RO'K free agent

[0918330512]

Damien Barrett, on the Footy Show, says Ryan's management have said he will exercise his free agent status to try and get to a another club next year

[Doctor]

No surprises there. If it happens I wish him all the very best and will give him a huge round of applause if he runs on to the SCG or ANZ Stadium in opposition colours.

[Jewels]

No surprises there. If it happens I wish him all the very best and will give him a huge round of applause if he runs on to the SCG or ANZ Stadium in opposition colours.

As will I Doc....

[Ampersand]

Co-signed. He's been a fantastic servant of the club, dual premiership player, Norm Smith medalist and by all accounts his leadership in the reserves group this year has been invaluable. Lesser players might have had a chip on their shoulder about their demotion.

It's a shame that he won't be able to end his career with the club but I'll be happy to see him on the field for another club (as long as he doesn't end up laying 17 tackles against us in a Grand Final).

[ernie koala]

He would be an excellent pick up for a young, rebuilding, defensively minded side, like the Demons.

Pick up the phone Roosy.

[goswannies]

It'd be deserving to see him as a 300 game player & tough that he can't get a game averaging 29 disposals a game in the NEAFL

[Bleed Red Blood]

It'd be deserving to see him as a 300 game player & tough that he can't get a game averaging 29 disposals a game in the NEAFL

ah, the scooter mcglone rule.
maybe we shouldve traded him last year, maybe we couldve kept everitt or lamb.

[goswannies]

ah, the scooter mcglone rule.
maybe we shouldve traded him last year, maybe we couldve kept everitt or lamb.

Hindsight is 20:20

He'd just come off 10 consecutive seasons of playing 22+ games each year & won a Norm Smith a year before last year. No way you'd think to trade him. His currency has dropped somewhat (well it's probably zero as a free agent coming off a 4 game season).

[Doctor J.]

Unfortunately ROK is our Paul Chapman. Still got a few games left in him but would currently be player number 25-30 on our list. Very sad to see it all come to an end so quickly for him.

[churry]

It hurts to read about this as he has been a favourite for so long but I'll be happy for him if he gets another year at Melbourne or gws. Can't see it happening anywhere else. He needs to be played as an inside mid.

[ScottH]

He is too good a player to be in the NEAFL.
Deserves a chance to run around in the seniors for another year or 2.

[stellation]

I have to admit, I do watch some guys running around in games and ponder "is ROK really that much slower than them?".

You'd have to think the cross town chaps would be interested. I'm guessing part of the problem is that we already have some not overly fleet of foot inside players in the team (Bird, JPK- Mitchell in the pecking order above him when fit), the Giants midfield is very speedy and Callan Ward is probably their slowest (and he's far from slow). It would be a good fit, ROK's a known name in Sydney, we know he'd set a great example for their younger guys and I daresay he'd be a starter for them.

[Matt80]

I have to admit, I do watch some guys running around in games and ponder "is ROK really that much slower than them?".

You'd have to think the cross town chaps would be interested. I'm guessing part of the problem is that we already have some not overly fleet of foot inside players in the team (Bird, JPK- Mitchell in the pecking order above him when fit), the Giants midfield is very speedy and Callan Ward is probably their slowest (and he's far from slow). It would be a good fit, ROK's a known name in Sydney, we know he'd set a great example for their younger guys and I daresay he'd be a starter for them.

A left field location for ROK.

Collingwood!

I see Collingwood being able to offer ROK a multifaceted role.

ROK works in the food and hospitality injury. Collingwood have hospitality assets. He could help Collingwood manage some of those hospitality assets. He could also act as part of the coaching panel and be the team?s runner on game days.

I don?t think at 34, that his chances of getting on a senior list are high.

He could also play for the teams VFL side as a mentor to set professional standards.

I think if a broad based multifaceted offer came through like this, the he would be delighted.

[Swansinger]

I agree with Ernie. His likeliest destination would be the Dees. Any other possibilities ? Maybe a superannuation season at GWS , possibly Dogs or even Tigers ,but I can't see him going to any other "big" Victorian outfit.I'd rule out Saints and a move to QLD , SA or WA,too.

Whatever happens , the name of Ryan O'Keefe is writ large,permanently ,indelibly,in the fabric of the club His record speaks for itself : he is,without hyperbole, one of our all-time greats and has nothing to prove.
I wish him well and my only hope is that he does not do a Mick Martyn , by moving and playing one season too far.
He deserves a more dignified end.

[tasmania60]

Watched him play seniors and NEAFL sorry people the game passed him by, still has everything a AFL player needs other than speed . Its a shame to watch a man with so much skill determination to play in the reserves . I felt mixed emotions watching him play !