Mr Q
31 Jul 2003, 23:19
http://eagles.newman-knights.com/news.php?newsid=84
The Eagles were a much improved outfit in the Round 17 shutdown of Hawthorn at Subiaco, but the game came at a cost with Andrew Embley and Josh Wooden added to the list of unavailable players. While Wooden is replaceable, Embley's form over 2003 has been almost the most impressive of all West Coast players, and replacing him will be difficult, while the continuing absence of Michael Gardiner and Chad Fletcher leaves the team looking undermanned for this weeks clash with St Kilda at Docklands.
Changes
Five players have so far been added to the squad, Damien Adkins and Trent Carroll possibly returning to the side after a week out, Kane Munro who has not played since the draw against the Bulldogs in round 11, Callum Chambers who has not played in 2003 and would-be debutant Adam Selwood.
The only omissions so far are the injured Andrew Embley and Josh Wooden.
Click here for the squad (http://eagles.newman-knights.com/fixtures.php?id=36)
Lead up
St Kilda are officially making up the numbers for 2003, with only a mathematical chance of making the finals left for the Saints, 2003 another year in the wilderness for their long-suffering supporters. The Saints, after looking respectable early in the year have lost five of their last six, the only win a five point thriller over the Kangaroos - all the other games have seen thumpings inflicted on St Kilda.
The Eagles are on the sort of rollercoaster that often happens to inexperienced sides; last week's thrashing of Hawthorn and the annihilation of Carlton (both at Subiaco) bookended an insipid and frankly horrific performance against the Power at Football Park. However it must be noted that the Eagles have been playing regularly against the best sides in the competition away (Port and Sydney the two most recent), which softens the review of recent away performances.
Injuries and Suspensions
The Eagles' injury list is as bad as it has been all season, with Gardiner, Fletcher and Embley not available and Ashley McIntosh obviously struggling to regain match fitness in the WAFL. The continued absence of Travis Gaspar is a worry as well at West Coast.
St Kilda are pretty much running at full strength, with Fraser Gehrig returning from suspension. Missing however are Steven Lawrence who was involved in a car accident and Steven Milne, suspended for striking Crow Andrew McLeod last week
Match Ups
The Eagles depleted midfield is still pretty dangerous, Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr and Chris Judd are a dangerous combination in anyone's book. Matching up for the Saints in the middle will be Robert Harvey, Steven Powell and Lenny Hayes; a serviceable group, but other than Harvey not quite in the same class. Additionally the Saints are one of the few teams the Eagles would be happy to face without Gardiner as they are reduced to playing key-position man Justin Koschitzke in the ruck.
Around the ground the Saints have a potent forward line named with Nick Reiwoldt and Fraser Gehrig who kicked nine in his last outing against the Roos two weeks ago. This will be a big challenge for the Eagles tall backmen, likely to be out of Darren Glass and Trent Carroll, neither of who have exactly covered themselves in glory in 2003 or possibly Glen Jakovich or even Andrew McDougall.
The ability of Rowan Jones to stand up and fill Embley's shoes will be a critical part of the Eagles game. Jones will have to bear whichever Saint stands him, and possibly not be too scared to kick the ball forward. Additionally McDougall and the Eagles small forwards (Phil Matera and Ashley Sampi) will have to outperform the relatively unknown St Kilda backline this week.
2002 - 2003
The last meeting between these two sides was a 70 point thrashing inflicted on the Saints in Round 3, while in 2002 these teams met at Docklands in a forgettable performance by the blue and gold.
2003, Round 3, Subiaco
West Coast 5.6 12.10 17.14 21.18 (144)
Saint Kilda 2.3 5.5 8.6 11.8 ( 74)
2002, Round 10, Docklands
Saint Kilda 8.0 15.3 20.5 20.7 (127)
West Coast 3.2 5.5 7.8 11.11 ( 77)
Head to Head
Overall: Played 26; St Kilda 10, West Coast 15, Draws 1.
At Docklands: Played 3; St Kilda 1, West Coast 1, Draws 1.
