Keyser Soze
11 Jun 2007, 05:10
Since we've reached the halfway point of the season I thought that, despite our loss against the Bombers, it would be a good time to assess how our season has gone so far and our chances of going back to back.
Given the enforced absence of Cousins and the unavailability due to injury of Butler (11), Nicoski (11), Cox (3), Embley (7), Hansen (4), heck, even Fletcher and Graham to be sitting 2nd with an 8-3 record is pretty fair going, even though it is a step back from our 10-1 records of 2005 and 2006.
The positive side of having these players out has been the development of Priddis and Rosa, in particular, and to a lesser extent Hurn, Brown and Morton thanks to the extended game time they have been given as a result.
Unfortunately, our inaccuracy when shooting for goal has seen a drop in our scoring (Points for : 2005 - 1203, 2006 - 1144, 2007 - 1024) and needs to addressed if we are going to go deep into September.
Defensively, we have improved on last year (Points against : 2005 - 857, 2006 - 930, 2007 - 814) and have conceded less points than any team so far. All of our losses have come when we have conceded over 80 points.
Individually, I have given all the players who have played this year a ranking out of 10 for their performances so far. Games played in brackets.
Mitch Brown (5) - Excited all of us with his debut against Sydney, particularly his first half. Hasn't been able to make quite the same impact since but the signs are there that we could have a really outstanding CHF in the making. 5/10.
Mark LeCras (6) - Hasn't been able to translate WAFL form into the next level and has consequently been in and out of the side. Has been handy but will struggle for opportunities once others return from injury. 4/10.
Chris Judd (11) - What can you say, he's been Chris Judd. He has also looked more comfortable with the captaincy this year. I deducted half a point for not renewing his contract yet. 9/10.
Daniel Kerr (9) - Started brilliantly but has struggled with the extra attention from taggers his early form attracted. 8.5/10.
Tyson Stenglein (11) - Continues to be the quiet achiever and rarely has a bad game. His best work often goes unnoticed. 8/10.
Chad Fletcher (4) - Injured during the pre-season and had to force his way back through the WAFL. Played well on his return initially but slipped back to some bad habits against Essendon. 5/10.
Beau Waters (10) - Has been solid contributor in defence without being spectacular. Does his job but I thought he might have come on a little bit more than he has. Room for improvement which is good. 6.5/10.
Michael Braun (11) - Bit of a tough one is Brauny. He's had some very good games (Freo) but has gone missing in others (Bombers), but overall the good outweighs the bad. 7.5/10.
Matt Priddis (11) - Absolute revelation. Got his chance and has taken it with both hands. Continues to improve from week to week and has the scalps of West and Mitchell to his credit. Has taken Fletcher's spot in our best 22. It will be interesting to see how he handles the extra attention from taggers if it starts to come his way. 8/10.
Mitch Morton (4) - Has got the talent to be a top liner but remains to be seen if he has the attitude. Has the "potential" to be a real force and the game time he's getting now will hold him in good stead. The small forward spot is his for the taking. 5/10 .
Mark Seaby (11) - Often struggles to make an impact when Cox plays but steps up when asked to lead the ruck. Needs to find consistency and could be better utilised as a marking forward whilst Hansen is out. 5.5/10.
Daniel Chick (10) - Crowd favourite. Doesn't get a lot of the ball but raw stats don't accurately measure his impact. Was sorely missed against the Hawks and the coaching staff will have to manage him carefully due to wear and tear on his aging body. Might be his last year. 6/10.
Rowan Jones (11) - Still polarises supporters. Usually does his job effectively but his clangers undo the good work he does, although he doesn't always get the credit he deserves. I'm a Rojo fan. 7/10.
Dean Cox (8) - Has struggled with injury which has compromised his ability to play out games in full. Got smashed by Hille in the second half but has shown signs that he is getting back to somewhere near his best. 6.5/10.
Quinten Lynch (11) - Kick straight son (21.28). Hasn't had too much trouble finding the ball and has looked good pushing up the ground either at CHF or pinch hitting in the ruck. Markings improved, kicking at goal has gone backwards - if he can fix this he can be a match winner. 7/10.
Jaymie Graham (2) - Struggled early and was injured in the WAFL. Hasn't come on since last year when he was unlucky to miss out on selection for the GF. 2.5/10.
Darren Glass (11) - Is rarely beaten and has really developed as a leader around the club. Marshalls the backline superbly and is arguably our most important player structually. Even kicked a goal against the Tigers. 8.5/10.
Matt Rosa (11) - Has developed nicely and found a spot for himself on the wing in Embley's absence. Like Priddis he has taken advantage of his chance for an extended run, but his sometimes sloppy disposal might see him squeezed out when others return. 7/10.
Shannon Hurn (11) - That right leg of his is an absolute weapon. Still building an engine to allow him more midfield time but has slotted nicely into the backline. I get excited anytime he gets the ball forward of centre. 6/10.
