Tadhg announcement today ("I'm staying till 2009")

[Dave]

Yay!

[ItsAllGoodes]

It really is great news and I hope that Tadgh can now truly throw himself into his footy and his life downunder for the next 3 years, now that the burden of making a decision has been lifted.

Personally I would like to see the club celebrate his decision by letting him loose, throw him on the ball and on the wing, and let the Dempsters or Laidlaws take over his role at half-back.

Or Vogels to full back, Leo to the flank and let him run (in a straight line please Leaping!!!)

I wouldnt even wait till next year, it could be the type of move that provides a spark for the rest of this season

I would be very surprised if Tadgh didnt come close to winning a Brownlow if played in a more attacking position, or at least a B&F

3 years would leave him just shy of 200 games (unless we play 4 finals per year), a couple of premierships, maybe a Brownlow or B& F, then the lad can go home and have some male heirs and we can recruit them under the Father-Son rule

[Pommie Swannie]

Absolutely great news!!

Tadhg's form has not been at its stellar best this season, but perhaps that had a lot to do with the decision he was struggling with.

I would expect that now he's come to a decision he is happy with, he will be able to concentrate fully on his footy and I look forward to a stunning season in 2007!

On ya Tadhg!!

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by Pommie Swannie
Tadhg's form has not been at its stellar best this season, but perhaps that had a lot to do with the decision he was struggling with.

In this article he admits that earlier in the season he would find himself losing concentration on the football as his thoughts drifted to his parents but he has learned to control that as the season has gone on.

[Tuco]

Originally posted by Pommie Swannie
Absolutely great news!!

Tadhg's form has not been at its stellar best this season, but perhaps that had a lot to do with the decision he was struggling with.

I would expect that now he's come to a decision he is happy with, he will be able to concentrate fully on his footy and I look forward to a stunning season in 2007!

On ya Tadhg!!

On his form: there was the issue of the limited pre-season, followed by the death of his dad and finally the shoulder that kept him off the starting list for the first month of the season, of course.

I reckon now that he's made a decision, given the family an assurance he'll be home 3mths of the year until 2009, and that he will move back permanently after this contract ends will be a massive load off his mind.

Especially now that he knows he has the full support of his family behind his decision to play on.

I would have supported him if he wanted to leave. But this appears to be a win-win solution for everyone. Couldn't ask any more of him, IMHO!

[cruiser]

Its none of my busines BUT I dont really understand why Tadhg feels an obligation to return home unless he wants to. Many people emigrate away from their families and do so without being guilted into returning.

[liz]

Originally posted by cruiser
Its none of my busines BUT I dont really understand why Tadhg feels an obligation to return home unless he wants to. Many people emigrate away from their families and do so without being guilted into returning.

People have loyalty to families and friends and feel for them when they are in times of need. It is perfectly normal for Tadhg to want to spend more time with his mother and/or to feel personally obligated to spend more time with her.

Only he knows how strong the pulls were, but on a more general level, when one lives on the other side of the world to all one's family, the sound of the phone ringing late at night or early in the morning is one that fills you with dread. When one has already lost one parent, it makes it worse. And that is from personal experience.

[AnnieH]

Originally posted by liz

People have loyalty to families and friends and feel for them when they are in times of need. It is perfectly normal for Tadhg to want to spend more time with his mother and/or to feel personally obligated to spend more time with her.

Only he knows how strong the pulls were, but on a more general level, when one lives on the other side of the world to all one's family, the sound of the phone ringing late at night or early in the morning is one that fills you with dread. When one has already lost one parent, it makes it worse. And that is from personal experience.

Hear hear!!
All the more of a harder decision to stay.
God love and protect him for it.
(No ... no Gary Ablett ... the one higher than him.)

[nomae]

Originally posted by Guzzitza
Agree with the above. Pretty obvious that he is leaving.

The question now is, how do we replace him next year.

hahahaha good prediction

[graystar]

Originally posted by cruiser
Its none of my busines BUT I dont really understand why Tadhg feels an obligation to return home unless he wants to. Many people emigrate away from their families and do so without being guilted into returning.

It comes down to the family.

In my experience I have never felt any pressure from my family to "come back to australia". They realise it is my life. They have had theirs and now it is my turn so making any feeling of obligation is unfair.