Seems to be on the outer in the same way Crossy was last year. I think we should look at him at years end and grab him on a one year contract as I still feel we are a few experience short of older heads. Nearly at the 300 game mark plus 3 grand final experience and one of the most professional players in the AFL. With the success of Crossy and what he has brought to our side I reckon it wouldn't hurt at all. Obviously the Roos connection is a big plus but I hope we atleast have a chat to him.

Could you imagine guys like Toumpas, Tyson, Viney, Barry and hopefully another talented mid plus Stretch looking up to Cross and O'Keefe?

PS He actually started his career as a demon playing some reserves footy way back in 1999!

Seems to be on the outer in the same way Crossy was last year. I think we should look at him at years end and grab him on a one year contract as I still feel we are a few experience short of older heads. Nearly at the 300 game mark plus 3 grand final experience and one of the most professional players in the AFL. With the success of Crossy and what he has brought to our side I reckon it wouldn't hurt at all. Obviously the Roos connection is a big plus but I hope we atleast have a chat to him.

Could you imagine guys like Toumpas, Tyson, Viney, Barry and hopefully another talented mid plus Stretch looking up to Cross and O'Keefe?

He might retire...

They should have let him go last year - this is no way to end a career like his.

Cross is a specimen, you would want to see how is body is but I am all for getting in leaders to drive standards.

I'd be shocked if Roos hadn't already talked with him. Perfect fit and almost exactly same situation as Cross was last year.

Plus the go home factor leading into his retirement, with very few other clubs showing much interest I'd guess.

Forgot to add ROK is just as hard at training as is Cross is. Crazy about his diet so would be a valuable leader in driving those standards.

His playing days are over in my eyes...

I'm all for bringing him over for a coaching/development role, I just doubt he'd want to continue playing beyond this year.

Edited April 24, 201411 yr by stevethemanjordan

He's playing days are over in my eyes...

I'm all for bringing him over for a coaching/development role, I just doubt he'd want to continue playing beyond this year.

I think you are right and Cross is enough for us. We need to keep places open for developing players, it's good to have a senior player like Cross in the mix, 2 would be to many.

I tend to think the games pace has passed him now.

Was a truly great player.

Part of Roos' succession plan after 3 yrs as head???

It's a great topic DD36, not just in terms of O'keefe but all senior players. Looking at Geelong on Monday they won't bottom out. Chappy will be great for the Bombers, Hunt and JPOD will be serviceable for their clubs. It's hit and miss with older players, we should know. I tend to agree with the majority, we are a year too late. It would be a reasonable assumption Roos has a hit list. The way Cross is playing would be quite happy for him to play on next year.

Would love to see him in the red and blue next year, would be a jet in the forward line

He's 33. His time is up.

Will bow out with a career of which he can be extremely proud.

Yep, I also think we're only likely to see ROK at the club in an assistant coaching capacity.

He's not at the same level as Cross; older, not enough left in the tank.

Could be a real Ryan O'Keefe type player for us.

Unfortunately that doesn't mean as much as it used to.

Way past it

Out S.Byrnes

In. Ryan O Keefe

He's 33. Cross just turned 31. He'll be 3 years older and more beat up than when Cross joined us.

If Cross is fit and firing for another year then he gets it and we have Vince, N. Jones plus another year in to Tyson and Viney. Hopefully Trengove back and we've barely seen Aidan Riley and Michie yet. Maybe McKenzie can find his form as well.

Footy is faster than ever this year, I can't see how O'Keefe holds his spot in even the worst team unless he's in the guts using his brains and strength in the clearances. If Cross is doing that already, plus Jones, plus the two young guns in Viney and Tyson then that's a solid start. I'd rather see what we can get from the others I mentioned above.

Leadership is valuable but home grown consistent leadership is the best. Jones, Grimes, Trengove, Dawes, Frawley, Garland, Dunn can hopefully provide for years to come.

Byrnes will likely go. Clark is gone. We are still a young list. So I'm certainly inclined to add a mature player. But I'd much rather a 28 year old than a 33 year old.

Out S.Byrnes

In. Ryan O Keefe

I take it that O'Keefe is pretty enough for you then..

I take it that O'Keefe is pretty enough for you then..

Play O Keefe as a small forward...

He is done, has gone one season to long and No thank you unless it is in a coaching role

I take it that O'Keefe is pretty enough for you then..

Well unless Cameron Ling is coming out of retirement.

Some players lose pace very quickly and he may be falling into that category.

I loved him as a player. Seems like a top bloke too. Shame he went a season too many.

o'keefe will be 34 next january

crossy 32 next march

i think ryan will be done by next season. crossy maybe got upto 2 more years

How would it affect our free agency compo for Frawley if we signed him?

Seems to be on the outer in the same way Crossy was last year. I think we should look at him at years end and grab him on a one year contract as I still feel we are a few experience short of older heads. Nearly at the 300 game mark plus 3 grand final experience and one of the most professional players in the AFL. With the success of Crossy and what he has brought to our side I reckon it wouldn't hurt at all. Obviously the Roos connection is a big plus but I hope we at least have a chat to him.

Could you imagine guys like Toumpas, Tyson, Viney, Barry and hopefully another talented mid plus Stretch looking up to Cross and O'Keefe?

PS He actually started his career as a demon playing some reserves footy way back in 1999!

I think this is great dazzledavey36.

I've been a major proponent of us recruiting some older top-liners, to reinforce our list as they learn, & as we strive to change the carefree, freewheeling, & largely bruise-free culture of our past 15 years. I've wanted us to go after 'Chappy', Sewell, RO'Keefe, & others in the past 3 or so years.

I think RO'Keefe would make an excellent playing forward/midfield coach for a Year; & IMO would be a handy acquisition to our coaching panel, after playing a Year in Red & Blue.