Tough Decisions

**Mr Magoo** · 1 June 2010, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by mcs

While there is no doubt their effectiveness is down, I don't think there would be any point in dropping either of them, as we simply don't have the available troops atm to replace them. Kirky is struggle, and Bolton is not playing well, but currently they are in our best 22. Their time is coming- I think out of yesterday's game it was almost a watershed moment to me- while they did their job, it was the young guns that really dragged us back into it, especially Hanners. The baton is beginning to be passed to the next generation of Bloods, but it is not time yet to throw our veterans on the scrapheap.

My concern is that mentally Kirk and Bolton arent starting to think the same way. They should be thinking that when the time is needed to lift then they should be leading the way not passing the baton on to the younger players to drag us over the line. They are most definitely in our best 22 but they need to think that they are most definitely in our best 10 and when the situation requires it they need to lift they little bit extra to give confidence to the young guys around them. Fine example was when Jude missed the tackle in the fourth quarter that allowed Hawthorn to stream through the middle. He isnt too old to make those stick and its those times that Kirk and Bolton have to lead by example, that could have changed the momentum totally , as did the smother on Heath I hink it was when we were streaming through the middle. Its those one percenters that these guys have to lift for.

**aardvark** · 1 June 2010, 01:02 PM

I still think its an issue of time management. Reduce their game time more but have them on the ground with something left in the tank when it matters.Kirk 90% TOG and Bolton92% is probably too much as we saw when it mattered on the weekend

**swansrule100** · 1 June 2010, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by aardvark

I still think its an issue of time management. Reduce their game time more but have them on the ground with something left in the tank when it matters.Kirk 90% TOG and Bolton92% is probably too much as we saw when it mattered on the weekend

good point i agree with that, gives youngsters more time, keeps older players fresher and assists with team balance.

**wearebloods** · 1 June 2010, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by aardvark

I still think its an issue of time management. Reduce their game time more but have them on the ground with something left in the tank when it matters.Kirk 90% TOG and Bolton92% is probably too much as we saw when it mattered on the weekend

Agree, Kirk especially needs to be managed very carefully, I'd hate for him to pull the plug early.

It might also be a good idea to give each of them (and maybe ROK) a game off. The Port (before the bye & Filth), Richmond & NM (before Carlton) games would be ideal.

The one proviso would be that Bird is fit & firing for the 2nd part of the season + finals, so they need to make sure he is eased back into the seniors very gently.

**Melbourne_Blood** · 1 June 2010, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by RTTF

Agree, Kirk especially needs to be managed very carefully, I'd hate for him to pull the plug early.

It might also be a good idea to give each of them (and maybe ROK) a game off. The Port (before the bye & Filth), Richmond & NM (before Carlton) games would be ideal.

The one proviso would be that Bird is fit & firing for the 2nd part of the season + finals, so they need to make sure he is eased back into the seniors very gently.

I agree with this. Many Champions have been managed carefully through thier final year. Kirky should be managed the same way so we don't have too see him struggling which is sad and I'm sure it's not the way he wants to be remembered, and so we can get the performances out of him we know he is capable of. Freshen him up with a game off here and there, and keep getting some game time into our next generation.

However, i dont think Jude and ROK are quite at that stage where they need to be rested, they are just struggling for form. They were both firing in the first six rounds, ROK was up with Ablett in the Herald Sun player of the year award after round 5, and Jude was playing as good as I've seen him.

**Donners** · 1 June 2010, 02:31 PM

I thought Jude had been going well, but looking at his stats, he's had far fewer tackles, has the highest ratio of handballs to kicks in his career and is way down on clearances and inside 50s. I think he's winding down a bit, but is certainly not on the way out just yet.

Kirky is way down, but still contributing - both in numbers and presence. I don't think it's at the point of leaving him out yet.

Goodes, O'Keefe and Mattner are the three who really stand out to me as being off the boil.

**Melbourne_Blood** · 1 June 2010, 02:38 PM

Agree with Mattner, i was disappointed with his year so far but he was terrific against the Hawks. I disagree that Jude is winding down, he's just had a bad four weeks. Yeah he's getting on but he was so so good at the start of the year. Its a form issue for Jude, not an age one.

**msb** · 1 June 2010, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by Brettb

As tough as it is to say, Kirk is done, and Bolton is not too far behind.

Kirk will always be one of my favourite Bloods, however the game has passed him by.

Yep, agree. Watching him the other day, kirky's still got that unbelievable courage, but he's way too slow for a midfielder now (not that he's ever been overly quick) and it is clearly passed him. I have thought it since the north game. There was an example the other day on the wing where him and mitchell were chasing the ball and mitchell just ran away from him, which im pretty sure resulted in a hawks goal. Maybe stick him in the forward pocket for the rest of the year?

**sWAns63** · 1 June 2010, 05:04 PM

One thing I like about our club is we always get the most out of our great players other clubs at the same stage would of dropped theirs to ressies or dumped them midway through the season or traded them off (WCE,Wobbles etc.).Our club stays loyal to ours and continues to back them in week after week that's why I love this club.

**Kanga** · 1 June 2010, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by sWAns63

One thing I like about our club is we always get the most out of our great players other clubs at the same stage would of dropped theirs to ressies or dumped them midway through the season or traded them off (WCE,Wobbles etc.).Our club stays loyal to ours and continues to back them in week after week that's why I love this club.

I wonder if Leo Barry would agree?

**Number 43** · 1 June 2010, 05:39 PM

I'm pretty sure Leo played on for one more year at the request of the club. Unfortunately an injury kept him out for most of it.

**1%ers** · 1 June 2010, 06:09 PM

No Jude is still our toughest in and under player, get the bino's out and look at who's at the bottom of the packs getting the ball out to the running players. Judes in our top 3 midfielders.

Unfortunately Kirk runs out of legs after half time.
Leo's injury came at a really unfortunate time, he still had a season in him, the greatest defender Swans have had since moving to Sydney

**1%ers** · 1 June 2010, 06:13 PM

Is it possible that Judes handball ratio has gone up, due to an increased workload in and under the packs to protect our younger and smaller framed midfielders?

**Plugger46** · 1 June 2010, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by 1%ers

No Jude is still our toughest in and under player, get the bino's out and look at who's at the bottom of the packs getting the ball out to the running players.

You'll see a lot of Josh Kennedy at the bottom of those packs.

**sharp9** · 2 June 2010, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by BSA5

What game were you watching? White played his best game of the year today, he was busting packs, bringing the ball the ground, moving well, and he kicked 3 very important goals.

Barry was referring to a couple of times when Jesse didn't read the play upfield properly and Birchall (or whoever) dashed in front to grab the quick, wobbly kick. Commentators thought he was asleep and was not ready at all.