Should John Welborn be resigned for 2007?

[The Man]

I think he should !

He has been a real asset to the team on the field , as a menace to the opposititon

We need back up for Rudi if he gets hurt again

[Burgs]

He has been a real asset to the Referee's too, having single handedly informed every one of them what they are doing wrong!!!!
He is so vocal he should try out for halfback
Seriously though, if we fail to recruit any of the better available Locks (which it would appear that we have) then I would be in favour of having him around for one more year. O'Connor is still a season away and Pusey is a good back up but isn't really a starting option so we are a bit limited with Locks.
I doubt Wobber will be going far anyway when he does retire as the Force would hopefully retain him in some capacity for the "local" factor, or as a Referee's advisor....

[Dramoth]

Yeah, Welborn hasnt been shy in coming forward to let the ref's know if they made a bad decision...

I think that he has performed well for us and if he is willing to re-sign for us for anothe year, then he should

[Shaun]

He's getting old; but he has been a solid member of the squad this year and if he can keep it up i reckon he should be given another year.

[travelling_gerry]

yes...well done John Welborn.....stay ...come on....just one more year......

[Happy]

if he can keep his fittness up then I don't see why not, how old is he 35 or something???

The Mayor of Perth should hang around!!!!

[Burgs]

08/09/1970...."old" is relative

[.X.]

Im older - Just

he should deffinatly have at least one more year - i havent been able to fault his play this year

[The Duke]

Absolutely! He is a great example to the young guys - honest, fit, dedicated, hard-working team man.
Age is not an issue as he is more than holding his own.

[shasta]

That would be great. There are times that you need some real "mongrel" in the starting pack. He's certainly got that in spades. But he did say definately only one year. Depends on whether he can face another pre-season, Jacob's Ladder, mid-summer etc. At thirty-six that will be the cruncher.

If it's all too much maybe he could become a referee, rather than an advisor. Now that, I would like to see

[The Man]

If you want the Mayor back, email Rugby WA via Tom Fearn at tom.fearn@rugbywa.com.au

[Happy]

plus it is also good to have someone remind the ref's of the rules during the game!!!

[The InnFORCEr]

We were lucky enough to be invited to the Captains Run (which is the final training session held the day before a match, Crusaders in this case, and hosted by the Captain rather than the Coach). The first part had us in the Rugby WA box with some nibbles and drinks and a complete explanation by John Welborn (he wasn't picked for the Crusasders match, therefore not training) about the session, what we would see and hear (including line out calls etc) and where the players go from there in preperation for the match. He then took us onto the field to get close up to the action, a few media shots with Mitchell and Sharpie and a quick chat then back to the box with some of the academy players. A very interesting afternoon. Anyway I'm sure if John does not play next year his "off field" expertise along with his native tounge should keep in the "suit" ranks of the Western Force for many years to come. Well done and keep up the good work, I'd rether see him stay on field for another year.

[no.8]

Absolutely! He is a great example to the young guys - honest, fit, dedicated, hard-working team man.
Age is not an issue as he is more than holding his own.

Quite right Kev - infact there is a guy playing for the Sharks, who is also 35 yo, Johan Ackermann, the griquas born Lock kicked off his career with Leopards (need help with the provincial location there, Kev!), played 12 games for the Bulls, 24 for the Cats before coming to rest with the Sharks. Has played 8 times for the Springboks. Slightly more international experience than John (6 Wallaby caps + 60 Super Caps), but slightly less Super Rugby experience 52 caps.

Very similar player to John, Johan Ackermann is half way through a 2 year contract!

Long live King John. Stay another year and help big Pat out!

[Dramoth]

08/09/1970...."old" is relative

I agree with that... Welborn is well younger than I am... well... 6 years at least

If he wants to play and he thinks that his body will stand up to the rigors of travel and bashing the crap out of the opposition andgiving the ref a serve everytime the ref cocks up... then he should be re-signed