Round 23 Preview: The End.

I look forward to Saturday night's game with anticipation. Not because I'm desperate to see the Eagles play Adealide in what is a dead-rubber (ish) match. I look forward to it because when the final siren sounds, we never have to see the 2013 version of the Eagles ever again. It will be a relief, as following the Eagles this season has been an extremely disappointing experience. Some might say harrowing. I would be included in that some.

I say we will never see this version of the Eagles again, but I have deep concerns about next year. Who's to say the same thing won't happen again in 2014? But that's for then.

I don't know what to expect from this game. We are 3-8 over our 11 home games so far. The days of us taking games at Subi for granted are long gone. We've only beaten the Dogs (when they were bad), the Suns and the Roos (in a miracle). We did of course defeat the Crows at Football Park earlier in the season (in what is our best win of the season) but I don't have any confidence we can repeat the dose on Saturday night. I thought we would bounce back after the Geelong schmozzle. How naive of me. I won't be making that same prediction again, because no matter how many times different Eagles come out and say they'll do better...they never do.

Masten was rolled out this week and actually was fairly honest. I will match his honesty by saying his beard is the most hideous thing I've ever seen on a human being's face. But I digress.

He said some interesting things such as:

Obviously, the last two (games) haven't done any favours for Woosha and as a playing group that's a bit disgusting...

The last couple (games) have been pretty poor, so a lot of players are probably playing for their careers a little bit...

Woosha has made mention that a lot of the boys have been playing not up to AFL standard...

 Hmmm. I appreciate his candour and he is right about how bad we have been. But as I've written before, I doubt whether Worsfold's job is truly under threat. I also doubt whether careers are on the line. I look at the team and I don't see many guys under threat. I mean sure if I was coach...no one would be safe, so it's probably a good thing I'm not. As a point of exercise, I've highlighted guys who next season will be under INTENSE pressure to keep their spot in the side...or others that perhaps should be but won't be.

WEST COAST
B: Mitchell Brown, Darren Glass, Patrick McGinnity
HB: Sam Butler, Eric Mackenzie, Ashley Smith
C: Chris Masten, Sharrod Wellingham, Matt Rosa
HF: Andrew Embley, Josh Kennedy, Josh Hill
F: Adam Selwood, Scott Lycett, Jack Darling
Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis
I/C: Blayne Wilson, Simon Tunbridge, Jamie Cripps, Andrew Gaff

In: Simon Tunbridge, Andrew Embley, Adam Selwood
Out: Will Schofield (cheek), Brad Sheppard (Omitted), Bradd Dalziell (Omitted)

ADELAIDE
B: Kyle Hartigan, Ben Rutten, Rory Laird
HB: Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Brodie Smith
C: Sam Kerridge, Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane
HF: Mitchell Grigg, Lewis Johnston, Richard Douglas
F: Ian Callinan, Andrew Otten, Bernie Vince
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Nathan van Berlo, Scott Thompson
I/C: David Mackay, Brad Crouch, Richard Tambling, Matthew Wright
Emg: Shaun McKernan, Sam Shaw, Jason Porplyzia
In: Matthew Wright
Out: Petrenko 

I'd be concerned if I was Sheppard. He has has a bad season and being axed for the final game isn't a good sign. On the other hand, I get the sense he has been anointed Embley's successor (of sorts) so who knows. Schofield misses after spending time in his home town of Geelong (classy mob) and Brad. D. is omitted. Tunbridge is given a game because...well why not.

Embley and Selwood return for farewell games. They deserve it.

I don't think we will win, but I hope we can at least give the two retirees the respect they richly deserve by actually trying.

Round 22 Recap: Not Worthy of Wearing the Jumper

Warning! Intensely negative words lay ahead.

An unmitigated disaster.

The Eagles are a team without a soul right now. They have no drive, no effort, nothing. They don't seem to be trying, there's no intensity and no desire. We don't want to be out there. One of the coach's key jobs is to motivate his players. Worsfold has failed at that dismally at different times throughout the year. The question has to be asked: are the players listening anymore?

On the other side of the coin, our execution is now all the way back to 2010 levels. I'm now more surprised when we hit a target. Be it via foot or hand, I wonder if our players grew up in an abattoir or something because they are butchering the ball (zing!)

