James Clement - Retired

[devilsadvocate]

James Clement has just announced his retirement.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Cle ... 30764.html

Far too early IMO.

What a great player he was, great leader, great with the media and I'm sure respected by all.

Very difficult to replace. I'd say mick will be begging Shane Wakelin to play on.

[saintal]

real shock

[Mr66]

Any reasons given?

[Dogwatcher]

Thanks for being a rock in defence Jim.
It's hardly a suprise - he led the boys off on Friday night.

[silent11]

cant believe it

[sydney-dog]

He is a massive loss, if Wakelin goes they have some real holes in defence

Maybe Kenny McGregor might be a target for the Pies

[Hafey]

That will help free up some cash in the chase for Chris Judd , Clement did have a poor finals series .

[sydney-dog]

Collingwood are such an interesting team

they have holes in their defence, slow in the midfield and lack a quality ruckman, and they still finish one kick from a GF

[Hondo]

First reaction =

Then I saw his age ....31

And thought back to some of his games I saw this season .... not quite up to his standards of previous years

He has been a great player, sorry to see him go

[sydney-dog]

I believe we are seeing players retire little early because of the speed of the game, the rule changes have made the game a young man's game......

gone are the days when we see players play 300 games

[Westsider]

With clement and wakes gone... the pies are gonna be very crappy next year.

[Pup]

When i heard that, i was surprised. He would have been Collingwood's next captain if Bucks had given it away IMO

Been a terrific player since crossing over from Freo and sad to see him go.

[Grahaml]

Good but not as good as the press would lead you to believe.

Will be a big loss next year though. Especially given Wakelin is diminishing each season.

[devilsadvocate]

With clement and wakes gone... the pies are gonna be very crappy next year.

Wakes hasn't gone yet.

[Stumps]

Good but not as good as the press would lead you to believe.

Will be a big loss next year though. Especially given Wakelin is diminishing each season.

A very good call- he has always been a media "darling"- like "the goose"- a very good career nonetheless- a reliable and very honest footballer.