Brett Kirk joins Freo

[Swansongster]

I have never been a fan of Kirk the person, but have admired the way he made the most of his limited footballing skills.

That being said, I wish him well. I don't care if he never returns to the Swans in any capacity, after all it is his living and he needs to be where he can make that living and hopefully enjoy life as well.

Not sure what there is to dislike about "Kirk the person"? A beautiful man with notable leadership, presentation, club loyalty, mateship and family orientations.

And, while it is hard to argue that his skills were not as slick as some, I think using the term "limited football skills" is just rehashing the tired old media line that is somewhat disingenuous to the achievements of the man.

Kirk could take a grab, he could put it through the sticks with pretty reliable precision on the run, at the snap and from a set shot. He could find a short or long target from the boot. His handballs on the run, rebound and out of traffic were more often than not to the target (and generally the right optional target). He was tough as dried Weet-bix and could tackle very effectively. He could read the play like a book and he had a great engine. Where were his skills supposingly "limited".

We sure could have used him to close down the game against Collingwood and the Hawks in recent weeks.

Perhaps the more accurate comment about Kirky was that he made the "most of his limited body mass".

He obviously wants to learn the coaching game if he is uprooting his family and heading west. I supect he has the determination to succeed at whatever he tries his hand at.

Good luck to you Kirky. Respect from me whatever you do from here on in.

[Nico]

I have never been a fan of Kirk the person, but have admired the way he made the most of his limited footballing skills.

That being said, I wish him well. I don't care if he never returns to the Swans in any capacity, after all it is his living and he needs to be where he can make that living and hopefully enjoy life as well.

Yep we all see people differently. Maybe surf the net for the excellent sites on leadership and you may see him in a different light.

[goswannie14]

Yep we all see people differently. Maybe surf the net for the excellent sites on leadership and you may see him in a different light.

Nup, nothing I have ever read on leadership says it is acceptable to belittle people publicly, particularly in the press. Doing it to berate someone for speaking to the press is even more hypocritical.

Sorry if I don't toe the "Brett Kirk is beyond criticism" line, because I don't think anyone is, even if they have played for the team I love. But I knew that some people would not think I was entitled to my opinion when I posted the comment.

But this is getting off topic. As I said, despite what I think of him I wish him well in his endeavours.

[Go Swannies]

Nup, nothing I have ever read on leadership says it is acceptable to belittle people publicly, particularly in the press. Doing it to berate someone for speaking to the press is even more hypocritical.

Sorry if I don't toe the "Brett Kirk is beyond criticism" line, because I don't think anyone is, even if they have played for the team I love. But I knew that some people would not think I was entitled to my opinion when I posted the comment.

But this is getting off topic. As I said, despite what I think of him I wish him well in his endeavours.

If I was a leader who felt that a fellow leader had let down the club, again, then I could either deny my responsibility or speak up. And saying "I'd trust Barry with my children but I can no longer trust him on the field" was no more or less than 30,000 of us were saying. Of course, he could have copped out and said "it's up to the club, not me." Or he could have stayed true to himself and stayed honest. I give him points for honesty. I don't think Brett is super bright but I do think he's perhaps the most honourable person to play football. I, like many others, admire that strong, unswerving, moral compass - it's certainly something that will greatly benefit Freo - from its administration to the players.

[goswannie14]

If I was a leader who felt that a fellow leader had let down the club, again, then I could either deny my responsibility or speak up. And saying "I'd trust Barry with my children but I can no longer trust him on the field" was no more or less than 30,000 of us were saying. Of course, he could have copped out and said "it's up to the club, not me." Or he could have stayed true to himself and stayed honest. I give him points for honesty. I don't think Brett is super bright but I do think he's perhaps the most honourable person to play football. I, like many others, admire that strong, unswerving, moral compass - it's certainly something that will greatly benefit Freo - from its administration to the players.

Good guess, but it was another incident and another player I was thinking of. I had forgotten about that one.

