The new trend; playing assistants.

[Presti35]

We've seen Sam Mitchell be somewhat of a success at WCE. And now it looks as though Hodge will do the same up in Brisbane.

Will any other clubs pull a similar move?

Is this something that Collingwood could or should look at? Or do we have too many older players on the list already? I suppose it's possible that the Mayne debacle has already put an end to an idea like this.

But if we were to entertain this idea, might I suggest Matt Priddis.

At 32 years of age, he had a very good season and his two finals performances were instrumental. He is gutsy as all hell and looks to have what it takes to enter a coaching career.

He still has it and I couldn't think of anyone better to lead by example.

And for anyone here that'd be against the idea, think about this; he could take over the #11 jersey.

#priddispie

[WhyPhilWhy?]

For Hodge, I'd match anything Brisbane offers and then some.

[RudeBoy]

Toward the end of the season he looked cooked as a player to me, so there's no way I'd want him as a player. As an assistant coach, he'd bring a wealth of experience and knowledge.

[Deja Vu]

Priddis is a plodder. Always has been. He retired at the right time. The game has gone past players like him

[Pies4shaw]

We've been doing this for years - some clubs play assistant coaches, we play assistant players.

[Presti35]

https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/M/Matt_Priddis.html#20170

I thought he ended the season exceptionally well.

I'm sure he has another 20 games in him. Possibly more. It's a far better idea than bringing back Daisy or Wellingham. And he'd offer so much more than many others already on our list, even if he were only to play one season.

From all the older players (or recently retired), he's the best option other than Hodge. Watson's heart is no longer in it (and he's cooked), and Riewoldt doesn't seem to be going down the coaching path.

I would expect the Pies to not be going this way, I just thought it'd be worth a suggestion.

[AN_Inkling]

We definitely don't have too many older players. Fairly sure we have less players over 30 than anyone.

Wells was brought in largely for this reason. To provide leadership and experience.

It's mostly a bad idea and can only work in specific circumstances: a team without leadership or a team about to win a flag (Brisbane the former, Eagles thought they were the latter).

Not something we should be doing now and definitely not for Priddis, won't offer us much.

[Presti35]

Looking to address this again.

Does anyone think we could do with adding an older player to the list to help out over the next season or two? (And to work into an assistant role).

Hodge would have been fantastic.

Nick Riewoldt would have been a good candidate if he wasn't 35.

[RudeBoy]

[watt price tully]

[Presti35]

Come to think of it, we've done this recently with Ben Hudson.

Bit different for a ruckman, but we've still had a "playing assistant" I suppose.

[woodys_world69]

The side effect of drafting athletes instead of footballers