Or 'the one where the Eagles Lose to a Team that shouldn't be playing, in a fixture that should never have been scheduled.'
It's always hard to lose. Especially at home. Especially when your season depends on it. Especially when you've lost 4 at home already.
But what I can't stomach, this is no joke, is having to endure losing to a pack of morally bankrupt, cheating, defiant fools. Surely this charade of Essendon being somehow a viable club this season must end. Surely a man who goes on national TV and says "I took a banned substance" can't then play 2 days later. It's making a mockery of the game.
As for Boo-gate, well I booed Jobe. I bloody enjoyed it too. And I'd do it again. He has shown contempt for the football public, as has Essendon, as has the useless, weak-willed AFL.
Then there's the fools in the media who condemned us for booing. Fans boo for all reasons. They boo players that used to be on their team. They boo players that have hurt one of their guys. They even sometimes boo the best players on the other team...just 'cause. No, this booing was far more justified than any of the above scenarios. I don't know Watson, I'm not booing the person. I'm booing the fact that he's playing, that he's been allowed to play after his admission on Monday night.
So to Richo, Darcy and all the rest, how do you justify condemning fans who are merely reacting to an unjust situation, whilst celebrating a man who admitted to taking a banned substance and stubbornly said "I don't feel guilty"? We shouldn't expect any less though, should we? It's still the VFL, always has been, always will be. That includes the media, nearly all former players who will blindly support the current players no matter the circumstances. The fact that they have the collective brain power and independent thought of...erm...an Essendon player recklessly signing a consent form, shouldn't be lost either. Remember Richo is the guy who thinks that there's more space between the goal-posts the lower they are to the ground.
As for Essendon, it seems bizarre to me that Watson, Hird and the rest think that by 'succeeding' on the field, their behaviour off field is somehow made good. Not at all. It merely masks the truth for Bombers fans, who, in all their naivety, don't understand that their team has let them down.
Then there's the AFL. The league that let's an admitted cheat play the next week. Let's a team that at the least has bought the game into disrepute play on.
But my main problem with the AFL is this: Why, in your infinite wisdom, did you schedule a game on a Thursday night? Why did the Eagles have to play the best team the week before, in Victoria, on a Friday Night? Why, do the seemingly untouchable Bombers get to come off a bye to play this Thursday night fiasco? Greed, ratings, money. That's all that matters.
Anyone, who thinks this fixturing inequity didn't effect the game isn't thinking. The game came down to the final minutes and clearly the Bombers were the fresher, the ones with more run in their (needle-marked) legs.
-----
But screw that crap.
Let's talk about us. I merely wanted to put our performance (and the result) in the context above.
Essendon will get theirs and then I'll post a celebratory toast to the vanquished.
We're not good enough. Not tonight, not this season. As I was waiting outside the ground about 5:10, I saw Luke Shuey arriving at the ground. My heart sank. I honestly thought we couldn't win without him, not with the other missing players.
But, to be fair, although it looked very bad very early, we played some very good football after that. We pretty much dominated the next couple of quarters. Our midfield held up very well without Wellingham, Selwood and Shuey. I thought Priddis was outstanding. All over, in fact it was a very solid effort.
However, despite all that I said above, we still should've won. We had chance after chance to push the margin higher in the 3rd quarter. Naitanui missed an easy set shot. Lecras tried a few miracle shots throughout the game. Darling missed a sitter, for some reason running away from the goal, in the last. Our goalkicking again came back to haunt us. Not having Hurn kicking the ball 70 metres, hurt us.
But what really cost us, and this was one of the most frustrating aspects of the game, was the atrocious, abysmal, unforgiveable decision making in the backline. NEVER kick back or sideways unless your teammate is wide open. I don't how many goals they scored after turnovers, but it was significant. Then there was that kick-in in the 3rd quarter. Please just bomb it long if there's nothing on. Don't mess around with short kicks. It was astoundingly poor.
There were a couple of players who were especially bad last night. Waters, like last week, is failing to adjust after his return; too slow in making decisions and bad kicking. Rosa, I think, is struggling mightily. And Sheppard, oh man, there was nothing good about this Sheppard last night.
The effort was there, the intensity was pretty much there. Unfortunately, it's too late in the season for that to count for much.
We're now 6-7. We lost a total of 7 games last season. Whichever way you look at it, whatever the reasons for this record, 2013 has to be considered an abject failure.
Adelaide next week. Then Freo. Then Sydney.
