Roo will announce his retirement 2PM today (Reported by SEN)

[saintsRrising]

SEN rumour by journalist that Roo will announce his retirement today

Was on just prior to 9am Monday.


(Edit a Press Conference has now been CONFIRMED for 2PM today that Roo and Richo will be giving. So looks like it is happening).


Further Edit at Noon. Nick's Dad has just confirmed that Roo is retiring.

[saintspremiers]

SEN rumour by journalist that Roo will announce his retirement today

Was on just prior to 9am Monday.

Damn. Had to happen one day and clearly time is up.

Going to be a massive farewell game, very emotional. I'm tipping it will be Round 23. It's an away game but vs Richmond so he can play against his cousin for the final time.

[Junior]

I can confirm that a press conference has been called by the club for today.

Do not know whether it is one or two players.

[ROLS-LEE]

The start of the farewell of our champions. .

Dempster Roo and probably Joey

[saintsRrising]

Mr Gilbert will be our senior player next year.

[thejiggingsaint]

Reality. Sad, but also joyful! Great careers! Great clubmen! Shed tears at their departure, yes. But also CELEBRATE their stay with us!

[spert]

Had a stellar career as the top Saint- should go straight into coaching...us!

[ROLS-LEE]

Reality. Sad, but also joyful! Great careers! Great clubmen! Shed tears at their departure, yes. But also CELEBRATE their stay with us!

So true. I just hope we as supporters turn up and cheer them off if our last game is an away against the Tigers

[freely]

Had a stellar career as the top Saint- should go straight into coaching...us!

Personally, I hope not - brilliant forward but in all this time our current crop of forwards have had him as an example, they don't seem to have learnt much (n.b. Hamill was a pretty good player too!)

[saintsRrising]

If Roo does retire, then I think a big factor will be Paddy, Marshall and Battle and their development.

Personally I have no doubt that Roo is still good enough to play on in 2018. But with Bruce and Menbrey as regulars if R0o is also playing then it is difficult to get senior games into Paddy, Marshall and Battle.

[saintspremiers]

Presser is at 2PM for Rooey's announcement.

No word yet what Joey is doing.

[saintspremiers]

If Roo does retire, then I think a big factor will be Paddy, Marshall and Battle and their development.

Personally I have no doubt that Roo is still good enough to play on in 2018. But with Bruce and Menbrey as regulars if R0o is also playing then it is difficult to get senior games into Paddy, Marshall and Battle.

It's difficult to get games into Paddy regardless!

[spert]

Had a stellar career as the top Saint- should go straight into coaching...us!

Personally, I hope not - brilliant forward but in all this time our current crop of forwards have had him as an example, they don't seem to have learnt much (n.b. Hamill was a pretty good player too!)

True in some respects, but in the end, the forwards play as the coaches instruct them, not how the CHF directs. I feel Roo would make a really good coach.. just seems to have that inbuilt determination to succeed- like Luke Hodge

[Vazelos]

Reports Roo is announcing retirement today... 2pm press conference .... should have been AA last year can't barely bend over now... the end happens quick... one of the all time greats and Saints people....

[saintsRrising]

CONFIRMED that press conference will feature Roo and Richo

[fugazi]

I was hoping for one more from the champ.
Should have been left to roam the wing this year even when Paddy went down.
Dropping Bruce was a massive mistake.

[dals_da_bomb]

UGH.

Im not emotionally stable enough to process this so early on a monday.

Really sad - what a talent this man was.

[saintspremiers]

I was hoping for one more from the champ.
Should have been left to roam the wing this year even when Paddy went down.
Dropping Bruce was a massive mistake.

And so was I. But his body is shot to pieces.

[shrodes]

Getting picked up by Sam McClure on The Age now
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/s ... xlyr8.html

Sad to see our champion depart. Hope the boys can get up and deliver him four more victories to end the year and let him leave on the highest of notes.

[Moods]

I was hoping for one more from the champ.
Should have been left to roam the wing this year even when Paddy went down.
Dropping Bruce was a massive mistake.

No. It wasn't. Bruce was playing terribly and since his return is playing much better. Was a great move. Roo's natural position is the fwd line. We were always a mid short when he played there because he had no idea how to play it. Sure he took marks but he has never had the agility of a true mid - not in the last 3-4 years anyway.

Richo has done what he could with Roo this year but sadly his body is shot. The most consistent fwd I have ever seen in the game. Before this year, in the last 15 years I reckon I could count on two hands the amount of truly bad games he has played (maybe taking 2011 out as well )

His games in the GF's were never poor just not the match winning brilliance we were accustomed to.

[thejiggingsaint]

Getting picked up by Sam McClure on The Age now
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/s ... xlyr8.html

Sad to see our champion depart. Hope the boys can get up and deliver him four more victories to end the year and let him leave on the highest of notes.

YES! Well said shrodes! I intend to be at EVERY last one of these games! Always sad, to see a legend depart, BUT..... new blood comes on, and Roo being the quality person he is, will embrace this for what it is!

[thejiggingsaint]

I was hoping for one more from the champ.
Should have been left to roam the wing this year even when Paddy went down.
Dropping Bruce was a massive mistake.

No. It wasn't. Bruce was playing terribly and since his return is playing much better. Was a great move. Roo's natural position is the fwd line. We were always a mid short when he played there because he had no idea how to play it. Sure he took marks but he has never had the agility of a true mid - not in the last 3-4 years anyway.

Richo has done what he could with Roo this year but sadly his body is shot. The most consistent fwd I have ever seen in the game. Before this year, in the last 15 years I reckon I could count on two hands the amount of truly bad games he has played (maybe taking 2011 out as well )

His games in the GF's were never poor just not the match winning brilliance we were accustomed to.

Nice post colleague ! Kudos!

[bigred]

GOAT.

[bigcarl]

Sad day, but a new beginning at the same time. One of our greatest players. Definitely in the top five in my time.

[thejiggingsaint]

Sad day, but a new beginning at the same time. One of our greatest players. Definitely in the top five in my time.

Spot on ( re a " new beginning") bigcarl. I've said here on the forum a couple of times this season, that I'm reminded very much of the 2002-2003 period, where we saw players like Loewe and Burke retiring and the excitement of seeing our youth fulfill their potential. The club have handled this SUPERBLY! We have a chance to see a VERY special final 4 games! ( AND in MELBOURNE too!)