I have grave concerns about our future. We have players like Sheppard, Gaff, Masten, Shuey, Schofield, Brown, Lycett, Hill and Selwood who seem to have stagnated. They are what they are. There appears to be no "they're going to be..." This is it. It's the best we are going to get and it's not good enough.

We are light years away from the top 4. Looking at the 8 and the teams outside it, it may be a struggle to make finals again next season. Naitanui may be the key to hiding our speed deficit and midfield mediocrity, but you're asking for trouble putting it on 1 guy. Especially when said guy has shown himself vulnerable to injury in his short career.

So where to now?

The status-quo I fear. Nisbett may say Worsfold isn't guaranteed a new contract, but I simply don't believe him. The board would not have the cajones to axe a club legend. I'm not baying for his blood or anything, but there seems to be no one taking responsibility for this abject and unacceptable season.

Worsfold did say in his presser post-match that the club's belief in him may be shaken (and his self-belief for that matter) by the scandalous past 2 weeks. I appreciate his candour.

Yet, I can't imagine him not being here next season. When the board is comprised of people like Julie Bishop, you have to wonder how seriously they take their job. These people get on boards just to look good essentially.

Here's how a board meeting held in mid-September will go:

Nisbett: "Julie, what are your thoughts on John's future?"
Bishop: "Give me a sec. Trev. I'm a bit busy buying all these Indonesian fishing boats at the moment"

I haven't mentioned much of the game itself but here are the low lights:

 - In other bad news, Darling was subbed off with hamstring tightness
- Wellingham hurt his ankle for the 17th time this season.
- Kennedy didn't kick a goal as he continued his goal kicking slump. He has now kicked 1 in the past 3 weeks. One of the only potential positives from the season, JK winning the Coleman, is sliding away. I blame the service more than anything.

To summarise, in a game in which Priddis celebrated his 150th,  a man who since 2007 has more tackles than anyone else, the Eagles showed a distinct lack of pride, effort or skill.

Dark times lay ahead.

Round 22 Preview: Eagles Must Show Something in Dead Rubber

This game doesn't have much practical meaning for either team. We aren't playing finals. The Pies are effectively locked into 5th or 6th; unable to climb into the top 4 nor to slide into 7th or 8th.

But, for us, this is still an important game. With Worsfold almost certain to sign a 2 year contract in the coming weeks, fans would want to see at least a real crack from players in the final rounds. I doubt there will be much fanfare when Worsfold inks his deal regardless, but another big loss and murmurs of discontent may grow more audible. The way I see it now is this: Is there a better candidate? No. Does Worsfold deserve another go? Meh. I don't like the fact that his name essentially gets him another deal. We know from the Essendon fiasco that putting former players on pedestals and creating organisations around quasi-cult figures can have dire consequences. I'm not suggesting that West Coast has the same dictatorial regime that the Bombers seemed to have last season, but it should serve as a warning that there must be proper process. Rubber stamps get you no where. No man is bigger than the club.

I also find it curious that Worsfold wants a 2 year contract whilst last week saying our premiership window was in the next 4-5 years. I'd like to think we would have to show GREAT improvement in the next 2 seasons to justify another contract for John.

Anyway, I fully expect a response after last week's schmozzle of a performance. The lowest ever score at home must be backed up by a fierce effort under the bright glow of Friday Night Lights (read the book, watch the film, live the TV show).

Collingwood is also the one big Victorian side we've played well against in Melbourne over the past 2 seasons. Sure, we lost to them 4 times at the G over 2011-12 yet, except for the first in '11, we've been right in those games.

We went down fighting in the 2011 QF by 20, were a bounce away from winning in Round 13, going down by 3 points and botched the semi-final with late mistakes leading to a 13 point loss. I seem to recall a certain 'toe poke' by a certain Eagles champion who may or may not be the guy retiring...Then again, history has meant nothing this season with all the dreadful home losses.

