Mid-Season Musings: The Season so Far...

3 months ago when I was writing the previews for the season (in my usual painstakingly slow manner) I really wasn't certain where we were as a club.

I did make an amusing reference to Tom Swift: "His hair had a mind of its own as, unfortunately, did his right foot."

However, I also made some rough predictions on our record, 16-6 and us making the prelim.

I wasn't as stupid as the experts though, most of who thought we'd finish top and make the GF. My fears over the inadequacy of our midfield have been found to be true. Yet this has been coupled with the extremely surprising lack of intensity which means we have floundered against decent opposition.

6-5 at the break and barely inside the 8 (in fact we won't be after this week).

But let's look back at some of the mid-season defining games. I hate to quote myself...well that's a lie, but here we go:

Round 1-  Dockers by 28 (A)

Preview: "Honestly, anything could happen in this one. In my mind they're both finals bound teams. I would have little doubt that a full strength Eagles team with Kerr, Wellingham and Naitanui would be strong favourites. But with those omissions, the teams appear fairly even. Regardless, I think the Eagles strength up forward and back will ultimately allow us to kick more goals and escape with a narrow victory."

Recap: "I'm honestly not that concerned. Disappointed sure. But the season is young and there's much to look forward to (poor naive bastard) Perhaps something to keep our eyes on, is our inability to put in a full 4 quarter performance."  


Round 2- Hawks by 50 (H)

Preview: "Massive game, I'm attending (yay!) and I'll think we may just win, by, say 11 points."

Recap: "We're missing some key players. But the players that are there need to be less...crap....It's a terrible start to the season. We can recover as the fixture evens out over the next couple of months. But with Naitanui out indefinitely, the midfield in desperate need of reinforcements and a forward line lacking in pressure, a premiership looks a long way away."

Round 4- Carlton by 24 (H)

Preview: "So they'll be desperate. We need to be desperate too and I expect that we will be. We were embarrassed in our home opener against the Hawks. It won't happen again."

...SPOILER ALERT- It happened again...

Recap: "So 1-3. I'm feeling incredibly pessimistic about this side right now. That performance was worse than against the Hawks. We play undefeated (!) Port...[and] they've got spirit... All we have is a season teetering on the edge of oblivion"

Round 5: redacted from record.

Round 5: Port by 5 (A) aka the game that broke my heart

Preview: "But they're not world beaters. If we play with the intensity we did last year, eradicate our kicking errors and locate the goals we should have too much power for the...erm...Power. It's a big 'if' I know. We will lose if we play like we did last week. You have to believe that won't happen. You have to believe that in between writing love letters to milestone players,* the coach has said something, done something to get our team back on track."

Recap: "Worst loss ever? Probably. Most embarrassing loss ever? Certainly. Season over? You betcha...Because although the coach may be forced to live in a fantasy world where a flag is still achievable, I think we fans know this season is dead..Where to now? There's no premiership window for this club. I never was truly convinced there was. Our midfield of the future is mediocre."


Round 10: Tigers by 41 (H)

Preview: "We've won 4 in a row to claw back to 5-4. I agree with the coach that we must win this and next week's clash against the woeful Saints to have any slim, distant chance of winning a premiership. But I think these next 2 weeks are more about boosting our top 8 chances. I've already written about our difficult second half of the season. It's after the bye where we will see if we're good enough to challenge for a premiership."

Recap: "The fact is that the team is sliding away and Worsfold has been pretty passive. No real changes, very much a wait and see approach. I don't want to be too harsh because he's a club legend, but by any objective measurement, unless we pull off a comeback of proportions never seen before in the AFL, then it has to be his final season with the club. Because either what he's saying isn't right or the players aren't listening"

Round 11: Eagles by 4 (A)

Preview: "You'd expect them to be pumped up for this one. They'll think they have a chance, especially in Melbourne. But, despite Monday's misery and our horrible losses at the start of the season, we have beaten every bad team we have faced. Well, there was the Port debacle, but they looked half-decent at that stage. Regardless of our lack of form, pace, desire, intensity or pressure, we should prevail."

Recap: "In my mind it was the very first time this year that the team really dug deep, backs against the wall, undermanned and pulled out the 'W'. We started oh so poorly. 4 goals to zip. I thought the worse. I remembered this loss. But we steadied, showed resolve, stuck around and eventually, as time ebbed away, stole a win...Now, onto the negatives. The game saw an unwelcome continuation of all of the problems which have plagued our team throughout the year...But most of all, and here's the scary part, the Saints are 2-9."

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Some might say the heart-stopping win against the Roos was worthy of note. But personally, I think that it was more of a reflection of North's frailties than any great resolve on our behalf.

