West axed from Bulldogs
September 24, 2008 · Print This Article
Western Bulldogs have made the tough call and told club champion Scott West that he is no longer required at the club despite the veteran stating he wished to play on next year.
The 33-year-old was told about his future in a meeting with coach Rodney Eade on Tuesday. West admitted the meeting was angrily cut short when he was told about his future at the club.
“(I felt) sadness, a little bit of anger, but some genuine sadness because playing football and playing at this football club has meant so much to me over so many years,” West told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.
“The meeting was cut a little bit short because of the emotions that I had.
“I was able to go home and reflect and just gather my thoughts.”
Eade admitted that telling the seven time best & fairest winner he was no longer required was the hardest decision he had to make in his time as a coach.
West only managed to add five games to his total of 324 games this season and when he was forced play with VFL side Williamstown to prove his fitness it became alarmingly aware that West was struggling with form and fitness.
West has not ruled out playing on with a different club next season.
Do you think the decision to axe West was to harsh? Comment Below!
It is harsh when this sort of thing happens, but Scottie must have known he was a very low chance to play on. With all the money in footy, perhaps guys like scottie can be retained as mentors for a year on a base salary to help them ease out of the club. Those of us who saw him in the twos, winced in agony for him, but I am not sure why they did not axe Johnson and Akermanis as well. Akermanis has given Footscray nothing, never gets his shorts dirty, and has a lot to say, most of it dribble. Johnson seems to have lost it, he tries hard, but he looks a liability. To lose to Geelong when 6 opportunities were missed by inaccurate kicking is such a discipline error, I felt for Rocket and David Smorgon, and the fans, heartbreaking stuff. Good luck Scottie West, you have been a joy to watch over the years, and coaching is an option.