Is Roo done?

[Enrico_Misso]

was it the incident with ballantyne? the 2-1 marking contest on the flank?

This - no-one has mentioned it - Roo grabbed his knee the second he landed after receiving Ballantyne's stops into his knee

Also copped that heavy knock to his back when he wasn't expecting it from Sandilands early in the game - 120 kilograms of meathead.

[StPeter]

Roo definitely not playing at his best due to carrying an injured knee.

We have lost all three games he has not played in this year.

With Roo we have won 8 and lost 3.

Not just a coincidence.

[Moods]

Roo has served the club, better than most, he deserves the respect of all of us, as I said earlier he would be the first to put his hand up and drop himself if he thought he wasn't contributing 100% ,that is the calibre of the man.. the calls for some on here to move him on beggar belief and makes we wonder what sort of supporters you are..
He is still one of our best players who all of a sudden has a quiet game and the knives come out, the argument he is holding out others is rubbish, you play your best especially when you have finals in sight. If the youngsters want to take Roos spot, make them earn it on merit.

In the meantime get off his back and marvel at a true champion ply his trade , enjoy
instead of trying to oust him.

No-one is questioning his character or what he has done for the club. IF it was just one bad game I would agree with you. The fact is since returning from injury I don't think he's looked anything like his former self.

I kind of agree with you re your point that he's holding players back. The fact is no-one is banging the door down to take his spot, either from within the the team or outside the team. All our key fwds have been average this year. Members played much better on Sunday, and Bruce contributed late.

My post wasn't necessarily moving him on, but wondering out loud if this is the end for him - how much does he have left to give? He's obviously carrying an injury. I wonder how bad it is? Whether it's chronic, or whether it can be improved? He seems to have been carrying a bad knee since mid way through 09, so every time he goes down clutching his knee I don't flinch that badly anymore. Maybe, finally, he's succumbed to it.

[fugazi]

A few games ago he was best afield.
He's got another good year in him yet.

[Con Gorozidis]

I think Roo deserves people waiting to see if his knee comes good by seasons end before people right him off

Chances of a full recovery at 35 are slim.

[Bruce G McAbee]

All I will say is that the only reason I want Roo to be running around at Sandringham is because he's having a go at coaching.
Personally, I would prefer he retires at the end of this year and not go around 1 season too many.

[meher baba]

Silly, embarrassing thread. Even carrying an injury, Riewoldt is twice the full forward McCartin is right now, and five times as good as Battle.

I'm so sick of this "play the kids" garbage: affirmative action, as I call it. When players step up and show they are truly ready for AFL, they get a permanent spot in the top team: think Gresham, think Sinclair. Players like Steven, Armo, Ross and Webster had to wait years to get a permanent spot.

Some eejits seem to think that being a number one draft pick gives you an entitlement to a permanent AFL gig. BS!

The only legitimate criticism of Riewoldt is that, if he's too injured to play, he ought to rule himself out. I thought he performed well throughout the GC game. He copped a couple of knocks against Freo and that set him back a bit: but he didn't stop trying.

Never mind me, just carry on with all your "play the kids" nonsense. I'll stick with the club, which is trying to win games and give the developing players a taste of some September action.

[perfectionist]

He will retire at the end of the year, after kicking the sealer in the Grand Final.

[SMS]

Yes hes done. Hes 35 ffs on one leg. As amazing as he is, we need to move on.

[The Fireman]

Yes hes done. Hes 35 ffs on one leg. As amazing as he is, we need to move on.

and still better than half the side , I'll stay where I am thanks.

[The Fireman]

Silly, embarrassing thread. Even carrying an injury, Riewoldt is twice the full forward McCartin is right now, and five times as good as Battle.

I'm so sick of this "play the kids" garbage: affirmative action, as I call it. When players step up and show they are truly ready for AFL, they get a permanent spot in the top team: think Gresham, think Sinclair. Players like Steven, Armo, Ross and Webster had to wait years to get a permanent spot.

Some eejits seem to think that being a number one draft pick gives you an entitlement to a permanent AFL gig. BS!

The only legitimate criticism of Riewoldt is that, if he's too injured to play, he ought to rule himself out. I thought he performed well throughout the GC game. He copped a couple of knocks against Freo and that set him back a bit: but he didn't stop trying.

Never mind me, just carry on with all your "play the kids" nonsense. I'll stick with the club, which is trying to win games and give the developing players a taste of some September action.

whole heartily agree , wasting your breath (text ) on some here.

[magnifisaint]

Silly, embarrassing thread. Even carrying an injury, Riewoldt is twice the full forward McCartin is right now, and five times as good as Battle.

I'm so sick of this "play the kids" garbage: affirmative action, as I call it. When players step up and show they are truly ready for AFL, they get a permanent spot in the top team: think Gresham, think Sinclair. Players like Steven, Armo, Ross and Webster had to wait years to get a permanent spot.

