Phil Matera retires

[punter257]

just heard that "Fido" is hanging up the boots

I'm going to miss his diving for free kicks inside 50 and telling Eagles supporters that their forward line is a disgrace when he was the leading goalkicker year after year

but credit where credit is due, he had a decent career

[tantrum]

Wow, that's a surprise.

Usually when a player feels they unfairly missed selection for a GF, they try to get traded to another team. They don't usually just retire!

[Plugger46]

Good footballer on his day, the Eagles will miss him.

[giant]

Probably kicked as many goals as any small forward in the history of the game bar Matthews & Bartlett.

When he first started playing it was a pretty sad comparison between him & big brother but he did an excellent job with limited assets over the course of his career.

[S.U.D]

Phew....I was getting worried how who we'd put on him without Nicks around

[westernswan]

most eagles fans are confident that a guy called brad smith is going to be their saviour..they recruited him last year FROM MY WAFL CLUB "subiaco" and in the three previous seasons he was kicking on average around 86 goals a year, and i saw him play once every two weeks...and yes he is damn good

so dont worry about their forward line itll probley be even stronger

[Sanecow]

Smith is a player who will be starting his AFL career in 2006 after a knee reconstruction. This is their big hope for full forward. It reminds me of the tragic years between Capper going to Brisbane and Plugger coming to Sydney.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=236682

They should trade a top-line midfielder for a top-line forward. They have dozens to spare.

[Jeffers1984]

He will always be remembered as Matty Nicks's B-Itch.

[Nolie]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
He will always be remembered as Matty Nicks's B-Itch.

Absolutely spot-on! I dare you to post that on the WCE Bigfooty board. You will get banned.

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by Sanecow
They should trade a top-line midfielder for a top-line forward. They have dozens to spare.

I still reckon I could get a game at FF there

[penga]

Sounds weird but I think that Matera's retirement may strengthen the Eagles. They really need to spread their class around the field rather than just stacking the middle. This may see Cousins or Kerr in the forward line more.

[punter257]

it might make sampi take his finger out...............

[dread and might]

Originally posted by penga
Sounds weird but I think that Matera's retirement may strengthen the Eagles. They really need to spread their class around the field rather than just stacking the middle. This may see Cousins or Kerr in the forward line more.

Cousins maybe because he can probably play anywhere. I can't see Kerr in the forward line. I just can't imagine him being a particularly good mark or set shot. Tis opinion is based on nothing more than having seen him play a handful of times.

[Lucky Knickers]

Hunter moves permanently to the forward line?

[punter257]

they should have traded chad fletcher - he is the biggest seagull in the game

they dont need him and they could have tried to get a key forward