Matthew Whelan

[Dee Dee 1,050]

Over the last couple of months I've been surprised to hear (and read) some people talking about Matt Whelan retiring at the end of the season (along with James McDonald, Jeff White and a couple of others).

Now I realise that injury has curtailed his career over the last couple of years, but, he's still only 28 and I reckon if he can keep fit we should see him in the red and blue for another 2 or 3 seasons.

His aggression and composure on the back line are much needed. Anyone who witnessed his game last Sunday would agree that while he was a little rusty, his contribution to our defence kept us in the game (at least in the first half).

Those of us who remember Alan Johnson also remember his injury plagued mid-career. He came back in his late 20's to play at his very best in the back pocket.

I'm not saying history will repeat itself - but - Matthew Whelan's career is certainly not over yet.

[Hannabal 4]

Over the last couple of months I've been surprised to hear (and read) some people talking about Matt Whelan retiring at the end of the season (along with James McDonald, Jeff White and a couple of others).

Now I realise that injury has curtailed his career over the last couple of years, but, he's still only 28 and I reckon if he can keep fit we should see him in the red and blue for another 2 or 3 seasons.

His aggression and composure on the back line are much needed. Anyone who witnessed his game last Sunday would agree that while he was a little rusty, his contribution to our defence kept us in the game (at least in the first half).

Those of us who remember Alan Johnson also remember his injury plagued mid-career. He came back in his late 20's to play at his very best in the back pocket.

I'm not saying history will repeat itself - but - Matthew Whelan's career is certainly not over yet.

Agreed.

[Adzman 2,085]

Plenty left in Wheels, and the list managers know this. They took the broom through the over 25s last year. Wheels still has 2-3 seasons left. Also important to know his influence on our indigenous players. He really takes good care of them, and is a great role model at the club.

[Jarka 767]

There are easily a dozen players who I'd delist before Wheels.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Absolutely. Can't believe that people think he's done.

[LeBron James 41]

Whenever someone says delist Wheels i am truly flabergasted.

[Jaded No More 59,046]

It's all a question of whether his body holds up.

Another long-term injury and he may call it quits, and wouldn't that be a shame!

[_becks_ 35]

Nathan Brown was injury plagued at the start of his career. As he got older, he became more smarter in his rehabilitation during the week, in order to get himself up for the weekend. Whelan should find out what Brown did and then copy it so that his body can stay up.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

i think that when a lot if people saw he was injured at the start of the year they thought the worst. I thought he would be placed on the long term injury list and I thought he might hang up the boots at the end of the season. But, he is back somewhere near fit earlier than I and some others thought, and if he continues to stay fit there is definitely a spot for him. Love his attitude and aggression.

[Rogue 585]

It's all a question of whether his body holds up.

Totally.

Whelan's certainly worth keeping around, if fit.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Totally.

Whelan's certainly worth keeping around, if fit.

I'd back that fully.

For the record I have not seen anyone delist Whelan but have expected him to retire.

However, I think Wheels contribution over the past 2 years has dulled against his best.

[Nasher 33,166]

At the beginning of the season when he was still injured I thought he was finished. It looked like a second consecutive year of barely being on the park, and I wondered how feasible it was to carry a late 20s back pocket player who could not get his body right during a rebuilding phase. I also thought that with the emergence of the likes of Bartram and Bell, he was somewhat redundant.

I've changed my mind though -- for now. As has already been said several times in this thread, so long as his body continues to hold up then he still seems to have plenty to offer. Time will tell.

[the pearl 29]

When skill execution is such a problem at the moment, why would anyone consider getting rid of Whelan who can execute AND he makes great decisions. He has super control over the basics and he possesses a touch of magic.