COLLINGWOOD
B: Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell. Heath Shaw
HB: Marley Williams, Lachlan Keeffe, Tyson Goldsack
C: Harry O’Brien, Dayne Beams, Luke Ball
HF: Steele Sidebottom, REDACTED DUE TO TREASON, Jarryd Blair
F: Alan Didak, Travis Cloke, Ben Reid
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan
I/C: Brent Macaffer, Josh Thomas, Ben Kennedy, Sam Dwyer
In: A.Didak, B.Kennedy
Out: B.Sinclair (shoulder), J.Elliott (hamstring)

WEST COAST
B: Mitchell Brown, Darren Glass, Patrick McGinnity
HB: Sam Butler, Eric Mackenzie, Ashley Smith
C: Andrew Gaff, Sharrod Wellingham, Bradd Dalziell
HF: Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Josh Hill
F: Will Schofield, Scott Lycett, Jack Darling
Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis
I/C: Blayne Wilson, Brad Sheppard, Chris Masten, Matt Rosa
In: M.Rosa, C.Masten, B.Wilson
Out: L.Shuey (hamstring), A.Carter, A.Embley

Shuey is out again with his hamstring. That makes 7 weeks he has missed in total. Embley is omitted, certain to return for his final match next week and Wilson comes in for Carter.

 As I wrote last week, we now have enough of our team out there to be competitive. The effort and intensity was sorely lacking last week. It can't be missing this week.

That's primarily because that would make Eddie happy. That's an unacceptable situation for any self-respecting football fan, nay self-respecting human being. Can you imagine the shade of red his face would become if we knocked them off? In fact I have exclusive pictures of that very scenario:

Hmmm...I have a slight craving for a certain sour candy right now, I wonder why?

Other things to watch tonight include:

- Wellingham against his old side- expect him to continue his good run of form
- REDACTED DUE TO TREASON   or the 'gloved one' will do nothing, as he has all season.
- Can Pendlebury be tackled? Does this guy ever get caught with the ball? Seriously.
- JJK has kicked 1 goal in the past 2 weeks. He's level for the Coleman with 60 goals. A big bag would do nicely.
- Best ruckmen ever Cox against rising star Grundy. It would've been more interesting to see Nic Nat vs Grundy, similar types of players, but this will do.
- Wil the Big Lycee prove his worth?
- Can Travis Cloke kick straight? Maybe. Can Travis Cloke ever be considered anything other than a greedy, selfish gargoyle? Unlikely.

 But I digress. The point is this. The Eagles must respond. They were humiliated last week. This game is on the big stage. They hate Collingwood (we do anyway).

Let's beat these guys.

GO EAGLES!!!

Mid-Week Musings: Andrew Embley to Retire

Andrew  Embley has joined Adam Selwood and Mark Nicoski in deciding to hang up the boots.

At his peak Andrew Embley was one of the best midfielders/wingmen/half-forward in the game. I probably should've just written 'utility', but he was so much more than that. He had pace ,athleticism and the courage to take the game on and run with the ball. He was also a goal-kicking threat, along with the other stars of the middle of last-decade. I seem to recall he was part of the extended 'Fab 5' with the big 3 in Cousins, Judd, Kerr along with the less celebrated but equally as important Fletcher.

Above all, he was exciting and a pleasure to watch. He was a guy that could really set the game and the crowd alight with his inspirational runs and goals.

Of course he won the 2006 Norm Smith medal, which is the real testament to his influence. That was an extremely hard fought game with Brownlow medallists on both sides, but Embley was awarded with best on ground.

Nothing would be more fitting than for Embles to get a farewell game in Round 23 against the Crows at Subi. It will also be his 250th.

Worsfold said:

"I think to have one more game at Patersons Stadium in front of the people who have watched him over the last 14 years would be pretty good...I think he warrants that sort of respect."

As for the decision to retire, I think he made the right one. I actually think his form has been okay (especially relative to our season) but he hasn't been able to hold down a position in the team. Worsfold indicated in an interview on ABC 720 Perth on the weekend that whether Embley would continue (or encouraged to) would depend on whether the difference between him and guys like Sheppard was great enough to warrant him playing on. It seems the coaching staff, and perhaps Embley, believe that guys similar to him have bridged that gap and should be given a more permanent opportunity.

It's impossible to know whether that's right or not. But after 14 seasons, 250 games and 200 odd goals we do know this: Embley is an Eagles great.

