Season 2014 Preview: Y'all ready for this!?

There is reportedly going to be a sequel to the much beloved, critically acclaimed (at least in my eyes) animated/sports epic 'Space Jam'. But this is an Eagles blog, so this is neither the time nor the place to dwell on such a tantalising prospect.

I only mention it because the theme song of 'Space Jam' is such that it seems appropriate to kick-start blog posts relating to Season 2014. Yes, the doom and gloom, the self-pity and the wallowing over last year has finally concluded.

I'm feeling fairly upbeat after a couple of strong performances in pre-season against the Dockers (twice) and the Swans. It is completely meaningless, but it's better than looking bad I suppose. I can't say I watched more than 7 minutes of the first 2 games but I glanced at some stats and recaps.

I did, however, attend the practice match against Freo a couple of weeks ago. It was a very pleasant evening, with half the ground closed, all spectators were shielded from the dwindling but hot sun under the cover of the grandstand. The crowd was in fairly good spirits, some seemed to take the game a little too seriously (booing at a practice match? Save it for Round 1 guys) but it was a nice and relaxed night. Oh and we played very well. The Eagles were clearly the more focused and intense of the two teams. The Dockers seemed a little slow and a little disinterested. UPDATE: The Dockers are still painfully difficult to beat...and watch.

After watching so many live games last year, I was struck by two things from our perspective:
1) We were very clean with possession
2) We moved the ball quickly and quite directly.

Whether these improvements hold for the season proper remain to be seen. But we looked confident and dedicated. Good omens.

I usually write several preview posts where I provide rather questionable predictions regarding the upcoming season. After much thought (over the past 25 seconds) I have come to the conclusion that I am just too lazy to do so again this year. Lazy and cognisant of the fact that many of those predictions had nothing to do with the Eagles...or football.

I guess this post will have to fill that void that I'm sure loyal readers will have been eagerly awaiting to be filled...

Here's how I see 2014 going down;

- Top Goalkicker: Kennedy will be our top goalkicker, kicking 63. Lecras, sporting a new hair do, and hopefully having more luck with injuries will bounce back from a disappointing 2013. Darling was decent last season, will he kick it up another gear?

- Our record- 11-11. It's a pessimistic prediction, but we do have many difficult games, an unproven coach, an unproven team. I think the competition should be fairly strong this year although there are many teams that could go either way (Essendon Buyer's Club for example).

- Best New recruit: This is tough, as there were some solid if not spectacular off-season recruits. Draftee Sheed? Yeo? X-Ellis? Maybe Adam Simpson, who should at least inject some rookie enthusiasm into what was a fairly lifeless outfit last season.

- Biggest Improver: I predict that Andrew 'Anonymous' Gaff will lose that middle name I assigned to him 3 seconds ago. He was a major disappointment last season, unable to break a tag and largely ineffective. As a player with superb foot skills, we (both him, the team, coaching staff) need to find a way to get him into the game.

- Biggest Disappointment: Perhaps not making finals. As you can discern from my record prediction above, I'm agnostic about our prospects. Start well and finals are a possibility, but nothing is certain.

- Must See Game: As always there are some great games; Derbies (but they contain a Ross Lyon team so 'zzzzzzz'), home games against the Pies, Swans and Roos. But personally, and perhaps ridiculously, I'm quite looking forward to our first ever home game against GWS. They have some exciting players, Cameron, Patton etc. and may actually be competitive this season. We should only win by 67 points.

There you have it. A short season preview, which I started 3 weeks ago, complete with 3 days to spare until bounce down.

Stay tuned for the Round 1 Preview in the next couple of days!

Season 2013 Review Part 2: If Loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right

I'm not exactly certain what I mean by that title. Maybe that I will always love the Eagles no matter how much pain they bring me. Sometimes I think how strange it is to 'love' a sporting team. What do we really love? It's not the players, they come and go. It's not the coaches, the board or the ground. Is it the jumper, or do we just love being part of something together with like-minded crazies, part of a movement with history, passion and belief...

Apologies, I think the heat is getting to me.

On to the review...

10. Leading Goalkicker

This is a difficult one. You would think that there are three bona-fide potential leaders here in Kennedy, Lecras and Darling. Looking back upon the last few years, due to injuries, form and other factors no one player has locked down the ‘No.1 goal kicker’ position.