[Dirtyburt]

He has lovely Hair also

[Big Al]

Re: Brett Kirk joins Freo

I certainly have no issue with Kirk over the Hall incident. He was voicing the frustration the club felt over Halls continued transgressions. The fact Hall wants to berate Swans supporters even now tells where the moral compass is pointing.

However I certainly won't hang GS14 for not liking Kirk. We're human and us such we all see and interpret things differently. We don't all have to like the same things. I know this will come as a shock to some but there are some people out there who don't like me. They're clearly deluded but certainly entitled to have that view.

[stellation]

I'll assume it's Davo and the Tim Morrissey article. Brett had no issue in talking to the media about his dissapointment about a player talking to the media.

[Go Swannies]

Good guess, but it was another incident and another player I was thinking of. I had forgotten about that one.

Oh, sorry I had it wrong. But you might want to talk to the now-mature but no less carefree Nick about whether he thought he let his team mates down with his conduct at that time. It's nice to see Nick and Roos getting along but then again Roos didn't have to do (or order) dawn ocean swims to atone for Nick's transgressions. That was just self discipline by the rest of the team, led by Kirk, and that discipline gave us the 2005 Premiership.

Ironically, it could have been back-to-back if we hadn't played a team with very different leadership principles in 2006 - so maybe the Eagles' approach was equally successful?

[Swansongster]

Nup, nothing I have ever read on leadership says it is acceptable to belittle people publicly, particularly in the press. Doing it to berate someone for speaking to the press is even more hypocritical.

Sorry if I don't toe the "Brett Kirk is beyond criticism" line, because I don't think anyone is, even if they have played for the team I love. But I knew that some people would not think I was entitled to my opinion when I posted the comment.

But this is getting off topic. As I said, despite what I think of him I wish him well in his endeavours.

I certainly respect your opinion goswannie and, of course, no-one is beyond scrutiny. I just can't personally think of anything that would bring his character into question as you did.

Meanwhile, I think the skills and decision making ability of Kirky on the pitch were better than many commentators are prepared to give credit for. It was more than just heart that gave him such a great career.

[Go Swannies]

We don't all have to like the same things. I know this will come as a shock to some but there are some people out there who don't like me. They're clearly deluded but certainly entitled to have that view.

That can't be true, Al. Right now I'm sporting a black eye after a dispute with a bloke who refused to accept you are a living god. I know both Kirky and Shirley Maclaine have small incense-strewn altars to you. Well, it looked like you.

[goswannie14]

I certainly respect your opinion goswannie and, of course, no-one is beyond scrutiny. I just can't personally think of anything that would bring his character into question as you did.

Meanwhile, I think the skills and decision making ability of Kirky on the pitch were better than many commentators are prepared to give credit for. It was more than just heart that gave him such a great career.

I didn't question his character, I just said I didn't like him. There's a big difference.

[goswannie14]

However I certainly won't hang GS14 for not liking Kirk. We're human and us such we all see and interpret things differently. We don't all have to like the same things. I know this will come as a shock to some but there are some people out there who don't like me. They're clearly deluded but certainly entitled to have that view.

But I assume you will credit me with the turn around in Jude Boltons form after "that game" in Canberra!

[Big Al]

Re: Brett Kirk joins Freo

That can't be true, Al. Right now I'm sporting a black eye after a dispute with a bloke who refused to accept you are a living god. I know both Kirky and Shirley Maclaine have small incense-strewn altars to you. Well, it looked like you.

I met that bloke. His eye is blackened now after he tried to rub my tummy.

Before this gets thrown to the Sandpit I just want to say that I wish Kirk well at Freo.

[Big Al]

Re: Brett Kirk joins Freo

But I assume you will credit me with the turn around in Jude Boltons form after "that game" in Canberra!

PMSL... funniest incident ever at a game of footy and yes Jude was different after that. RWO and the Swans owe you a great debt.