Friday, 28 June 2013
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Round 14 Preview: Season on Line as Eagles face Tainted Club on Borrowed Time
Yes, it's do or die this Thursday night at Subiaco. I know I've being saying that pretty much every week since the Port debacle, but this really is IT. Lose another game at home (that would make it 5) and another one against a top 8 team (that would make it 5), one against a genetically modified team (that would make it 1) and we can kiss this season goodbye.
It wouldn't be a loving kiss either. This season has been nothing but a massive jerk to us (and us to it). Debilitating injuries, added to this week with Hurn and Selwood pretty much done, a coach that doesn't know if he has the passion, an indifferent playing group and now...a poorly balanced and blatantly unfair fixture.
It's worth noting that after travelling East to play the Hawks on a Friday night, the Eagles had a mere 6 days to fly home, recover and face the fully rested (although at Windy Hill who knows) Bombers off their bye.
Is there a reason for such stupidity? Is there a reason or any justification for ever having a Thursday night game? Not that it's an excuse. It's just unfortunate.
As for the game, it'll be tough. As tough as an interview by ASADA? Probably not. As tough as being used as a lab-rat by the maniacal Dr D? Nah. As tough as the rhino hide smuggled in from Zimbabwe, doused in Gypsy tears, mixed with elk wisdom and intravenously fed to certain members of the Bomber's coaching staff. Wouldn't think so.
You know I heard (from the voice inside my head) that instead of spraying first gamers with powerade after games, Essendon players actually drenched debutantes with magical formula made from incandescent goat's hoof that was meant to make them run faster. Plus, it's common knowledge that Bombers officials have been secretly acquiring Fletcher's DNA for 7 years and putting it in other players Wheaties to make them live forever. Of course, that's 'Fletcher the 4th's' DNA, as the original retired back in 2002. But his clones continue to prosper.
Then there's Jobe. Jobe the Captain. Jobe the Brownlow medallist. Jobe the self-confessed 'accidental' cheat. The very fact that he's allowed to play in this game is an affront to the league. He also needs to hand his medal back, or the AFL needs to take it back. WADA and ASADA have both made it clear: strict liability on banned substances. The fact that he says "I didn't know" is no excuse. Although in many respects the club and the hierarchy (read James 'Jesus/Saint/amateur chemist enthusiast' Hird) bare more responsibility. I honestly think the Bombers should be stripped of all Premiership points this season.
But I digress. The Bombers, as they stand, so constituted, until the findings of a certain investigation are handed down, have a very strong team. The strongest since probably the early 2000s. It seems they've finally managed to get over their tendency for mid-season slumps. They've grabbed great come-from-behind wins over Freo and Carlton, easily accounted for the Tigers and upset the Pies and Crows. Perhaps stemming from their perception that it's 'us against the world' (when really they should be on the world's side) they've displayed great mental strength over the first 12 weeks. There was the slip up against the Lions, but it happens: see Cats.
No, this aint the Bombers of recent memory. Youngtsers like whatshisface...um...defender guy, the addition of money-bags Goddard and the continuing development of others have been pivotal. Jake Carlyle! That's who I meant. And how about Hibberd? That kid got mighty buff mighty quick didn't he? Some might say unnaturally quickly...but not me.
There's quite a few changes, all expected except for Wilson who has been omitted. Tunbridge makes his debut. Joe Daniher has been left out, which is a shame because that's one Bombers player who probably deserves to be playing, not having been subjected to pharmacological acupuncture last season.
West Coast Eagles
IN: Simon Tunbridge, Mark Hutchings, Brad Sheppard, Ashley Smith
OUT: Blayne Wilson (Omitted), Andrew Embley (Suspension), Shannon Hurn (Ankle), Scott Selwood (thumb)
Essendon FC (R.I.P)
IN: Tom Bellchambers, Courtenay Dempsey
OUT: Joe Daniher (Omitted), Heath Hocking (Calf)
What gives me hope is two-fold. Firstly, it was undoubtedly our best performance last week. Pressure, effort, intensity. It was all there. The losses of Hurn and Selwood hurt, but players must step-in and step-up. No excuses.
Secondly, history. It may be meaningless but it's worth noting. Over our illustrious 26 year history, the Bombers have beaten us twice at Subiaco. That's 2 out of 15. It's an impressive record for us and hopefully it continues. We desperately need to reassert our home ground dominance to save this season.
Because frankly, even though the Bombers are a good team, without this win there's little chance of securing enough games to make the finals.
I'm heading to this one, which makes me think we'll win, but it really is a 50-50 proposition. Let's hope the crowd gives the team the edge and we get the job done.
LET'S GO EAGLES!!!
Monday, 24 June 2013
News: Lecras Gives Finger to Free Agency; Selwood, Hurn face long lay-offs
As you've undoubtedly heard by now, Mark Lecras has committed to the club for a further 4 years, essentially meaning he'll be a 1 club player.