2012	Jack Darling	53
2011	Josh Kennedy	59
2010	Mark Lecras	63
2009	Mark Lecras	58
2008	Ben Mckinley	42
2007	Quinten ‘Magpie’ Lynch	52

 source: AFL Stats

In fact, that’s probably become one of the strengths of the team over the last couple of seasons. We have a strong array of options, making it difficult for opposing teams to focus on just one key guy. That strength was, of course, tested last season with the long-term injuries to stars Lecras and Kennedy, but others, notably Hams and Hill, stepped up and filled the void nicely. This year I also suspect we will see a nice spread of goals, with Lecras with 51 stealing the show. I’m a little worried about Kennedy’s propensity for injury, while I assume (my) Darling’s tally will come down a little with the return of the two guns.

This race was never close. Despite a midfield that from memory was being beaten on a regular basis, Swift-ing the ball into the forward line at every possible opportunity, JK flourished. For much of the season he looked like good money (gamble responsibly) for the  Coleman. Unfortunately, he fell away, as the team well and truly imploded with 3 of our worst losses in our history to end the season. Roughead topped the list. I was at the Eagles-Hawks game, where one rather surly Eagles supporter audibly noted: "Roughead, the way you play football is as ugly as your face". Harsh but hilarious.

Darling was very good, though  I seem to recall perhaps a slightly underwhelming return during some games. Lecras managed only 15 games. Remember when he was the most accurate kick for a goal in the competition? Those were the days. He kicked 30.27 in 2013, including returns of 0.3 against Port Adelaide (still haunts me), 1.4 against North and 1.3 against Adelaide. However, his last game of the season (that feel-good thrashing of the Don-Cheats) was brilliant, where he ended with 5.2...and I seem to recall he did it with a cracked rib or something.

On another note, Ashtom Hams retired.

9. Worst style decision- the Beard or the Pony?

 I’m feeling a little nostalgic about Dr Swift right about now...Anyway, in my mind; nothing surpasses the sheer absurdity of Schofield’s beard. Wellingham made a wrong choice to tie his hair like a horse. But with Schofield, it’s a long-term plan to grow, cultivate and promote the mass of hair spouting from his chin. I predict that by Round 3 a group of restless fans will band together and form a campaign to rid our side of the beard’s tormenting spirit. They’ll write a letter and it will go a little something like this...
  
Dear Mr Schofield,
It has come to our attention, loyal Eagles fans and fashion aficionados, that you’re beard is in such a state of disrepair, owing to either your negligence or some misguided sense of style, that it is causing us great emotional anguish. There has even been rumours, unsubstantiated mind you, that members will boycott home games, in order to avoid any potential danger from the undoubtedly numerous crawling critters and rambunctious rodents inhabiting your face. We also have concerns over the effect the beard is having on your level of play. There have been multiple instances, with your head over the ball, of you being pulled down by the weight of the thing.
 
We have sent you a complimentary set of sheep sheers. Please do what is right and necessary.

I'm not going to harp on this prediction, because quite frankly it is ridiculous. On the other hand, the trend towards the Ned Kelly look annoys me greatly. It's all fine and dandy to look like you are a hermit living in the alps, but when you're getting thrashed every other week it doesn't feel right. Masten, you sir, looked horrendous. Plus, does anyone else think that those big beards slow down players. It's simply not aerodynamic! I was also preturbed by Sharrod Wellingham wearing designer sunglasses when he was sitting in the coaches box convalescing from his (self-inflicted) ankle injury. But who cares really? It only irritated me because we were losing.

8. Biggest Disappointment...

NicNat had a good season in 2012. It wasn't an All-Australian calibre season in any respect, except in the respect that he actually was All-Australian. Dearth of ruck talent perhaps? Too much emphasis placed on the amazing, tantalising and irresistible flashes by the big man? Maybe. Regardless, we expect him to continue to improve as a player and develop more consistency both within games and across the season. But, I'm not sure that will happen this season. The fact is that NicNat has already missed time with injury and unless you're Dean Cox, injuries seem to have a lasting impact on big men. In fact he's already been ruled out of the Derby in Round 1. Plus, I think people may have a view of him as an 'elite ruckman' which doesn't reflect reality (just yet). I hope I'm wrong of course.

