Hoops

Greg Hire announces NBL retirement

After watching the game tonight,Hires retirement would have to be making room for Daniel Grida to come back home to play for the Wildcats.This should be a priority.

Insane hops.

Almost looks like he’s jumping out of his own body.

Brilliant highlights! I'll never forget that time he jumped over Tim Hardaway junior

I think that due to his blue collar work ethic, people sometimes forget all the highlights Greg has delivered on the court.

eg. who could forget this huge bomb:




and his top 5 dunks are right up there with anyone's:

Yeah, my bad on the Watto math. Point stands though.

Wasnt Watto 13 years (1982-1994) with 2 championships from 4 grand finals, Hire 9 years (2010-current) with 3 championships from 5 grand finals and vice captaincy added in.

Watto played more games for sure but dont forget 82-86 the Cats werent any good. As far as impact om the team and role played, Hire and Watto seemed to have a similar position, and I would slightly lean towards Hire being the better player.

Both were club stalwarts, but in fairness the #4 isnt and shouldnt be retired in Perth. Honoured yes, retired no.

Watto is fifth all time in games played, over 15 seasons at the club. Not sure where Hire sits in terms of games played but he's six years short.

For the number 4 jersey - I think Hire and Watterson have had very comparable careers (purely on games played, role within the team and to an extent popularity - even though popularity shouldn't be a factor.)

I cant remember if Watto did a lot off the court, but Hire would have to be one of the all time greats in terms of off court engagement.

Even further, if they retire #4 Hire isn't even the most deserving of having his name on it.

A jersey retirement hanging from the rafters is the ultimate honour for a basketball professional. Very few get that opportunity. Understandably a succesful club like Perth would have many candidates worthy of that honour, but a standard has to be set and koberulz is correct, you cant start handing out jersey retirements to anyone thats had a good or lengthy career.

Reghage and Martin are the only Wildcats that can stand up to the other jerseys and get theirs retired when the time comes. Cotton too if he stays here long enough and calls Perth home (but i doubt that will happen)

Congrats to Greg Hire. So much more than just another role player. An active force in the media and the community. His work off the court exceeds his on court success - which spanned an impressive 240+ games. I hope he stays involved in the game somehow.

Don’t think you’re in a position to be criticising people’s take on his career.

Wow, so now we're at a point where people are suggesting Hire's jersey be retired. I really don't get it.

WOJ BOMB!

Put up
Redhage
Hire
Wagstaff
Martin

They all deserve to be there.

Even Knight deserves a look in.

There is no fucking way that the club directed Hire to retire immediately just for the sake of a motivational announcement. Absolutely moronic thing to say.

"Honestly, this is a big decision for players"
No, Really? Who'd have thought.

Timing his decision? I doubt that either the decision or timing is his entirely.
If for no other reason than that Greg Hire would bleed for his club.
He'd play on if they wanted him, and he would also time his announcement at their request.

There's no perfect time, just interesting now with a few games to go.

Hire has been a good role player, but a few too many in the team now.
Thing is that if teams are going to comply with the bench-cap, then guys like Hire fill a vital role.

Simple fact is that next season we will see a bunch of crabs playing past their use-by.
I suspect in his case, his love for the Cats made being a one-club player more important.

As for his singlet, sorry no.
Redhage should be due to go up, but I would expect Martin to be the next.

Even Knight deserves a look in.

The dynasty is coming to an end.

It’s be nice if they hold out on jersey retirements.

Put up
Redhage
Hire
Wagstaff
Martin

They all deserve to be there.

I'd absolutely expect them to call a press conference when Wagstaff retires too.

@Perthworld.

Shuddup Manu.

So are we going to have Tossage hype up future press conferences that will end up being the retirements of Wagstaff and Jervis. *groan*

Each of your posts?

I don't have anything against Hire except for holding on for one season too long. My comments were more about having a press conference about it since he isn't a superstar player. What next will be announced that isn't hype worthy?

Should the Wildcats retire his number?

I hope so.

D2

“Why announce it now? Why not retire mid-season? Perth must have really hated the idea of a 3rd import.“

Props to Hire. The timing is his choosing.

That said, Wildcats could now have a rolling wave of retirement announcements, each timed before important games/ finals, and ride a wave of emotion to the championship.

It's also strange, in that with the new team, I thought there'd still be an opportunity for someone like Hire to play on, at say Cairns or Hawks.

I'll start by saying that I find this very bizarre.

Why announce it now? Why not retire mid-season? Perth must have really hated the idea of a 3rd import.

Also, to be perfectly honest, on recent performance I would have preferred either Wagstaff or Jervis to go.

It's also strange, in that with the new team, I thought there'd still be an opportunity for someone like Hire to play on, at say Cairns or Hawks.

Now that said. Congrats to him on a solid career. 3 rings and around 240 games, not bad. Good bloke too. Hope he stays involved in the sport, in a development role.

Thing I have always liked about Hire is that he always gave 100%.

Good effort by Hire to play in multiple championships and to do it mostly on effort and hustle rather than any great physical gifts or serious talent. Well done. A bit like Teys or White. Respect to those guys who carve out a role for themselves through hard work and smarts.

^ Yes he does and yes it is.
Guys like him help make this club what it is - i.e. a culture of hard work and unselfishness that gets the maximum out of everyone.
You'll be missed, Greg.

Truly a sad day for the mighty Wildcats. This bloke BLEEDS red and black.

Congrats on a great career and best of luck for the future!

Surely they're not going to make such a big deal about Jervis or Hire retiring?

Very emotional for him as he works through his prepared announcement. Obviously weighed heavily on him to pick the time to go.

Bye Greg

Greg Hire seated beside Gleeson. There you go.

Confirmed: Hire retiring

Also remember that one recent major announcement was the Hawks doing an indigenous round. "Major" is at the discretion of the announcer at this stage...

Martin retiring? Surely they're not going to make such a big deal about Jervis or Hire retiring?

Hire to retire?

Martin to play on.

Someone is retiring, meaning that they will have a tonne of motivation and play manic defence for the rest of the season and go on to win the championship

A sponsorship renewal?

*yawn*

Gleeson to announce this will be his last season

Cats profits have increased so much this season that they are buying a second eye for J, a personality for AD, and a new bridge for Perthworld to live under in the winter time

Terrico has a left wrist injury

Gleeson last season

Neilson heir to the throne

Hire/Wagstaff/Martin to retire

Change of ownership

New GM

Take your pick.