Ashley Hansen (7) - Missed the start of the season, built up a good run of form, then injured his finger. His presence straightens us up going forward and as such he makes a contribution by simply being out there. 7/10.
Andrew Embley (4) - Has been badly missed. Was running into some really good form before succombing to injury again. We need him back ASAP. 7.5/10.
Steve Armstrong (8) - Was good early and looked to be establishing himself as the small forward, but his form and confidence fell away. Will need to work hard to get through the log jam of fringe players trying to break into the 22. 5.5/10.
Adam Selwood (11) - Is becoming a bit of Stinga clone which can only be a good thing. Unobtrusively goes about his role shutting down the opposition playmaker whilst attracting plenty of the ball himself. Recovered well from the fallout following the Freo game. 8/10.
Brett Jones (11) - Might have been considered fortunate to get a spot in the GF last year, but boy has he repaid the faith shown in him by the selectors or what. Has become our main rebounding defender and his dashes from half back are electrifying. Greatly improved player. 8/10.
Adam Hunter (11) - Is just ticking over at the moment. Hasn't been terrible, but hasn't had the same impact as last year. Still our wildcard pushing forward but has spilled marks he would normally expect to take. 6.5/10.
Brent Staker (11) - Probably just pips Bones as most improved. Hands up who choked when you saw him line up on Goodes. Excelled himself that night and hasn't looked back since. Has been composed when used either forward or back and has pretty much eliminated the brain snaps that have dogged him in the past. 7.5/10.
David Wirrpanda (11) - Like Brauny has mixed his good with his bad. Has had success when used as a small forward, but can go missing and whilst he has played the sweeper role in defence well he has also been exposed for his lack of accountablility. has had some very good games though. 7.5/10.That's it for the guys who have played - 27 for the year so far. So whilst we have had a few long term outs our side has been fairly settled with 16 players suiting up for all 11 games.
Of the guys who haven't played yet only Cousins and Nicoski are likely to make a significant impact on their return. Butler seems to be struggling to overcome his injury and his lack of any fitness base will tell against him. As to Sampi who knows, at his best he improves our side but we will ever see it again? Wooden has probably played his last game and the rest of the senior squad are untried (McKinley and McKenzie might get a run at some stage) and are only going to get a run if others are injured.
In summary, we should be satisfied with our season so far, but with some key players to return we should be able to get the 8 more wins we are likely to need for a top 2 spot and another serious tilt at the flag.
They're my thoughts anyway for what their worth.
Go Eagles Go.:thumbsu:
Given the enforced absence of Cousins and the unavailability due to injury of Butler (11), Nicoski (11), Cox (3), Embley (7), Hansen (4), heck, even Fletcher and Graham to be sitting 2nd with an 8-3 record is pretty fair going, even though it is a step back from our 10-1 records of 2005 and 2006.
The positive side of having these players out has been the development of Priddis and Rosa, in particular, and to a lesser extent Hurn, Brown and Morton thanks to the extended game time they have been given as a result.
Unfortunately, our inaccuracy when shooting for goal has seen a drop in our scoring (Points for : 2005 - 1203, 2006 - 1144, 2007 - 1024) and needs to addressed if we are going to go deep into September.
Defensively, we have improved on last year (Points against : 2005 - 857, 2006 - 930, 2007 - 814) and have conceded less points than any team so far. All of our losses have come when we have conceded over 80 points.
Individually, I have given all the players who have played this year a ranking out of 10 for their performances so far. Games played in brackets.
Mitch Brown (5) - Excited all of us with his debut against Sydney, particularly his first half. Hasn't been able to make quite the same impact since but the signs are there that we could have a really outstanding CHF in the making. 5/10.
Mark LeCras (6) - Hasn't been able to translate WAFL form into the next level and has consequently been in and out of the side. Has been handy but will struggle for opportunities once others return from injury. 4/10.
Chris Judd (11) - What can you say, he's been Chris Judd. He has also looked more comfortable with the captaincy this year. I deducted half a point for not renewing his contract yet. 9/10.
Daniel Kerr (9) - Started brilliantly but has struggled with the extra attention from taggers his early form attracted. 8.5/10.
Tyson Stenglein (11) - Continues to be the quiet achiever and rarely has a bad game. His best work often goes unnoticed. 8/10.
Chad Fletcher (4) - Injured during the pre-season and had to force his way back through the WAFL. Played well on his return initially but slipped back to some bad habits against Essendon. 5/10.
Beau Waters (10) - Has been solid contributor in defence without being spectacular. Does his job but I thought he might have come on a little bit more than he has. Room for improvement which is good. 6.5/10.
Michael Braun (11) - Bit of a tough one is Brauny. He's had some very good games (Freo) but has gone missing in others (Bombers), but overall the good outweighs the bad. 7.5/10.
