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!!!
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