Do AFL players really need farewell games?

[nick33]

http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/05/29/do-afl-players-really-need-farewell-games/
Big week for Tyson Edwards, but What do we thnk about farewell games?? click on the link, have a browse and a read, post a comment!

The past 48 hours have been a PR disaster for the Adelaide Crows following Tyson Edwards’ sudden retirement and Neil Craig’s dramatic U-turn on offering him a farewell match.

But the saga has also brought the issue of the AFL’s unique ritual of farewell games up for scrutiny.

I can not think of too many sports worldwide where a player retires and is then ‘gifted’ a competitive game to say goodbye to the fans. It is an idea which is certainly unique to Aussie Rules footy.

Of course, there’s the ‘natural’ farewell games for veterans retiring at the end of a season, but we’re talking about the ‘artificial’ farewell games which we occasionally see.

In 2009, West Coast’s Chad Fletcher and Richmond’s Joel Bowden were two good examples of players being artificially ‘gifted’ a farewell game after battling for regular games during the season.

Edwards’ situation isn’t dissimilar after being dropped from Adelaide’s 22 this week.click here to read the resthttp://www.theroar.com.au/2010/05/29/do-afl-players-really-need-farewell-games/

http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/05/29/do-afl-players-really-need-farewell-games/

[Justin Bieber]

Reckon it depends on the player. Was he a star? Was he loyal and a long server?

Being at Adelaide for a long time, he has been loyal to them. He helped build a strong team recent years. Reckon he did deserved it but that doesn't go for all players......

[nas]

Reckon it depends on the player. Was he a star? Was he loyal and a long server?

Being at Adelaide for a long time, he has been loyal to them. He helped build a strong team recent years. Reckon he did deserved it but that doesn't go for all players......

And when he leaves also

[Alex7089]

When you think about it only mega stars get farewell games where a big fuss is made, like Hird and Harvey.

[Justin Bieber]

Mcartney from Kangas early 2000's. That was a massive farewell game.

[roo boys!]

I think they deserve it.

[McRooster]

Helps with trade decisions ie. is he a Keeper?? Give em a farewell game and you can trade their a$$!

Disrepectful I know, but true.

[bunyip]

I don't see a problem with it. If he has a good game and the team wins it is a memory that will live forever.
Anyone remember a Richmond full  forward named Michael Roach. He played his last game for Richmond in the reserves against Geelong and they lost by over 100 points. He was carried off the ground by the players but it was a sad end to a great career. He should have played his last game in the seniors, he was a great player for them.

[kalani]

over 200 games or 10 years at the club yes i think they should

[reesbr]

yeah i agree with kalani

[roo boys!]

well he churned out one of his best games of his career IMO, good on him.

[Alex7089]

Not the best of his career by a fair bit i'd think. Certainly this year though, good end to a good career.

[roo boys!]

well he churned out one of his best games of his career IMO, good on him.

I still think it was one of hid best, not his best but still very good.

[kalani]

thanku reesebr ;D

[chatters24]

I don't like farewell games given when they aren't earnt. If you want to say farewell to your fan's by playing a competitive game of footy then retire while you're still on top and the club still see's you as a player in it's best 22.
In Tyson Edward's case where he had been dropped as the coaching panel didn't feel that he was part of their best 22 he should have been driven around the ground at half time to say goodbye with some of his best highlight's being played on the big screen. I was at the SCG last year on the day that Barry Hall said goodbye to the Sydney fan's. There isn't too many bigger than Barry Hall as he was a Premiership captain, and his farewell was a very nice send off. Give this blokes a microphone even and let them tell the fan's about some of the best moment of their career. I just think the whole "farewell game" get's lost a little bit and the only farewell they really do get is after they finish the game and they get carried off, and that for me isn't a great farewell.