Round 21 Recap: EXCLUSIVE: Eagles Throw Game to Give Finger to Freo

There's no other  feasible explanation is there? Yes, Geelong are a very good team. Yes, we are mediocre. But how do you explain such an abysmal performance? Injuries are no longer an excuse. We have enough of our team in to be at least competitive. We were competitive. For about 2 minutes. It was over within the first 15 as the Cats had kicked 5 goals to none.

No positives can come from that. We were smashed early. Then we were smashed a bit later. Then it rained and we were smashed some more.

Actually, was that rain or was it the collective tears of a fan base that expected a top 4 finish? We are now officially out of top 8 calculations. Forget 9th. We don't deserve to play finals. To play finals would be to validate this train-wreck.

But we have a coach who doesn't truly believe there's much wrong with this team besides injuries. In an interview on ABC Radio yesterday, he said that when fit our midfield can match it with anyone. Madness. We weren't even close in 2011 or 2012. We always lost to the good teams in Melbourne. We are so far from the top 4 right now that we need binoculars a telescope to see it. I imagine a scenario where we go into next year with no real game plan changes or structural changes and just think fit we're good enough. We have bigger issues. Worsfold has been out-coached most of the season. He has been slow to react, he's been disengaged and presented extremely negative body language. It's a huge worry to me that it took him 6 months to figure out whether he had the passion to coach. Surely it shouldn't be something you need to convince yourself about? You either do or you don't? Do I like Coke or don't I? If you need to think about it for a year then your heart probably isn' t in it. I also don't think our midfield personnel is good enough. We're too slow. I'm also concerned what happens post-Cox. Yes, Nic Nat is great but he's injury prone. Who is the second option? Sinclair? Doubtful. Lycett? He hasn't done much to allay my fears over the past month.

As for the game, I was embarrassed to be there. It was our lowest score ever at home. Ever. In our history. It was a joke in which the punchline was the fact that most Eagles fans bothered to sit through the entire game. I sat through it as the chorus emanating from the Geelong hillbillies (wow) grew louder and louder.

Teams used to be scared to come to Subiaco. Now they are absolutely relishing it.

2 weeks until the season ends. I can't wait.

Round 21 Preview: Tears will Flow as the Other Scott comes to Town

Tears definitely flowed back in Round 8 when the Evil Scott twin was in town and a little bit of Nic Nat magic stole the game from the Roos. Now the other, equally as Evil, Scott twin flies over to Perth to try to establish a top 2 spot on the ladder for the Cats. I have it on good authority that Kleenex has sent over 5 tonnes of tissues just for the occasion.

In fact, it seems Scott has started his sulking early. After the Cats beat the Power, Scott criticised his own fans for giving 'short shorts' Hawkins Bronx cheers whenever he touched the ball. So whatever you do on Saturday: Please refrain from showing any emotion! He's very sensitive to loud sounds. In fact, you may wish to read this public service announcement I posted after his ridiculous criticisms of our fans last season.

What else is interesting about that Roos game is that it was the second in our only back to back home wins of the season. That's unforgivable. The whole season is unforgivable but our home record in particular is just embarassing.

I'd love to win this game. The sake of winning is enough. But to stick it up Scott, 'Stevie J', Bartel and the rest would be a fine way to spend a Saturday night. It wouldn't mean anything season wise. We can now forget about finals. The Bombers will play in September. Which is fine as they shall be thrashed by the Tigers or Pies and I will enjoy that mightily. Our only chance would be a Port loss at home to the Suns, which is just inconceivable.

As for this game, I don't expect us to win. The Cats are a premiership contender. The only top 8 team we have beaten this season is the Bombers, who are now shot.

But it's not a completely lost cause. The Cats have shown vulnerability on the road this year with losses to Brisbane and Adelaide, both mediocre-ish outfits. In fact, in the second half of the season they have lost to 3 non-finals teams, including to North Melbourne a couple of weeks back. You'd think that would mean they would be very wary this week, but you never know.

We also have been showing some good signs over the past few weeks. Unfortunately these 'good signs' haven't included eliminating mistakes. Our turnovers are still crippling and if we make the same errors against the Cats as we did against the Bombers, then we will lose.

