Shane Valenti

[Demon Tragic 0]

I'm pretty impressed with Shane's work, both at Sandringham and during the pre-season. Considering his ability to move the ball quickly and hit targets, surely he would be the perfect inclusion for DB's gameplan?

[Yencks 8]

surely he would be a rookie and cant play until we have a long term injury or cut someone at seasons end?

here is my list of people that should retire or get cut

Neitz, White, McDonald, Wheatley, Whelan, Yze, Hollan, Robertson

[whelan45 203]

surely he would be a rookie and cant play until we have a long term injury or cut someone at seasons end?

here is my list of people that should retire or get cut

Neitz, White, McDonald, Wheatley, Whelan, Yze, Hollan, Robertson

Why would you include McDonald in that list? He has won our last 2 B&F's and always has a crack!

I'm not sure how Grimes injury is travelling, but maybe he will be put on the LT injury list so we can promote Valenti

[demon_king 13]

Maybe about round 6 given some of the recent rumblings. There may be some forced retirements coming soon and I have a feeling he will be in the red and blue before seasons end.

I haven't seen a lot of him myself but I liked what I saw in the Geelong NAB cup game, would like to see him have a crack at the big time, there's no harm in trying.

[Yencks 8]

Why would you include McDonald in that list? He has won our last 2 B&F's and always has a crack!

I'm not sure how Grimes injury is travelling, but maybe he will be put on the LT injury list so we can promote Valenti

mate, he's my favourite player but he is not going to be a part of our next premiership which dare i say it, i cant see happening any time soon. all the over 30's are coming to an end IMO...cant wait to see what happens in week 6, i hope he comes down with an axe on some players

[Mondê 525]

mate, he's my favourite player but he is not going to be a part of our next premiership which dare i say it, i cant see happening any time soon. all the over 30's are coming to an end IMO...cant wait to see what happens in week 6, i hope he comes down with an axe on some players

Doesn't matter if some of these players are 'not going to be part of our next premiership'...they need to be there to guide the young players especially through these hard times. Junior has given his all throughout his entire career and has again been amongst our best in the 2 horror games in 2008. To axe these players or force them into an early retirement would only be a step backwards in our young players development. Exposure to the big time isn't enough to help them take the next step.

On the other hand, Neitz, Yze, Robbo, and Whelan have also given the club their all but they simply can't produce the goods anymore. At years end, all should retire but as the young players come through they will need someone to lead them who has been there and done that so to speak. White, Junior and whoever else need to stay on for a couple more years at least.

Back to the OP, I would love to see Valenti don the red and blue in 2008 but it looks like he will have to wait until 2009 to get promoted (barring serious injuries, touch wood)

[The Emblem 1]

mate, he's my favourite player but he is not going to be a part of our next premiership which dare i say it, i cant see happening any time soon. all the over 30's are coming to an end IMO...cant wait to see what happens in week 6, i hope he comes down with an axe on some players

Junior is one of the few veterans who really does offer a shining example to the young blood.

He deserves to go on his own terms, which I suspect will be for personal reasons at years end [moving on to the next stage in life].

But if he wants to go around again in 2009...then thats fine by me, because he is exactly the kind of person you want around a footy club!

[Yencks 8]

Doesn't matter if some of these players are 'not going to be part of our next premiership'...they need to be there to guide the young players especially through these hard times. Junior has given his all throughout his entire career and has again been amongst our best in the 2 horror games in 2008. To axe these players or force them into an early retirement would only be a step backwards in our young players development. Exposure to the big time isn't enough to help them take the next step.

mate, i agree with you but i think he could well be retiring at seasons end anyway as will (hopefully) a lot of the other players i mentioned

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Junior is one of the few veterans who really does offer a shining example to the young blood.

He deserves to go on his own terms....

But if he wants to go around again in 2009...then thats fine by me, because he is exactly the kind of person you want around a footy club!

No he does not.

If he aint performing he goes. We already acting as a pension scheme for Yze and one or two others. I think he is line ball and in the new environment I think he will struggle. I suspect he retire at year end.

Given we are seeking to build more pace into the side, I think Valenti is no shoo to be elevated at years end. However there is much to happen between now and then.

[Jaded No More 68,913]

I suspect he retire at year end.

Yes and he will retire with a lot of respect, because unlike the rest of our senior citizen group (Neita aside), he actually plays for the team and not for himself.

Age is not on his side, neither is pace. But that does not take away the years of wonderful, selfless, passionate performances that he's given us.

The same unfortunately cannot be said for some other players who will be forced into retirement sooner rather than later.

[dee-luded 2,959]

surely he would be a rookie and cant play until we have a long term injury or cut someone at seasons end?

here is my list of people that should retire or get cut

Neitz, White, McDonald, Wheatley, Whelan, Yze, Hollan, Robertson

Nugget, your right to want big change, but getting rid of the older players isn't totally the way to go. We need to keep the ones that show leadership & hardnes @ the contest, and we'll let go the ones who insist on playing soft & wide &won't do the team things. ( see 1%)..

C U LATER :- Green, White, Wheatley, Yze, Robertson, ,,,,,,,TRADE VALUE Bruce, Green, Wheatley...

[Rogue 585]

No he does not.

If he aint performing he goes. We already acting as a pension scheme for Yze and one or two others. I think he is line ball and in the new environment I think he will struggle. I suspect he retire at year end.

That's my thought.

That said, I'd be playing him every game this year (as long as his form/body holds up okay).

[drdrake 3,163]

No room on the list at the moment, same player with less ability that Jones, Mcdonald and Mclean a little behind Moloney but they all play the same role. We need fast skillful midfielders which unfortunately for Shane he is not, has OK skills but nothing special. If one of those four went on the long term injury list or left at the end of the year then yes could be worth a go.