Round 18 Recap: Eagles Stay in Top 4 Contention, but Star Trio in Doubt for Derby

Well, it seems one of that trio will be missing to face the Dockers as Glass has been offered a 1 match suspension from the M.R.P. It seems like a decent deal to me with Glass getting a reduction in points due to good behaviour. Still, he will miss a huge game and it's disappointing given how late in the game his bump came.
In other bad news, Cox and Kerr are in doubt after both sustaining injuries during the demolition.

But enough of the bad news. The Eagles bounced back in a big way, with a terrific effort against, an admittedly average, Lions side. We dominated from the start, lost a bit of momentum in the second but really turned it on in the second half. The last quarter (outside of the Glass hit) was great viewing; 11 goals stretching the margin to near 100 points. Nothing less would have been acceptable either. We now have the third best percentage. Top 2 still looks gone but if we win out we should make top 4. However, with games against the Cats, Pies and Hawks remaining that still appears like an extremely difficult task.

But let's not lose sight of what was a great victory. We had stars all over the ground. Hurn and Waters, perhaps the best half-back tandem in the league, were at their rebounding best. Who needs clearances when you have these two? NicNat and Shuey were inspired from the opening siren. Shuey played like a guy who cost us the two previous games or something...which would be unfair to suggest. But his ability to break through packs, deliver the ball and kick goals is a huge asset to us. NicNat was also dominant with 36 hitouts, 15 disposals, 15 tackles and 3 goals. Darling was a beacon of strength with 5 goals whilst Hill showed his value with 4 goals on return. I couldn't believe the commentators were actually discussing whether Hill would lose his place when Embley comes back. He might not get too many possessions, but he's a bona fide goalkicker.

So a huge win and a great confidence booster ahead of the game against the Cockburn Dockers. Now we just nervously wait the health of Cox and Kerr.

Round 18 Preview: Top 4 Hopes Slip Sliding Away

...Damn. That was a bad 2 weeks.

Not for me, as I was holidaying in Melbourne. But the Eagles were well and truly smashed in the last 2 games, probably the 2 most important matches of the season to this point.

I do, to an extent, place blame on injuries and omissions for the Sydney debacle (when you have Masten starting the last quarter as full forward you know you're having some personnel issues) but both sides outplayed us. My/our concerns over our midfield have certainly been heightened over the past 2 weeks, with Shuey's stupidity exacerbating matters. We simply don't have enough quality and certainly not enough depth at this point.

Also, worryingly, although I only watched a bit of the first quarter of the Crows game (where the game was lost) we seemed to lack intensity. Just unacceptable.

So we could be 1st right now, instead we are teetering at 5th. In my mind, based on my predictions, top 2 is essentially gone. I also don't think we will make top 4, although it is still attainable. I'm not writing off our chances of winning a premiership, but there is now no room for error.

Falling...

On the injury-front, I'm beginning to think that Kennedy won't return this season. Nicoski and Lecras are already gone. We do get Hill and Shuey back this week. Embley also will return via the WAFL.

West Coast Eagles
B: Beau Waters, Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie
HB: Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Sam Butler
C: Matthew Rosa, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Josh Hill, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Luke Shuey, Quinten Lynch, Dean Cox
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Adam Selwood, Patrick McGinnity, Brad Sheppard,  Ashton Hams
In: Luke Shuey, Josh Hill
Out: Murray Newman, Jacob Brennan

Brisbane Lions
B: Ryan Harwood, Matt Maguire, Ryan Lester
HB: Josh Drummond, Joel Patfull, Jed Adcock
C: Elliot Yeo, Simon Black, Pearce Hanley
HF: Jack Redden, Jonathan Brown, Dayne Zorko
F: James Polkinghorne, Daniel Merrett, Jack Crisp
Foll: Ben Hudson, Tom Rockliff, Andrew Raines
I/C: James Hawksley, Todd Banfield, Niall McKeever, Claye Beams, Rohan Bewick, Sam Docherty, Stephen Wrigley
In: James Hawksley, Stephen Wrigley
Out: Aaron Cornelius, Jared Polec

I expect us to bounce back against the Lions, although as they showed us earlier in the season, they are no easy-beats. Still, at home, with the season on the line, nothing less than an emphatic win is necessary. Percentage is huge in what is still a relatively tight top 6, making a big victory even more important. But perhaps just as important is that we play a good, high pressure game.