WEST COAST
B: Brown, Glass, McGinnity
HB: Butler, Mackenzie, Smith
C: Gaff, Wellingham, Dalziell
HF: Cripps, Kennedy, Hill
F: Shuey, Lycett, Darling
Foll: Cox, Selwood, Priddis
I/C: Schofield, Sheppard, Masten, Carter
In: Shuey, Carter
Out: Wilson (Omitted), LeCras (ribs)

GEELONG
B: Rivers, Lonergan, Enright
HB: Guthrie, Taylor, Bartel
C: Christensen, Selwood, Kelly
HF: Stokes, Blicavs, Johnson
F: Motlop, Podsiadly, Varcoe
FOL: Vardy, Caddy, Duncan
I/C: Corey, Mackie, Murdoch, Walker

IN: Jordan Murdoch , Mark Blicavs
OUT: Tom Hawkins (Back), Jesse Stringer (Omitted)

We are bolstered by the addition of Shuey, who looked great for that 1 quarter he played against the Swans. But of course, as has always been the case this season, we gain 1, we lose 1 as Lecras misses with broken ribs. It makes his performance against the Dons even more impressive, but he just can't catch a break can he? Except for the ribs of course (sorry). But it's particularly annoying because Monfries (a guy I've always affectionately referred to as "the crap version of Lecras") kicked 7 against the Cats last week. Lecras would kick at least 15 by that measure.

Meanwhile, the Cats lose an essentially immobile Hawkins (overrated even when fit) and some guy called Stringer.

It's worth noting that we haven't lost to the Cats at home under Evil Scott.

It's also worth noting that this happened in 2009:

McNamara was never seen again.

Let's not do that tonight.

Mid-week Musings: Tagger Extraodinaire Selwood, Born Again Forward Nicoski Call it Quits

I always feel rather sad when players retire. I know it's not like they're dead or anything and they're still young men with careers in other fields to pursue. But it's still a moment of reflection on what they did for the club, which brings up memories of good times and bad.

Firstly, there's Adam Selwood. At his peak during the middle to late part of last decade, he was the embodiment of everything a great tagger should be; hard, courageous, tough, tireless. Or in other words: a complete pain in the arse. I mean that in a good way.  His work ethic and his desire to win is reflected in the youtube results you get when you type in his name. Essentially, there's plenty of opposition supporters complaining about him or celebrating him getting flattened. They hated the guy. And that's why we love him. It's perhaps fitting that one of his final moments, or most memorable from this season anyway, was winning the free kick to set up the Nic Nat winning goal against the Roos. He wasn't all that talented, but man did he get the most out of himself and it was us as fans who benefited. Perhaps he should've called it quits earlier, but hindsight is perfect.

 

Then there is Mark Nicoski. There's a little bit of a tinge of sadness related to this one. He was the utility with the penetrating left boot during his early years (not always applied perfectly mind you). He played in the losing 2005 Grand Final, only to miss out in the winning 2006 flag. I seem to recall Nico coming onto the ground at the end of the GF to celebrate. It was just bad luck. He then went through a bad patch, as did the team, towards the end of last decade before his really notable and quite simply astounding 2011. Worsfold said it was one of the best seasons by a small forward in the club's history. That may be stretching it, given the existence of Matera and Lecras, but it was special. He kicked 41 goals, including 6 against the Tigers. He was a part of that incredible resurgence from wooden spoon to preliminary final. But alas, injuries over the past 2 seasons has meant he hasn't played a single game since.

Both players will be remembered by fans for their toughness, tenacity and team spirit. Thanks for the memories.

Round 20 Recap: Eagles HUMILIATE Dons; Unequivocally #StandOnHird

In what can only be described as comeuppance, the West Coast Eagles trampled all over Essendon on Sunday afternoon under...erm...in the...dome. They went into the Dons home with mud on their shoes, slept on the couch, left empty takeaway containers on the lounge, played some indoor hockey, broke the TV and put toast in the VCR (yes, the Bomber's home is from the 90s).

They had a grand old time. And this all happened in the context of a week all about Essendon. Eddie McGuire, this is true, was egging the Bombers fans on at the start of the game: "What do you think of Hird!" he shouted to Dons fans near the fence, to which the delusional  devotees of the cult of Saint James replied with delirious cheers of approval. It was strange. But this is the same man who last night said he now knows what it's like to suffer the disadvantage of being an indigenous Australian. True story. So he implies that Goodes is an ape, people call him on it and he cries foul over 'media persecution'. Turn it up.

