BARRETT: Four flags? Don't count it out. The 'oldies' aren't done yetJoel Selwood, Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt - and maybe Dustin Martin - are nearing the end of their brilliant one-club careers.
Damian Barrett
afl.com.au
4 July 2022THE LEVELS of intrigue attached to the 2022 premiership pushes of Geelong and Richmond run very deep.
Both, clearly, are all chips in on their flag pushes. Both don't care for the views of others, which pre-season focused on them being too old, too slow and too 'yesterday's heroes' to be serious contenders.
The too-old facet is arguably the most intriguing part of their stories. Three all-time greats in Joel Selwood (debut in 2007), Trent Cotchin (2008) and Jack Riewoldt (2007) are probably entering the final three-month phases of extraordinary careers. Selwood was rested in round 16, Cotchin was out injured, Riewoldt kicked three of his side's 20 goals against West Coast.
All three have at times this season appeared to be just hanging on, and yet on just as many other occasions all three have produced crucial, match-shaping play.
Cotchin is likely to miss at least one more match with a broken collarbone. Like the Cats in round 16, the Tigers were simply expected to win, against second-last West Coast. They did, again impressively, by 35 points.
Another oldie, Dustin Martin, was subbed out with a hamstring complaint. While he is contracted for two more years, I wouldn't be surprised if he asks for a trade to one of the Sydney clubs at season's end. So, he too, may be in the final three-month patch with the club with which he debuted in 2010.
Selwood, Cotchin, Riewoldt. Maybe Dusty as well. They've all secured three flags. All remain as crucial as ever in their teams' hopes for what only four months ago seemed highly unlikely.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/793594/barrett-four-flags-don-t-count-it-out-the-oldies-aren-t-done-yet
