The Eagles are Unknown

In the sense that we don't know who they are, in a 'competence' sense. It's easy for Harry Potter (without the charisma) to make claims about flat track bullies, but then what was last season? We won many, many tough games last season, including the qualifying and preliminary finals.

That we have issues away from home may be more accurate. Or at least issues away from home when playing very good teams (except for the GCS, that was a crapshoot). Here are our last 5 results away from home:

Gold Coast Suns 12.11 (83) West Coast Eagles 11.17 (83)

Adelaide Crows 19.12 (126) West Coast Eagles 10.9 (69)

Hawthorn 16.11 (107) West Coast Eagles 8.13 (61)

Hawthorn 14.15 (99) West Coast Eagles 7.11 (53)

Sydney Swans 12.16 (88) West Coast Eagles 7.7 (49) 

 

  I have no memory of the third game on that list. I vaguely recollect Darling dropping a mark (how!?) in the third quarter of what could have been that game, but the veils of tears made it difficult do clearly see what was occurring. But moving on. Hopefully, I will. At some point. Potentially. 

Anyway, back to this season. The fact is Sydney and Hawthorn are terrific teams. We were smashed by the Hawks in the first quarter of the Round 2 game but then recovered well after it. Yes, we just stabilised the score and lost disappointingly. Against the Swans we were much better from the outset, we became engaged in a real slug-fest, were right with them half-way through the third and then...

 

We have some challenging games ahead away from home coming up against the Cats and Bulldogs in which hopefully we will be able to display 4 quarter performances. It is important to remember that away games have always been difficult even when we were at our best. Yet, we need to find a way to be more consistent in our efforts or a top 4 finish may evaporate.

 

This week we have Collingwood, who were made to look amazing by the worst list ever compiled by an AFL team (which still has 1 more win than the Dockers FYI). It's a game in which we should bounce back, and I'm sure Harry Potter (more of sorting hat reject really) will give us our due if we do.

Also, where do you guys think we will finish? Vote on the right.

 

 

Round 8 Recap: Get off the Field Katich!

Is what some hilarious fans were yelling at the GWS runner as the game ebbed away in the last well...4 quarters.

Apparently Simon Katich is a runner for GWS. He played cricket right?

Anyway, it was one of those days where nothing of note was occurring on field. Yes, we kicked 30 goals for the first time in our history. Yes, JJK kicked 11 straight (although one of them was an atrocious effort which somehow floated through). Yes, we won by over 100 points.

But really, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. The game was dull, uncompetitive and generally lacklustre. I know you can't blame us, but it's games like this that make me think 'why bother'? I don't find it fun to watch and the team gains nothing more than maybe some (artificial and temporary) confidence.

The weather was pleasant though. I was in the shade, trapped in the corner, my legs jammed up against the seat in front of me. The old fella in front continually turned to my friend and I and said: "They've got their kicking boots on today...something...something". We couldn't really understand what else he said, so we just nodded, said "yeah" and other general statements indicating agreement with whatever the hell he was saying. Something about the end of days, perhaps?

Anyway, yes, Kennedy was fun to watch. His tenth goal, the anticipation leading up to it, the celebration following it (of both teammates and fans) was almost worth the price of admission. Except not really, because $43 for those seats is a travesty.

But as I wrote, the win, although rather inflated, was to be expected. We are 4-4. We have a bye and then face the Pies, Kangas and Hawks. Um, yeah, so the next few weeks may very well determine whether we play finals. If we can beat the Roos and then somehow snatch one of the others we will be well positioned. Yet it's very difficult seeing us beat either of the Pies or Hawks away from home at the moment.

Round 4-7 Recap: We are Who We are.

And who we are is 'average'.

Firstly, apologies for the absence of posts, but hopefully they will return with a degree of regularity. Do I think that I have so much power that by not posting anything for a month, the Eagles simply folded in response? No, no I don't.

For you see, it's all in the fixtures. How foolish do those commentators look, who after 1 win over the Bulldogs, declared us Top 4 certainties? I thought it was crazy then, it still seemed crazy after 3 wins against minnows and it has been proved crazy now.

Let's recap a horror month shall we?

- A thrashing by the Cats in which we were held goalless for 3 quarters. I know injuries blah blah blah.
- A solid effort against an excellent Port side (but a loss nonetheless at home).
- A loss against (honest to God) the Blues after leading by 4 goals with 10 minutes remaining. This happened folks. It wasn't a bad dream. I mean it was, but it actually happened. A living nightmare perhaps.
- A Derby loss...on which I can't really commentate as I was 'playing' archery (...?)

