The thing is, these guys don't want to leave ever. And they will take up a spot on the list, and he could have a year like this one. Sometimes people need to be told, because otherwise it will only set the club back.
Bulldogs devastate Scott West Mark Stevens | September 24, 2008 12:00am http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24394466-19775,00.html SCOTT West made an emotional exit from AFL football yesterday. The 324-game veteran was told he was not part of the Western Bulldogs' plans for the future. Witnesses said the 33-year-old was visibly upset as he left Whitten Oval. Although West had sensed he was in trouble, the reality of the situation hit him like a sledgehammer. The Dogs are poised to hold a media conference today to celebrate West's career and clarify the decision. They hope West, a seven-time best-and-fairest winner, will attend. But West was not returning calls from the Bulldogs or the Herald Sun last night. It is highly unlikely the fiercely proud veteran will front the media today. Confidants confirmed West was deeply upset. West informed some of his fate via text messages. West held discussions with his management and has not yet made a definitive call to retire. He had declared he wanted to play on despite being cut down by a knee injury this year. It always loomed as a delicate decision for the Dogs. West met coach Rodney Eade, football manager James Fantasia and assistant coach and former teammate Leon Cameron yesterday afternoon. Fantasia confirmed the club wanted West to retire in order to give him the best possible send-off. "We discussed with him the option of retirement and where we were," Fantasia said. "We would've liked to have seen Scott retire voluntarily. That hasn't been the case." "He's had a wonderful career and is a legend of the club. We wanted to handle the situation in the best possible way," Fantasia said. He said the club was committed to introducing youth, adding he would "love" to have West at a press conference today. Eade said it was devastating to see West restricted by a knee injury this year. "We hope to honour him in the coming months the way legends should be honoured," Eade said. The Dogs were having medical screenings yesterday, but the exact status of West's knee injury remains clouded. If West does retire, it is unclear if he will be fast-tracked to be part of a motorcade of departing champions on Grand Final day. He has the credentials to be a late addition. Bulldogs legend Doug Hawkins, who wore the No. 7 guernsey before West, said he was disappointed by the departure. "If his knee's OK, he plays. He has every right to set his own agenda," Hawkins said. "If his knee's no good, and that's the big question, he doesn't play. "The doctor might have given a report the knee is no good and bone on bone. We don't know. "I think deep down he wants to play. "If they're saying they just want him to retire because he's 33, that wouldn't sit well with me. "Gee, it would have been good to have a Scotty West out there on Friday night against the Cats." Hawkins described West as one of the all-time greats of the club. "He's been an absolute superstar. He could have won two Brownlow Medals," Hawkins said. "Whoever wears No. 7 next, good luck, you've got a lot to live up to. "That's not just including me, that's including what Scotty West has taken it to." West celebrated Adam Cooney's Brownlow victory at the after-party, in the early hours of yesterday, knowing the crunch talks were looming. It was the first time in several years that West, seventh on the all-time Brownlow votes list, was not invited to the count. Underlining West's powers, he polled three votes in the Round 2 win against Melbourne. It would be his third-last game. West played only four games this season and did not appear after Round 5. He was cut down by a knee stress fracture and aborted a tilt at the finals after one hitout with Williamstown at VFL level. It is believed ruckman Peter Street was told yesterday he would be up for trade.
