Round 23 Preview: Win and We're (Probably) In!

After a (mostly) up and (a little) down season it all comes down to the final clash of the 2012 home and away season. Yes, it's conceivable that, as Selwood suggests, we could win the premiership from outside the top 4, but it's an extremely difficult task. Yet if we win against the Hawks and the Pies don't win by a ridiculous margin over the Bombers then we finish 4th.

Of course, it's an extremely difficult task. The Hawks are premiership favourites, they're top of the ladder, it's at the MCG, it's on a Friday night. But I'm heartened by our previous performance at the G and our last 2 games against elite-ish teams.

They're also strengthened by the addition of Cyril Rioli. When I was thinking about the game earlier in the week, I thought his absence was huge. He's an electric, dynamic game-breaker. In the midfield or up forward, he's someone it's nigh impossible to match-up on. Now it turns out he's playing and it's a damn shame. Another damn shame are our changes, both forced and both damaging. The unfortunate Pink Panther (Rosa) lasted only 1 game after his jaw injury, whilst E-Mac (MacKenzie) has a hamstring issue. E-Mac's absence is especially problematic given the presence of car enthusiast Lance Franklin. Brown's a capable replacement, but E-Mac's our 'big matchup' defender. Still, Mr Glass is still our best defender and although it's a blow, our backline is still strong enough. Brennan for Rosa is a bit strange, position-wise, but I'm guessing it might be a sub-switch situation (or not).

Hawthorn
B: Brent Guerra, Josh Gibson, Benjamin Stratton
HB: Grant Birchall, Ryan Schoenmakers, Shaun Burgoyne
C: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Isaac Smith
HF: Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli
F: Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, Paul Puopolo
Foll: David Hale, Brad Sewell, Liam Shiels
I/C: Clinton Young, Brendan Whitecross, Matt Suckling, Jack Gunston
Emg: Max Bailey, Xavier Ellis, Shane Savage
In: Cyril Rioli
Out: Xavier Ellis

West Coast Eagles
B: Beau Waters, Darren Glass, Adam Selwood
HB: Shannon Hurn, Mitch Brown, Will Schofield
C: Daniel Kerr, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Josh Hill, Jack Darling, Patrick McGinnity
F: Andrew Embley, Josh Kennedy, Nic Naitanui
Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey
I/C: Sam Butler, Chris Masten, Andrew Strijk, Jacob Brennan
Emg: Quinten Lynch, Bradd Dalziell, Lewis Stevenson
In: Mitch Brown, Jacob Brennan
Out: Matthew Rosa (collarbone), Eric Mackenzie (Hamstring)

So it's not great news on the team front. But, to me, it seems right that we have to beat a top 4 team in the final week to make the top 4. Sure, some teams were handed top 4 with relatively easy draws, but if we make it we would've definitely earned it. Lose and we finish 5th. The Bombers won't beat the Pies, barring a miracle of unbelievable proportions (like Freo winning the premiership...ever).

And win it we can. I know NicNat and Cox won't have the easy ride they did last week against (dead) Wood, but they still should reign supreme over Hale and co. Our forward line isn't in sparkling form, but JJK should be all the better for last week's outing and the Hawks have been known to be vulnerable down back. Despite the (bloody annoying) inclusion of Rioli, the Hawks midfield isn't overwhelming in the same way as say Collingwood. They aren't that quick, they're experienced and classy and in that regard we do matchup fairly well. Saying all that, however, I believe to win here we essentially have to play our best game of the season. 

It's going to be scary but if we win it will be epic. 
...
And then I'm sure Clarkson will complain about something. Probably his height. 

Round 22 Recap: "When your Team has been Embarassed and Your President is in Tears...Then You have My Permission to Leave Perth"

I like to think to myself that sometime during the humiliation of Collingwood, NicNat towered over Wood and uttered those words. Probably not, but I guess he said it with his actions. His amazing, giant cat-like actions.