For a while there it seemed that he was going to wait until the end of the season to sign something...somewhere.
Then, rather acidly during Friday night's game, I tweeted:
"Lecras might want to sign a contract soon, his value is decreasing every time he takes a set shot."
I'm not saying I inspired him to sign on, but there may be some element of truth to why he signed now. His injury problems over the last couple of seasons have been well documented. Now his form, especially in front of goal, has been nowhere near his former best.
Of course I'm happy that he's staying, but I just hope we see the best of a very talented player.
Now the bad news. Shannon Hurn is out for 9-10 weeks with an ankle injury and Scott Selwood 6-8 weeks with a broken thumb. Hurn is the better player, but due to our dearth of depth in the midfield, Selwood's absence may be felt more.
A tough stretch just got that much tougher, with just 2 days until the must-win Essendon clash.
P.S Embley was offered 1 week.
For a while there it seemed that he was going to wait until the end of the season to sign something...somewhere.
Then, rather acidly during Friday night's game, I tweeted:
"Lecras might want to sign a contract soon, his value is decreasing every time he takes a set shot."
I'm not saying I inspired him to sign on, but there may be some element of truth to why he signed now. His injury problems over the last couple of seasons have been well documented. Now his form, especially in front of goal, has been nowhere near his former best.
Of course I'm happy that he's staying, but I just hope we see the best of a very talented player.
Now the bad news. Shannon Hurn is out for 9-10 weeks with an ankle injury and Scott Selwood 6-8 weeks with a broken thumb. Hurn is the better player, but due to our dearth of depth in the midfield, Selwood's absence may be felt more.
A tough stretch just got that much tougher, with just 2 days until the must-win Essendon clash.
P.S Embley was offered 1 week.
Friday, 21 June 2013
Round 13 Recap: There are no Honourable Losses, except for this one.
There's no such thing as honourable losses. It's just something the losers say to make themselves feel better. But, there are exceptions to every rule. This game was one.
Let's put this 20 point loss to the Hawks in context. Not only have we not won a game against a top 8 team, we haven't been competitive. The Hawks aren't just any marginal finals team. They are the premiership favourite. On a 10 game winning streak.
We pushed them from the first bounce until the final siren. For the first time this season, we showed intensity, pressure, power and above all PASSION.
At various times, it looked like the more polished Hawks would totally run away with the game. But, against everything that has gone before, we refused to give in.
Yes, there were still knee-buckling turnovers, still players hopelessly out of form (e.g. Waters, Rosa, Brown) and what looks like a very scary achilles injury to Hurn. But, this was our best performance of the season by a considerable margin.
Although it was very much a team effort, there were standout performances. Kennedy continued to show that he is the leading full forward in the competition. He kicked 5 goals, took 10 grabs and laid 8 tackles. The much vaunted 'Buddy' had 2 goals, 4 frees against, and 33 stupid scowls at the umpires. He also slowed down a red-hot Nic Nat, by 'accidentally' elbowing him in the face. Nic Nat's goal in the first though was thing of legends. Simply astounding. Franklin also hurt Shuey, whilst Hodge clipped Selwood in a typically Hodge tackle (lauded by the salivating fools at the Seven network). Although I'm not a great fan of our midfield; Shuey, Selwood, Gaff and Masten all played very well and with great heart. Gaff in particular, showed off his silky skills, for once breaking free from his tag.
On a sour note, Andrew Embley may have played his final game. He didn't have any influence during the game. Except for the event which will no doubt leave him sidelined for at least a few weeks. It was the action of a frustrated player, a guy past his prime. For all the hand wringing of the commentators, at least he didn't king-hit anyone like a certain ex-full forward. Embley was stupid, Hall was nigh-criminal (nothing nigh about it in reality).
Another source of frustration was the general frailty and vulnerability of the usually stable backline. The Hawks seemed likely to score every time they went near their 50 m line. But, considering the firepower of the Hawks I can't see this becoming a major source of concern for the club.
We're now 6-6. It's still a loss, but one that makes me feel mildly positive about the future. I hope it's not a one off, a brief flicker of hope to be quickly extinguished. But we'll find out very soon, as we host the pharmacologically engineered Bombers (now 100% drug free*) on Thursday night. Play like we did tonight and we'll be every chance to win that game.
*The coaches that is, the players on the other hand...
Let's put this 20 point loss to the Hawks in context. Not only have we not won a game against a top 8 team, we haven't been competitive. The Hawks aren't just any marginal finals team. They are the premiership favourite. On a 10 game winning streak.
