GEELONG supporters understand their heroes eventually have to leave even if they “quibble” with the timing, according to Cats president Colin Carter.
“The most important thing from our point of view is that these guys move on, whenever they do, to successful careers and in 10 years’ time they look back on their period at the club as a highlight of their lives,” Carter told reporters.
Geelong has announced that Steve Johnson, Mathew Stokes and James Kelly will play their final games for the Cats tomorrow.
Carter said he would be happy if delisted players went to other clubs.
“If any person can find a better opportunity for themselves elsewhere then I think good employers don’t stand in their road. So if some of our players can construct an opportunity elsewhere that they can’t do here, then I think they do that with our blessing.”
Departing Cats veterans could at least take solace knowing they will be welcome back if they finished their careers elsewhere, said dual premiership player Josh Hunt.
The solidly-build defender played his final year with Greater Western Sydney after the Cats delisted him at the end of 2013.
“The beauty of the footy club is that they stand true to their word and you can go with their blessing and they welcome you back with open arms,” Hunt told AFL.com.au.
“Any of those guys that are mentioned that decide to retire have been champions of the Geelong footy club. Whatever decision they make after that I don’t think that has anything to do with the legacy they are going to leave behind at Geelong.”
Hunt acknowledged the tough decision facing Kelly and Stokes about whether to play on elsewhere.
“That is their call on their own destiny and their own careers,” he said.
“If for some reason clubs feel like they need to move you on, whether because it is the path they are going and they feel like you are no longer a piece of their puzzle, and you can go somewhere else and [play], then I can’t see any harm in doing that.”
Kelly will have an important role in his final match at Simonds Stadium tomorrow, with the Cats ruling out any return of injured pair Mitch Duncan and Josh Caddy.
The Cats take on in-form Adelaide in the final home-and-away round of the season.
The match will have added spice, with Geelong attempting to sign Crow star Paddy Dangerfield, who has expressed interest in reuniting with his family on the Surf Coast.
