I found his interview with Gary Lyon on Kayo interesting. When asked about resigning or leaving, Tom kept repeating that he is playing much better and continues to have good games and to do his best. Etc.Etc.. Lyon even said there will be a much bigger contract for him to sign and it was awkward, Just my view.

I am firmly in the "Keep Chin" camp and it would be no Sophies Choice for me to lose Spaz.

We would probably get a late 1st or early 2nd round depending on what S.A. tempts him with.

Edited 15 hours ago15 hr by Sideshow Bob
I hope you read it in the crazy american russian accent.....Malkovich's best role

During the years 2023-2025, I really disliked Sparrow, not personally but on the field. I thought he brought absolutely nothing to the table and had no impact.

During 2026, I love him, I think he’s so important and playing such a good role. I would be devastated if he left. He’s really handy, plays hard, repeat efforts, and doesn’t stop running. Mostly super effective with not too many stuff ups. He’s become Nibbler in my eyes (along with Chandler).

I now think, that Sparrow probably was not being played in good positions, and not coached properly which ultimately is a shame as it would seem to be wasted years.

Awesome to see him flourishing!

4 hours ago, Dee Vinci said:

I'll be honest, it used to really annoy me this bloke was gifted games every week after his usual 14 touches.

How many touches were you expecting when he was playing periphery roles? He’s just been patiently waiting for his turn. This is the first year he’s been asked to play heavy midfield minutes and he’s showing what he can do.

2 minutes ago, Nasher said:

How many touches were you expecting when he was playing periphery roles? He’s just been patiently waiting for his turn. This is the first year he’s been asked to play heavy midfield minutes and he’s showing what he can do.

Exactly, spent years being a 'soldier', now the shackles are off.

Did he stagnate over the last 2 seasons or was he simply playing his role. Onwards and upwards fella

Needs to be retained at all cost… I’m sick of developing young kids to then hand over the finished product to another club.

He is captain material, always a hard worker, but added polish to his game now

40 minutes ago, Nasher said:

How many touches were you expecting when he was playing periphery roles? He’s just been patiently waiting for his turn. This is the first year he’s been asked to play heavy midfield minutes and he’s showing what he can do.

I always read your posts because you are so often aware, observant and " in the know".

But , I'm going to fully disagree with your post ( well almost all of it).

He's a much improved player. I won't discount it by offering that it's because he was always hamstrung by the roles he was given. I have my theories as to why, but I'll just sit on them so as to not upset Demonstone.

Cheers Nasher.

5 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

During the years 2023-2025, I really disliked Sparrow, not personally but on the field. I thought he brought absolutely nothing to the table and had no impact.

During 2026, I love him, I think he’s so important and playing such a good role. I would be devastated if he left. He’s really handy, plays hard, repeat efforts, and doesn’t stop running. Mostly super effective with not too many stuff ups. He’s become Nibbler in my eyes (along with Chandler).

I now think, that Sparrow probably was not being played in good positions, and not coached properly which ultimately is a shame as it would seem to be wasted years.

Awesome to see him flourishing!

Given you're this flippant, I'm sure you'll be fine if Tom leaves.

I don’t pay attention to details of things and thought he was a spud and/or a list clogger.

But now that he’s suddenly and (to my inert mind) inexplicably good now, he better not leave and I would devastated if he was to leave. How dare he leave.

1 hour ago, Adam The God said:

Given you're this flippant, I'm sure you'll be fine if Tom leaves.

Not flippant. He’s done nothing until this year. Observant? Yes.

You really disliked him for a couple of years, now you love him off 7 games of footy. That sounds flippant to me.

Was he playing as a mainstay centre square midfielder previously, or was he playing half forward and chop out mid?

They are very different roles and one allows you to shine, the other is hugely unheralded in the modern game.

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by Adam The God

Tom, with Jack Steel, have covered the loss of ‘superstars’ CP5 and CO13, very well. Far better than most would have expected. He would be sorely missed.

3 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Not flippant. He’s done nothing until this year. Observant? Yes.

Oh yes. He just forgot he was a good player until this year. You’re right, you didn’t miss anything.

2026 is pure alchemy of talent and performance.

Because he did ‘nothing’ before this year.

Nothing.

Do people care about words anymore?!

2 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Oh yes. He just forgot he was a good player until this year. You’re right, you didn’t miss anything.

2026 is pure alchemy of talent and performance.

Because he did ‘nothing’ before this year.

Nothing.

Do people care about words anymore?!

But he wasn’t a good player. He barely got 10 touches a game. He never had impact.

This year he’s different. He’s finally being used properly, and has a game style that suits him.

I don’t know one person who would say Tom Sparrow was in our top 5-10 over the past few years.

2 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

But he wasn’t a good player. He barely got 10 touches a game. He never had impact.

This year he’s different. He’s finally being used properly, and has a game style that suits him.

I don’t know one person who would say Tom Sparrow was in our top 5-10 over the past few years.

Yes his situation is different. He is being empowered to play his preferred position. Not shuffled off to a HFF role.

To say he has shown ‘nothing’ before 2026 is just nonsense.

Between 2022-2024 he averaged 16, 17, and 15 touches a game and over 2 clearances a game. This year he is 19 and now 4 clearances with more time in the centre.

King didn’t just put his faith in Sparrow blindly.