I disagree with myself here. Yes, I am such a contrarian I often take umbridge with my own opinions. It's a difficult and time-consuming way to live I assure you.

I think I was being too harsh on NicNat's 2012 efforts. Upon reflection he was very good, his impact on games is often decisive even if it's not uniform across games. Unfortunately, I was proved right about his 2013 season. He never fully recovered from his injuries. He did, however, provide some highlights in a season bereft of them; the standing ovation he recieved upon his return against the Dogs, his game winning goal against the Roos and at least 1 incredible goal against Hawthorn.

Was he the biggest disappointment? Impossible to tell. There was so many; Wellingham, Lecras, the invisible Gaff...the list goes on. The team was a big disappointment, let's leave it at that.

7. Number of Times Worsfold will display human emotion....

I say this with all due respect,  as I literally own his shirt, but let's be honest he is an android right? Still when we win the Premiership by 73 points I expect to see at least a form of smile emerge

....um...erm...this is awkward. I don't know what to write here. One of the problems that I perceived throughout the season was Worsfold's lack of enthusiasm for the job. Of course, I'm not privy to inner-sanctum discussions, meetings etc. but at different times he appeared tired, disinterested and depressed. Although he has never been a big fan of press conferences, his meetings with the 'journos' this year took on a whole new level of antagonism.

It will be interesting to see what kind of coach Simpson is; placid like Worsfold (usually was) or more akin to the crazy, jerk-faced, irate, pain-in-the-ass, wall punching, child umpire abusing Clarkson.

Stay tuned for more reviewing in the coming week...and remember...

70 DAYS UNTIL ROUND 1!!!

Season 2013 Review Part 1: Hey, at least we're not Bombers fans.

 Happy New Year! Too late?

 No, I think I'm fine.

 I probably should have written and posted these months ago, but the season left a bitter taste in my mouth; a bitter, poisonous taste. 

Whether a review is necessary is questionable. I could simply write it was 'shit' and leave it at that. But that doesn't satisfy my desire for an unduly verbose examination of our 2013 season.

The most efficient method of writing the review is to follow up my 13 fairly inaccurate predictions from the beginning of last year. There will be 3 instalments.

But before that, if I had to summarise season 2013 in one paragraph it would be this:

The Eagles started as equal premiership favourites. We had bolstered our midfield options during the off-season, our young guns were entering their prime and our back and forward lines looked like the prime of the competition. Then the games began. We were struck by injuries and an indefensible lack of desire to win. The coach looked spent. We lost games by big margins. We couldn't win at home. We were embarrassed nearly every second week. The fans became restless. We couldn't make the top 9. Stars retired. The coach resigned. But it could have been worse: we could all be Essendon supporters.

*Exhales*.

Now here are my first 3 predictions from the beginning of last year and an explanation of what really happened.

13. The Best new recruit will be...

Not including draft picks, as I couldn’t pretend to know anything about them, there are many established new additions to choose from. Two Melbourne drop-outs in Bennell and Cale Morton, Saints youngster Jamie Cripps and the more high profile Sharrod Wellingham. They’re all potentially handy acquisitions, but you can’t go past Wellingham. He was recruited to add some steel (nearly typed steele there, damn you Sidebottom!) (premiership) experience and depth to a rather limited midfield. Trampolines and pony tails aside, once all settles down, there’s no reason to suggest he won’t do just that. Of course, as an established AFL midfielder the pressure is on him to perform at a high level once he returns. There’s no such pressure on Morton (early season nickname suggestion: Mor(e)ton Bay Fig?), Bennell and Cripps who are all low-risk, high reward recruits. 

Ha. 

It's a nigh impossible task to identify a 'best new recruit'. Cale Morton played a couple of games and was delisted at the end of the season. I continue to read positive things about Jamie Bennell but he did not play a game in 2013. He has, however, been elevated off the rookie list for next season. An enticing prospect perhaps?

