Will the Big Russian get a farewell game?

[Moonshadow 16,572]

In an ideal world, Jamar would have to earn it, and therefore no. His form definitely does not deserve it.

In the case of MFC which is weak and gifts games, he'll get a gig next week. Don't be surprised to see it.

[Guest]

I have been pretty big on long term servants of the club being treated with respect on the way out.
Russian needs to at least be acknowledged before the boys run out if he isn't going on next year (or round 1 next year).
I agree with others on here. We are in no danger of making September. Give him one final game.

[wretched.sylph 164]

For a rebuilding club which has deemed it necessary to apologise for its poor treatment of older players (James McDonald), and is trying to put those bad old years where they belong, this should not even be a subject for debate. Jamar has earned the right to be treated with respect, and we need to show him that.

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 762]

My overall opinion of his career is about a 6-7/10. Is his form good enough to make the seniors? I don't think so, but I'd love to see him impact finals with Casey.

[Emerald 1,743]

Would he even want to end his career with another loss at Etihad?(apologies for the negativity).

[Gator 16,921]

Dermott was talking about this exact subject saying that Hawthorn never gave farewell games.

Each game had to be earnt.

Breeds more desperation. I agree

Dermott mentioned my Mother's favourite player Des Meagher in an example, but unfortunately Dermott got it wrong. Dermott said he retired on 199 games and they wouldn't give him a 200th, because it was a GF. And nor should a player be given a 200th in a GF if he's not best 20. Clearly a GF is too important. However, Meagher didn't finish on 199, he finished on 198 and no decision had to be made because there was only one more game for the year, not the two he required.

My club has been horrible with the way it's treated its players. And it's not just recently. From Greg Wells to James McDonald they've showed the world how it's not meant to be done. Even now, players like Bruce and Yze are important cogs at another club and I wonder how they view their exits from the MFC.

If it was an important game with finals on the line I'd say no, but in our circumstance we'll gain much more by showing a departing player the respect he deserves. And it's not just Jamar, it's important to show his teammates that also want to see him off that we are now a club that does things properly.

I'll be disappointed if he doesn't play next weekend.

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

I suppose there might even be some Demonlanders who might actually want to give him a final cheer.

[Dr. Mubutu 697]

My preference would be to give him a farewell game - give Gawn a chance to rest up for a full pre-season whilst giving the supporters a final farewell to acknowledge all the Russian has fought through, before he becomes our ruck coach.

I can, however, see the alternate view, and wouldn't fight too strongly for this to come true.

[Redleg 38,419]

Play him if he has the stamina. But i hate to see players get a game when they are actually a burden the team has to carry.

You are joking, we carry plenty already.

He deserves a send off as we are not finals bound.

[rpfc 27,672]

The ruthless decision that shows we are Doing What's Best For The Club is to politely move him on.

There is nothing more to gain, and a little to lose, by acting petulantly toward someone who has been here for so long.

Clubs are not lists and teamsheets - they are a collection of people trying to do right thing by each other, for each other, and for the future. And you can't get far without respect.

I would tell Mark that a decision has been made and that we would like to play him against GWS and it is up to him if he plays.

Note: Has a decision been made?

[Swampfox 190]

Jamar is not part of 2016 IMO so why would you play him

I like the Hawthorn attitude on being ruthless and not giving games for milestones and farewell matches

Plenty of Ruck opportunities in the later stages of the next Draft where AGE and DEVELOPMENT is on our side

I hope we DO use a late pick on a young mobile Ruckman as that will help with our depth of talls

[Jaded No More 59,739]

Deserves a farewell game more than Spencer deserves a games, ever.

Has been a loyal, hardworking servant of this club and should be allowed to retire (I assume) with respect.

[M C 221]

As long as guys like Spencer and Jones are running around out there, Jamar can have a farewell game. There's a fair chance he'd actually have earned a game this week anyway

[Coup Cooper 610]

Has played 155 games since he debuted in 2003.

Surely his future at the club is over with Gawn and Spencer (and possibly King) preferred, so will he get a farewell game next week?

Does he deserve one?

Worth playing before Dawes!

[Axis of Bob 10,477]

I'd give him a one year contract.

