dont mean to be nasty as I have great respect for Stewie but I cant help but wonder whether this was face saving.

[Go Swannies]

Sad, but when even Roos was saying on Sunday that he pulled up sore, not too surprising. Does that leave Magic as the only current player from the '96 team? And Ball as the only GF player on the team?

The team structure remains unaltered for the finals.

It will be interesting to see if he returns - a lot of work for just one more year. But disappointing that he never had the chance to run onto the ground after relinquishing the captaincy. Apparently he was REALLY desperate to play that first weekend after the announcement.

Thanks Stewie - I hope living in Melbourne doesn't keep you away from the Swans too much. Winning this year becomes even more important for the team - if sentimentality counts for anything.

[RogueSwan]

Dang, now what can we discuss?
How good is LRT? nope already done.
Who should be captain? I think may be a thread already going on that one.
Who would we prefer to play in week one?
Should we get excited? nope footyhead beat me to that one!
I am drawing a blank. Maybe I will find an article to link to.

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by cruiser
Link to item: http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Swa...562954420.html
I dont mean to be nasty as I have great respect for Stewie but I cant help but wonder whether this was face saving.

Only if you think he is a wimp. True guts (and I think he's always shown plenty) would be to say "I'm ready to play but I've been out too long and for the benefit of the team I'm not making myself available."

From stepping up to the captaincy when his personality doesn't make him an easy spokesman for the club, to stepping down when he could no longer commit 100%, he's never shown that the good of the club isn't his prime motivation.

But I bet your line of thinking may inspire him to think about playing on next year to reach 200 games rather than anyone presume he wimped out.

Maybe Melbourne is right about the Swans, I can't see ideas like this being posted by fans when Hird and Buckley step aside?

[cruiser]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
I can't see ideas like this being posted by fans when Hird and Buckley step aside?

Then you havent had much experience with Collingwood or Essendon supporters.

[Sanecow]

I am also a bit stunned on the "let's turn nasty on the ex-captain" routine. Shame!

[EMJ]

I watched Stuie on Sunday and he was really struggling. I would guess the knee won't stand up to it anymore and will retire this year.
It will not be easy to do - but with family in Melbourne and knee problems - it won't work for one more year.
It is very sad for him - ge gave everything.

[SimonH]

I haven't watched the 2nds games since his return, but if Stewie's knee is up to it, I for one would love to see him return for another year.

I think that the 'he's old, he's past it' talk has taken on a life of its own since he's been out injured. He wasn't slow, he wasn't lacking penetration with his kicking, and he was an asset to the team with his physical hardness, when he played for the Swans. And that last happened just 4 months ago.

Not that I have any great confidence they will actually offer him another contract-- the only thing that might save him is that (if I understand the system rightly) he will qualify for the veteran's list in 2006, so he will only cost us cash, not a spot on the list.

[liz]

Originally posted by SimonH

Not that I have any great confidence they will actually offer him another contract-- the only thing that might save him is that (if I understand the system rightly) he will qualify for the veteran's list in 2006, so he will only cost us cash, not a spot on the list.

Vets list makes a huge difference and if he wants to go around for one more year I reckon they will give him the chance. At the start of the year his comments indicated that he thought he could play beyond this year. Without knowing the full details of his knee problems it is impossible to guess whether this is still the case.

But he and/or the club must be at least thinking about him playing on next year or otherwise he would probably just have announced his retirement now.

[Doctor J.]

I want him back for one more year.

A fit Stewie can outrun outmuscle, outmark, outkick,outhandpass etc etc a number of players on our list. Ben Mathews springs to mind.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by SimonH
I think that the 'he's old, he's past it' talk has taken on a life of its own since he's been out injured. He wasn't slow, he wasn't lacking penetration with his kicking, and he was an asset to the team with his physical hardness, when he played for the Swans. And that last happened just 4 months ago.

I don't think it is incorrect. I thought he WAS looking slower even towards the end of last year (there was speculation about retirement then), his kicking was/is lacking penetation (Williams' too) but more importantly the accuracy was going. And while his hardness hadn't dropped it has been emulated by Nog in particular (didn't I read that Maxfield acted as his mentor?).

For tha statisticians his season average stats for possesions are
2005 10.4
2004 14.2
2003 16.3
2002 15.9
2001 18.3
My head says it's over and my heart is disappointed he didn't get a farewell match, but even that romantic side of me thinks it's time for him to retire.

[giant]

Ninemsn's take on it.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=3172

Obviously the break has been good for Stuey as he's been able to work on his tan!