The great hope Wellingham, a potential X-Factor, failed to realise his promise mainly due to injury. The fact that his initial ankle complaint was as a result of trampolining accident didn't exactly ingratiate himself to the fans. Or to me at least. However, he did have two exemplary games against the Dogs and Dons late in the season. He just needs to find his fitness, maintain his form and reject stupid haircuts and he'll be alright.

But I think Jamie Cripps was the most consistent of the recruits. I don't think he had a stellar season, far from it. But he did a job on a weekly basis and that's more than can be said for many an Eagle.

12. We’ll miss you...

I prefer to look forward than back (that’s a lie) and I don’t bear any ill feelings towards departed Eagles (massive lie), but we did lose a few players in the off-season; Lynch, Stevens, Stevenson and Swift, M.D.  Honestly, out of all of these I’ll personally miss Tom Swift the most. With his erratic kicking, weird deer like running style and bizarre hairstyles, he reminded me of a lot of myself.  Plus, he was such a polarising figure amongst fans that it was always fun blogging about him. More to the point though, in terms of actual ‘football’ I think we’ll miss no-one. Stevens and Stevenson are guys who never fulfilled their alleged potential. Lynch meanwhile was a player who clearly had reached a point where he was a cusp member of the team and he was unwilling to fight for his position. I’m grateful that he helped us win the 06 flag, but he’s past his best and now we’re past him.

It often felt that Tom Swift, M.D or his spirit at least never left the Eagles. Erratic kicking, weird deer like running style and (to a lesser extent) bizarre hairstyles were plentiful throughout the season. But really, I didn't miss him because there was so much more to complain about. With the losses and all. As predicted none of the other guys were missed. Some might argue Koby Stevens could have played a role, but he's not exactly a game changer. Lynch did something weird to his hand at Collingwood. I really don't want to know what Eddie and Q were up to when that happened....

In conclusion, no one was missed, but the goals were missed...on a painfully frequent basis.

11. Best Old Man...

Old in the football sense, that is. Glass, Kerr, Cox, Embley and Adam Selwood are all battle-hardened veterans, but whereas the latter two seemed to struggle a little last season (injury and form), the first 3 flourished. The Kerr-surgence was particularly heart-warming after a few very dismal years of snaps, both of muscles and brain. But I think Glass will be the best old man as he’s still the glue holding our defence together, our leader and captain. The early Cox injury is a little disconcerting, but he has shown an amazing ability to play through injuries. I love that guy. Infact, I love all these guys, Selwood not withstanding (sorry Selly). At least I'm over the Embley toe poke, nearly definitely.

I think Glass was definitely the best old man of 2013. He is leadership personified. Unlike the 'lippy' Maxwell, who runs around with a really annoying scowl on his face, Glass actually can play football really proficiently as well. Cox had to shoulder much of the ruck burden himself, due to NicNat's injury issues and perhaps he showed signs of ageing, but he is still a stalwart.

Unfortunately Father Time has caught up to Kerr, Embley and Selwood. The latter two were given a farewell game against Adelaide. I would like to say it was a fitting tribute to the pair's contribution to the team, but it was a complete schmozzle. Kerr's last game turned out to be against Essendon in boo-gate. I was at both the Adelaide and Essendon games. It was a pleasure and a privilege to see these three champs in their final games for the club. Kerr especially is one of our all-time greats.

Stay tuned for part 2 and 3 of this depressing look at the lows and lows of 2013.

Pre-Season: Power vs Eagles Watch Live for Free!

Power vs Eagles Live and Free!

I'm assuming this is perfectly legitimate and legal given that the official Eagles Facebook page shared the link.

Anyway, for those of us sans Foxtel this should be a nice treat.

Enjoy.

P.S Only 2 Weeks til the Derby!

Follow the blog on facebook and on twitter.

Round 1 Review: Eagles win...but still lose.

I came away from yesterday's win with a due sense of dread. A win, sure, but a win that felt more like a thank-less win, less celebratory more contemplative. 

We won by 4 points, against a bottom 6 side without some of their best players and most evidently without a ruckman. Sure we were without casual-player Kerr and inconsistent Naitanui, but it would have been quite an effort to lose. Yet, we nearly did. I'm not arguing that we played poorly. I thought we showed some positive signs. Cox was at his dominant best (until the final quarter when cramps compelled him to form the fetal position). Gaff, starting as a sub, showed some silky skills. Darling looks strong, if not a little rigid and inflexible.

