AFL greats reveal how clubs are placed to transition from retiring greats to next generation
THE AFL world is tough, but replacing greats of the game could be the hardest job for clubs as they search for the next generation of superstars.
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“YOU can never replace legends but what you can do is learn.”
St Kilda great Danny Frawley has witnessed generational change first hand but believes a club can ensure big shoes are filled quickly.
The Saints are one of several clubs about to find out the true meaning of “the show must go on” as Nick Riewoldt leaves a 336-game, 718-goal hole in the St Kilda forward line.
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And while Sean Dempster’s early retirement was lessened by the arrival of Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown, Alan Richardson will need to find a replacement for Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna.
Frawley sees parallels with Tony Lockett’s exit in 1994.
“When Tony Lockett left, the club played in a Grand Final three years later,” he told the Herald Sun.
“Nick Riewoldt won’t be replaced but what you can do is have guys who can combine to fill his shoes.
“We got a few games this year that gave a taste of the future ... young Josh Battle, Hugh Goddard and Josh Bruce can, as a collective fill the void.”
Bruce and Tim Membrey have both kicked more than 30 goals in the past two years and are already established players.
Battle, 18, debuted this season and at 193cm and 89kg is a Riewoldt clone.
The end was far more abrupt for Dempster as concussion stopped his career in its tracks.
However, it allowed Dylan Roberton to have a career year that saw him named in the All-Australian squad, while Brown and Carlisle fitted in seamlessly.
There is no harder task for clubs than finding the “heir to the throne”.
Yet HAWTHORN has been forced to future proof it’s list as the club’s golden generation nears the end.
Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis were farewelled last year and, this year, Luke Hodge called time on his decorated career while injury brought a premature end to Josh Gibson’s.
It forced Alastair Clarkson to reinvent his defence, moving Jack Gunston and James Sicily back while Ryan Burton blossomed.
Former Hawk Ben Dixon said it forced the Hawks to fast track their transition.
“The biggest hole they leave is the ability to pass on the coach’s message and organise on the ground,” he said.
“Burton popped up this year, Gunston, Sicily and O’Brien are all forwards who can now go back, while Gibbo was a defender only.
“The way the game is going, having those hybrid players is another trick in Clarko’s bag.
“You can’t replace that experience overnight but give them another year.”
While some retiring stars have gone out on their terms, others have already abdicated their thrones through form or injury.
ADELAIDE 300-gamer Scott Thompson only played one game this season as Matt and Brad Crouch became bona fide stars. The handover was complete on Wednesday night when Matt was named All-Australian for the first time.
WESTERN BULLDOGS premiership player Matthew Boyd lost his place in the team this season, less than a year after being named All-Australian for the third time.
The Dogs farewelled Boyd and Bob Murphy last week and the loss of leadership will be felt just as much as the 604 games of on-field experience.
Bulldogs games record holder Brad Johnson says despite the club not making the finals this year, it was still in a good place.
“The club has transitioned over the last couple of years,” he said.
“The key now is Shane Biggs, Easton Wood, Jason Johannisen and some of the younger guys filling the void.
“The biggest part will be the growth in leadership.
“I think (Murphy and Boyd) leave knowing the club is still in a really strong position, yes, we didn’t play finals this year, but the club is set up for sustained success over the next three to five years.”
Wood, Biggs and Johannisen are already premiership player while Bailey Williams played 12 games this year and Lukas Webb and Roarke Smith wait in the wings.
While the Dogs look for the next generation, budding rivals GWS should have no trouble replacing Steve Johnson.
The triple premiership Cat was icing on the cake for the Giants, who have Toby Greene, Devon Smith, Brett Deledio and Matt de Boer who all play a similar role.
ESSENDON will be without Jobe Watson and James Kelly next year but No.1 pick Andrew McGrath could be the answer to both those problems ... in time.
McGrath is projected to move into the midfield in coming years in similar fashion to Kelly at Geelong but the rise if Zach Merrett and continued improvement of Darcy Parish should allow him to develop in defence before becoming a full-time onballer.
In 20 games this year, McGrath has the eighth most disposals at Essendon with an elite efficiency of 82 per cent.
Bombers assistant coach Guy McKenna revealed there had already been discussions about giving the former champion athlete more time in the middle.
“There’s certainly been some debate already with (John Worsfold),” Bombers performance coach Guy McKenna told The Essendon Footy Panel this month.
“Woosh has been fairly steadfast in saying we know he’s played midfield as a junior and he probably settled across half back, which is where he became the player he was.
“We know he can play in the midfield and leg speed is something we need in the midfield and he makes very good decisions in a phone box.
“He’ll spend the summer in the midfield group and then start to play more in the midfield.”
If McGrath does move up field, the Bombers’ backline won’t want for dash with Conor McKenna and Martin Gleeson playing 18 and 17 games respectively.
It has been a bumper year for retirees but the footy world moves on quickly.
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