There was some kind of rumbling that Cox would miss this one and then a similar murmur about NicNat, but they both played and they both dominated the game. NicNat in particular had a blinder with 30 hitouts, 17 possessions and 1 goal. He really should have kicked 3 or 4, but obviously goalkicking isn't his strength. As I said I don't rate Jolly at all, but compared to Wood, Jolly is...almost like Cox or NicNat. They absolutely obliterated whoever Collingwood put in the ruck; Wood, Dawes, Pendlebury for a brief moment... and a little surprisingly our midfield made the most of it. The Kerr-surgence (36 possessions, 4 tackles and 1 goal) well and truly continued, whilst Shuey (27 possessions, 2 goals and 6 frees (all there)) and Priddis (29 disposals, 6 tackles) were also great.

Our forwards started very slowly but worked their way on top as the game went on. JJK was predictably subdued, but he's such a presence up there that others could find the ball. And by others, I don't mean a few folk from the Dharma Initiative, but a whopping 14 individual goal kickers!  Our backline was also all over Collingwood, as Cloke (haha) and co. looked amazingly weak. Like really, the Pies looked okay early as they attempted to play keeping off, but that lasted all of a quarter. We destroyed them. It was our first victory over the Pies since 07 and it was beautiful.

Final 8...Subject to Change

 It truly was a special performance and victory and we should savour it...but now stop savouring and look to next week. Because by itself it means nothing.

We are currently 4th, a win next week against the Hawks all but guarantees top 4. Unless the Pies beat the Bombers by 150 points or something in which case I would be...very....tearful. Let's be realistic though.Win and we're in. Lose and we will almost definitely finish 5th, in which case we would almost definitely play Fremantle or North Melbourne. Honestly I'm not afraid of either. But I don't want to finish fifth. We can beat the Hawks at the G on Friday night. Unbelievably we are around $4, whilst the Hawks are $1.40ish. They're not that good. We've beaten them already and we can do it again.

 But for now let's enjoy the victory a bit longer...haha...Cloke.

Round 22 Preview: No Room for Dick as Kennedy Returns with Top 4 on the Line;

Although I gave up on Top 4 several weeks ago following the Derby Debacle, we still can make it. Some might say we control our own destiny. However, it really isn't that clear. With Collingwood a game clear and facing Premiership Favourites Cellar Dwellers Essendon next week, it's easy to imagine a scenario where they nab 4th on percentage even if we pull off the unlikely feat of beating the Hawks at the G.

GWS, Melbourne and WB- The Swans played these 3 teams twice...

  But it really doesn't matter this week. Because a win here gives us a chance; a loss and the best we can finish is 5th. Outside of the very important ramifications of the result, the game is against Collingwood, a team we haven't beaten since Round 2 2007 and I think we can all agree they are a really loathsome lot. Except for Travis Cloke, who's clearly a very decent human being, who just wants an honest day's pay for a honest day's work.

Anyway, the team changes are huge for both sides. We have three big inclusions with Kennedy, Rosa and Butler all returning. Obviously Kennedy is the big one and he will become the focal point of our attack again. Darling was superb in his absence and JJK's return should work to give Jack a lesser oponent. I was a little disappointed that a certain Brad Dick wasn't selected to make his debut for the club. According to everything I've read (admittedly minimal) he's been playing well for East Freo and he was talked up earlier in the week as a possible inclusion. He would've given us a real 'X Factor' upforward and I would've thought McG would've been the one to go. But, alas still no Dick and no fairytale return against his former team. But regardless, great inclusions and this is essentially our strongest side all year.

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

Which is important, because Collingwood enters the game without its strongest team. Sure Swan takes a break from the booze and hamburgers to get a game, but no Maxwell and no...Jolly! Sure, I have little respect for Jolly (I mean he did play for Sydney right?) but he's quite 'spry' for an old man. In comes Wood, who has shown very little in his career to suggest he's up to the top level. I really think Jolly's absence, coupled with the injury to Maxwell, gives us a huge edge. The best ruck duo in the league up against a nobody. Our very tall and strong forward line against a backline missing its leader. Collingwood's forward line is, also...well led by Travis Cloke. Enough Said.

