Poll Results: Readers Wanted Ben Cousins as New Eagles Coach; Blogger Regrets Making him an Option

A Whopping 41% of blog readers, from an overwhelming large response of...erm...12, wanted Ben Cousins to be coach. I imagine they were joking. I know I was when I voted for him.

Nic Nat didn't get a look in, which will surely make his summer a time for reflection and soul searching.

On a serious note though, I did sense some sympathy/disappointment for Sumich, who continues to be overlooked as a coaching candidate. I wasn't one of them. As I referred to in this post, he was a bit of a jerk to me when I met him. Surely, that should have precluded him from the outset right?

I will shortly post a new poll, which will ask what is a satisfactory result in terms of ladder position for season 2014.

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.

Off-Season Musings: Simpson Beats Burns; Becomes Eagles' 6th Coach

Adam Simpson has been announced as the new Eagles coach for the next 3 seasons. He beat out a field which, while not in anyone world's stellar, was fairly experienced and well-credentialed. Peter Sumich and Scott Burns are the two unlucky ones. Sumich has been overlooked for years as a head-coaching candidate, whilst Burns has been highly-touted over the past few years.  From the outside it appears that the club wanted someone completely removed from the organisation. It's an understandable position to hold. After the unmitigated disaster and disappointment of season 2013, culminating in 3 of the worst losses in out history, change was necessary. It turns out that it comes not in the form of reform, but revolution.

Sumich was understandably miffed at being overlooked once again, questioning whether the board was merely a bunch of witless suits with dollar signs in their eyes. Okay, okay, what he implied was that the Freo board actually has people who understand football, not just the more corporate types. It's a fair criticism, and I've pointed to my own distrust/dislike of the board, but Sumich is obviously just suffering from sour grapes.

As for Burns, Simpson stated he wanted him to continue as an assistant. The club has also offered him a new contract. It would be unusual for an assistant who fails at becoming head coach to continue in an assistant position. It would be especially unusual considering the antipathy between Simpson and Burns. Here I have exclusive footage of a chance meeting between the two in the erm...Chairman's Suite at Subiaco. Yes, that'll do.

 Simpson had his first press conference today, in which he appeared a very measured guy and very happy with the opportunity. He said all the customary things about 'admiring the club from afar'...blah blah blah. He didn't, however, really commit to saying anything definitive about what he thinks of the list. 

Is this a good appointment? Who knows. We'll see in 3 years. Although, really, we need to see improvement in effort next season. But for now, congratulations to Adam. It's a great honour to be a coach of this club. It's an honour and huge responsibility. Good luck to him.

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In other news;

 

- Kerr will reportedly make a firm decision regarding playing on after speaking to the new coach.

- Brisbane's Elliot Yeo will probably join the Eagles via trade next week. He could be okay, but it's not something I can get excited about.

- In other, less substantiated, more complete BS news, most sourced from AFL Trade Radio:

            - Hawthorn want Darling, Melbourne want Shuey and Sheppard wants out.

Off-Season Musings: Gone in a Woosh! Worsfold Resigns; Nic Nat Endorses Burns

It has been a week now since John Worsfold resigned as Coach. The greatest contributor in the club's history, our 1 and only true icon, playing a leadership role in all 3 premierships (you get them when you win things Freo fans) called it quits after 12 years at the club.

I did start writing this post last Thursday, but I was feeling rather rudderless at that stage. But the dust has (relatively) settled now, so here we go.

Worsfold resigned. It appears of his own volition. One 'expert', quite probably full of crap, implies that he was pushed due to player unease.

I'm a cynical person by nature. But I don't see any evidence that Worsfold was given an ultimatum.

Although it did appear strange that he wasn't at the press conference, Worsfold released a statement outlining his decision:

"I have come to that decision around the fact I shouldn't do the job if I don't have the energy to give it absolutely everything; that wouldn't be the right thing for the club and basically that's where it got to.
It's not the right thing for me or for the club. The players will feel it, the staff will feel it, if the senior coach is not warts and all in. And that means emotionally you have to be right in, you have to be all over everything.
It has been in the back of my mind and I have been convincing myself that at the end of the season there's less intensity, you'll rekindle all the energy, you'll have a break and you'll be up and going again, but I just think it's time now.
I think I could do that, but I don’t want to have that doubt. There are plenty of people out there who are ready for this opportunity. This club will give them a wonderful opportunity.
My time is done as coach of this footy club. I couldn't have had a better time, I couldn't have asked for any more. I certainly couldn't have given any more."

So, as has been self-evident since the start of the season, the man does not have the passion nor energy anymore. It's been a strange season. He started off looking disinterested. He then shocked everyone by saying he wanted to coach on. Now, he has shocked everyone again by resigning.