But back to the good stuff. The Eagles kicked the first 2 goals to raise our collective hopes that we had come to play. The Dons then responded with 3 of their own. Pretty much from that point it was goal for goal (ish) throughout the first half. It was truly an ugly game. Every Eagles turnover (and there were plenty) were matched by the ineptitude (a word that quite appropriately looks like 'peptide') of the Bombers kicking. But although our execution was lacking, our effort and intensity was not. The tackling in particular was, especially the context of this season, unusually fierce, embodied by a bone-rattling tackle (sorry to go all NHL here) from Chris Masten.

At half time it was even and I had the sense we had wasted good play. Our entries into the 50 were particularly ill-conceived. But then the second half began and BOOM! Only one side came out to play and that was the side that wasn't pepped up. Our efficiency increased, our link play and run was stunning. Though, to be honest, I wasn't convinced we were home until we got over 5 goals up. Then, it was glorious. The ball went flying through the goals as often as weak and beaten Bombers fans flew out of the ground. And although the booing of Mr AOD was audible throughout, it became especially so when the red and black hordes had fled in disappointment.

The chant of EEEEEEAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLESSSSSSSSSSSS then spread around the lid-less dome, capping off a great afternoon for the club.

There were plenty of great performances by individuals. The entire backline deserves our appreciation for completely nullifying Essendon's attack. Their disposal may have been poor at times (Smith, I'm looking at you) but more often than not they got the job done.

Lecras was awesome. I did sort of slam him on twitter for missing a sitter in the first quarter, and upon reflection, that may have been the inspiration behind his stellar second half. Seriously though, he suffered some rib issue in the second and he got smashed in the head by a reckless Dons defender, but he fought it out. 5 goals, all in the second half. Hopefully, the old Lecras can become the new Lecras. Wellingham again showed his class with 2 vital goals in the 3rd. He's really coming into his own now. Another recruit, Jamie Cripps, has turned into a really effective role player this season. He's tough and demonstrated an uncanny ability to get a good goal. There was also the usual suspects with Cox demolishing the Ryder-Bellchambers duo and Priddis starring in midfield. Dalziell has also shone this season. He kicked another couple of goals today and has to be applauded for his solidity whilst all around him have melted away via injury.

Overall, it was a great result. The performance wasn't perfect and Essendon look spent, but it was an emotion-charged clash in hostile territory and we were triumphant. In the grand scheme of things...meh. There are too many questions that make speculating on finals pointless right now. But this we do know: Barring a meltdown by Port (highly unlikely) we won't make 8th. So it then comes to Essendon being stripped of points. If they are, then 9th becomes 8th. We are no guarantee to even finish 9th. We'd need to probably win at least  2 of our last 3.

But let's forget that. It was great day for the club. Cats next, they'll be favourites but it should be a good game if we can maintain our intensity.

Round 20 Preview: Eagles Face Presumptive Wooden Spooners

But unfortunately, James Hird might not be able to make it. I've heard he has an appointment with a New York Doctor he just has to make. See, the Bombers have been struggling over the past fortnight and instead of trying to work harder, or coach harder or something silly like that, Hird desperately needs a dose of magical cream to apply to Jobe's...back.

To be fair to Hird though, the reason the Bombers lost to the Hawks and Pies in such an abysmal fashion is because those clubs are 'up to something'. They're just so 'biologically advanced' that no amount of training or tactics or effort will ever be enough to beat them.

We used to also be better than the Bombers, and thus in the twisted world of 'Saint James', we were undoubtedly up to something in the supplements department. I like to think to myself that although 2011 didn't result in a Premiership, our performances did in some way lead to the death of one of the most self-righteous clubs and people in the league.

But alas, no one would think we were cheating this season.

Still, this game is very winnable. Of course, I make such a statement on the proviso that the Bombers play like they have the past fortnight. They've looked rudderless the past 2 weeks. Completely shattered.