Collingwood
B: Chris Tarrant, Heritier O’Brien, Nathan Brown
HB: Ben Johnson, Ben Reid, Alan Toovey
C: Sharrod Wellingham, Dane Swan, Jarryd Blair
HF: Scott Pendlebury, Chris Dawes, Heath Shaw
F: Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke, Steele Sidebottom
Foll: Cameron Wood, Ben Sinclair, Dayne Beams
I/C: Alan Didak, Tyson Goldsack, Alex Fasolo, Paul Seedsman
Emg: Martin Clarke, Josh Thomas, Kirk Ugle
In: Dane Swan, Alan Toovey, Ben Johnson, Tyson Goldsack, Cameron Wood
Out: Nick Maxwell (Groin), Martin Clarke, Darren Jolly (Soreness), Jamie Elliott (Groin), Caolan Mooney (Ankle)

The question remains, even with Cox and NicNat destined to destroy Wood, will our midfield reap the benefit? They really should and they really must. Collingwood have a great midfield, but if the ruck contest goes as expected we need to capitalise on it.

Our season depends on it.

Plus, it's Collingwood!

------------------

- In other news, the Eagles have decided not to sign a 29 year old basketballer. Seems reasonable to me.
- Sheppard to have season-ending surgery

Round 21 Preview: Nobody Likes Playing Port Adelaide

Because although you're almost guaranteed a win, it's just not fun playing in front of 13 bogans wearing Ford (or Holden) jackets. It's  also no fun playing a team with so little motivation, self-respect, intensity or effort. They also have little talent, with coach Whiskers still possessing more ability than his players. But still, you have to earn a win in the AFL; by earn I mean going through the hassle of going to the airport and hopping on a plane...and going to Adelaide.

Honestly though, we have to win and barring the entire Eagles squad contracting a flesh eating virus, we will win comfortably. Last week was a great effort and an important confidence booster. We need to put in a good performance tomorrow to both boost our percentage and to maintain our form ahead of two HUGE games against the Pies (boo) and Hawks (hiss).

Win all those (I know unlikely) and we 'may' finish 4th. We have to give ourselves a chance though by winning well this week. Regardless of top 4 though, we still have to ensure we finish 5th or 6th to secure a home final...so our feral fans can instill more fear in interstate coaches and scar 10 year olds for life. But seriously, if we finish 5th and win our first final anything can happen.

Dalziell returns after a knee injury....I don't really have a strong feeling on Brad D. But he replaces Swift so...

Port Adelaide
B: Nathan Blee, Alipate Carlile, Paul Stewart
HB: Thomas Jonas, Jackson Trengove, Danyle Pearce
C: Kane Cornes, Bradley Ebert, Matthew Broadbent
HF: Matt Thomas, Justin Westhoff, Andrew Moore
F: Brett Ebert, Jay Schulz, Daniel Stewart
Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Travis Boak, Domenic Cassisi
I/C: David Rodan, Jarrad Redden, Tom Logan, Aaron Young, Chad Wingard, Darren Pfeiffer, John McCarthy
In: Alipate Carlile, Daniel Stewart, Aaron Young, Thomas Jonas, Chad Wingard Out: Troy Chaplin (Knee), Hamish Hartlett (Suspension), Redden, Logan, McCarthy

West Coast Eagles
B: Beau Waters, Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie
HB: Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Adam Selwood
C: Chris Masten, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Josh Hill, Jack Darling, Patrick McGinnity
F: Luke Shuey, Quinten Lynch, Dean Cox
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Andrew Embley, Mitch Brown, Bradd Dalziell, Andrew Strijk, Ashton Hams, Jacob Brennan, Lewis Stevenson
In: Bradd Dalziell
Out: Thomas Swift

In other news, this sounds strange. In more exciting news Kennedy should return against the Pies next week. 

So enjoy the win tomorrow and let's hope the Roos get up tonight.

Public Service Announcement: Eagles Fans Dangerously Passionate

Upon reflection, I think one of the evil Scott twins is right. We, as Eagles fans, are just too loud; too passionate. It's just not fair! Between 35 000 and 40 000 screaming Eagles fans greet opposition teams when they fly in to Subiaco (and then limp out, unless they're Sydney).

Something must be done! A football game is no place for cheering or barracking or booing or any such nonsense. Perhaps, we should be forced to limit our crowd to 15 000 (let's call it the 'expansion team maximum'). Then maybe opposition coaches and players can feel safe.  Or maybe we should have to reserve seats for opposition supporters, so the Geelong hicks don't get too scared. Or maybe there can be some kind of noise limit placed on our crowds and every time the decibels surpass that limit the opposition get a free goal.

Or maybe, this is revolutionary I know, Victorian coaches and players can just admit when they are being fools. A couple of morons may have booed Hawkins but that would happen anytime, anywhere.

They are essentially arguing our home ground advantage is just too great. Forget the fact that they only travel 5-ish times a year, or that these complaints always seem to come after they lose. You shouldn't be scared to send your 10 year olds to Subi, but you should be scared to send them to a Scott press conference. Mopey, sore loser, delusional, liar.

I hope our fans give Scott a royal reception next time he's at Subi. I just  hope he packs an extra pair of dacks in the future...and perhaps a pair of testicles also (ebay might be able to help him there).
 

Round 20 Recap: Eagles Have Too Much Heart for Cats, Umps; Sore Loser Scott Continues Family Tradition

That was a great win! The game may have been the most frustrating I have ever experienced (for at least 6 days) but we found a way to grab the vital 4 points against all the odds.

We started well before slipping a few goals behind. But, throughout the entire game the Cats were playing incredibly defensive, boring and reactive football. They weren't really interested in trying to win the game themselves (because let's face it they couldn't have) but instead they were trying to stymie us, kick goals on  the break (mostly umpire assisted of course) and generally be annoying. But we stuck to the task and we had the game won with a few minutes remaining despite the scoreboard. It really was exhilarating (mainly in a good way) and my hopes for this season are (probably temporarily) revived. Sort of.

It was nowhere near a perfect performance by us. Darling, as has been the trend recently, couldn't take a mark to save his life. But neither, it seemed, could many others. There was one passage where we moved the ball from one end to the other without taking a clean mark. Needless to say I was on the verge of losing my mind. Others despite Darling also didn't have great games such as Hill, Hams etc. (in fact the forward line in general was poor) but it was the spirit, intensity and perseverance that I absolutely loved in this one. It's been missing recently, but it was great to see some steely fight by the guys.

It was led by no other by 30 year old Dean Cox, who again was superb with 3 goals, 23 possessions and 8 marks. Oh and a few hitouts...45.  His partner in excellence was also dominant with 18 possessions (16 contested), 2 goals, 5 marks and 4 tackles. He also got the final clearance that ended any hope of a Geelong miracle. They were the difference and it serves the Cats right for thinking that the big 'O' (does it stand for orifice?) could stand up to our guns. The midfield was far better than late as well with Kerr, Shuey and Priddis having big games with 4 goals between them.

Look, the commentators and others might make a big deal over the Cats injuries, but I couldn't care less. We have played without some of our best players (definitely our best forwards) all season. We got on with the task.

On to the umps and they were...disgraceful. It was the worst umpired game I can remember. The deliberate decisions (9!) were ridiculous. It really was getting farcical towards the end of the game. But even more than that they missed several obvious frees to Darling and others, especially in the second quarter. They actually deserved the ritual booing they received when they left at the end of the game. Pathetic.

