One year too long...

[Mr Magoo]

With 1 1/2 miutes left in the match we were down by 4 still enough time for a goal the camera switched to Roosy who looked like he had conceded he was just standing there looking miserable.Then it panned to Hardwick who was still ringing the changes, that about sums up the game we gave in to easy

That was probably more to do with experience than anything else. I doubt anything roosy could do at that stage would have changed the result. The players needed to execute and they failed. You cant coach a player to miss two of your players and thread it through to the opposition defender planted between them. It sometimes doesnt help Roosy I think for him to be on the sideline as people focus too much on him whereas if he were up in the coaches box and surrounded by four others it wouldnt look the same.

All hardwicke was probably doing was telling the trainers to get everyone behind the ball , to man up and to let them know how much time was left so they could milk the clock. Panicked urgency does not equal resourcefulness.

[Ratna]

If you were being honest, Goodes 2 misses when we were on top are more serious than misses early in the game. We would have been 45 points up and game over. Apart from those 2 misses, Shaw was in our best few yesterday.

I was travelling and didn't see the game fortunately, but it is a game played by a 22 man team over four quarters. To single out two passages of play by a single player is rarely a true reflection of why a team won or lost, or even of the performance of that player. As the quote by goswannie14 suggests there obviously plenty of other moments that could be singled out. I agree with those who suggest rotating Kirk through the forward line for rests and possibly reducing his game time, this would also allow for further testing of some up and comers in the middle. Young players need confidence and role models, to remove Brett Kirk would be of no help and would rip the soul out of the club. Let him see the year out as captain blood and a champion of the club.

[swallows22]

At the time that Brett announced his retirement, the queries were about his timing. Why announce it that early in the year?

My guess is that he knew he made it one year too many and by announcing his retirement, he would not get dropped. But---

Trust me, I have much,much respect for him and what he has done for the club. But when the bell tolls!!!!!!!!

[stellation]

Two bad plays cost us the game in the dying minutes. Right in front of us, a Richmond player ran around Kirk to set up a goal when Kirk couldn't rise above a jog or even threaten him. Then minutes later, when we had the opportunity to clear the ball out of defence and possibly score to seal the game, Kirk kicked a dinky little kick which allowed Richmoind to keep the ball in their attacking 50 and goal.

Saw it, thought it, feared I had too much form as a Kirkhater to say it.

I thought he generally did a good job on Cotchin, though. Coaching staff clearly thought about leg speed when deciding which Tiger player to have him tag.

[Go Swannies]

Saw it, thought it, feared I had too much form as a Kirkhater to say it.

I thought he generally did a good job on Cotchin, though. Coaching staff clearly thought about leg speed when deciding which Tiger player to have him tag.

Kirkhater? Do you torture kittens, too?

I'd have Kirk a fair way down the list of players who cost us the game.

[hammo]

I agree with the general sentiment of the thread but don't think Kirk will be departing early.

The game is so quick now and Kirk is an old warrior who sadly just can't keep up anymore. It may be worth considering leaving him out of the games at bigger grounds for the rest of the season.

[Jewels]

At the time that Brett announced his retirement, the queries were about his timing. Why announce it that early in the year?

My guess is that he knew he made it one year too many and by announcing his retirement, he would not get dropped. But---

Trust me, I have much,much respect for him and what he has done for the club. But when the bell tolls!!!!!!!!

I don't think that thought would ever have entered his head.
Kirk could wander about the ground on all fours for the duration of the game, barking like a dog and not get dropped.

[troyjones2525]

I think he's played enough good games this year for us to be able to cut him some slack after 1 poor perfomance. As someone else said, he did a reasonable job on one of their better players in Cotchin plus he's bobbed up with a few good goals this year too! Whether we make the finals or not, he deserves to go out on his terms.

[Lucky Knickers]

I know there are many here who will disagree but I feel that there are some players we should be sentimental about. To me, Brett Kirk is one.
Our next crop of players are going to learn more from having him around for this season that having him walk away. I am going to get more from my football by watching him play out the year and being able to watch him for these last games. So many times we've missed the opportunity to farewell our greats of the Sydney era of the Swans on the field as they deserve. Too quickly they are gone.

[Triple B]

I doubt I've ever done it before, but I cursed one passage of Kirk's game yesterday late in the game. It may be the same passage that GS14 and Stella are talking about.

Newman is bringing the ball in from the wing. Kirk is on his inside covering his man. I screamed at the TV for Kirk to go and put pressure on Newman because he is capable of kicking from 55. When he finally moved towards Newman it was too late as he was close enough to kick the goal.

Just a poor decision from Kirk, but crucial in deciding the game nonetheless.

[goswannie14]

I doubt I've ever done it before, but I cursed one passage of Kirk's game yesterday late in the game. It may be the same passage that GS14 and Stella are talking about.

Newman is bringing the ball in from the wing. Kirk is on his inside covering his man. I screamed at the TV for Kirk to go and put pressure on Newman because he is capable of kicking from 55. When he finally moved towards Newman it was too late as he was close enough to kick the goal.

Just a poor decision from Kirk, but crucial in deciding the game nonetheless.

That would be the first one. It was right in front of us at the ground, so it was hard to miss.

[stellation]

Kirkhater? Do you torture kittens, too?

I'm sure my cat would suggest that my endless desire to jump from behind corners and scare her is sheer torture.

[Go Swannies]

Within two months Roos and Kirk will be gone and the Swans 2005 Premiership era is really over. I wonder who will lift the team to the next Premiership - if anyone?

[ernie koala]

Within two months Roos and Kirk will be gone and the Swans 2005 Premiership era is really over. I wonder who will lift the team to the next Premiership - if anyone?

Will it be Horse?....Will he sweep through the club with fresh ideas and enthusiasm?...Will he change some of the assistants and support staff?..
I've got no idea, but I never liked this succession plan, seems way to narrow and inward looking for mine. Lets just hope it's not more of the same.

[wearebloods]

Will it be Horse?....Will he sweep through the club with fresh ideas and enthusiasm?...Will he change some of the assistants and support staff?..
I've got no idea, but I never liked this succession plan, seems way to narrow and inward looking for mine. Lets just hope it's not more of the same.

Maxfield = Brutus ?????