Yet, in general, the skills of some of our players allowed North to stay in the game. Ebert continues to amaze me with his inability to kick a football properly. Scott Selwood had a few clangers. Last season we had a tendency to turn the ball over at the most inopportune times. Nothing I saw yesterday convinced me that much had changed.

Now to the real bad news. I’m sure you all saw it. Following a goal he kicked in  the 3^rd quarter, Mark Lecras seemed to clutch his groin in pain. Well, it turns out he has an adductor tear and will be out for 7 to 10 weeks. I can’t overemphasise how great a loss this is. Lecras is the most skilful player in our team (outside of Kerr). Morover, yesterday he seemed to be spending s a substantial amount of time in the midfield. This loss deprives us of what could have been a coming of age season for Lecras. In a more tangible way we lose the 63 goals he kicked last year. More pressure is now on the likes of Ashton Hams, who yesterday did close to nothing.

Geez...I don't know why I'm turning yellow

In other news, Chris Masten has damaged cartilage in his knee and will miss 6 weeks. I would like to say this is a huge loss. But Masten has been a perpetual disappointment since we drafted him a few seasons ago. Injuries have played a role in this, but it just adds further credence to my view that our drafting has been exceedingly poor in the post-Juddas era.

Still, we won. In McKinley’s and to a lesser extent Edward’s face. 4 points on the board. We are in the top 8!

Next up, Port at AAMI Stadium. From memory we have only won once against Port there. I actually remember that game well. Late in the last, Cousins kicked two goals to lift us over the line. Good times. I think we can win this game, but by Friday I may have changed my mind.

Until next time
A Victorious Misanthropic Eagle

P.S The Umpiring was complete bollocks.

Round 1 Preview: West Coast v North Melbourne

The time is finally here. No more pre-season training. No more pre-season games. No more pre-season. Footy is back!

And what finer way to start proceedings than a home game against North Melbourne? It's a game we can, nay, must win against a team which is mediocre at best. I know some will tell you they have the intangible 'Shin-boner spirit'. I see this spirit as evidence that they are devoid of much talent and have to try extremely hard to lose by 4 or 5 goals on a weekly basis. They do have some good players, Brent Harvey for one who did get around 76 disposals against us last year (nice one woosh), but they are a bottom 6 side and thus we must beat them if we plan to make the finals.

Team selection doesn't seem to reveal anything surprising. Darling and Gaff get the nod. Kerr isn't playing. Worsfold is coaching...



West Coast
FB: Brad Sheppard, Darren Glass, Shannon Hurn
HB: Beau Waters, Mitchell Brown, Scott Selwood
C: Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis, Andrew Embley
HF: Brad Ebert, Josh J. Kennedy, Luke Shuey
FF: Jack Darling, Nic Naitanui, Mark LeCras
Fol: Dean Cox, Chris Masten, Adam Selwood
Int (from): Andrew Gaff, Ashton Hams, Quinten Lynch, Patrick McGinnity, Mark Nicoski, Will Schofield, Callum Wilson



North Melbourne
FB: Brady Rawlings, Cameron Pederson, Scott D. Thompson
HB: Michael Firrito, Robbie Tarrant, Cameron Richardson
C: Daniel Wells, Liam Anthony, Brent Harvey
HF: Shaun Atley, Lachlan Hansen, Scott McMahon
FF: Sam Wright, Ben McKinley, Lindsay Thomas
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Cruize Garlett
Int (from): Ben Warren, Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington, Leigh Adams, Gavin Urquhart, Aaron Edwards, Daniel Pratt

Source: FanFooty

The Eagles team is at full strength (except for Kerr). There really are no excuses for us not to win this game. That is, of course, if you subscsribe to the view that 'the kids are all right'. Personally, the sight of Masten and Ebert make me very nervous. The sight of Priddis, on the other hand, makes me want to watch the Simpsons.

Regardless I think we will win. We have a fairly good record in recent times against the Roos at Subiaco (it will never be P.S). Both teams are average. Both times need to start the season well. I think the home crowd will just tip us over the line.

Prediction: West Coast by 17 points.

Until next time
Enjoy the Footy

Misanthropic Eagle