Rooey Given up on flag

[MrCordz]

afl.com.au interview roo mentioned winning a flag isnt everything in life - seems to have come to the conclusion he wont see one in his playing days. Whilst I admire and respect the way the guy handles himself I think we can give up on any miracles over the next few years - if we needed any proof of that.

[perfectionist]

Next few years? Rampant optimism. Alas, as much as it pains me to say, there is no chance of a Saints flag in the next thirty years let alone the next three. We had almost a decade of opportunity, but fate conspired to rob us, if not four times (04,05,09,10) then at least once. The new "expansion" clubs mean no good draft picks for the next ten years, no matter where we finish, unless it is last for a decade. And even then, free agency will mean the draft is a thing of the past. In a decade, the current "socialists" of the AFL (Andrew Demetriou and Mike Fitzpatrick) will be replaced by the Murdoch free marketeers, just like in English soccer, where the premiership is between two or three clubs each year (in Scotland, just one of two). The "voluntary " reduction in the number of teams will be part of the process, as will be the forced viewing of footy on Murdoch's pay TV. One of the teams left, won't be us. I'm sorry to all the young, and not so young, hopeful Saints fans. Your loyalty over so many years has deserved a better reward. As it turns out, I was one of the lucky few who was there on the one great day in 1966, not that we knew it at the time. So much hope and so much disappointment.

[plugger66]

You really need to seek some help. Your fascination of Murdoch really is some sort of sickness surely.

[lloyd21]

Selective hearing if you are talking about what Riewoldt said , he said there are former premiership players whose life is a total mess and if he does not win that's life. Does not mean he won't do everything in his powers to win one.
Very confident that the Stkilda FC is a far better club these days the bloke coaching them is a great developer of young players going forward and happy to put my $$$ in the club going forward .

[bobmurray]

Roo is not the only one who has given up on a Saints flag......

[SaintPav]

afl.com.au interview roo mentioned winning a flag isnt everything in life - seems to have come to the conclusion he wont see one in his playing days. Whilst I admire and respect the way the guy handles himself I think we can give up on any miracles over the next few years - if we needed any proof of that.

He said that but we didn't hear the question.

Roo is right. Winning a flag isn't everything in life. It's the only thing in life for a dedicated AFL footballer. Roo is deluding himself but what's he going to say? What can he say?

The old guys still can't forget the lost grand finals. Bob Murray said in the doco on the 71 grand final that losing a GF was like a death and that you never get over it. These guts are almost in their 70s.

Both results in the GF were so close and the results were pretty arbitrary and might have well have been a pin ball game. Dare I say that the experience or trauma of losing will probably hold him in better stead for life that a couple of easy wins. It doesn't help me though. Not one least bit.

[vacuous space]

free agency will mean the draft is a thing of the past.

How's that? Everybody involved wants to restrict free agency. An open market drives down salaries. If you limit the market, Essendon will explode their cap for an angrier version of Heath Scotland. If everyone's a free agent, Essendon have a lot more options.

The EPL is not the inevitable future. Nobody in this country is driving this game toward that end.

[Stephen Theodore]

Next few years? Rampant optimism. Alas, as much as it pains me to say, there is no chance of a Saints flag in the next thirty years let alone the next three. We had almost a decade of opportunity, but fate conspired to rob us, if not four times (04,05,09,10) then at least once. The new "expansion" clubs mean no good draft picks for the next ten years, no matter where we finish, unless it is last for a decade. And even then, free agency will mean the draft is a thing of the past. In a decade, the current "socialists" of the AFL (Andrew Demetriou and Mike Fitzpatrick) will be replaced by the Murdoch free marketeers, just like in English soccer, where the premiership is between two or three clubs each year (in Scotland, just one of two). The "voluntary " reduction in the number of teams will be part of the process, as will be the forced viewing of footy on Murdoch's pay TV. One of teams left, won't be us. I'm sorry to all the young, and not so young, hopeful Saints fans. Your loyalty over so many years has deserved a better reward. As it turns out, I was one of the lucky few who was there on the one great day in 1966, not that we knew it at the time. Some much hope and such much disappointment.

Jes*s, what an optimistic view. Surely you're kidding..................arent you.

[snowdelisaint]

I've looked for the quote and couldn't find it. I'd like to know exactly what he did say, because if he did say that I'll cancel my membership tomorrow. Loyalty is one thing but I am not putting in good money for a loser mentality.

Yes, fate conspired to rob us four times. But if you look at the ways teams have 'fallen in' to win flags from 3rd-5th, I say that's the way we will win one too, and it could easily be this season.

[SaintPav]

I've looked for the quote and couldn't find it. I'd like to know exactly what he did say, because if he did say that I'll cancel my membership tomorrow. Loyalty is one thing but I am not putting in good money for a loser mentality.

Yes, fate conspired to rob us four times. But if you look at the ways teams have 'fallen in' to win flags from 3rd-5th, I say that's the way we will win one too, and it could easily be this season.

Snowdeli, has to be one of the worst eras in our history with that sponsorship.

Roo didn't say he'd given up on a flag. He was probably asked how would he feel when he retires having gone so close without winning one. He responded by saying that having a flag to your name isn't the be all end all and there are plenty of guys whose lives haven't turned out very well after winning a flag...

