Heath Scotland and Nick Stevens are 28 or about to turn 28. How many years could they play on to.Could any of these guys play another 5 Seasons,that would end them playing at 33 or do you think it's more likely 3 seasons left at 31.

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Bang Bang.

probably another 3 seasons after this year, barring injury of course.

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Lawrence Lawrence, The man who knows all the rackets and all the racketeers!

The way Stevens looks after himself he will be lucky to play much past 30.

Scotland is fit and could play to 32, just depends if we want him to.

i hope we get a plan together in view of replacing these two solid players within 2-3 years/

I believe it all depends on how their bodies hold up and the injuries they receive.

Stevo obviously will finish earlier but i think he still has 4 years keft in him


Scotland (touch wood) has not really had any bad injuries so he will last longer, provided his form is maintained.

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Blue boy thru and thru

This post has probably been read by few but highlights a key issue for the club. That is trading players that are unlikely to play in a premiership for draft picks, when the value of draft picks will diminish with the entry of Gold Coast or Brisbane. It is a question of sentiment & near success versus facing the cold hard reality that we do not have a premiership list. If the quality is present in draft 2008 I would trade those guys for draft picks.

You don't just trade a bloke because he's approaching 30 and is - according to your crystal ball - unlikely to play in the next premiership.

There is a lot more to list management than trying to forecast premiership 'windows'. This isn't Pro Evo or Madden NFL. This is real life, real people and real contracts with real clauses - that you or I have no idea about - that have real effects on the business and performance of the club.

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"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

pretty much agree with you crusader,

I also think that Stevens having a year off will give him longevity at the other end, I expect him to at least match Scotland if not outlast him.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

The time to trade Stevens has passed. End of 2006 was prime.

We missed the boat.

Ah well.

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Congratulations CK95

Both could easily play on if their skills hold up. It's mostly a question of pace in the modern game - it depends if they lose a yard or two.
Both are great readers of the play, but only Scotland is a strong mark... Which may affect which one can end his career as a small forward, which is what I see happening.

Besides, all this negative talk about the draft losing all meaning after the GC team is introduced... They're not just going to load-up on youngsters, they're going to trade many of their picks for established players - and if one or two are veterans like Scotland or Stevens, then fine. We'll take the good picks when we're nearing the peak of the ladder.

Getting off-topic, but just how many established players do you think are going to leave their current club to play in the VFL?

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"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

The way I see it, they both have 4 years.

3 years at Carlton, and one year at Essendon* (in return for a few decent drafts picks).



Isn't that what usually happens to outdated Carlton midfielders - they go to Essendon*, right?

At least 3 each. Stevo maybe 4 or 5

Stevens will never go to the GC. The reason he left Port was to come back to Victoria.

Could be 4-5 years for both. Will be handy to have around as our youth develop. One reason Hawthorn developed pretty quickly is the experience they had in the club to compliment the youth they drafted a few years ago. We need to keep what we do have for the same reason irrespective if they'll be there for the next flag or not.

..spot on jim.. ..yer can't train in experience.. ..we'll need their footy smarts..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

So we get him in 2004 and flick him in 2006?

Why are we even discussing the only two experienced onballers we've got as 'tho they're already on the scrapheap?

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"I had to eat"

That's funny. I think the only regret with these guys was they came to the club just like Judd was about 24 but on the wrong time. Their success with the club will come possibly when they ending it in their 30s.

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Bang Bang.

I don't think we are,some may think that. I just wondered how long can they play for if all went well. Heath Scotland/Nick Stevens could they play pass 33 like very few champions or about the same age of someone good like Matthew Lappin about 31.

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Bang Bang.