Bulldogs call time on West Len Johnson | September 24, 2008 http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/bulldogs-call-time-on-west/2008/09/23/1221935640788.html THE career of one of the most celebrated sons of the west appears to be over, with seven-time club champion Scott West told yesterday he was no longer a required player at the Western Bulldogs. West was told yesterday afternoon that he would not be required in 2009. The club intended to announce the decision publicly today, but a devastated West left after receiving the news and had not been back in contact with the Bulldogs as reports of the decision started to leak out. Senior coach Rodney Eade paid tribute to West in a statement issued by the club last night, after it became clear the 324-game veteran would not be getting back in contact with the club. "Scott West is regarded as one of the Western Bulldogs' all-time great players and we hope to honour him in the future in the way a club legend should be honoured," Eade said in the brief statement issued by the club. "Westy has been an integral part of our leadership group and it has been devastating to see someone who has played so many years with minimal injuries to finish his career in such frustrating way." Brownlow medallist Jason Akermanis yesterday said he was not surprised by the ending of West's career. "I wasn't. I was with Scotty all yesterday and last night and while we were fairly intoxicated at the (Brownlow Medal) after-party, Rocket was standing behind me, and (West) said: 'That guy there is going to tell me tomorrow it's no good, I'm going to be finished' … there's no doubt that he wanted to play on but it's so tough when you're 34," Akermanis told radio SEN yesterday. "It's amazing, when you're getting older, if your body has just one bad patch — and he's had a great career — how quickly you can be gone. We know how good a player he is, or was, and I think the decision was made, there's a lot of young guys coming through, and hey, there's pressure on me now. "I had a chat today with the coaches and I don't mind saying that I got the distinct feeling that there's a lot of pressure coming on young guys to get games, and if I sort of have a little bit of a bad patch, they said: 'Look, you may have to go and play in the twos and are you going to be able to handle that?' That's the nature of football as you get older." The 31-year-old also revealed that season 2009 would be his football finale. "After that conversation I will tell you categorically right now, next year's the last. Hopefully I'm playing good footy and hopefully I play all the way to the end, and hopefully we're in the same position trying to get to the top of the tree. Next year, that's it," he said. Although West had been restricted to only four games this season with knee injuries, he had been involved with the team's preparation throughout the finals campaign, which ended with last Friday's 29-point loss to Geelong in a preliminary final. The decision was communicated to West the day after another Bulldog midfielder, Adam Cooney, won the Brownlow Medal, an award West had gone so close to winning on several occasions. West finished second in the Brownlow in 2000 and 2006 and was third in 1998. West's in-and-under style and seemingly limitless endurance made him a hard man for opponents to stop. You could stick with him, hang on to him, do everything short of wrap him up entirely and somehow he would squeeze a handball out to a teammate. Though not a big goal-scorer himself, nor even a particularly long kick, he had an uncanny knack for finding the ball and giving it to someone in a better position.
Seedy Cooney rues his fierce party pace September 24, 2008 http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/seedy-cooney-rues-his-fierce-party-pace/2008/09/23/1221935640758.html FOR Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney, Mad Monday led to Tired Tuesday. Having spent the day leading up to last night's count with teammates in a post-season drinking session, followed by more celebrations after his unexpected win, the young Western Bulldogs midfielder was clearly not relishing the round of media commitments he faced yesterday. "It was a long day, we started at about 10 o'clock in the morning," he said. "I said that if I knew that I'd be any chance, I wouldn't have had as many beers as I did yesterday. So I was a little bit seedy this morning when I woke up and had a lot of interviews to do, it was a long day and it is still a bit of a shock." He was hoping not to be required for much more partying. "I hope not, I think I've got a couple of mates coming over from Adelaide, I've got a few more media commitments first before I even think about anything like that," he said. "I might have a few waters today." Geelong coach Mark Thompson said Gary Ablett's disappointment at being the beaten favourite for the second year running was eased by having a grand final to look forward to. "Gary's been unlucky two years in a row but he's fine — no counselling needed," Thompson said. "He's got bigger fish to fry this week. We're playing in a grand final and that's super-important."
