Round 21 Preview: Dees v Eagles

Apologies for the dormancy of the blog, but my reasons are twofold. Primarily, early semester uni related study.  Also I really had nothing to say about the Richmond game, before or after. It was always going to be a cakewalk or at least a muffinwalk or a cookiewalk or a even a beerwalk. The Tigers are quite the disgrace, really embarrassing and we're like...awesome. The game reflected that.

One comment I would make is that I was unimpressed with the medal winners. I can partially accept Kerr, but Naitaniu was just okay. He had a good 10 minute patch, but nothing more, nothing less.  Shuey was great. But I don't really care.

On to the Melbourne game. I expect us to win this one too. We thrashed them earlier in the year and are a far superior team. Yet, beware the wounded...demon. I've been (re)watching quite a bit of Buffy lately and two things are clear. One, SMG is amazing...even as a cavewoman (see season 4 episode entitled 'Beer Bad')

 Secondly, and more pertinently, Demons can be troublesome, especially when motivated.

Are these Demons motivated? They should be. They've been killed the last couple of weeks. Their coach was recently sacked and they get a bunch of decent players back. Jamar and Sylvia are the headliners.

Furthermore, our team news is unsettling. Glass and Rosa are out. Glass with general soreness. I actually think this is real 'soreness' as opposed to Kerr soreness. He's resting and it's understandable. I'm sure I-can't-kick-to-save-my-own-life McKenzie can guard Melbourne's big forward who is of course...um...is Schwarz still playing?

The Rosa omission is more troubling. He was having an okay year (overrated in my opinion) but then the Richmond dufus decided to be all dufusy. It happens. I think he's a key player in the sense that he is solid. Unremarkable for sure, but far better than any possible replacement.

Masten is out. Insert obligatory insult here.

In good news, JJK is back. So is Hams. I know he had a great WAFL game, but he's not the answer as a small forward. I just don't think he's up to it. Against Melbourne however...he could kick 5 goals.

Still, I think the Dees may push us hard in this game. They will surely show something this week. Or we will destroy them. Or lose. What do I know? I'm just a humble blogger.

It's a bit of a shame it's not at the G. It would be nice to play there again before the qualifying finals...

In related top 4 news, Go Dockers! At least until the final siren tomorrow, then we can go back to holding them in utter contempt. The purple fools.

Round 19 Recap: Eagles avoid embarassment; beat Dogs

The only thing I could think of when watching our lead rapidly disappear was the Geelong game from 06. You know the one. We were down by 9 goals in the 3rd only to come steamrolling home (sans Juddas by the way) and make Ablett cry. Good times.

Anyway, all that matters was that we averted suffering the same fate as the Cats. Our first half and a bit were very impressive. Without 3 of our key players we were dominant all over the ground; unrelenting in applying our now trademark forward press and we capitalised (fairly) well.

Yet, to their credit, the Dogs decided to try in the second half and seemed almost irresistable in their march towards the lead.  In a way I was impressed by our response. Sure, I would've preferrred the situation not to arise. Our players seemed to only react when the Dogs hit the front. Still, we halted their momentum and kicked the last 2 goals of the game to re-snatch the win.

It goes without saying that Cox was incredible, especially without Naitanui. Gaff continues to impress me, whilst Lycett had a very solid debut. He actually looks like he has some agility, though it's hard to see where he fits in our forward line with a healthy Kennedy.

Overall, it was a critical win for our top 4 prospects. Win our remaining 5 games and we finish at least 4th. Then we get to play Collingwood at the MCG...a great reward.

Round 19 Preview: Dogs v Eagles

On paper this should be an easy win. But several factors are at play which mean this will be far from easy. Firstly, it's in Melbourne against a very talented and experienced team. The Bulldogs have been poor this season, but they have shown glimpses of what they once were, plus are still in finals contention. This is a must win game for them and not for us.

Moreover, the team news is worrisome. Very worrisome.

We lose Josh Kennedy to...well...to an eye injury...inflicted by an errant tennis ball at training. I don't know what to say to that, except shit. It's a huge loss, considering his role as our number 1 target and the fact he kicked 10 against the Dogs earlier in the year. It puts a lot of pressure on Lynch and Lecras to step up and kick goals.


More bad news in that Naitanui has been left out with 'soreness'. Now, I hope this is the 'literal' soreness and he only misses 1 week and not the Kerr 'soreness' and he's out for a month. It still puts us in a tight spot. Although Cox is great, in my opinion his best work is now done around the ground; mopping up down back, taking releieving marks etc. At times he has looked old and tired when rucking, at least in comparison to the energetic Naitanui. We also lose Naitanui's defensive pressure, perhaps his most critical ability.

The Dogs have SEVEN changes. Volatility in a team is a good thing...for the opposition.

But it's going to be tough. We're missing our best forward and midfielder. They'll be desperate. Yet, we have to win to maintain our push to the top 4.

We can do it, but it'll be a big challenge.

Round 18 Recap: Eagles win boring Derby punctuated by unnervingly tight finish

Wow.

That was one boring game. Except for the frantic, desperate finish.

I guess a tight game was to be expected between two top 8 teams, who both put on a high level of pressure. Unfortunately it made for a low-scoring, static and at times downright dull game. And although we secured a 22 point lead half way into the last, it was the type of game where each team dominated in periods, so it was no surprise when Fremantle surged late.

What was surprising was the appalling, ridiculous, incredible, generally insane decision to penalise us for deliberate out of bounds. I believe it was Rosa who essentially spoiled the ball in the direction of the line, but in close proximity to a couple of players. How can it be deliberate when he did not even have control of the ball?

Anyway, on reflection I'm happy it happened. It allowed us, and the many haters out there, to bask in the glory of Ballantyne's stupidity. His celebration was both bizzare and hilarious. His shot clearly didn't make the distance, and yet he had already completed his lap of honour before this reality hit him. The expression upon his annoying little face, as the infintessimal piece of cheese in his head which acts a sort of brain substititute (97% intelligence free) registered this, was priceless.
Truly a great moment in the history of mankind.

So we got the win. Just. But it was critical.  We did make some horrendous mistakes though. Three 50s resulting in 3 goals. Yes, the game was stymied by over-officiating, but the 50s were mainly avoidable.
Our kicking was also atrocious. JJK was a major culprit here.

Overall though, I'm fairly satisfied. It's clear we miss Kerr (and the attention he generates) but we fought hard and did enough to claim the 4 points.
Top 4 still looks a good possibility, but we face a tricky game against the Dogs on Saturday. It's our last game against the thug, so I hope we crush them...(again)

Round 18 Preview: Derby Redux

Today the Eagles have the opportunity to win both Derbies in a season, a feat not achieved since 2005. Honestly though, this statistical-emotional accomplishment pales in comparison to what is really at stake.

A win today is pivotal in our hopes of climbing into a top 4 position to secure the double chance. Carlton’s win last night makes it even more vital that we do the job today.

And do it we should. We are undoubtedly the superior team. Better game plan, more consistent, healthier and most importantly we have a less insane coach. 

The Dockers are still without Sandi, whilst Kerr is still sore. Very sore.

Freo had a good win last week whilst we blew it against the Saints. Given the form line of these two teams, that sets us up nicely.

I don’t have much more to add. I could go on and on about Freo, how pathetic their history has been, what a pain in the arse Ballantyne is, what a pain in the arse Pavlich is, what a pain in the arse Crowley is...etc. etc.

 But I’m above that. Well, not really. I'll save it for the recap.

Let’s just get it done.