But all that does not matter now. It's time to reflect on what an amazing person Worsfold has been for the Eagles. He may have ended his tenure on a very sour note on the field, with 3 of the worst losses you'll ever see, yet his overall record stacks up very well:

Coaching career
West Coast senior coach: 2002-2013
Games coached: 281
Games won: 149
Games lost: 130
Drawn: 2
Premierships: 1

Honours: premiership coach 2006

He built us up twice, from nothing, to premiers on one occasion and to a finals outfit on the other. He has been a superb leader, both on and off the field. You never got any hysterics from John. No moping like the Scotts, no abusing umpires at a kids game like 'Clarko', no jerkishness like Malthouse.

He has been an upstanding member of the organisation. He leaves a huge hole to fill, as coach and icon. He was loved by players and fans alike.

But all things must end. He made the right decision to quit, in that, if the desire wasn't there, the results would be atrocious. We saw that this season. But I say thanks to John and all the great things he has done for the club.

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Now where for the club?
- Burns?
- Sumich?
- Adam Simpson?
- Voss!?

These are names that have been mentioned. Naitanui endorsed Scott Burns. Not that you put much stock in that. He knows Burns, they're probably friendly, what else would he say?

In my opinion, the options are wholly uninspiring. If I was forced to choose, I'd pick Burns. He's highly regarded, he seems well liked by players and would hit the ground running. Conversely, the fact he was part of the system may count against him. He has been the midfield coach of a group which has been mediocre at best. The club may also want a complete clean out.

As for Sumich...not my type of fellow. It's personal in his case: I met him when I was a kid and he was rather on the rude side. Plus, doesn't he love the Dockers or something? I think the ship has sailed on this one.

Like Burns, Simpson is a well-regarded assistant at the Hawks. It's impossible for us to now his quality, but working under that angry gnome may be a good thing.

Then there is Voss. Out of all those mentioned, Voss would be the one I would be most afraid of.  Contrary to what the AFL media has been running about him being 'unfairly dealt with', the facts are these:

Games Coached: 109
Wins: 43
Losses: 65
Win %: 39.4%

The man had a decent first season, before absolutely wrecking the club with disastrous trading decisions. The man traded for Fevola...and Staker! Following that his teams have been the definition of mediocre at best. I think the Lions board did the right thing in firing him and we would be fools to give him a second chance.

So overall, we aren't in good shape. Regardless of who gets the gig, there are huge problems with our team. Putting aside the gameplan, effort and intensity issues, the talent deficit is obvious. The midfield isn't good enough, we are lacking an elite crumber and our backline looked especially vulnerable as the season ended.

Who do you want to be our new coach? Vote in the poll in the above right.

Off-Season Musings: Kerr-tains for Daniel the Eagle-hearted

Daniel Kerr has now officially retired. Kerr will join the list which has doubled in recent days to include Adam Selwood, Mark Nicoski, Andrew Embley, Ashton Hams and Brad Dick in hanging up the boots.

With all due respect to 250 gamer Embley and the tireless Selwood (and Dick who played a memorable...erm...ah...let me get my abacus...0 games) Kerr easily headlines that group.

As I remarked earlier in the year, after a completely unfathomable, unjustified and unfair attack on Kerr by Worsfold, I consider him one of the real giants in our history. 

He debuted in 2001 and as I recall he had hair. Beyond his follicles, I think it was clear from his early days that he was a player with exquisite skills, damaging pace and goal kicking ability.

But to me, his extraordinary talent, precision and vision were merely the superficial beauty of number 4. It was the man's toughness, his tenacity in the bottom of the pack and his ability to fight and never give up which will etch his name into the history books.

For me, his amazing goals are great. But that last-ditch tackle to ensure victory against the evil Swans in 2007 will live forever in my memory. 

 

Yes, we shouldn't forget the dark days. He wasn't a Saint off the field in his early days. Not that he was bad as the 'Saints' or anything, but he did partly  contribute to an unsavoury culture. He also endured a horror 3 year run, from 2008-10 where he was seemingly suspended or injured every other week. But I see those times as a reflection of the state of the club.

Source: Fanfooty

 In fact, I'd go further to say that the fact he stuck it out is admirable. I remember there were rumours of interest from Carlton (apparently the Juddas was willing to take a paycut) but Kerr wanted to stay an Eagle and he did.

He may have never won the Brownlow, finishing 2nd twice, but out of the big 3, Kerr is the Eagles Legend. There is no but after that statement. He stuck with the club whilst others left us for various reasons which aren't necessary to repeat here.

In 2011, there was the Kerr-surgence, as he played a critical role in lifting the Eagles from last to a preliminary final.

His final season wasn't great, but he was far from the worst player on the team. We were always better with him than without him. Unfortunately his body finally seems to have abandoned him, as he clearly had the desire to play on.

It's also a little unfortunate that his last game was against Essendon, a match which will not be remembered for his departure. On the other hand, I attended that game, a moment in our history and now the closing chapter in an illustrious career.

Thanks Kerr-y: Star, Legend, Eagle.