He's an experienced ruckman who is still a capable back up. He's only out of the team because of the form of Gawn; his VFL form has been excellent. Roos talks about a ruck group, and Jamar provides valuable depth in an area where injuries are pretty frequent. Especially since Gawn and Spencer haven't been able to get on the park for extended periods of time.

We only have 3 ruckmen on the list. If we retire Russian then we have 2 injury prone ruckmen and draftee, and that is really dangerous.

[Ted Lasso 17,302]

I reckon Spencers concussion makes it a pretty easy decision really

[poita 3,734]

I'm no fan of Jamar, and we owe him nothing based on his dismal contributions over the past five seasons. That said, I suspect he will get a farewell game this week, probably at the expense of Spencer.

The question is whether he gets a decent amount of time in the ruck, or if he just spends all day bludging in the forward pocket.

[pitmaster 3,146]

Spencer concussed makes it more likely the Russian gets a go regardless of whether he is going to be there next year.

[Go the Biff 3,211]

I'd give him a one year contract.

He's an experienced ruckman who is still a capable back up. He's only out of the team because of the form of Gawn; his VFL form has been excellent. Roos talks about a ruck group, and Jamar provides valuable depth in an area where injuries are pretty frequent. Especially since Gawn and Spencer haven't been able to get on the park for extended periods of time.

We only have 3 ruckmen on the list. If we retire Russian then we have 2 injury prone ruckmen and draftee, and that is really dangerous.

This actually merits consideration. You do need a ruck squad. If they all get cut down you're stuffed. I still recall heading off to Freo with Nick "426" Smith as our sole ruckman as all other options were out injured. His last game I believe & he predictably got smashed as did the team.

It's reasonable to assume that there's improvement in Gawn and he'll consolidate his position as #1 ruck in 2016. Spencer is what he is - a bloke who will be around the club for years playing mainly seconds but getting games in the seniors when matchups dictate the need for a second ruck. He'll do a job, compete but will never be a first ruck. If Jamar is happy to compete with Spencer for those scraps, he becomes pretty good insurance. King is still developing & looks to be more of a forward/ruck anyway.

There's no-one else on the horizon.

[Pates 9,551]

I'm a yes. He's been constantly in the emegencies all year, Spencer got concussed v Freo so I'd just give Pencil an early end to the year, rest Dawes (if he's considered to be in our future), and play him as a forward/ruck.

Despite what people say he's been a good servant to the club. Took a while for him to hit his straps, ruckman always do, had one blinder of a year with Moloney, and few good ones either side. How we treat our good servants to the club is important. This game means nothing long term, let's give him this game if he would like it.

[Tim 3,000]

I'd give him a one year contract.

He's an experienced ruckman who is still a capable back up. He's only out of the team because of the form of Gawn; his VFL form has been excellent. Roos talks about a ruck group, and Jamar provides valuable depth in an area where injuries are pretty frequent. Especially since Gawn and Spencer haven't been able to get on the park for extended periods of time.

We only have 3 ruckmen on the list. If we retire Russian then we have 2 injury prone ruckmen and draftee, and that is really dangerous.

Yes to this - inexorable logic, unless they have another ruckman in mind for trade time.

As for the OP question, we've only had 3 AAs in 10 seasons (make that 11 seasons shortly) - Russian, Junior (whom we treated disgracefully), and the bloke running around in the back line for the Caromas. If his cards are marked, give him a go.

[daisycutter 28,722]

of course he should

we might be a shyte club but no need to be a mean and shyte club

[What 18,810]

Stick him at FF with Jesse as the roaming forward. Would love to see the Russian kick a bag and be sent off with a win!

[DubDee 21,884]

The hawks dont hand out games as they are always playing finals.

no reason not to send Jamar off with a game. He has been playing well enough for the past 2 months to deserve it anyway.

[Dinosaur Rover 197]

I cant believe this sentimentality!

He serves a team not the otherway around.

He didn't play for us for free and the idea that a send off is good for morale is crap - winning is good for morale!

Win the [censored] game! Everything else is irrelevant.

"

Edited August 31, 2015 by Dinosaur Rover