No, we're a team with huge issues relating to the very basics of the game; poor foot skills, abysmal work-rate, real lack of pressure and costly goal-kicking.

Can they sort it out in the space of 1.5 weeks? Only time will tell. But I do know this: if we don't improve, we won't make the finals. Hell, we would be lucky to win 2-3 games.

oh man...so ugly and not just the pixelation

 But besides this atrocious run of games, there's plenty else to watch for the remainder of the season:

John Worsfold's Future

I can't help but think it's Worsfold's last season for the club. It wouldn't be a problem if we were playing well. But the fact is, his reluctance to answer a simple question about whether he desires to coach RIGHT NOW surely must impact the mentality of an already struggling team. Of course, there will be no hard feelings which ever way this season finishes, but if it continues as stands there will be a bitter after taste to the Worsfold era.

Mark Lecras' Future

Yes, the Eagles have a few high profile free agents, but most of them aren't going anywhere (except for maybe retirement):

Dean Cox (unrestricted)
Andrew Embley (unrestricted)
Darren Glass (unrestricted)
Mark LeCras (restricted)
Mark Nicoski (unrestricted)
Adam Selwood (unrestricted)

No, its' the future of Lecras which has others interested.  I obviously want him to stay, despite his struggles this season. But, if he did leave, I can imagine a firestorm of hate, disdain, contempt, loathing for what will only be a money-driven move. Sure, most of that firestorm will emanate from this blog, but I wouldn't be alone. It wouldn't be like the Judd homecoming. We still harbour some resentment, but there was an understanding that Victoria is where his heart is. We also got his best years plus JJK in return. Lecras is in his prime, is West Australian and plays for a great club. There is no rationale but money.

Greats to Retire?

 I think Cox and Glass will play on. Both are still performing at a very high level and are very much needed. But Embley and Selwood aren't in the same position. For some time now they have been struggling with injuries, form or both. I, for one, don't think either is in our best 22. If they do call it a day, I hope they announce it before the end of the year so they can have a proper send-off.

 Give the Recruits a Chance

Regardless of our finals chances, it would be nice to see some more of the recruits of the past couple of seasons. Brad Dick has to play at some stage, otherwise it doesn't make sense to keep him on our list. Then there's Jamie Bennell and Cale Morton. If they're fit give them a chance. Finally, when Wellingham returns from his most recent injury, he must deliver. He was given plenty of money, before he self-sabotaged his season with trampoline antics. Time to deliver and repay the faith.

------

Quite a second-half of the season. We play Hawthorn next Friday night at the dome. I'm terrified. Absolutely terrified.
 

Round 11 Recap: Eagles still Alive as Maister-Bowl heads West

There is a pulse. It's weak; the Doctors are in the corner shaking their heads with solemnity. Outside the bedside window a Hawk menacingly circles the hospital, whilst a Bomber flies overhead carrying a cargo mostly consisting of suspicious looking pharmaceuticals.

But we are ALIVE! By THAT much. Let's start with the positives, shall we?

In my mind it was the very first time this year that the team really dug deep, backs against the wall, undermanned and pulled out the 'W'. We started oh so poorly. 4 goals to zip. I thought the worse. I remembered this loss. But we steadied, showed resolve, stuck around and eventually, as time ebbed away, stole a win.

I thought Blayne Wilson had a very impressive debut. He showed poise under pressure, marked well and displayed good kicking skills. E-Mac had a cameo down forward, kicking a gem from outside 50 plus, of course, the winner after Maister tripped over. Darling kicked 3, whilst Priddis chipped in with a vital 2 goals in the last quarter. I thought Embley also showed some form up forward.

A hard-fought, extremely difficult and well-deserved win. Anyone who tries to argue that umpiring gave us the win are fools. Fools or Victorians.

Now, onto the negatives. The game saw an unwelcome continuation of all of the problems which have plagued our team throughout the year. We started the game lethargically, 4 goals to zip. We turned the ball over ad-nauseum to the extent that Scott Selwood ruined a fast break by directly handballing the ball to a Saint. It took the entire game to claim the lead.

But most of all, and here's the scary part, the Saints are 2-9. They are probably the 3rd worst team. I know they've put in some good performances. But I'm extremely concerned that in 2 weeks time, at the same venue, against the Hawks, that we will lose by 10 goals. Not to mention all the tough games following that potential nightmare.

It's the bye now though. Let's hope the team can improve and quickly.

I'll probably post a mid-season recap/preview over the weekend. It may be extremely painful and scary but I'll soldier on.