But the real villain of the night was one of the evil Scott twins. I don't know which one, they're both evil and they both are clearly delusional and sore losers. Scott questioned whether Subiaco was safe for ten year olds. He referenced the Hawkins concussion and the crowd reaction which was utterly....positive. If there was people booing or whatever it was probably a couple of drunks. They have those in Geelong I'm sure (outside of the ones that play for them of course) So essentially he seemed to be saying that the crowd was too 'loud' or 'raucous'. Put it another way, his team lost, the crowd loved it, little Scotty's bottom lip began to quiver and he pooped his pants. He needs to grow a pair and stop embarrassing himself and his team.

The Scott Family Sigil

But enough about losers. We showed great spirit and won a game we had to win. Great performance, great crowd, great win.

Now come on you Swannies! (I hate you!)

Round 20 Preview: Eagles vs Cats; 20th Anniversary Edition

20 years to the day (not literally) the Eagles became the first side from outside Victoria to claim the Premiership. We beat, nay, destroyed Geelong that day and although I was too 'pre-human' to appreciate the feat, it was a great achievement.

One of the key members of that inaugural premiership side (and probably my favourite Eagle of all time), Peter Matera, thinks the season is gone. I for one...pretty much agree. Injuries have played a big if not fully determinative role in what appears to be a disappointing season. I think they have not been fully determinative because a lacklustre and mediocre midfield as well as variable intensity have also contributed to our drop down the ladder. But I will try not to engage in post-mortems any more until our season has actually concluded.

I'm not sure I agree with Waltzing Matera on his statement that "Geelong and Hawthorn are clearly standouts". Hawthorn for sure. But in my mind Geelong aren't the same as last season. I know they've beaten some good teams of late (and last Friday night's game was an epic) but they're yet to prove they're a genuine premiership threat. Of course, based on our last month, I'm not exactly brimming with confidence over this one. You would expect a response from our team after being humiliated and by 'them' of all teams. But you would have expected us to play hard last week. That wasn't the case. We do get Glass and Embley back with Butler the notable exclusion. Geelong lose 3 important players in Chapman (despite what it says below...), Hunt and Kelly.

West Coast Eagles
B: Beau Waters, Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie
HB: Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Adam Selwood
C: Chris Masten, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Josh Hill, Jack Darling, Ashton Hams
F: Luke Shuey, Quinten Lynch, Dean Cox
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Andrew Embley, Thomas Swift, Patrick McGinnity, Jacob Brennan
Emg: Mitch Brown, Bradd Dalziell, Andrew Strijk
In: Andrew Embley, Darren Glass, Jacob Brennan
Out: Sam Butler (Calf), Mitch Brown, Brad Sheppard (Ankle)

Geelong Cats
B: Matthew Scarlett, Tom Lonergan, Cameron Guthrie
HB: Taylor Hunt, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright
C: Andrew Mackie, Steve Johnson, Steven Motlop
HF: Allen Christensen, James Podsiadly, Jimmy Bartel
F: Mathew Stokes, Tom Hawkins, Paul Chapman
Foll: Orren Stephenson, Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan
I/C: Jackson Sheringham, Jonathan Simpkin, Josh Walker, Jordan Murdoch
Emg: David Wojcinski, Mitch Brown, Jordan Schroder
In: Jonathan Simpkin, Cameron Guthrie, Jordan Murdoch
Out: Josh Hunt (Quad), James Kelly (Groin), Billie Smedts (Calf)

We need to win this game. If we don't we might only be in the 8 on percentage. I honestly think if we lose this one we could miss finals. That would be an appalling and unforgiveable slide from a dominant position earlier in the season. On the flipside, a win and a Sydney win (I hate those bastards) and there is a path (albeit dimly lit) to 4th spot. It's a long shot but I'm always positive (except for you know everything I said above...and last week etc.) But I want a better effort with actual intensity and pressure.

Let's do what we did 20 years ago and crush the cats.

Go EAGLES!!!!!

