Another player retires - are the kids taking over our game? Matthew Carr says he is now too slow.?

Question

Matthew Carr turns 31 so has to retire because, as he says, he can't run with the young ones anymore. Each week 17 & 18 year old are making their debuts - great for them but now anyone pushing 30 is on his last legs.

There'll always be a few to keep going but they are few & far between & look how their performances have dropped. Shane Crawford for instance - if his opponent is too fast for him, he whacks them!

Answer 1

The game is just so much faster and physical these days so its enevitable for players bodies to wear out earlier. Gone are the days when you saw guys playing to the age of Michael Tuck or Paul Salmon (when he made his one season comeback)

Its just the way the game evolves. Crawfs is still very fit, not as quick as he once was, but can still run it out with the best of them.

Answer 2

Shane Crawford is a champion and stars in one of the best teams in the AFL. The hit on the weekend was a little love tap, and the guy he hit can not even come close to running as fast or for as long as Crawford. Plus Crawford is over 30 so you may have to do your homework again.

Answer 3

yea, but the kids need to make their debut sometime (cnt believe i just said kids when im the same age as them).

Answer 4

You have asked a very interesting question. I think as our game becomes faster, out footballers have to be younger to keep up and the seniors inevitably recieve more injuries, thus shortening their careers.

I am 34 and I feel like I am 80! Oh it's sad isn't it...

Answer 5

yeah , he was on the outer with mark Harvey

Answer 6

Yes. Soon there will be as many teenagers on the gfround as adults.

Answer 7

Just about anyone could take Carr's place. He was just a knuckle man - & was getting too slow to catch the kids he wanted to knuckle!