Scott West says he's unsure what the future holds Michael Horan | September 25, 2008 12:00am http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24398384-19775,00.html IN FOOTBALL terms, Scott West attended his own funeral yesterday. Less than 24 hours after he stormed out of coach Rodney Eade's office after being told his time was up, the seven-time club best-and-fairest was back at Whitten Oval to see the club say goodbye. They were all there, jammed into the small auditorium. The players, president, training and administrative staff, coach, as well as West's parents Maureen and Ian, twin brother Trent and older brother Troy all squeezed into seats behind a battery of TV cameras and journalists. Off to one side West's wife Leshelle clutched their six-week-old son Levi, and beside her were their older sons Rhylee, 8, and six-year-old twins Kobi and Cooper. "I obviously haven't done this before, so it's a big change in my life since about yesterday at around 3.30," West said. "Too old," West replied, with Eade sitting grim-faced beside him. "Mine (the meeting) was late in the day, which wasn't a bad thing after the Brownlow celebrations. I just got told I wasn't going to go forward in my career here." Eade said he always hated being the executioner and this time it had been harder than ever. "Yeah, it's the toughest, there's no doubt, because I think I've got a pretty good relationship with Scott," Eade said. "You're charged with what you think is best for the football club to go forward, and you make those decisions, and they're not taken lightly. "It's extra hard when you've got such a super champion, and he's been a great player for this club. But as I said, you've got to make those hard decisions at some stage. "Scott West has been synonymous with this club, and I don't use the word lightly, but he has been a champion. I think his record speaks for itself. "I think his ability and willingness to help other players has been a great support for me as coach. He'll be sorely missed with his willingness and his ability to help the younger players. "But it's just about where we think the midfield is at. The midfield did really well this year, but we've got three or four younger guys that we really want to give game time to be able to develop. "And obviously missing 12 months of footy isn't his fault but it didn't help him, either." West, 33, said it was too early to consider whether he would seek another club, but the veteran described openly his feelings at leaving the club for which he played 324 games. "One of sadness, I guess," West said. "There was a little bit of anger, but genuine sadness because playing football at this club has meant so much to me over so many years. It's inevitable that your career is going to end - I honestly didn't think it was going to be yesterday - but it happens to everyone. "I think the list is in a position whereby they thought it was time to move on. I'm not the first player to be moved on and won't be the last. "It was tough. I made a phone call before I got home, just to let them know. The meeting was cut a bit short because of the emotions that I had. But I was able to go home, reflect and just gather my thoughts." And as for life after footy, West doesn't know what it will hold. "I honestly haven't thought about it. It's been such a whirlwind 24 hours, it certainly hasn't gone through my mind. I just don't know what I'm going to do, or what the next couple of weeks hold - or the next couple of days," he said. "I'll just get through this period, sit down with the family and work out what the next step."
Mike Sheahan says Scott West falls short of 'champion' status Mike Sheahan | September 25, 2008 12:00am http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24398381-19775,00.html SCOTT West knew late on Monday night he was a condemned man. Knew that when he woke (in a fog) from Mad Monday and the impromptu celebration of Adam Cooney's Brownlow Medal win, he would face the moment he feared most. The moment Rodney Eade would confirm it was all over. After 16 seasons and 324 games. Sadly, it ended in anger and tears on Tuesday afternoon, although West made a dignified formal exit at a media conference yesterday. The tears have dried and the anger, hopefully, will pass. West and the Western Bulldogs are linked for life. He sits alongside Brad Johnson and behind only Chris Grant and Doug Hawkins on the club's "games" table. With E. J. Whitten next. That is exalted company. Oddly, West, like Hawkins, wore the No. 7 guernsey, and both left the Bulldogs before they planned. Hawkins went to Fitzroy for a season. While West hasn't officially retired, hopefully he doesn't follow the Hawkins path. The Doggies and Hawkins have reconciled; the same will happen with West. He is a member of the club's Team of the Century (picked in 2002) and won a record seven best-and-fairests, one more than Gary Dempsey, two more than Whitten and Norm Ware and John Schultz, both Brownlow Medal winners. West was placed three times in the Brownlow, and seemed desperately unlucky in 2000, when beaten by two votes by Shane Woewodin. I have been seen as a West critic. Understandably so, on occasions. The issue: my reluctance to acknowledge him a champion. Unquestionably, he has the record of a champion. My reservations have always been the same. As much as I admire his longevity, courage and durability, and his extraordinary ability to win the ball in heavy traffic and execute an effective handpass, he wasn't quick and he was a mediocre kick. West kicked 104 goals for his career. Not enough. If a champion is loosely defined as someone without a major flaw, you might argue he falls short. Then again, perhaps I'm just old and finicky. There is no doubt he was a great player for an extraordinary period.
