Just read that article, from my reading Lyon never said they were retiring he said they would not play for Fremantle.
They would be free to play for another club should they “choose” to. Unfortunately for them this choice won’t be left up to them it will be left up to another club to pick them up. Would appear that Lyon has learnt from his previous misuse of words and didn’t retire these two, unless there is more in the presser that wasn’t written in the link I followed.
I am more disappointed that the reaction to this, is to turn it into another debate on the merits of Lyon as a person or a coach. I would prefer we take time to celebrate two players that have made admirable efforts in almost bringing the prize that everybody in football wants to our club.
Johnno in particular, if not for his body could have gained multiple AA guernseys, and had that body held up at the right end of the year, maybe some results could have been better. From my point of view has been our best indigenous player.
Pearce has been a fantastic servant and since coming to the club hasn’t put a foot wrong. His willingness to run and work at 100% should be emulated by more on our current list. His long kicking while at times errant still has him very high on the list of all time metres gained.
If they are given send off games, I for one will make the trip to Perth to attend and tip my lid to both of them.