Matt Priddis (11) - Absolute revelation. Got his chance and has taken it with both hands. Continues to improve from week to week and has the scalps of West and Mitchell to his credit. Has taken Fletcher's spot in our best 22. It will be interesting to see how he handles the extra attention from taggers if it starts to come his way. 8/10.
Mitch Morton (4) - Has got the talent to be a top liner but remains to be seen if he has the attitude. Has the "potential" to be a real force and the game time he's getting now will hold him in good stead. The small forward spot is his for the taking. 5/10 .
Mark Seaby (11) - Often struggles to make an impact when Cox plays but steps up when asked to lead the ruck. Needs to find consistency and could be better utilised as a marking forward whilst Hansen is out. 5.5/10.
Daniel Chick (10) - Crowd favourite. Doesn't get a lot of the ball but raw stats don't accurately measure his impact. Was sorely missed against the Hawks and the coaching staff will have to manage him carefully due to wear and tear on his aging body. Might be his last year. 6/10.
Rowan Jones (11) - Still polarises supporters. Usually does his job effectively but his clangers undo the good work he does, although he doesn't always get the credit he deserves. I'm a Rojo fan. 7/10.
Dean Cox (8) - Has struggled with injury which has compromised his ability to play out games in full. Got smashed by Hille in the second half but has shown signs that he is getting back to somewhere near his best. 6.5/10.
Quinten Lynch (11) - Kick straight son (21.28). Hasn't had too much trouble finding the ball and has looked good pushing up the ground either at CHF or pinch hitting in the ruck. Markings improved, kicking at goal has gone backwards - if he can fix this he can be a match winner. 7/10.
Jaymie Graham (2) - Struggled early and was injured in the WAFL. Hasn't come on since last year when he was unlucky to miss out on selection for the GF. 2.5/10.
Darren Glass (11) - Is rarely beaten and has really developed as a leader around the club. Marshalls the backline superbly and is arguably our most important player structually. Even kicked a goal against the Tigers. 8.5/10.
Matt Rosa (11) - Has developed nicely and found a spot for himself on the wing in Embley's absence. Like Priddis he has taken advantage of his chance for an extended run, but his sometimes sloppy disposal might see him squeezed out when others return. 7/10.
Shannon Hurn (11) - That right leg of his is an absolute weapon. Still building an engine to allow him more midfield time but has slotted nicely into the backline. I get excited anytime he gets the ball forward of centre. 6/10.
Ashley Hansen (7) - Missed the start of the season, built up a good run of form, then injured his finger. His presence straightens us up going forward and as such he makes a contribution by simply being out there. 7/10.
Andrew Embley (4) - Has been badly missed. Was running into some really good form before succombing to injury again. We need him back ASAP. 7.5/10.
Steve Armstrong (8) - Was good early and looked to be establishing himself as the small forward, but his form and confidence fell away. Will need to work hard to get through the log jam of fringe players trying to break into the 22. 5.5/10.
Adam Selwood (11) - Is becoming a bit of Stinga clone which can only be a good thing. Unobtrusively goes about his role shutting down the opposition playmaker whilst attracting plenty of the ball himself. Recovered well from the fallout following the Freo game. 8/10.
Brett Jones (11) - Might have been considered fortunate to get a spot in the GF last year, but boy has he repaid the faith shown in him by the selectors or what. Has become our main rebounding defender and his dashes from half back are electrifying. Greatly improved player. 8/10.
Adam Hunter (11) - Is just ticking over at the moment. Hasn't been terrible, but hasn't had the same impact as last year. Still our wildcard pushing forward but has spilled marks he would normally expect to take. 6.5/10.
Brent Staker (11) - Probably just pips Bones as most improved. Hands up who choked when you saw him line up on Goodes. Excelled himself that night and hasn't looked back since. Has been composed when used either forward or back and has pretty much eliminated the brain snaps that have dogged him in the past. 7.5/10.
David Wirrpanda (11) - Like Brauny has mixed his good with his bad. Has had success when used as a small forward, but can go missing and whilst he has played the sweeper role in defence well he has also been exposed for his lack of accountablility. has had some very good games though. 7.5/10.That's it for the guys who have played - 27 for the year so far. So whilst we have had a few long term outs our side has been fairly settled with 16 players suiting up for all 11 games.
Of the guys who haven't played yet only Cousins and Nicoski are likely to make a significant impact on their return. Butler seems to be struggling to overcome his injury and his lack of any fitness base will tell against him. As to Sampi who knows, at his best he improves our side but we will ever see it again? Wooden has probably played his last game and the rest of the senior squad are untried (McKinley and McKenzie might get a run at some stage) and are only going to get a run if others are injured.
In summary, we should be satisfied with our season so far, but with some key players to return we should be able to get the 8 more wins we are likely to need for a top 2 spot and another serious tilt at the flag.
They're my thoughts anyway for what their worth.
Go Eagles Go.:thumbsu: