Is Australian Rules football now only for the young?

Question

Richmond, who have a relatively young side, on average, played the Fremantle Dockers - a side with officially the eldest squad in the competition.

Richmond had a staggering 151 more possessions than Fremantle (426 to 275). Richmond ran rings around their older opponents (on Freo's home ground) & won by more than 10 goals.

Was this due to the fact that Richmond just played better than Freo on the day - or do you think that the age difference had a big bearing on the result.

Every week I see senior players making way for teenagers, in most teams.

Answer 1

Regular selection comes earlier today than it did a generation ago, players mature physically much earlier than their fathers - aided by strenuous training, diet etc - and we play more games every year as well. Must lead to some wear and tear?

For all that, there are the people like Harvey, Fletcher - who is 33 at Xmas - Burns, Jimmy Hird last year, who stay fit as fleas ,

play their best football after 30 and retire to howls of anguish from the fans.

There is a place for the oldies, comparatively speaking - if they stay fit and well and FAST!

Answer 2

yeah, it would appear so lol.

I think that when the senior players started playing, the game wasnt as fast and possibly not as competitive to get into the AFL.

But now, these new junior players have grown up with a faster paced game with more competition with National titles and their own leagues expanding, as well as the draft camps where they have to be the best or your not picked.

I think that its the new competitve spirit that is bringing these new young guns into the spotlight!

Answer 3

Yes. It is becoming more so every season.

There will always be some older players who are evergreen & play past their 30s but many others are not even reaching 30 nowadays before they have to retire - due to being unable to keep up with the pace of the game. They either fall behind or get regular injuries (ah la Robert Harvey) trying to maintain a high level of fitness to compete with these young players.

As for Fremantle - they deserve all they get! They appointed an ex-Essendon player to coach them & he brings half of the bombers support coaching staff with him as his assistant coaches.

Then they recruit a stack of players, delisted by the Bombers, for either beeing too sloow; too old; or not good enough.

Serves them right. They should also foster & promote youngsters.

Answer 4

More for the younger guys with the speed of the game.

There are still a few skilled vetrans running around though and doing quite well, the ones in key positions or those with good endurance.

The game is changing to a high paced run all day and move it quick quick quick. The younger guys are bound to be more involved in it.

Answer 5

nah i dont think so Shane Crawford madw his come back for the year and played a great game

Answer 6

Um, its starting to. The average age of retirement is 30. most of the collingwood players are under 25. Carlton though has a fairly old side.

Answer 7

it would seem that way, but i don't think so.

we just had a good day, freo were off their game, we played well. there is still room in the game for wise heads, they are better under pressure and better at making decisions.

Harvey has gone on one season too long though, still a gr8 player but the game is getting faster and faster, he was never a quick bloke and now he seems to be getting caught more often, Gehrig too, he look s out of place out there.

Answer 8

No, It's for both young and old.