Round 11 Preview: Nothing to Gain, Plenty to Lose in Maister-Bowl

There's one week until the bye. Usually, we see the bye as an opportunity for players to rest, relax and recharge for the season's final stretch. But this year, it takes on some importance. It will need to be a period in which the coaches and players work out how to play competitive football again.

But that's in a week's time. We face the Saints this week at Etihad. I see the game as one where a lot could go wrong and little right. Even a win will be dismissed by most, probably including me, as another victory against a poor team. By the same token, a loss would be catastrophic. Not just in terms of ladder position, but in terms of confidence for the future.

I don't think we will lose. The Saints are a poor outfit. The coach can't decide whether they're rebuilding, ageing stars are nearing the end and their young players are so-so. Yet they have shown a capacity to be competitive at times. They defeated Carlton. They pushed the Pies and Swans. Their last 2 weeks, however, have stripped their season of any real meaning with losses against the Dogs and Roos.

You'd expect them to be pumped up for this one. They'll think they have a chance, especially in Melbourne. But, despite Monday's misery and our horrible losses at the start of the season, we have beaten every bad team we have faced. Well, there was the Port debacle, but they looked half-decent at that stage. Regardless of our lack of form, pace, desire, intensity or pressure, we should prevail.

It has been a strange week for the club. John Worsfold gave a snarky press conference in which he refused to answer whether he still had the 'desire' to coach. I don't know about you, but I find that rather disturbing. When a team has appeared disinterested for large swathes of a season the last thing you want to see is a non-committal coach. This is beginning to appear like the end of an era...

He was also asked about Lecras' form to which he replied "break your arm and then try and play football". Okay, but should he be playing then if he's still struggling with his arm? He really hasn't offered much at all since returning. But alas! He's been left out of Sunday's game. As has Darren Glass.

St Kilda
B: Dylan Roberton, James Gwilt, Jack Newnes
HB: Sean Dempster, Rhys Stanley, Nathan Wright
C: Jarryn Geary, Nick Dal Santo, Jimmy Webster
HF: Farren Ray, Nick Riewoldt, David Armitage
F: Stephen Milne, Beau Maister, Tom Hickey
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Leigh Montagna, Jack Steven
Int: Trent Dennis-Lane, Sam Dunell, Sebastian Ross, Clinton Jones
In: B.Maister, C.Jones, T.Dennis-Lane, S.Dunell
Out: S.Fisher (foot), J.Ferguson, Arryn Siposs, Ahmed Saad

West Coast
B: Blayne Wilson, Eric Mackenzie, Sam Butler
HB: Shannon Hurn, Mitchell Brown, Matt Rosa
C: Adam Selwood, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr
HF: Ashton Hams, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Dean Cox, Josh Kennedy, Josh Hill
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey
Int:  Brad Sheppard, Andrew Embley, Andrew Gaff, Jacob Brennan
In: A.Hams, J.Brennan, B.Wilson
Out: D.Glass (hip), M.LeCras (arm), Mark Hutchings

 Blayne Wilson will make his debut. Needless to say, I don't know anything about him. Well, except that he's a human being of the male gender, who uses one of his feet to kick the ball and two hands to mark. Hams and Brennan also return.

Finally, it would be amiss not to mention the fact that this is the Maister-Bowl. We were devastated when the man formerly known as Beau (I literally forgot his former surname).....Wilkes snubbed us for the Saints. Part of the exemplary class of 2008, he played a spell-binding 20 games for the club, kicking a record-haul of 1 goals and contributing to an era which will never be forgotten.

Let's hope the guys can hoist the Maister-Bowl high at the end of the day.

Round 10 Recap: The Very Definition of Mediocre...in Slow-motion.

It wasn't a 'shock'. Nor was it an 'upset'. Not when you consider our season as a whole. We may have embarrassed minnows like GWS, Melbourne, Brisbane, WB and lucked a win against solid but mentally weak North. But on every occasion that we've been put under pressure, we've folded.

What's worse is that we've been humiliated at home 3 times now. This was the worst as we allowed a team that 'may' make the 8 completely obliterate us.

I have to admit that I wasn't devastated by last night's game. I think I've kind of mentally already given this season away. I was angry after the Carlton loss and savage after the Port meltdown. But when the hearts of your players clearly aren't in it, can fans really be expected to pretend that everything is cool? I think not.

There's two possibilities to why we're 5-5. Firstly, the success of the past 2 seasons was built on a particular style which the league has now found a way to nullify. Plus, maybe the standard of the AFL has improved and we've been swept back to the middle. I'm no expert, nor do I want to be one (they mainly speak crap), but I don't believe this is the case.