It's all on the line.

Round 16 Preview: At Breaking Point?

As no doubt you are aware, the Eagles will be missing three  four more of their key players this weekend for the critical clash with arch-nemesis Sydney.

Waters is injured and will miss the next 4-6 weeks, essentially meaning he may struggle to be back for the start of finals. Shuey had his second indiscretion of the season when he elbowed Lindsay Thomas in the testicles and has been banned for 2 whilst Lynch tripped a Roo and is out for 1. To an extent the Lynch suspension is excusable. It was more of an instinctual motion with his leg which caused the trip. Shuey is simply stupid. The Eagles may have claimed that Thomas dived and he may have accentuated the pain, but when you elbow someone in the nuts you are asking for trouble. I'm starting to question Shuey's temperament. That's twice this year he has had a cheap shot at an opposition player and the second time he misses games. The first game he missed was against the Lions, which turned out to be one where we could've used him. This time it's worst because he misses a huge 2 week stretch for the team. Maybe his actions have something to do with the added attention he has been getting from opposition teams as he continues to grow as a player. But, if he's frustrated now imagine him when Kerr calls it quits. It really is unacceptable and the team is now in a precarious situation.

I'm not saying we can't win the next 2 games. But what was already a very challenging stretch has been made that much tougher. Without Lynch, our injury-decimated forward line is essentially wholly dependant on Darling with pinch-hitters Cox (who proved quite useful last week) and NicNat.  Our midfield, our one area of...not weakness exactly but lack of depth loses its second best member in Shuey. The Waters loss also hurts our defense. His courage and grittiness would have been useful in a game between these two sides.

West Coast Eagles
B: Adam Selwood, Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie
HB: Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Sam Butler
C: Matthew Rosa, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Patrick McGinnity, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Brad Sheppard, Dean Cox, Ashton Hams
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Mitch Brown, Koby Stevens, Jacob Brennan, Thomas Swift
Emg: Lewis Stevenson, Murray Newman, Fraser McInnes
In: Adam Selwood, Mitch Brown, Brad Sheppard, Thomas Swift
Out: Quinten Lynch (Suspension), Luke Shuey (Suspension), Josh Hill (Hamstring), Murray Newman

Sydney Swans
B: Rhyce Shaw, Heath Grundy, Alex Johnson
HB: Nicholas Smith, Ted Richards, Jarrad McVeigh
C: Nick Malceski, Jude Bolton, Lewis Jetta
HF: Craig Bird, Sam Reid, Ben McGlynn
F: Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Adam Goodes, Ryan O’Keefe
Foll: Shane Mumford, Josh P. Kennedy, Kieren Jack
I/C: Martin Mattner, Daniel Hannebery, Mike Pyke, Andrejs Everitt
Emg: Trent Dennis-Lane, Tony Armstrong, Tommy Walsh
In: Martin Mattner
Out: Tony Armstrong


But there's no real point worrying over players that won't be there. Our system has, so far, prevailed over losses of stars and role players. There is a breaking point but whether that has been reached with these recent outs is T.B.D.

What isn't to be determined is our hatred of the Swans. Really, quite the loathsome lot. They stole a premiership with a Captain who should have been suspended, playing a style that can only be called as 'ugly as Barry Hall's face'. Then the Victorian media acted like they were still South Melbourne or something. Plus, the way that 'analysts' such as Walls and Judge fawn over them is sickening.