We pushed them from the first bounce until the final siren. For the first time this season, we showed intensity, pressure, power and above all PASSION.
At various times, it looked like the more polished Hawks would totally run away with the game. But, against everything that has gone before, we refused to give in.
Yes, there were still knee-buckling turnovers, still players hopelessly out of form (e.g. Waters, Rosa, Brown) and what looks like a very scary achilles injury to Hurn. But, this was our best performance of the season by a considerable margin.
Although it was very much a team effort, there were standout performances. Kennedy continued to show that he is the leading full forward in the competition. He kicked 5 goals, took 10 grabs and laid 8 tackles. The much vaunted 'Buddy' had 2 goals, 4 frees against, and 33 stupid scowls at the umpires. He also slowed down a red-hot Nic Nat, by 'accidentally' elbowing him in the face. Nic Nat's goal in the first though was thing of legends. Simply astounding. Franklin also hurt Shuey, whilst Hodge clipped Selwood in a typically Hodge tackle (lauded by the salivating fools at the Seven network). Although I'm not a great fan of our midfield; Shuey, Selwood, Gaff and Masten all played very well and with great heart. Gaff in particular, showed off his silky skills, for once breaking free from his tag.
On a sour note, Andrew Embley may have played his final game. He didn't have any influence during the game. Except for the event which will no doubt leave him sidelined for at least a few weeks. It was the action of a frustrated player, a guy past his prime. For all the hand wringing of the commentators, at least he didn't king-hit anyone like a certain ex-full forward. Embley was stupid, Hall was nigh-criminal (nothing nigh about it in reality).
Another source of frustration was the general frailty and vulnerability of the usually stable backline. The Hawks seemed likely to score every time they went near their 50 m line. But, considering the firepower of the Hawks I can't see this becoming a major source of concern for the club.
We're now 6-6. It's still a loss, but one that makes me feel mildly positive about the future. I hope it's not a one off, a brief flicker of hope to be quickly extinguished. But we'll find out very soon, as we host the pharmacologically engineered Bombers (now 100% drug free*) on Thursday night. Play like we did tonight and we'll be every chance to win that game.
*The coaches that is, the players on the other hand...
Round 13 Preview: Streaks Must End Here.
Rewind back to Round 2. We'd lost the Derby after a disastrous second half. The Hawks flew over to Perth after yet another disappointing loss to the Cats. It was considered a potential grand final preview. Then the game happened. It was a beat down of epic proportions.
That was the start of a 10 game winning streak for the Hawks. It was the start of an atrocious run for us from which we still haven't recovered.
For us to be any slim, forlorn hope in this one, both streaks must end. I'm going to be honest, I would be shocked if we pulled this off.
We've struggled against the best sides over East even when we were rolling in the past 2 seasons. Right now, we're an extremely mediocre side. Meanwhile, the Hawks are as strong as they ever have been.
By the same token, we'll have no excuses but our own ineptitude if we do get crushed. We're coming off a bye, during which you'd think the coaches would've tried to address our litany of issues. We should be rested, recharged and refocused.
We also have, essentially, our best team available. The big guns absent from the clash against the morally repugnant Saints return; Glass, Waters, Lecras, Kennedy. You don't get four bigger names. Hill's the only notable exclusion, who after playing nearly every game since crossing from the Dogs, misses with a hamstring injury. Cripps, Shephard, Brennan and Hams continue to maintain their status as fringe players, whilst Selwood has an old man's back. It's also good to see McG return, if only because I can use his epic nickname again. He's also a fairly solid and reliable cog in the machine.
In good news, Cyril Rioli doesn't return. So it's only Franklin, Hodge, Mitchell, Burgoyne, Roughead and Lewis to worry about....
Hawthorn
B: Ben Stratton, Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
HB: Grant Birchall, Josh Gibson, Luke Hodge
C: Shane Savage, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Paul Puopolo, Lance Franklin, Jordan Lewis
F: David Hale, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust
Foll: Max Bailey, Brad Sewell, Shaun Burgoyne
Int: Liam Shiels, Taylor Duryea, Jack Gunston, Jonathan Simpkin
Emerg: Kyle Cheney, Xavier Ellis, Matt Spangher
In: S.Savage
Out: I.Smith (corked calf)
West Coast
B: Sam Butler, Darren Glass, Mitchell Brown
HB: Shannon Hurn, Eric Mackenzie, Beau Waters
C: Andrew Gaff, Scott Selwood, Andrew Embley
HF: Luke Shuey, Josh Kennedy, Chris Masten
F: Mark LeCras, Dean Cox, Jack Darling
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Matt Priddis, Daniel Kerr
Int: Blayne Wilson, Patrick McGinnity, Bradd Dalziell, Matt Rosa
Emerg: Brad Sheppard, Ashley Smith, Jacob Brennan
In: D.Glass, B.Waters, M.LeCras, J.Kennedy, B.Dalziell, P.McGinnity
Out: A.Selwood (back), J.Hill (hamstring), A.Hams, J.Brennan, B.Sheppard, J.Cripps
Let's put the result aside though. Although I hate the phrase 'honourable loss', if we play with the intensity, pressure, EFFORT that we did last year and just fall short, it would be a step forward. We have a damn hard run into the finals (which we may/may not be appearing in) but this is the toughest. If we show that our initiative has returned, all is not lost.
