Riewoldt and Hayes to hang up boots?

[Munga]

I know Roo has a year left of his contract and we'd all love him to go on, but with a heavy heart I think he should call it a day, for his own welfare and quality of life. I can't stand seeing him hobbling around, the guy will be crippled for the rest of his life.
And too Lenny. Unfortunately it seems his body is regularly tightening up.

It hurts, but it's the right thing. s***, I feel like I'm putting my dog down.

[ralphsmith]

riewoldt hobbling....argh

[roskilde]

The man is amazing, but it does hurt to watch the big guy under duress.

It would be a sad day if he did a Sandy Koufax, but id be happy for the man nonetheless.

[Sainternist]

It would be a sad day if he did a Sandy Koufax, but id be happy for the man nonetheless.

I like your Koufax analogy. However, at least Sandy played in a team which got to take the holy grail (4 times, no less).

[southernsaint]

If they do and i hope they dont the club should keep them in coaching positions

[matrix]

will both play next year

[plugger66]

If they do and i hope they dont the club should keep them in coaching positions

I think Rooy has made it pretty clear he has no interest in coaching and i would expect lenny to coach at another club when he retires. it would be better for his development.

[Junction Oval]

I think that Rooey is doing it purely for the team now. It's a shame to see him struggle so much. The younger guys need his leadership around the Club.

Would next year (likely to be his last), be made easier as a permanent full forward??

Not many games left in Lenny either, but it's his leadership that we need. I would be happy to see him on the list next year, even if he misses quite a few games.

[thejiggingsaint]

+1 !

[bigballs]

Unfortunately Lenny seems to be getting injured more regularly these days, a sure sign that the body isn't holding up as well as it used to. So for that reason, I'm not sure he'll go on beyond this year. No doubt it will be a tough decision for him to make at years end.

[ausfatcat]

I think that Rooey is doing it purely for the team now. It's a shame to see him struggle so much..

huh? he's having a great YEAR

[Munga]

I agree we need them next year. It's just player welfare I worry about. If they do play on I wouldn't expect more than 11 games each.

[clarky449]

Not good to see pretty much every contest Roo gets in and falls to the ground, he gets up and just hobbles. Just doesn't look good at all.

[samuraisaint]

I was frankly suprised when he was sent down there to Geelong on a mid-winter Saturday night no less when he was clearly struggling last week. Talk about on a hiding to nothing. Sheesh. Needs the rest of the season off.

[BakesFan]

I hope they both play next year in order to give the kids one more season under their leadership......They both need the rest of the season off in order to make that happen.

[Cairnsman]

I was frankly suprised when he was sent down there to Geelong on a mid-winter Saturday night no less when he was clearly struggling last week. Talk about on a hiding to nothing. Sheesh. Needs the rest of the season off.

I actually wondered during the week if it would be a good idea to rest him for the Geelong game for the same reasons. Probably will get a forced rest this week now although someone said it was his ankle that forced him off the ground last night?

[saintbob]

If Roo is to play on next year we need to put him on ice for the rest of this year and let his body recover, otherwise I can't see him going around again next year.

Lenny's pride in his performance will see him call and end to his brilliant career at year's end if not sooner!!

[SainterK]

Shouldn't of played him so much this year, shouldn't of rushed Len back from his first calf.

The year we're having, they are "sometimes" players that should rest more than once.

[plugger66]

If Roo is to play on next year we need to put him on ice for the rest of this year and let his body recover, otherwise I can't see him going around again next year.

Lenny's pride in his performance will see him call and end to his brilliant career at year's end if not sooner!!

I dont get the put on ice thing. If he is injured and cant play then he doesnt. If the injury is one week then he plays after that. Why put him on ice to next year. the same thing will happen with his legs next year so do we again put him on ice next year.

Lenny will play on if he thinks this is just a bad year injury wise. he hasnt really had these types of problems previously.

[saintspremiers]

If playing on is likely to cause further and permanent damage, then I'd want him to retire at the end of the year.

Rooey has given so much to our club and we love him - now it's the club's turn to look after his welfare.

[lloyd21]

Riewoldt will be there next year probably play last 2 this year .
Will play deep forward next year.No idea about Hayes other than he has strong interest in coaching