We haven't beaten them since 2007 and we can break that trend on Sunday. I don't for one buy they are a legitimate top of the ladder side. They have feasted on weak teams like GWS (twice), WB, BL, Freo, Port, Melbourne. Their wins against decent teams have come at times when the opponents were weak (NM, Hawthorn) or let Sydney start well (Essendon, Geelong). They are solid but not special.

Our exclusions hurt us dearly. But we are at home, in front of a Swans-hating crowd and we haven't lost their since...well Sydney last year. But that was then and this is now...or so I'm led to believe. Their run of wins against us will end with a bang on Sunday, the monkey will be thrown off the back into the Swan(s) river.

Let's GOOOOOOOOO!

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I'm not sure whether I will be able to post a recap or preview of next week's game, as I will be in the Republic of Melbournia, trying to bring down the Victorian teams from the inside. I will at least post a celebratory status update though...so look forward to that!

Round 15 Recap: Cox Rescues Eagles from getting ScRood; Like a Bridge over Troubled Waters

Again the Eagles failed to play an entire 4 quarters on the road. But this time, we managed (barely) to grab 4 points which will prove vital in our quest for a top 2 spot on the ladder.

The game started well for the Eagles, with a goal within the first minute and 3 of the first 4 goals. But from there the Roos exploded and held a 27 point lead at the major interval. It would be unfair to say we allowed the Roos to do that. I honestly believe they are better (well they have been of late) than their record suggests. Their midfield in particular is very strong. But still, the issue I have with the first half is that they seemed to have more intensity. I suppose some of that has to do with the frenetic pace with which they try to move the ball, but their effort did seem superior to ours. That shouldn't have been the case either. If a chance to move into the top 2 wasn't big enough motivation, the knowledge that it was a major milestone game for a club legend should have been more than enough. Yet, it wasn't to be.

Thankfully, after the break we fought our way back into it. Partially, I believe it was due to the Roos style where, at the moment at least, they can't play four quarters with their current gameplan without dying of exhaustion.

But, from our point of view, if we can attribute the fightback to one guy it would be Mr Cox. Even as Eagles fans who have watched this legend for 10 years this one was something of a treat. He was seemingly everywhere taking key grab after key grab with 15 marks. He kicked both the first and last goal ending with 3.1. He had 21 possessions and 24 hitouts. Simply superb.

And the result was huge. The Pies blew it against the Blues and the Dons were insipid against the Saints which meant we moved up to second spot. The next 2 weeks could well determine if we solidify that position. Looking ahead and the next 2 (vs Sydney and Adelaide) and the last 2 (vs Collingwood and Hawthorn) are the critical periods in our seasons.

Yet, in truly horrible news Beau Waters will miss 3-5 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee. Although any injury news related to Waters isn't surprising, it's a huge blow. I guess the door now opens for Adam Selwood to return but that doesn't exactly fill me with optimism. He was poor earlier in the season and Waters isn't really a man with a 'good replacement'.

Regardless we must go on. I can't state enough how big next week is. Leaving ladder position aside, I hate the Swans with a passion. They were and always will be ugliest of all ducklings to me and the fact that we haven't beaten them since 2007 is a blight on our record. A blight on the world really.

Let's destroy them.

Round 15 Preview: Eagles vs Hobart Roos; WATERS OUT

I've never been to Tasmania but I've heard it's very...cold.

But regardless of weather, the Eagles have a difficult task on Saturday as they come up against the resurgent Roos, who have won their last 3 games (including the last 2 against the Crow and Saints). Although a trip to Tassie may be rather inconvenient for the Eagles, I can't help but wonder if it's preferable to playing under the Dome in Docklands. For that is where the Roos have looked so slick, quick and aggressive over the past 2 weeks. Outside of those comfortable confines their explosive gameplan may be more difficult to manufacture.