No, what seems more probable is that the team just doesn't have the same passion, intensity or hunger that it did. Sure, it may also be a matter of deficiency in the middle of the park. But we're simply being outworked. We're playing in slow-mo.

Who to blame? The players? Yep. They're payed obscene amounts of money. Some don't take it seriously and bounce on trampolines during their spare time (plus also buy a mighty fine pair of specs, judging from what I saw from Welly in the coaches box). Others, who actually play more than 3 games, are content with getting cheap stats, or taking a cool mark here or there. There's no heart, and because this club means so much to so many, it's a massive slap in the face.

I think Kerr said it best:

"Who cares about finals if we play like that."

But, the coach is also in the cross hairs. He may be baffled, but I find that...baffling. This especially:

"You can put it down as one of those nights but we have got to be better than that."

The fact is that the team is sliding away and Worsfold has been pretty passive. No real changes, very much a wait and see approach.
I don't want to be too harsh because he's a club legend, but by any objective measurement, unless we pull off a comeback of proportions never seen before in the AFL, then it has to be his final season with the club.

Because either what he's saying isn't right or the players aren't listening.

And as the Dockers look better every week, the ticker above this post nearing its end,  you have to say we're fast becoming irrelevant.

Round 10 Preview: Eagles Heading for 5 in a Row

It's been a long time between games. Over 2 weeks. 16 days to be precise. I know we performed a training clinic last weekend, but in terms of an actual contest it's been a while.

The Tigers should provide that contest. Like us they are 5-4. They've beaten Port, Melbourne, WB, Carlton and St Kilda. They've lost to Freo, Geelong, Essendon and Collingwood. Sound familiar? They've lost every real challenge they have faced, whilst playing convincing football against weaker teams. To be fair, they could have won the Fremantle game. But you don't get points for could have. If you did, then we would be 7-2.

In terms of their team, they're very solid down back. Although I don't think any backline matches up well against our forward line, the Tigers backline is generally fairly good. Maybe a little undersized, but they have a good balance of young and experienced defenders. Up forward, in my mind, they're still overly reliant on the 'man' with a face like a 6 year old and emotional maturity to match.

.....

To be fair he did kick a few goals against us a few years ago, but since then he really hasn't done much at all. Infact, he's probably best known for his impassioned plea for the rights of his people.

Jack "Gingers Have Souls" Riewoldt

The real strength of the Tigers and my biggest concern is the midfield. Cotchin, Deledio and Martin headline a quick, powerful and skilled unit. If they play with flair and confidence they could really stretch us. Yet, nothing they've done in big matches this season suggests they will win. They played a horribly boring, staccato style last week. It's like someone told them the 'Dreamtime' game means you have to send spectators to sleep.

Two senior Eagles return in Selwood and Embley whilst Dalziell and Brennan are omitted. I would've thought Waters would return, but I guess he was actually injured...and not in a 'GWS-injured' sense.

West Coast
B: Eric Mackenzie, Darren Glass, Sam Butler
HB: Shannon Hurn, Mitchell Brown, Matt Rosa
C: Andrew Gaff, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr
HF: Mark LeCras, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Dean Cox, Josh Kennedy, Josh Hill
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey
Int (from): Patrick McGinnity, Mark Hutchings, Brad Sheppard, Andrew Embley, Bradd Dalziell, Adam Selwood, Jacob Brennan
In: Andrew Embley, Adam Selwood
Out: Dalziell (lack of zeal) Brennan (omitted)

Richmond
B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Bachar Houli
HB: Chris Newman, Troy Chaplin, Nick Vlastuin
C: Shaun Grigg, Trent Cotchin, Daniel Jackson
HF: Sam Lonergan, Shane Edwards, Jake King
F: Tyrone Vickery, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin
Foll: Ivan Maric, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley
Int (from): Aaron Edwards, Matt White, Matthew Arnot, Brad Helbig, Jake Batchelor, Matt Dea, David Astbury
In: Aaron Edwards, Matthew Arnot, Brad Helbig, Matt Dea, David Astbury
Out: Robin Nahas (Omitted), Luke McGuane (Omitted)

Did you know?

The Eagles have played 37 times against the Tigers, winning 23.  

 We've won 4 in a row to claw back to 5-4. I agree with the coach that we must win this and next week's clash against the woeful Saints to have any slim, distant chance of winning a premiership. But I think these next 2 weeks are more about boosting our top 8 chances. I've already written about our difficult second half of the season. It's after the bye where we will see if we're good enough to challenge for a premiership.

Or to put it another way, win the next 2 and we have a statistical chance to win the premiership. Whether that chance is purely statistical remains to be seen.

But in the meantime, let's hope the team can continue to build confidence and really blow the Tigers away.