Round 19 Recap: The Rut Resumes; Time to Kiss the Baby

What to say after a complete schmozzle of a game like that? Obviously we were rubbish. Our effort, our intensity was nowhere near that of the opposition. Pretty much every single individual on our team decided to have their worst game of the season. Except of course for Kerr, who was outstanding in both effort and execution. But besides him, the Dockers destroyed us everywhere. Naitanui backed up a dominant performance with a big 'meh'. The backline was obliterated by Pavlich and other annoying cretins. The midfield, as is becoming a constant theme, was smashed. Oh and our forward line was lethargic and ineffective.

Maybe it shouldn't have come as such a shock. Last week was an anomaly in what has become the month of the season which has definitely ended any hopes we had of winning a premiership. We're not going to win a premiership. Top 2 is gone. Top 4 is effectively finished. At this depressing point in time, we may struggle to get 5th or 6th and a home final.  Hell, top 8 is not guaranteed.We face Geelong, Port, Collingwood and Hawthorn to round out the season. We will beat Port. Play like we did against the Dockers and we will get destroyed by the other 3 teams.

I can't really summon the enthusiasm to extend this post any further, so I bid you adieu.

Round 19 Preview: The Derby to End All Derbies...Until Next Year

Or perhaps the finals? But I suppose that would entail Freo actually making the finals, a feat against their very essence. It would also, probably, mean that we would finish 5th or below something still avoidable especially if we receive some advantageous results this weekend (Go Cats! Saints! Blues! (ew) Bombers! (ew)).

But enough about things that probably won't happen and onto things that probably will. Such as us beating the Dockers. It's not a foregone conclusion, they are knocking on the door of the eight after beating such accomplished sides as GWS and the Power in recent weeks. We haven't been great of late, last week notwithstanding and we received further bad news on the injury/suspension front this week. But let's be honest. That weird, possibly satanic, hold the Dockers had on these clashes has faded to the murky past. It was a time when that annoying Connolly guy couldn't get Freo motivated for anything but derbies. It's okay if you don't remember him, they have had about 13 coaches in the last decade. Anyway, we broke that last year and into this in a big way.

The Glass suspension and the Rosa injury are notable. However, I don't see their absences as debilitating as the pre-Sydney omissions. As long as Cox and Kerr start as named, we will have a side more than capable of beating Lyon's team. I have faith in Brown as an excellent replacement for the Captain, whilst (all jokes about his hair aside, even though it is ATROCIOUS) Swift needs to step up. He's had ample chances this season to demonstrate improvement and I haven't seen any. Folically or otherwise (sorry).

Fremantle
B: Lee Spurr, Luke McPharlin, Adam McPhee
HB: Garrick Ibbotson, Michael Johnson, David Mundy
C: Paul Duffield, Ryan Crowley, Tendai Mzungu
HF: Michael Walters, Kepler Bradley, Stephen Hill
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Matthew Pavlich, Christopher Mayne
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, Nathan Fyfe, Matthew de Boer
I/C: Clancee Pearce, Dylan Roberton, Michael Barlow, Zac Dawson
Emg: Zachary Clarke, Josh Mellington, Cameron Sutcliffe
In: Zac Dawson
Out: Cameron Sutcliffe

West Coast Eagles
B: Beau Waters, Mitch Brown, Eric Mackenzie
HB: Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Adam Selwood
C: Brad Sheppard, 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: Sam Butler, Thomas Swift, Patrick McGinnity, Ashton Hams
Emg: Bradd Dalziell, Andrew Strijk, Jacob Brennan
In: Mitch Brown, Thomas Swift
Out: Darren Glass (Suspension), Matthew Rosa (Jaw)


Fyfe's return for the Dockers does give their midfield some real class. He may have plastic shoulders, who always seems one awkward fall away from injury, but he's a star. Pavlich has also had a very good season, despite not getting many plaudits because of his team's irrelevance. But I believe we can cover their better players. Even with key cogs missing the machine must and will continue to function at a good enough level.

And we really should have no reason not to match or exceed the Dockers' intensity. They may be fighting for 8th, but we're fighting for top 4 and a shot at a premiership. A loss here, which is probably going to be true the rest of the season, would mean 4th may vanish.

So let's win and stick it up them...figuratively speaking.