Suns coach Stuart Dew details why the club delisted veteran midfielder Michael Barlow
SUNS coach Stuart Dew says it was hard to let experienced midfielder Michael Barlow go but believed his lack of versatility ultimately brought him undone.
AFL
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SUNS coach Stuart Dew says it was hard to let experienced midfielder Michael Barlow go but believed his lack of versatility ultimately brought him undone.
Dew opened up about Barlow’s exit meeting and revealed why the club decided to let the 30-year-old, who has played 141 AFL games, go.
“We saw him purely as an inside midfielder but we had Jarryd Lyons, (Touk) Miller, (David) Swallow and then Will Brodie late,” Dew said.
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“(Barlow) was parked in behind them and probably got his jaw injury at the wrong time. His best form was probably when our best form was which kept him out.
“Then we played him on the wing in the last game (against Geelong) but I’m not sure he is a true wingman.
“That is probably a good example of why we need midfielders but guys with a bit more flexibility.”
Dew said the club was open about Barlow’s position on the list throughout the season.
“We had chats along the way, particularly after his first game against Adelaide and when he went out of the side,” Dew said.
“We talked about where he fits and I think along the way we were pretty clear we saw him as that inside midfielder.
“He played NEAFL and got a lot of touches. Jacob Dawson was very similar and they were unable to break into the side for most of the year.
“It’s never easy to tell someone that their time is done at this club.
“That wasn’t a good day, both for Mick and three others we had to tell.
“He probably saw himself in our side a lot but I think we explained it along the way.”
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