There is an assumption there yeti that is what Johnson and Pearce want, and that the right to announce their retirement is something they care about. Implicit in that right is that it’s a player’s decision. Everyone knows that isn’t the case in these instances, so it would seem pretty contrived to confect some suspense about that.
On one reading, it would be unfair. If Pearce and Johnno know it’s their last year, and were disappointed about that, suggesting publicly the players get a say in that, or that the clubs is still considering it is not only a lie, it might actually give them false hope. It might even be seen as the coach being duplicitous – telling the players behind closed doors they’re in their last season, but telling the world it hasn’t been decided yet. How it is perceived by Johnno and Pearce depends on those conversations. Alleging disrespect on their behalf without knowing that they think seems a reach to me.
But, I’ll play along, where do we think notorious media tarts Johnson and Pearce were planning on announcing their retirement before Lyon beat them to it? Do you think they were going to just go on the Footy Show, announce it with Baz on Monday’s news, or their own one-hour special?
Johnno (and perhaps Pearce) will likely get a send-off game near the end of the year if he wants one (some players don’t), he’ll have a press conference before that to talk about his great career if he wants one (some players don’t), and he’ll probably get a lap around the ground to say goodbye to the fans if he wants it (some players don’t).
What he and Danyle haven’t earned is the right to play on next year. Pretending otherwise is a conceit, and I don’t think it’s disrespectful to be open about that.
For the record, I would have loved to have seen the reaction if Lyon has said there was a chance Pearce played on next year.