To be fair to the players though, it's hard to perform well when you've been constantly tweeting #standbyhird through out the week. Carpal tunnel much? You know, I found it hilarious that the Bombers players, like electric sheep, mechanically sprung to Hird's defence. Don't they realise that part of the reason they're in this mess is because pretty much all of them refused to use their independence and ask questions. Like, for example, "Why do I, one of the fittest people in the country at age 27, need to take an anti-obesity drug?" I keep hearing how 'smart' Jobe is, but if he's so smart then why did he agree to take that rubbish?

But I digress. As I said to an Essendon supporting friend/enemy (frenemy?)

We shall see ____ If you guys play like you have most of the season: easy 4-5 goal win. But, I'm not sure whether it's just the perennial Essendon drop off, the emotional burden of the ASADA guillotine hovering over head or withdrawals (from the DRUGS) but they sort of looked spent last week. Big ins for Eagles too; Priddis, Masten, Lecras.

I particularly enjoyed my reference to withdrawals.

We haven't shown any ability to beat top 8 teams this season. They are a top 8 team...for now. If they do rediscover their form of earlier this season then we probably won't stand much of a chance.

ESSENDON
B: M.Baguley J.Carlisle M.Hibberd
HB: T.Pears C.Hooker D.Fletcher
C: J.Winderlich J.Watson D.Heppell
HF: A.Davey S.Gumbleton N.Kommer
F: B.Stanton P.Ryder J.Melksham
R: T.Bellchambers H.Hocking K.Hardingham
I/C: D.Hille D.Myers B.Howlett D.Zaharakis L.Jetta T.Colyer B.Goddard
In:  A.Davey , J.Winderlich , B.Howlett , T.Pears
Out: C.Dempsey (Hamstring) , C.Dell’Olio (Omitted), Travis Colyer  (Omitted), Leroy Jetta  (Omitted)

WEST COAST
B: M.Brown D.Glass B.Wilson
HB: S.Butler E.Mackenzie As.Smith
C: A.Gaff S.Wellingham B.Dalziell
HF: J.Cripps JJ.Kennedy J.Hill
F: W.Schofield S.Lycett J.Darling
R: D.Cox S.Selwood B.Sheppard
I/C:  C.Masten M.LeCras P.McGinnity M.Priddis
In: M.LeCras , M.Priddis , C.Masten , P.McGinnity
Out: A.Carter (Rested), Embley (omitted), Hutchings (omitted), Hams (omitted)

Our ins, however, are hugely significant. We're still missing Hurn, Waters, Kerr, Nic Nat and Shuey...but relative to the rest of this season this is a fairly strong outfit. As long as our effort is there, which it definitely was last week (application meh-ish), it should be a close game.

Those midfield additions in particular are massive. They have a very strong midfield but we should hold our own with the likes of Priddis, Wellingham and Masten. They're backline was well and truly demolished by big guns over the last 2 weeks and you would imagine if, and only if, we can win enough of the ball we could put up a big score. Hopefully JJK can continue his push for the Coleman.

I imagine there will be a lot of emotion in this one. There was at Subi earlier this season, where despite us having a WAFL midfield, late withdrawals, a short week and the Bombers off the bye, Essendon only just lucked their way to 7 point win.

I'm sure Bombers fans will be moronically cheering Watson on Sunday, showering him with vials of AOD as he enters the ground. I hope they enjoy this game too. 'Cause we may only have 4 games left, but so, fingers crossed, do they.

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Darren 'Bulletproof' Glass re-signed for another year this week. No words are necessary to describe his contribution to this club, both as an on-field legend and in rehabilitating our off-filed image post-Cousins. You'd imagine he has re-signed in the hopes of one more push for a premiership and although I have grave doubts of that possibility, it is certainly increased by his ongoing presence and leadership. Congrats Glassy.

Round 19 Recap: Phew!

Something strange happened after the final siren on Saturday evening. Eagles players didn't look forlorn. Eagles fans didn't rush to the exits. Children were laughing and the world seemed a slightly brighter place. Then this song broke out over the speakers:

Have you heard that before? It's been a while that's for sure. Then the Eagle Rock rang out. Man I enjoyed it. I've been to 6 Eagles games this season. This was only the 2nd win. I do like a victory here and there.