Some eejits seem to think that being a number one draft pick gives you an entitlement to a permanent AFL gig. BS!

The only legitimate criticism of Riewoldt is that, if he's too injured to play, he ought to rule himself out. I thought he performed well throughout the GC game. He copped a couple of knocks against Freo and that set him back a bit: but he didn't stop trying.

Never mind me, just carry on with all your "play the kids" nonsense. I'll stick with the club, which is trying to win games and give the developing players a taste of some September action.

+1^2

[magnifisaint]

Yes hes done. Hes 35 ffs on one leg. As amazing as he is, we need to move on.

To what??

McCartin?

Embarrassing

[saintspremiers]

Silly, embarrassing thread. Even carrying an injury, Riewoldt is twice the full forward McCartin is right now, and five times as good as Battle.

I'm so sick of this "play the kids" garbage: affirmative action, as I call it. When players step up and show they are truly ready for AFL, they get a permanent spot in the top team: think Gresham, think Sinclair. Players like Steven, Armo, Ross and Webster had to wait years to get a permanent spot.

Some eejits seem to think that being a number one draft pick gives you an entitlement to a permanent AFL gig. BS!

The only legitimate criticism of Riewoldt is that, if he's too injured to play, he ought to rule himself out. I thought he performed well throughout the GC game. He copped a couple of knocks against Freo and that set him back a bit: but he didn't stop trying.

Never mind me, just carry on with all your "play the kids" nonsense. I'll stick with the club, which is trying to win games and give the developing players a taste of some September action.

Send this to the Herald Sun and ask you'd like to be a footy Journo. They wouldn't even interview you because you talk too much sense.

The reason why Roo plays injured and keeps going is he probably thinks if he can carry his knee there is a chance to play in a flag winning side. Problem is that's unlikely in 2018 (won't happen this year of course!)

[carn_sainter]

I agree with meher baba, the fireman, magnifisaint and others.

There seems to be a lot of fatuous logic in the 'retire roo' point of view.

1) that he is 34 or 35 years old
2) that he is not the player he used to be
3) that he is holding back others by playing

All of which completely ignore the fact that he is still a valuable contributor. A necessary part of the team. In response to each

1) so what?
2) how many Nick Riewoldt 2009 seasons have been put up in history? Like every player ever, his career has gone through a similar path of development/learning, mastery, decline. The fallacy of this thinking is that we shouldn't judge riewoldt vs riewoldt, but riewoldt vs the team's requirements. By which standards, he still plays. We looked lost in the two games he didn't play...for a few reasons, but his absence was one of those reasons.
3) by definition, he isn't holding anybody back. If anybody was better than Roo, anybody would be playing. The argument that Roo, by playing, is for his own benefit at the expense of the team can be flipped just as easily by saying that Battle playing is for his own benefit at the expense of the team.

There is no replacement for Roo at the moment, so his stepping aside would hurt the team. This isn't even considering the freedom and peace of mind opposition teams and defenders have knowing they don't need to worry about Roo out there - which is no small consideration.

[The Fireman]

I think it's time some of our supporters moved on.

[mr six o'clock]

I think it's time some of our supporters moved on.

I concur

[Moods]

I think it's time some of our supporters moved on.

Not all Firey. I was rapt to see the big fella contribute tonight - against the best defender in the land. He got separation a few times which is the key for him. He took some great marks but uncharacteristically missed a couple of marks. Heaps more opportunity this week, and the ball was coming down far better.

I'll give him another year.

[The Fireman]

I think it's time some of our supporters moved on.

Not all Firey. I was rapt to see the big fella contribute tonight - against the best defender in the land. He got separation a few times which is the key for him. He took some great marks but uncharacteristically missed a couple of marks. Heaps more opportunity this week, and the ball was coming down far better.

I'll give him another year.

thumbs up emoticon.

[perfectionist]

Took 12 marks which was more than anyone else. I wonder how many times he has done that.

[Con Gorozidis]

Roo not smart.

Should have done a Federer and managed himself this season. Maybe aimed for 15 games.
Trying to play every week - he has not helped himself.

Whoever is advising him gave him bad advice.

[longtimesaint]

Roo not smart.

Should have done a Federer and managed himself this season. Maybe aimed for 15 games.
Trying to play every week - he has not helped himself.

Whoever is advising him gave him bad advice.

He should avoid playing in games that are back to back six day breaks like last Friday.
He didn't have a great night but who did and it's particularly difficult if we are losing the midfield.

[Johnny Member]

Yes.

[SAAD]

Roo not smart.

Should have done a Federer and managed himself this season. Maybe aimed for 15 games.
Trying to play every week - he has not helped himself.

Whoever is advising him gave him bad advice.

Agree

[Impatient Sainter]

Simple answer YES.