[bigcarl]

I'm sorry to hear this. It's very sad if one of our greatest players has given up.

[SaintlySaint85]

For me, footy is all about the image below. It's important, yes, but not the MOST important thing in life.

[gringo]

One thing footy has taught me is not to invest too heavily in belief either way. i thought after 09 we would win 10. I though after Ross Lyon had us miss the finals in his first year that we had had our chances and were on the way out. Plugger left it was over, G Train, Harves etc. footy is exciting because it's unpredictable.

Richmond fans are in a lather because they might make their second final appearance in 30 years but the one thing in footy is the moment you get ahead of yourself the wheels have a tendency to fall off. My freo mate was sure that 2013 was their year now the injuries are mounting and the cockiness has dropped off. Pretty stress free ride at the moment as we aren't really high on expectation but doing the right things. If we make finals it's all a bonus.

[mr six o'clock]

Next few years? Rampant optimism. Alas, as much as it pains me to say, there is no chance of a Saints flag in the next thirty years let alone the next three. We had almost a decade of opportunity, but fate conspired to rob us, if not four times (04,05,09,10) then at least once. The new "expansion" clubs mean no good draft picks for the next ten years, no matter where we finish, unless it is last for a decade. And even then, free agency will mean the draft is a thing of the past. In a decade, the current "socialists" of the AFL (Andrew Demetriou and Mike Fitzpatrick) will be replaced by the Murdoch free marketeers, just like in English soccer, where the premiership is between two or three clubs each year (in Scotland, just one of two). The "voluntary " reduction in the number of teams will be part of the process, as will be the forced viewing of footy on Murdoch's pay TV. One of the teams left, won't be us. I'm sorry to all the young, and not so young, hopeful Saints fans. Your loyalty over so many years has deserved a better reward. As it turns out, I was one of the lucky few who was there on the one great day in 1966, not that we knew it at the time. So much hope and so much disappointment.

Do you ever do anything other than bitch and moan ?

[saintbrat]

he did not say he had given up on the flag
he mearly stated that winning one is not a panacea that will ensure future happiness- there are many premieship players who do not have happy lives.


http://media.theage.com.au/sport/afl-re ... 22106.html

[bobmurray]

he did not say he had given up on the flag
he mearly stated that winning one is not a panacea that will ensure future happiness- there are many premieship players who do not have happy lives.


http://media.theage.com.au/sport/afl-re ... 22106.html

Either interpretation is relevant...

he is saying, or hinting, that we won't win one whilst he is playing

We most likely won't win one whilst I am breathing....................pity about that

[saintbrat]

he did not say he had given up on the flag
he mearly stated that winning one is not a panacea that will ensure future happiness- there are many premieship players who do not have happy lives.


http://media.theage.com.au/sport/afl-re ... 22106.html

Either interpretation is relevant...

he is saying, or hinting, that we won't win one whilst he is playing

We most likely won't win one whilst I am breathing....................pity about that

maybe your interpretation is what BJ was unsure of

in no way did Nick say he wouldn't go out and give his all as he has always done...

[kosifantutti]

he did not say he had given up on the flag
he mearly stated that winning one is not a panacea that will ensure future happiness- there are many premieship players who do not have happy lives.


http://media.theage.com.au/sport/afl-re ... 22106.html

Either interpretation is relevant...

he is saying, or hinting, that we won't win one whilst he is playing

We most likely won't win one whilst I am breathing....................pity about that

Please don't take it personally if I hope you stop breathing soon.

[asiu]

anything for a flag huh.

... i like it.

[SainterK]

Somtimes when you're calm and at peace, these things just happen...

I'm still tipping finals this year, and who knows.

[saintdooley]

i doubt il see one in my life time. my future kids should, but i wouldnt bet on it.

[spert]

The only thing I want to hear from the club from the top down, is that we want to win a premiership this year- I would like to see and hear a bit more passion..the silence is deafening.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

yeah cause when GT said his comment about 3 flags in the next ten years that went down so well ..... lets just take it one game at a time round one next week lets just work on winning that then turn the attention to round 2 ...

[stinger]

Selective hearing if you are talking about what Riewoldt said , he said there are former premiership players whose life is a total mess and if he does not win that's life. Does not mean he won't do everything in his powers to win one.
Very confident that the Stkilda FC is a far better club these days the bloke coaching them is a great developer of young players going forward and happy to put my $$$ in the club going forward .

good post

[bergholt]

The new "expansion" clubs mean no good draft picks for the next ten years, no matter where we finish, unless it is last for a decade.

What? Isn't 2013 the last compromised draft? And it's only compromised by having Jesse Hogan and a few other 17 year olds removed. Equalisation is still alive and well.

And even then, free agency will mean the draft is a thing of the past. In a decade, the current "socialists" of the AFL (Andrew Demetriou and Mike Fitzpatrick) will be replaced by the Murdoch free marketeers, just like in English soccer, where the premiership is between two or three clubs each year (in Scotland, just one of two).

Why do you think that's likely? When did English football ever have a draft? How does that relate at all to the AFL?

The "voluntary " reduction in the number of teams will be part of the process...

That makes no sense. Economic reasons would suggest that more teams should be added to increase the size of the pie for everyone - removing teams just decreases the value of TV rights, merchandise, etc.

Your conspiracy theories are excellent but incoherent. Please try again.