Murray MiddletonNo Country For Old Men?
April 22nd 2008 10:24
Last season marked the end of an era. Several champions retired - James Hird, Nathan Buckley, Chris Grant, Glenn Archer, Anthony Koutoufides and James Clement. James Clement's decision to retire took the football world by surprise. Despite his 2007 season being interrupted by injury, Clement played some great football. He made the admirable decision to retire at the height of his powers. The same can not be said for the likes of David Neitz and Robert Harvey. On this season's performances both players are playing well below the level that they set at the height of their careers. But does either player have anything still to offer their team?
Neitz has been playing in the worst team in the competition. The Demons woes have been compounded by the skipper's poor form. However Neitz' form has not been entirely his own fault. Russell Robertson has also struggled for form this season. Even the player on the cusp of everyone's lips, Lance Franklin, would only average four goals a week playing up forward for the Demons. In light of Neitz' serious neck injury, he must consider his future at the club. He will definately retire at the end of the season. Melbourne will not play finals in 2008. There is little motivation for the Demons spearhead to continue The club would be best to allow a young player, such as Lynden Dunn, to take Neitz' position. Similarly, there is no point in playing Ben Holland - who might use his time in the reserves to consider future investments.
Robert Harvey is a different case. Two weeks ago Dermott Brereton likened Harvey's form to that of a forty-five year old man. Brereton said that it was time for the Saints star to pull the plug on his twenty-one year career. Harvey is thirty-six years old. By all rational means he should not still be playing. There is no doubt that if he had have won a premiership he would have retired long ago. Following the Saints deplorable loss to the Bulldogs in round three, a premiership seemed a long way off. If the Saints deem that they are no longer in contention, there is little point in Harvey going around. At this early point in the season no team, not even Melbourne, will publicly make such a concession.
Harvey was the best player on the ground last Friday night against the Bombers, collecting twenty-nine possessions. During Essendon's third quarter onslaught Harvey was the one player keeping his side in the match with his tireless running. It is a blight on his football club that Harvey is still asked to do the running he does. At his age he should play no more than three quarters every week on the field. Perhaps the introduction last week of David Armitage - a fierce competitor and fellow midfielder - will enable Harvey the rest that he deserves. It will be interesting to see whether St. Kilda takes Harvey to Football Park on Saturday night.
There is one reason that Harvey still has a role to play in the modern game. His side generally plays under the mantra of 'tempo football'. This often leads to stagnant movement from a side already lacking in foot speed. Harvey plays on his football instincts. He always has. When he takes a mark, nine times out of ten he plays on. It gives the Saints forwards a greater opportunity to compete with their opponents one on one. For the likes of Riewoldt and Koschitzke, this is paramount. It might even be argued that Harvey performs a more important role in the team than he did three years ago. Just don't ask Dermott Brereton.
The one area that Harvey is clearly defficient is his defensive work. He has never been a great overhead mark, but is struggling to lay strong tackles on opponents. His endeavor is there. He shepherds and smothers, but is often burnt by younger, more agile opponents. Harvey is an attacking weapon for his side. WIth Steven Baker finally returning this weekend to add to the Saints' defensive stocks, Harvey may be one of the main beneficieries. The loss against the Bulldogs was a disgrace for St. Kilda. They deserved most of what they got. Harvey was no more at fault than any other player. While the G-Train's days may be numbered, Harvey's dream remains alive...barely.
Neitz has been playing in the worst team in the competition. The Demons woes have been compounded by the skipper's poor form. However Neitz' form has not been entirely his own fault. Russell Robertson has also struggled for form this season. Even the player on the cusp of everyone's lips, Lance Franklin, would only average four goals a week playing up forward for the Demons. In light of Neitz' serious neck injury, he must consider his future at the club. He will definately retire at the end of the season. Melbourne will not play finals in 2008. There is little motivation for the Demons spearhead to continue The club would be best to allow a young player, such as Lynden Dunn, to take Neitz' position. Similarly, there is no point in playing Ben Holland - who might use his time in the reserves to consider future investments.
Robert Harvey is a different case. Two weeks ago Dermott Brereton likened Harvey's form to that of a forty-five year old man. Brereton said that it was time for the Saints star to pull the plug on his twenty-one year career. Harvey is thirty-six years old. By all rational means he should not still be playing. There is no doubt that if he had have won a premiership he would have retired long ago. Following the Saints deplorable loss to the Bulldogs in round three, a premiership seemed a long way off. If the Saints deem that they are no longer in contention, there is little point in Harvey going around. At this early point in the season no team, not even Melbourne, will publicly make such a concession.
Harvey was the best player on the ground last Friday night against the Bombers, collecting twenty-nine possessions. During Essendon's third quarter onslaught Harvey was the one player keeping his side in the match with his tireless running. It is a blight on his football club that Harvey is still asked to do the running he does. At his age he should play no more than three quarters every week on the field. Perhaps the introduction last week of David Armitage - a fierce competitor and fellow midfielder - will enable Harvey the rest that he deserves. It will be interesting to see whether St. Kilda takes Harvey to Football Park on Saturday night.
There is one reason that Harvey still has a role to play in the modern game. His side generally plays under the mantra of 'tempo football'. This often leads to stagnant movement from a side already lacking in foot speed. Harvey plays on his football instincts. He always has. When he takes a mark, nine times out of ten he plays on. It gives the Saints forwards a greater opportunity to compete with their opponents one on one. For the likes of Riewoldt and Koschitzke, this is paramount. It might even be argued that Harvey performs a more important role in the team than he did three years ago. Just don't ask Dermott Brereton.
The one area that Harvey is clearly defficient is his defensive work. He has never been a great overhead mark, but is struggling to lay strong tackles on opponents. His endeavor is there. He shepherds and smothers, but is often burnt by younger, more agile opponents. Harvey is an attacking weapon for his side. WIth Steven Baker finally returning this weekend to add to the Saints' defensive stocks, Harvey may be one of the main beneficieries. The loss against the Bulldogs was a disgrace for St. Kilda. They deserved most of what they got. Harvey was no more at fault than any other player. While the G-Train's days may be numbered, Harvey's dream remains alive...barely.
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