As for the game, it wasn't easy nor was it pretty. There was still soul-destroying turnovers and poor decision-making. We also continue to get burned by speedy opponents. But I thought, considering the team we put out there, with Priddis a late withdrawal, it was a gritty and determined effort. We really don't have much to play for, the Suns wouldn't go away, but we fought it out. In fact, despite the Suns hovering around for essentially the entire game, we never let them get in front from midway through the 1st.

Cox, no. 46 from the 3rd (too weird) was dominant with 44 hitouts. JJK was the man up forward again with 5, moving to outright 1st on the Coleman tally. Remember all those years when the Eagles couldn't buy a decent forward line? I mean we did have Sumich, Cummings, Wilson and Phil Matera. But this is different. We have an embarrassment of riches up forward with JJK, Darling and Lecras. Another good forward option, Hill, had his second decent outing in a row with 3 goals. However, he does seem to shine in games against lesser opponents while vanishing against the elite teams. Plus, there's E-Mac who kicked another brilliant goal to seal the game. I still don't trust his kicking in general play, especially when he chips it around, but what a player he has developed into.

I thought whoever did the job (I'm guessing Selwood) on that annoying little, bald guy (overrated much?) was decent. Ablett kicked 2 okay goals from memory, took a few typically selfish snaps, but nothing of note really. Maybe now we won't have to hear how he is the greatest play ever for at least 1 week.

Finally, a special word for Campbell Brown.  That man is reckless. Reckless and dumb. 4 frees against, including a couple late in the game. Does anyone else think he jumped into the fence. E-Mac certainly didn't push him into it. Is he Alastair Clarkson's son? Both small, angry men.

The win doesn't change anything. It's been a terrible season. But it's nice to be able to enjoy a win. And we should savour this for a few days, because there might not be another 'W' until Round 23. Games against the Bombers, Cats and Pies might not be pretty, but if we play with the same spirit we did today the result shouldn't be too unbearable. Plus, who knows? With a few key players to possibly/maybe return we might just play the spoiler.

I'd especially like to win the next one. According to the chosen one we really should win as well. We are, after all, "biologically advanced" and definitely "up to something".

Round 19 Preview: Too Humiliating to Contemplate

I can't bear the thought of losing this game. I know the Suns are no longer the league's whipping boy, a role now assigned to the winless Giants and hapless Dees, but we simply can't let this one slip. We've already lost 7 at home. That's an indefensible record no matter our injury situation.

Like I thought before last week, we should be too good for the Suns. They've had some decent wins this season, most notably against Collingwood 2 weeks ago, but I don't think they have the experience to win a game across the country just yet.

We are also strengthened by some key additions as the 'sore' Glass returns, along with Andrew Embley and the Good Sheppard. Masten is out with the ankle, thankfully not as serious as initially believed, whilst Morton is omitted...as is the recently re-signed Mitch Brown. I imagine one of the reasons Brown re-signed is because he's been an established starter this season unlike in previous years. It seems like a bit of a slap in the face to then drop him for Glass, but I suppose it's a balancing act between tall and running defenders.

WEST COAST
B: Schofield, Glass, Wilson
HB: Butler, Mackenzie, Smith
C: Gaff, Priddis, Dalziell
HF: Cripps, Kennedy, Hill
F: Wellingham, Lycett, Dalziell
Foll: Cox, S Selwood, Hutchings
I/C: Hams, Sheppard, Embley, Carter
In: Glass, Sheppard, Embley
Out: Morton, Masten, Brown

GOLD COAST
B: McKenzie, May, Tape
HB: Broughton, Thompson, Russell
C: Bennell, Ablett, Sexton
HF: Swallow, Day, Hall
F: Brown, Dixon, Sumner
Foll: Gorringe, Stanley, Prestia
I/C: Shaw, Harbrow, Boston, O’Meara
In: Swallow, Prestia, Thompson, Gorringe
Out: Brennan, Nicholls (knee), Gilbee, Weller

This is must-not-lose game. A win does not mean much, but a loss means everything. It's especially so for a coach who seems like he wants to coach on. Losing to a 3rd year franchise, losing at home for the 8th time this season may have some impact on his future tenure. Then again, the board a.k.a 'the rubber stamp', does not seem to countenance a future without Worsfold.