Quote Originally Posted by Texas Ranger View Post
2 sides to the argument re older players. I still believe they have a value to the club (if good enough) as a player and mentor to juniors. If good enough to be in squad there shouldn't be an argument. However, by never being allowed to play down they deny younger players the chance to play up, be it from the bench or starting. Sometimes players need game time if they are coming back from injury or needing to regain confidence. Not every player is a walk-up start for first grade every match. So does a coach carry every over 20 player, regardless of week to week form and deny the youngsters a chance, or do we allow the current arrangement giving flexibility and opportunity to those deserving of such.
That still false info

A club can currently play First Grade standard players in the 20s if they so desire

Early this year I watched Magic flog someone in the 20s and they had Dino Faj and Matt Hoole who would get a start at all clubs in the NPL running around in the 20s as they had not got a spot in first grade for them

I even commented on it in this thread

I watched Magic the other month playing someone in the 20s I thinking Azzurri and they had 3-4 first graders on the park

So clubs can play blokes down to bring them back from injury, find form ,drop for discipline etc

What you though are advocating is clogging the system up with over age players on the downhill of their career coming out the arse end of first grade and just sitting in the 20s preventing opportunity to the 18s coming through

If the player isn't good enough for first grade any more the club has to be brutal and say so

It is after all a competition where selection is based on ability and merit. It not everyone wins a prize any more

There always a day you are not good enough for the level you once we're at. It happens to EPL players it happens to Socceroos it happens to HAL players

The coaches make a decision and everyone moves on

Why is an NPL player entitled to keep living the dream when time has passed him by??