But we must show something, anything, or it will be a very long night.
-----
- In other news, part time game winner, full time defensive stalwart, E-Mac has signed on until 2017. We wait on Lecras.
- In other news, the Herald Sun (rag alert!) have posted this ridiculous article, including a picture of NicNat in a Demons guernsey. You could do this exercise with every team, so it's a bit cheap in my mind.
- Apparently we're not panicking over Worsfold's contract. I've said it before, but unless we improve dramatically over the rest of the way, I think we should (and will) part ways.
That was the start of a 10 game winning streak for the Hawks. It was the start of an atrocious run for us from which we still haven't recovered.
For us to be any slim, forlorn hope in this one, both streaks must end. I'm going to be honest, I would be shocked if we pulled this off.
We've struggled against the best sides over East even when we were rolling in the past 2 seasons. Right now, we're an extremely mediocre side. Meanwhile, the Hawks are as strong as they ever have been.
By the same token, we'll have no excuses but our own ineptitude if we do get crushed. We're coming off a bye, during which you'd think the coaches would've tried to address our litany of issues. We should be rested, recharged and refocused.
We also have, essentially, our best team available. The big guns absent from the clash against the morally repugnant Saints return; Glass, Waters, Lecras, Kennedy. You don't get four bigger names. Hill's the only notable exclusion, who after playing nearly every game since crossing from the Dogs, misses with a hamstring injury. Cripps, Shephard, Brennan and Hams continue to maintain their status as fringe players, whilst Selwood has an old man's back. It's also good to see McG return, if only because I can use his epic nickname again. He's also a fairly solid and reliable cog in the machine.
In good news, Cyril Rioli doesn't return. So it's only Franklin, Hodge, Mitchell, Burgoyne, Roughead and Lewis to worry about....
Hawthorn
B: Ben Stratton, Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
HB: Grant Birchall, Josh Gibson, Luke Hodge
C: Shane Savage, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Paul Puopolo, Lance Franklin, Jordan Lewis
F: David Hale, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust
Foll: Max Bailey, Brad Sewell, Shaun Burgoyne
Int: Liam Shiels, Taylor Duryea, Jack Gunston, Jonathan Simpkin
Emerg: Kyle Cheney, Xavier Ellis, Matt Spangher
In: S.Savage
Out: I.Smith (corked calf)
West Coast
B: Sam Butler, Darren Glass, Mitchell Brown
HB: Shannon Hurn, Eric Mackenzie, Beau Waters
C: Andrew Gaff, Scott Selwood, Andrew Embley
HF: Luke Shuey, Josh Kennedy, Chris Masten
F: Mark LeCras, Dean Cox, Jack Darling
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Matt Priddis, Daniel Kerr
Int: Blayne Wilson, Patrick McGinnity, Bradd Dalziell, Matt Rosa
Emerg: Brad Sheppard, Ashley Smith, Jacob Brennan
In: D.Glass, B.Waters, M.LeCras, J.Kennedy, B.Dalziell, P.McGinnity
Out: A.Selwood (back), J.Hill (hamstring), A.Hams, J.Brennan, B.Sheppard, J.Cripps
Let's put the result aside though. Although I hate the phrase 'honourable loss', if we play with the intensity, pressure, EFFORT that we did last year and just fall short, it would be a step forward. We have a damn hard run into the finals (which we may/may not be appearing in) but this is the toughest. If we show that our initiative has returned, all is not lost.
But we must show something, anything, or it will be a very long night.
-----
- In other news, part time game winner, full time defensive stalwart, E-Mac has signed on until 2017. We wait on Lecras.
- In other news, the Herald Sun (rag alert!) have posted this ridiculous article, including a picture of NicNat in a Demons guernsey. You could do this exercise with every team, so it's a bit cheap in my mind.
- Apparently we're not panicking over Worsfold's contract. I've said it before, but unless we improve dramatically over the rest of the way, I think we should (and will) part ways.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)