Gumnut, I reckon a delisting could be on the cards if Freo can’t engineer a trade. Here’s what Barlow’s agent told SEN radio today:
"He's by no means out at Fremantle, but an interesting question at the moment is what Fremantle want to do with their list. Whether they want to get younger, whether or not there's younger players that need opportunity.
All those sorts of mature discussions are taking place and if that means Mick gets an opportunity elsewhere, we'd certainly look at it."
I reckon the ‘mature conversations’ are around the facts and opinions below:
Facts
Fremantle won 6 games last year
Fremantle had the oldest list in the AFL last year
Barlow will be 29 before next season starts
Barlow is out of contract
Fact-based opinions
Barlow plays best on-ball as an inside mid.
There are a number of players on Freo’s list that play a similar role to Barlow, including:
- Mundy (captain)
- Fyfe (25 Brownlow Medalist)
- Neale (23 Doig Medalist who broke AFL record for possessions last year)
- Blakely (20 years old, pretty good)
Other than Mundy, all of those players are younger and have contracts.
Lyon has preferred those other players in Barlow’s preferred role, meaning Barlow has been moved to the flanks or dropped.
Barlow hasn’t been effective in other roles (unless you count tagging).
Barlow did not like being dropped.
Opinions
Between Mundy, Fyfe, Neale, Blakely and Barlow there is very little leg-speed, and not much elite kicking. Can you play all of those guys in the same team?
If choosing between those players, it’s very likely Lyon will drop Barlow.
Barlow is a ripper bloke, who would be great to keep around the footy club if he was happy playing a supporting role, and would be first picked if there was a long-term injury.
Back-up players are for teams that think they are a realistic chance of winning a premiership. Freo probably isn’t a realistic chance of winning a premiership next year.
Barlow is too good a player not to be playing regular AFL footy, and I think he thinks the same. He probably wouldn’t be happy in that role.
Barlow has more value for another club.
If you share those views, it’s hard to imagine that he’ll be at Freo next year.
