Where the problem lies with the West Coast Eagles

[WCE2000]

The biggest problem within the club at the moment is a lack of depth. We have got some outstanding individuals, but once you get past our best 15 players, the standard drops a long way, and quickly.
If you have a look at some of our best players we have Ben Cousins, David Wirrpunda, Peter Matera, Phil Matera, Glen Jakovich, Chad Morrison, Michael Gardiner, Dean Kemp, Drew Banfield, Michael Braun, Ashley McIntosh, Scott Cummings, Phil Read, Andrew Donnelly and Chad Fletcher.
Those 15 players would stackup against any other AFL clubs top 15 players, maybe with the exception of Essendon's top 15.
However, once you move down the list a bit further, there are players like Richard Taylor, Michael Prior, Rowan Jones, Michael Merenda, David Sierakowski, Andrew Embley, Andrew Williams and Ryan Turnbull. There are 8 players in there and that pretty much resembles our strongest 22.
Some of the players in the second group (not naming any - you can figure it for yourselves) wouldn't even be in contention for a spot in the top 22 at most AFL clubs, let alone a regular in the top 22.
This may be a product of the salary cap, we spend all our money on our best dozen or so players, and then we've got none left and were left with a substandard list.
it may be a product of bad recruiting, but whatever the reason is, i think the club has to confront the issue, because i believe the problem in the club is depth.
And its not a depth problem as in players 23-30 who are the first choice replacements, but the depth problem starts at players who are regulars in our top 22.

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[jod23]

Well we all found out last year when the injuries came that we had no depth. Its certainly no secret and the club needs to address the problem if were going to be a force in the coming decade.


Totally agree WCE2000.

[daddy_4_eyes]

I don't think the situation is as bad as you make it seem.
Jones proved last year he is a quality tagger.
Merenda was apparently a prodigy at richmond, only to be struck down by injuries.
Prior has ability and was considered to be good enough for essendons starting 22, but injuries made it hard for him to break into the squad.
Taylor was runner-up to crawford in the hawthorn B&F in 1999, the year crawford won the brownlow.

Embley is still young and cannot yet be rated, Williams is finally starting to come of age and Sierakowski is said to be a good marking option, which the team needs.

It's after the 22 that the problem starts, though the void is being filled quite nicely with Glass, green, gaspar and the likes looking to be good up-and-coming players.

Not to worry, I prefer to have 2 bad seasons then 2 premierships, rather then 4 top 8 finishes without a flag.


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[eagleskickass]

I agree with you daddy_for_eyes. It isn't as bad as said by WCE2000. I guess you were getting at some of the pickups we got, and you haven't even seen them play this year as they didn't play on the weekend. I say wait and see them play before you judge them. Players often change dramatically at a new club. Also, yes we don't have much or any depth, but we will soon, cause the youngsters showed I reckon against the roos that they are going to be good players.

[jod23]

I think we also have a distinct lack of Talls. Theres Sierakowski, Gardiner, Turnball... who else is there. Cox looked good before injury against Nth but there all barring maybe Seirakowski, ruckmen. We dont really have any tall marking forwards at all which is where i think we will breakdown this year. CHF is a big problem for the club and things are going to be even tougher this year without White and Gehrig.

I like the idea of Wilson at that spot though, from what i saw against Nth i definitly liked. Hes built like Jako and moves like Jako did 5 years ago. He leads very strongly as we saw but still he is an unknown?

Thoughts?

[eagleskickass]

Wilson did do very well against North but, I would like to see McDougal there, even though he only just got drafted. I think he probably is who they want for the future CHF so then why not blood him now with the rest of the youngsters. Although, this may not be the case as I don't know where they do plan on playing seirakowski. Just have to wait and see I guess