Fast-paced Dogs reject West's best Michael Gleeson | September 25, 2008 http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/fastpaced-dogs-reject-wests-best/2008/09/24/1222217333510.html WHEN Scott West's career began he played a position called "centre", and particularly well as it happens. When his end came yesterday it was because there was no longer room in his team's onball division. Such is modern football, that the work once done by three is now performed by 10, but in all the changes to the game the constant of old legs battling in a young man's game remains. West played just four games this year after carrying his body through 14 previous seasons that had been as durable as they were decorated. He entered Tuesday's meeting with the coach secure in his own mind that he was capable of playing on next year but slightly uneasy whether that assessment would be shared by Rodney Eade. The club might revere him along with Chris Grant and E.J.Whitten, but their careers too had ended. "(I felt) sadness I guess, a little bit of anger, but some genuine sadness because playing football and playing at this football club has meant so much to me over so many years," West said. "It's inevitable that your career's going to end, I honestly didn't think it was going to be yesterday, but it happens to everyone. "The meeting was cut a bit short because of the emotions that I had. I was able to go home and reflect and just gather my thoughts." With time to calm himself and quietly sit long into the night with his captain Brad Johnson, West reconciled himself to the decision and yesterday joined the club at the press conference. But for now, he has not closed the door on the possibility that another club will approach him and wonder whether the 33-year-old seven-time club champion might be deserving of one last season. He knows in all likelihood that will not happen, but why close your mind to the possibility? Asked what rationale he had been given, West said: "Too old. It was just where the group's at — we have got a lot of talented players coming through, we have got a young group. They have had a terrific year." West was surrounded in this moment by those closest to him. His teammates filed into the press conference in funeral silence. His parents and brother sat together with former player Steve Wallis. His wife mustered his four children to the side of the room as their dad contemplated whether coaching might be the next step. Eade, sitting to his left, reckoned West to have one of the sharper minds for football and an excellent ability to convey those thoughts to others, so figured him an ideal future coach. Johnson is now the last man standing of the five stars who were the champions of the Bulldogs of the past decade and more — West, Johnson, Grant, Luke Darcy and Rohan Smith. "As a player he was the best I have seen, him and Granty were on an equal par with how they could lead," Johnson said. West might as easily have captained the Bulldogs when Johnson was chosen, he might also have won a Brownlow several times when others were narrowly preferred ahead of him, he might too have won a flag. But he does not leave the game a diminished figure for not having done so. As Eade observed: "Scott West has been synonymous with this club and I don't use the word lightly — he has been a champion. His record speaks for itself."
Mike Sheahan says Scott West falls short of 'champion' status Mike Sheahan | September 25, 2008 12:00am http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24398381-19775,00.html SCOTT West knew late on Monday night he was a condemned man. Knew that when he woke (in a fog) from Mad Monday and the impromptu celebration of Adam Cooney's Brownlow Medal win, he would face the moment he feared most. The moment Rodney Eade would confirm it was all over. After 16 seasons and 324 games. Sadly, it ended in anger and tears on Tuesday afternoon, although West made a dignified formal exit at a media conference yesterday. The tears have dried and the anger, hopefully, will pass. West and the Western Bulldogs are linked for life. He sits alongside Brad Johnson and behind only Chris Grant and Doug Hawkins on the club's "games" table. With E. J. Whitten next. That is exalted company. Oddly, West, like Hawkins, wore the No. 7 guernsey, and both left the Bulldogs before they planned. Hawkins went to Fitzroy for a season. While West hasn't officially retired, hopefully he doesn't follow the Hawkins path. The Doggies and Hawkins have reconciled; the same will happen with West. He is a member of the club's Team of the Century (picked in 2002) and won a record seven best-and-fairests, one more than Gary Dempsey, two more than Whitten and Norm Ware and John Schultz, both Brownlow Medal winners. West was placed three times in the Brownlow, and seemed desperately unlucky in 2000, when beaten by two votes by Shane Woewodin. I have been seen as a West critic. Understandably so, on occasions. The issue: my reluctance to acknowledge him a champion. Unquestionably, he has the record of a champion. My reservations have always been the same. As much as I admire his longevity, courage and durability, and his extraordinary ability to win the ball in heavy traffic and execute an effective handpass, he wasn't quick and he was a mediocre kick. West kicked 104 goals for his career. Not enough. If a champion is loosely defined as someone without a major flaw, you might argue he falls short. Then again, perhaps I'm just old and finicky. There is no doubt he was a great player for an extraordinary period.There's a reason why we hate you Mike. He's more a champion than you ever were you wanker. If a champion is someone without a major flaw, I would say that Buddy Franklin will never be a champion - he can't consistently kick straight. Let's see your theory hold up then you hack.