ROK - Re signs with swans for 4 years. (Confirmed)

[AnnieH]

So does that make the club a traitor wrt Schneider and Dempster?

Of course not.

[liz]

Of course not.

Why not? The point ROK Lobster (and others) are trying to make is that you are applying double standards. Clubs and players have contracts and when those contracts are up for renewal (and sometimes before they are) they quite reasonably look at their options before deciding whether to re-sign or not. Schneider didn't originally want to leave the Swans, regardless of whether he reconciled himself to the events when they happened. And yet the club shipped him off. I wouldn't use the word "traitor" but nor would I describe ROK's actions as those of a "traitor". He could have maybe handled things better - specifically, made his moves earlier - and it would be nice to have it resolved quickly one way or the other. But if he chooses to stay, I doubt many fans (including the thousands who don't obsess over things the way we tend to on here) will even remember halfway through next season that he ever thought about leaving.

[AnnieH]

Why not? The point ROK Lobster (and others) are trying to make is that you are applying double standards. Clubs and players have contracts and when those contracts are up for renewal (and sometimes before they are) they quite reasonably look at their options before deciding whether to re-sign or not. Schneider didn't originally want to leave the Swans, regardless of whether he reconciled himself to the events when they happened. And yet the club shipped him off. I wouldn't use the word "traitor" but nor would I describe ROK's actions as those of a "traitor". He could have maybe handled things better - specifically, made his moves earlier - and it would be nice to have it resolved quickly one way or the other. But if he chooses to stay, I doubt many fans (including the thousands who don't obsess over things the way we tend to on here) will even remember halfway through next season that he ever thought about leaving.

That would totally depend on how he played next season.
If we re-sign him, and he really doesn't want to be here - do you really think he's going to put in 100%.
If he puts in less - he won't be forgotten, he'll be crucified.

Personally, I'm kinda hoping we win another premiership before I die - if we have a player who doesn't want to be here, how's that going to help our chances?

[Plugger46]

That would totally depend on how he played next season.
If we re-sign him, and he really doesn't want to be here - do you really think he's going to put in 100%.
If he puts in less - he won't be forgotten, he'll be crucified.

Personally, I'm kinda hoping we win another premiership before I die - if we have a player who doesn't want to be here, how's that going to help our chances?

He's a professional footballer and is acknowledged as one of the hardest workers in the game. He probably only has 4 years left - do you really think he's not going to give his all?

[AnnieH]

He's a professional footballer and is acknowledged as one of the hardest workers in the game. He probably only has 4 years left - do you really think he's not going to give his all?

He wants to go to Melbourne (the State, not the team).
He could still end up at Fweo.
Time will tell.

[NMWBloods]

He could have maybe handled things better - specifically, made his moves earlier - and it would be nice to have it resolved quickly one way or the other. But if he chooses to stay, I doubt many fans (including the thousands who don't obsess over things the way we tend to on here) will even remember halfway through next season that he ever thought about leaving.

I think you're exactly right on the last point.

Thinking about his actions though I'm not really sure if he could have handled them much differently. Sure he could have said to Roos that he was looking, but quite honestly no one does that when they're sounding out other options. He couldn't have done it much earlier as it was only a week or so after season's end and given it relied on trade week it couldn't have been resolved any faster.

[ShockOfHair]

Reading the Hinds article you can't help but feel sorry for ROK being stiffed by Carlton and others who apparently made some promises they didn't (or didn't intend to) keep.

This is (was?) his last chance at a big payday, but footballers make a pretty tenuous living. Just ask Nickie D.

I strongly admire Annie's ability to maintain the rage, but I'd quite happily accept him back. Next year is another of those 'transition years' with our aging fleet of on-field leaders one year older. We need all the help we can get.

[liz]

I think you're exactly right on the last point.

Thinking about his actions though I'm not really sure if he could have handled them much differently. Sure he could have said to Roos that he was looking, but quite honestly no one does that when they're sounding out other options. He couldn't have done it much earlier as it was only a week or so after season's end and given it relied on trade week it couldn't have been resolved any faster.

I doubt trade negotiations started with ROK 3 weeks ago. Surely the Swans would have put at least an indicative contract before him part way through the season. If he felt they were trying to dud him on his worth, he could have appointed a manager far earlier on in the process to sound out other clubs as to what other offers might be out there, rather than only after he'd said something to make the Swans think he was close to accepting.

Carlton's Swann has been quoted in the media a couple of times as believing ROK wasn't really looking to move, and that he thought he'd re-sign. If he genuinely was trying to consider all options, sounding out clubs earlier might have made them think he really was serious rather than just using them to up his contract with Sydney, and they'd have had more chance to properly ponder how much they wanted/needed him and whether he'd fit into their cap structure.

[connolly]

This article if it hasn't been noted elsewhere illustrates the low levels that clubs are willing to stoop to in order to improve their club: We and O'Keefe have clearly had it impressed on us not to trust anything the Hawthorns and Carltons of this world say:

O'Keefe finds game is played hard - realfooty.com.au

One organization led by a corporate shafter and the other by possibly the most devious poltiican since Big Ears McMahon. Might have been a clue in there somewhere moneybags?

[connolly]

If RO'K felt he was being treated fairly by the club he would never have appointed a manager.

So he appointed a prize wanker who has treated him unfairly. And at the handsome rates applied by these imposters. Stewie Maxfield is a straight shooter. ROK believed his own publicity and was led like lamb to the slaughter by a spruiker from the Flemington markets. To market alright. Poor ROK was slit, skinned and dressed before he felt the pain. Beautiful job.

[AnnieH]

So he appointed a prize wanker who has treated him unfairly. And at the handsome rates applied by these imposters. Stewie Maxfield is a straight shooter. ROK believed his own publicity and was led like lamb to the slaughter by a spruiker from the Flemington markets. To market alright. Poor ROK was slit, skinned and dressed before he felt the pain. Beautiful job.

Right on brother!!

[swansrule100]

I really do not understand this attitude (and this is not a go at you Annie, as you are certainly not the only one to have expressed it).

It is accepted by most that the club is free to trade or delist unwanted players in an effort to improve its position. That's the business of a football club.

Why is it so wrong for a player to do the same?

If RO'K felt he was being treated fairly by the club he would never have appointed a manager. He has attempted to improve his position, with, at this stage, pretty ordinary results. But in reality he has not done anything different to what the club did in delisting Schneider for instance.

spot on, the okeefe thing has been aired out in the media too much and i am disapointed the club has not got it resolved. Have him staying or get the trade done, so we dont end up with nothing.

But a player should be able to shop around and get whatever deal or money they want. As long as once they lock in they turn up to train and play with 100% commitment and attidude thats all you can ask.

[ROK Lobster]

So he appointed a prize wanker who has treated him unfairly. And at the handsome rates applied by these imposters. Stewie Maxfield is a straight shooter. ROK believed his own publicity and was led like lamb to the slaughter by a spruiker from the Flemington markets. To market alright. Poor ROK was slit, skinned and dressed before he felt the pain. Beautiful job.

How do you kow that O'Keefe's manager has treated him unfairly, that Maxfield is a straight shooter and the RO'K overrated himself? Clearly that is your opinion, but I maintain that the fact that O'Keefe felt he needed a manager to obtain his true worth (and engineer a move back to Melboure if that really is an issue at all) then perhaps your opinion is not shared by all.

[annew]

There is an article on the AFL website saying he will make his decision as early as next week and didn't want to leave the SWans with nothing in it for them. Not sure how to attach the link to the article.

[AnnieH]

Here you go Anne ...


O'Keefe to show direction next week