TonyK
CibbuanoBurton's future in doubt
July 16th 2008 07:07
ADELAIDE forward Brett Burton's future is in doubt with coach Neil Craig refusing to guarantee him a new deal.
Burton, who will have an operation on his left knee on Wednesday night, will be sidelined for close to 12 months.
Craig said the club had a 'tough' decision to make with Burton in the final year of his existing deal.
"He's 30 years of age but we all know the way he's playing for us this year and it would indicate that without the injury he'd continue to play," Craig said.
"It's about our list, it's about keeping really high quality players in our club. There's talk that this year's draft, if you are going to be aggressive, this is the one to do it. There's an element of compassion about your playing group and he's one of our senior leaders."
"They are always tough decisions to make when they are long serving players, highly decorated players, and it won't get any easier in the next two or three years with Simon (Goodwin) and Andrew (McLeod), Nathan Bassett, Tyson Edwards," he said.
"So that's why it's really important to take a lot of discussion with everyone, particularly the players."
Craig said he had already begun talks with Burton about his playing future.
Burton's knee and the shoulder dislocation to Jason Porplyzia means the Crows will be without their two leading goalkickers for their must-win clash against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
Ken McGregor and youngster Taylor Walker are the frontrunners to replace Burton and Porpylzia in the forward line but Craig also mentioned Nick Gill, Trent Hentschel and Luke Jericho as possible inclusions.
Burton, who will have an operation on his left knee on Wednesday night, will be sidelined for close to 12 months.
Craig said the club had a 'tough' decision to make with Burton in the final year of his existing deal.
"He's 30 years of age but we all know the way he's playing for us this year and it would indicate that without the injury he'd continue to play," Craig said.
"It's about our list, it's about keeping really high quality players in our club. There's talk that this year's draft, if you are going to be aggressive, this is the one to do it. There's an element of compassion about your playing group and he's one of our senior leaders."
"They are always tough decisions to make when they are long serving players, highly decorated players, and it won't get any easier in the next two or three years with Simon (Goodwin) and Andrew (McLeod), Nathan Bassett, Tyson Edwards," he said.
"So that's why it's really important to take a lot of discussion with everyone, particularly the players."
Craig said he had already begun talks with Burton about his playing future.
Burton's knee and the shoulder dislocation to Jason Porplyzia means the Crows will be without their two leading goalkickers for their must-win clash against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
Ken McGregor and youngster Taylor Walker are the frontrunners to replace Burton and Porpylzia in the forward line but Craig also mentioned Nick Gill, Trent Hentschel and Luke Jericho as possible inclusions.
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