ROK?

[ugg]

The reason according to this article is that he had a 'below-par pre-season'. That's really hard to fathom given how fastidious he has been with his training and preparation throughout his career.

O'Keefe slips down Swans' pecking order - AFL.com.au

[satchmopugdog]

Agree in theory, though not on the match-up. Swan is pretty quick - not Jetta quick but a fair bit quicker than ROK. Ball, or even Pendlebury are more ROK's speed.

Pendlebury looks slow but hardly anyone can lay a hand on him....his brain is quick, his hands are quick and his movement is sooo balanced he moves quicker than he appears...my favourite player to watch now Andrew McLeod has gone.

[barry]

Roks year in 2012 won us a flag.

Now his age is starting to take its toll, he ia exposing our midfield as bit. This is the real concern for me.

[The Big Cat]

I'm not saying this is the case with ROK, but the end doesn't come slowly. It comes like a thief in the night and bang, you can't go with them any more. Look at Kennelly and Kirk. Bolts was gone at the end of last year whereas earlier in the year he looked like he had another season or two left in him. A friend of mine was a VFL captain and he suddenly knew he was gone. He didn't slowly lose his closing speed at full back, he lost it over a few weeks and he knew his time was up. It doesn't matter how fit you are or how hard you work or how you watch your diet - the physical attributes that made you a good player have already been taken beyond their norm by the great training etc, but when the body is modified by age, things start to deteriorate. I thought Plugger and Carey could play for ever because of their strength and talents, but they both went downhill so fast. (admittedly after a year off)

[ernie koala]

I don't get all the fuss.

1) His form in the pre season games was poor.

2) He is one of our slowest players.

Horse has long preached...SPREAD...As his major tactic from stoppages.

We already have a relatively slow Kennedy, having 2 slow mids will get exposed by most teams.

I agree with Matt80, I reckon he'll be off to the Demons next year to see out his career...I think that would be a good move for all concerned.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Geez ! Bloody quick to write off a champion after 1 round of footy! Reckon he would have done a better job than many of his team mates if given the chance the other night.

[annew]

Geez ! Bloody quick to write off a champion after 1 round of footy! Reckon he would have done a better job than many of his team mates if given the chance the other night.

I agree, give ROK a chance it is only round 1 and just maybe we were a bit complacent at the weekend.

[Matt80]

I don't get all the fuss.

1) His form in the pre season games was poor.

2) He is one of our slowest players.

Horse has long preached...SPREAD...As his major tactic from stoppages.

We already have a relatively slow Kennedy, having 2 slow mids will get exposed by most teams.

I agree with Matt80, I reckon he'll be off to the Demons next year to see out his career...I think that would be a good move for all concerned.

I do think he will be off to the Demons next year. Thanks for backing me up!

I think he may be an outside chance to be the next senior coach at Melbourne after Paul Roos! He will have one year as playing assistant at Melbourne helping and protecting the young Midfielders. He will then move to senior assistant at Melbourne in 2016. Then once Paul Roos completes his three year contract he will be senior coach of Melbourne in 2017.

I think his professionalism, his experience of a winning culture and his optimism to always find ways to win against more powerful opponents will make him a great senior coach!

[goods78]

I do think he will be off to the Demons next year. Thanks for backing me up!

I think he may be an outside chance to be the next senior coach at Melbourne after Paul Roos! He will have one year as playing assistant at Melbourne helping and protecting the young Midfielders. He will then move to senior assistant at Melbourne in 2016. Then once Paul Roos completes his three year contract he will be senior coach of Melbourne in 2017.

I think his professionalism, his experience of a winning culture and his optimism to always find ways to win against more powerful opponents will make him a great senior coach!

That is certainly interesting Matt80 and I think you may be on the money with Demon's move.

I could certainly see him as an assistant coach, but do you think he has what it takes to be a senior coach?

[ernie koala]

Geez ! Bloody quick to write off a champion after 1 round of footy! Reckon he would have done a better job than many of his team mates if given the chance the other night.

I'm certainly not writing him off...But given his pre season form, and lack of pace, I can see why he wasn't selected in the 22.

No doubt, as the season roles on, he will play a significant role in the senior... But right now, with no midfield injuries and Horse trying out some new combinations, there isn't a spot for him.

Personally I'd like to see him in a forward pocket, tackling his heart out and kicking a goal or 2 a game...Lets not forget he made his name as a forward.

[0918330512]

I do think he will be off to the Demons next year.

Given your predictions on Bird, McGlynn & Smith all returning to Melbourne, looks like ROK could be up for a 1-2 year contract extension with us soon ...

[DamY]

I do think he will be off to the Demons next year. Thanks for backing me up!

I think he may be an outside chance to be the next senior coach at Melbourne after Paul Roos! He will have one year as playing assistant at Melbourne helping and protecting the young Midfielders. He will then move to senior assistant at Melbourne in 2016. Then once Paul Roos completes his three year contract he will be senior coach of Melbourne in 2017.

I think his professionalism, his experience of a winning culture and his optimism to always find ways to win against more powerful opponents will make him a great senior coach!

There was mention of them wanting the assistant coach to work with Roos during the transition and I just don't think he has enough experience just yet to be taking over a senior role within 3 years. Demons have had way too much change in the senior coach role, I think they'll want someone internally for a few years first and I think it would probably be an existing assistant coach that joins in the near future.

[Matt80]

That is certainly interesting Matt80 and I think you may be on the money with Demon's move.

I could certainly see him as an assistant coach, but do you think he has what it takes to be a senior coach?

I think he has all the great qualities of a Senior Coach! He is dedicated, highly professional, would have no problems working the 80 hours plus weeks, he has played in all areas of the ground, is intelligent, from a winning culture and has playerd

[Matt80]

Given your predictions on Bird, McGlynn & Smith all returning to Melbourne, looks like ROK could be up for a 1-2 year contract extension with us soon ...

At the end of last season there was speculation that Nick Smith was investigation Melbourne clubs! I thought Ben McGlynn might find Midfield opportunities more scarce with B.Jack, L. Perris, H. Cunningham coming through. I got Craig Bird totally wrong.

I don't think that ROK going to get a 1-2 year contract extension, based on where he is currently sitting at the Swans, and is 34 years of age at the start of 2014! I think he will join Paul Roos as a free agent and have an playing - assisting coaching role like a Luke Power at GWS.

[Plugger46]

He'll play plenty of footy when the whips are cracking. He's never been overly quick, it's just about getting the right balance in the line-up.