Kirk Considering Future....

[Bear]

Some really worrying signs for Kirky now. His lack of pace is really being exploited by opponents.

Let's hope he makes the right decision on retirement in the cold hard light of day.

[Go Swannies]

Some really worrying signs for Kirky now. His lack of pace is really being exploited by opponents.

Let's hope he makes the right decision on retirement in the cold hard light of day.

And plays on?

Watching the game on TV yesterday I was impressed by Kirk's ability to find the ball in a mass of players and get it to a team mate again and again.

[Primmy]

Kirk will be the coach of the Sydney Swans after Longmire.

In fact, I doubt Longmire will last more than 3 years, so Kirky better do his apprentiship fast!

You know what? I agree. He is constantly in the mix, directing traffic, sorting out those who need to be, giving encouragement to others, or discussing things with Roos under the canopy, and he is after all a qualified teacher. Its in him.

But I don't agree about Longmire. He is going to be around for a long time.

What's the book on a joint coaching job? they did it with captaincy, why not be stupidly innovative!

[liz]

The Age had him as the Swans' best player yesterday.

Don't think this has been his best season, but has it occured to anyone knocking him that he may well be carrying injuries (and yet still being pretty effective)? We supporters demand an awful lot from players, ignoring the fact they will often be sore, and can be pretty damning when they fall even marginally from the high standards they have set themselves.

[Melbournehammer]

i agree....but - the age also had a discussion about what attributes a small needs to have to be in a team - these being pace, skill or heart (Ithink they used courage). Kirky has the later two courage in bundles and is probably the league's best tackler and his handpassing is impressive usually) - but he is beginning to look quite slow as the game moves more away from contested in-tight footy - and the rule changes which have hindered the swans are certainly not doing him any favours.

I agree with you liz that we got slaughtered on sat night in and around the packs - and with kirky well beaten and jude probably at best breaking even it also showed that if you play goodes at CHF we really do lack players who can go and get the ball

To see simon black run off him all night and run away further and further I thought was really quite concerning.

[AnnieH]

i agree....but - the age also had a discussion about what attributes a small needs to have to be in a team - these being pace, skill or heart (Ithink they used courage). Kirky has the later two courage in bundles and is probably the league's best tackler and his handpassing is impressive usually) - but he is beginning to look quite slow as the game moves more away from contested in-tight footy - and the rule changes which have hindered the swans are certainly not doing him any favours.

There's no "probably". He IS the league's best tackler. Has been for a while.

[Go Swannies]

i agree....but - the age also had a discussion about what attributes a small needs to have to be in a team - these being pace, skill or heart (Ithink they used courage). Kirky has the later two courage in bundles and is probably the league's best tackler and his handpassing is impressive usually) - but he is beginning to look quite slow as the game moves more away from contested in-tight footy - and the rule changes which have hindered the swans are certainly not doing him any favours.

I agree with you liz that we got slaughtered on sat night in and around the packs - and with kirky well beaten and jude probably at best breaking even it also showed that if you play goodes at CHF we really do lack players who can go and get the ball

To see simon black run off him all night and run away further and further I thought was really quite concerning.

But at some cost -

From AFL news "THE BRISBANE Lions could be without five key players for Saturday night?s second elimination final against Carlton at the Gabba.

Almost the entire spine is likely to be spectating, including Daniel Merrett (full-back) Josh Drummond (half-back) Simon Black (centre) and Daniel Bradshaw (full-forward).

Coach Michael Voss said the above five were all less than 50 per cent chances of playing.

?If they come up then good but we?re not expecting them to,? Voss said.

?So we go and plan ahead without them there, and obviously the personnel that we put in have got a job to do against a good opposition.?

Voss believes the holes left by Black (hamstring), Drummond (quad), Bradshaw (quad) and Merrett (hamstring) can be filled by quality players, with Troy Selwood likely to slot straight back in.

Rhan Hooper, Tim Notting, Bradd Dalziell and Pearce Hanley have also been in good form in the reserves.

Matthew Leuenberger is also not ready for a return, while Voss said Black?s hamstring strain was only the ?slightest of slight? strains, giving fans some glimmer of hope that the Brownlow Medallist can play."


Also, Kirk finished the year with more tackles than any other player - with Jude in 3rd. You need a defensive game, too, and they give it to us. The AFL average was 38 - Kirk had 170. He's hardly washed up. His opponents often aren't ready to play the next weekend but Brett invariably is.

[rojo]

If he does make the decision not to go on (and I hope he decides to go one more year) what about mid-field coach next year?

[j s]

Brett Kirk: I can play on | Herald Sun

A significant footnote on that article....

MIKE SHEAHAN'S interview with Kirk airs on Open Mike on Monday night at 9.30pm on Fox Sports 1.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

The part about Hall is sad. I really do wish it all could have ended much better

[Go Swannies]

A significant footnote on that article....

MIKE SHEAHAN'S interview with Kirk airs on Open Mike on Monday night at 9.30pm on Fox Sports 1.

Thank goodness it's pre-recorded.

[Lucky Knickers]

This article confirms he's going on to 2010

''I have spoken to the club about my intentions and I'm about to sign a new contract for the next 12 months,'' Kirk confirmed. ''I just still love it and I'm passionate about the footy club and there's still a role there for me.

I'm grateful. I want one more year.

[Bob Neil]

This article confirms he's going on to 2010

I'm grateful. I want one more year.

I'd like a few more years, but thanks Captain Kirk for 2010. Enjoy the beach & kids but have your ass ready for next year!

[BSA5]

I think people are being very harsh on Kirk's performance on Black, and in general. Black had 24 touches (2 below his average), 8 contested possessions, 9 clearances and a goal. Kirk had 18 touches, 11 contested possessions, 7 clearances and a goal. Yeah, Black beat him, but he hardly massacred him. Kirk got beaten occasionally even in his prime, and only recently he absolutely dominated one of the form midfielders in the competition in Lenny Hayes (who joins a long list of others, even this year, that have been beaten by Kirk). Even if he isn't quiiiiiiite as good as he was a year or two ago, he's still playing some fantastic footy, and can definitely go around another year.

[Armchair Coach]

I think they should just play him off the bench next year. Like a "Shock Trooper". Comes on in bursts, busts through packs, lays unexpected tackles, kicks great crumbing goals. Sheedy employed that tactic for years with great results for both the Bombers and several "older" players (Alessio, Bewick, Moorcroft etc).