But still, many of their good players are in form (especially the dynamic Wells) and they have a huge fight for 8th spot. For us, the Blues (the navy ones) upset win last night opens the door to top spot. Well, at least temporarily. You'd expect the Swans to beat the Lions and owing to their percentage advantage they would claim Numero Uno. However, we can still move up at least a spot with a win today.We really can't slip up. The league is too tight and the top 5 (-ish) too congested for us to not prevail today. A victory is also important to halt our streak of 3 consecutive losses away from home.

And we should win. Despite the Roos revitalisation, we still have better form and better personnel. The midfield (per usual) is the one area of real contention in my mind. Wells, Harvey, Swallow and Ziebell are a classy quartet. We will need to be on our game to ensure we get the points.

Central to that will be Daniel Kerr who plays his 200th game this week. Although I believed we should have traded him a couple of seasons back, I'm glad we didn't because his return to form has been excellent. Earlier this week he deservedly gained a 2 year contract extension to 2014. A bonafide legend of the club, he could've easily won a Brownlow back in the mid 2000s. He did lose his mind a little in the post-Juddas era, but he's clearly grown. Interestingly (to me at least) I remember thinking back when we had Cousins, Judd and Kerr that he was perhaps the best amongst the three. Mainly because I thought he had the most consistent influence throughout an entire game. He thinks different but he would say that wouldn't he? His hard-work, courage and silky  skills are his hallmarks. An overview of his career is here. One of my favourite moments of his career is here...erm below. Congrats Kerry...that's Kerr-y.

We also get the the added inclusions of Butler and Will 'Jesus' Schofield. Waters is a late exclusion, which is a blow, but it's another chance to see what Kobe has to offer.

North Melbourne
B: Luke Delaney, Scott McMahon, Michael Firrito
HB: Shaun Atley, Nathan Grima, Sam Gibson
C: Ryan Bastinac, Daniel Wells, Samuel Wright
HF: Liam Anthony, Robert Tarrant, Brent Harvey
F: Lachlan Hansen, Drew Petrie, Matt Campbell
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Lindsay Thomas, Leigh Adams, Jamie Macmillan, Kieran Harper

No Change

West Coast Eagles
B: Beau Waters, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
HB: Shannon Hurn, Eric Mackenzie, Sam Butler
C: Matthew Rosa, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Ashton Hams, Quinten Lynch, Chris Masten
F: Nic Naitanui, Jack Darling, Daniel Kerr
Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey
I/C: Patrick McGinnity, Jacob Brennan, Josh Hill, Murray Newman

In: Sam Butler, Will Schofield, Koby(e) Stevens
Out: Mitch Brown, Brad Sheppard (Ankle), Beau Waters

 ....Let's do this thing. I think a 3-4 goal victory is on the cards.

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Other news:

- Mark Nicoski is out for the season. Disappointing but it always seemed a possibility. 
- Lecras keeps his improbable comeback chances alive. 
- NicNat is the GREATEST! Or can be according to Leigh Matthews.

Round 14 Recap: Men vs Boys

You can't really ask for more than that.

When it was 3 goals to 1...possession in the first 3 minutes it was clear this wasn't going to be a competitive game. Well, that was fairly clear when the fixture was announced, but any doubts quickly vanished. It became a question of margin, individual performances and avoiding injuries. In all 3 categories it was a great day out.

We had a rather indifferent second quarter, probably due to the fact that the players didn't really know how much intensity they needed. But after the break, they came out with all guns blazing. The Gold Coast were kept to 1 goal in the second half (from the 'bald billionaire').

It's hard to single out any one player when everything worked so smoothly. Personally, I thought Masten had a very good game, but all the midfielder racked it up. NicNat's ruck work, in particular a couple of taps for S.Selwood, were simply sublime. Newman came on in the 3rd for the Gaffer and was very impressive with 2.2 with 12 disposals and 5 marks.

So in the end a 126 demolition meant that we rise from 4th to 3rd. It really was important we got a 100+ margin because both the Bombers and Swans made the most of their games against inferior opponents.

 Next week we face the resurgent Roos in Tasmania before two massive games against the Swans and the Crows.