I saw snippets of the Derby. This is what I gleaned from those snippets- WASTERS!!! We kicked plenty of points. It was mainly in the second quarter. Naitanui looked angry for some reason.

The point is though, we are a 'decent side'. We are capable of playing finals, but not of testing any of the top 4 teams when the pressure is on. The good news is: there are a swathe of mediocre teams this year. The bad news is: there are a swathe of mediocre teams this year and as such we may miss finals.

Is it time to panic? Not really. Unless you believed we were a chance to do anything significant this season, in which case please proceed to panic. If you're like me, you sort of expected this team. The season is young, things may improve, things may deteriorate. 

Winter is coming, and our next 3 opponents are GWS, Collingwood and North Melbourne. I can see us going anything from 2-1 to 0-3. Interesting times ahead.

Round 3 Preview: A Hat trick of Hammerings?

I debated whether to include the '?' at the end of the title. I didn't want to appear too arrogant.

The Saints are undefeated after edging out Melbourne and GWS. We are undefeated after destroying the Dogs and Demons.

I can't imagine a scenario in which we don't, at the very least, easily account for the Saints. They are team of two contrasts; ageing stars past their prime and young, untested rookies. That kind of combination screams death at Subiaco Oval.

We are full of confidence, immeasurably more talented, bigger, stronger. Essentially we are much, much, much better in every tangible category. Just look at their half back line for example. I honestly couldn't pick any of those guys out of a line-up. We will kick a massive score.

They should be at least competitive in the midfield, with whatever Hayes has left in his ageing legs keeping their head above water, but besides Riewoldt who is going to worry us?

WEST COAST
B Jamie Bennell, Darren Glass, Mitchell Brown
HB Matt Rosa, Eric Mackenzie, Elliot Yeo
C Chris Masten, Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF Sharrod Wellingham, Josh Kennedy, Xavier Ellis
F Mark LeCras, Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps
FOLL Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey
I/C Nic Naitanui, Brad Sheppard, Brant Colledge, Callum Sinclair
IN Brant Colledge
OUT Shannon Hurn (Knee)

ST KILDA
B Sean Dempster, James Gwilt, Sam Gilbert
HB Nathan Wright, Luke Delaney, Jimmy Webster
C Jarryn Geary, Lenny Hayes, Farren Ray
HF Clinton Jones, Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna
F Eli Templeton, Beau Maister, Josh Saunders
FOLL Tom Hickey, David Armitage, Tom Curren
I/C Jack Newnes, Rhys Stanley, Shane Savage, Luke Dunstan
IN Jimmy Webster
OUT Dylan Roberton (omitted)

Hurn is the big omission, reported to miss around 4 weeks, whilst Brant Colledge gets the nod. Interesting name Brant. I have no knowledge of him as a player, but it's a good game to ease into. Still no Hill, nor Schofield, nor Lycett.

There's not much left to write, except enjoy this game, because next week we face the Cats in Geelong. That's also known as 'when our season begins'.

Round 2 Recap: Just Like Last Year.

Were you embarrassed watching that demolition? No, me neither. But good God man/woman!

For although Roos is now standing where Neeld (remember that guy?) stood last year, the result was the same. The Dees are STILL the whipping boys of the comp, an unmitigated disaster of a football team, undeserving of playing in the league.

I wonder if Garry Lyon will spend time this week trawling over everything that Jamie Bennell did wrong? I wouldn't put it past him.

Yet I honestly don't derive all that much pleasure out of games like that. Sure, 4 points is good. Yes, percentage is a plus. Undoubtedly, our confidence is now sky-high. But, do we really want to see games like that?

Still, our performance was just like last week; powerful and unrelenting. We operated at a level far beyond the minions that we faced. It was a polished performance by a talented group.

I don't think I can write much about this game. Essentially everyone played well. Kennedy found form and kicked 5, Nic Nat did a few good things, the defence was untroubled and the midfield dominant. I even thought Sheppard showed signs of life after starting as the sub.

The only negative from the day was the knee injury suffered by Shannon Hurn. He will miss at least 2 weeks.

We play the Dees again in Round 22. That should be fun.

Next up is the undefeated Saints. I don't expect them to remain unbeaten for long.

Oh and we're on top of the perch, which is...nice.