Biggest Margin - West Coast: West Coast 26.15 (172) d St Kilda 12.7 (79), 92 points, Subiaco, R18 2001. (nice to see a positive record from 2001 for a change
Biggest Margin - St Kilda: St Kilda 15.5 (95) d West Coast 3.11 (29) 66 points, Waverley, R18 1992.
Milestones
Two Eagles face minor milestones in this game, with Dean Cox and Darren Glass both bringing up their 50th games with the club.
Summary
This game is a real danger game for the Eagles, a weakened side travelling to Melbourne to play a side with nothing but pride on the line. Very dangerous. However I think the Eagles still have the better side available for this week, and are just a little better than the Saints, enough to get over the line and keep the season ticking along. Certainly this game should be exciting (now I've guaranteed a one sided affair), but complacency is long gone at the Eagles and the need to win this game should get the Eagles home.
My prediction: Eagles by 8 points
The Eagles were a much improved outfit in the Round 17 shutdown of Hawthorn at Subiaco, but the game came at a cost with Andrew Embley and Josh Wooden added to the list of unavailable players. While Wooden is replaceable, Embley's form over 2003 has been almost the most impressive of all West Coast players, and replacing him will be difficult, while the continuing absence of Michael Gardiner and Chad Fletcher leaves the team looking undermanned for this weeks clash with St Kilda at Docklands.
Changes
Five players have so far been added to the squad, Damien Adkins and Trent Carroll possibly returning to the side after a week out, Kane Munro who has not played since the draw against the Bulldogs in round 11, Callum Chambers who has not played in 2003 and would-be debutant Adam Selwood.
The only omissions so far are the injured Andrew Embley and Josh Wooden.
Click here for the squad (http://eagles.newman-knights.com/fixtures.php?id=36)
Lead up
St Kilda are officially making up the numbers for 2003, with only a mathematical chance of making the finals left for the Saints, 2003 another year in the wilderness for their long-suffering supporters. The Saints, after looking respectable early in the year have lost five of their last six, the only win a five point thriller over the Kangaroos - all the other games have seen thumpings inflicted on St Kilda.
The Eagles are on the sort of rollercoaster that often happens to inexperienced sides; last week's thrashing of Hawthorn and the annihilation of Carlton (both at Subiaco) bookended an insipid and frankly horrific performance against the Power at Football Park. However it must be noted that the Eagles have been playing regularly against the best sides in the competition away (Port and Sydney the two most recent), which softens the review of recent away performances.
Injuries and Suspensions
The Eagles' injury list is as bad as it has been all season, with Gardiner, Fletcher and Embley not available and Ashley McIntosh obviously struggling to regain match fitness in the WAFL. The continued absence of Travis Gaspar is a worry as well at West Coast.
St Kilda are pretty much running at full strength, with Fraser Gehrig returning from suspension. Missing however are Steven Lawrence who was involved in a car accident and Steven Milne, suspended for striking Crow Andrew McLeod last week
Match Ups
The Eagles depleted midfield is still pretty dangerous, Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr and Chris Judd are a dangerous combination in anyone's book. Matching up for the Saints in the middle will be Robert Harvey, Steven Powell and Lenny Hayes; a serviceable group, but other than Harvey not quite in the same class. Additionally the Saints are one of the few teams the Eagles would be happy to face without Gardiner as they are reduced to playing key-position man Justin Koschitzke in the ruck.
Around the ground the Saints have a potent forward line named with Nick Reiwoldt and Fraser Gehrig who kicked nine in his last outing against the Roos two weeks ago. This will be a big challenge for the Eagles tall backmen, likely to be out of Darren Glass and Trent Carroll, neither of who have exactly covered themselves in glory in 2003 or possibly Glen Jakovich or even Andrew McDougall.
The ability of Rowan Jones to stand up and fill Embley's shoes will be a critical part of the Eagles game. Jones will have to bear whichever Saint stands him, and possibly not be too scared to kick the ball forward. Additionally McDougall and the Eagles small forwards (Phil Matera and Ashley Sampi) will have to outperform the relatively unknown St Kilda backline this week.
2002 - 2003
The last meeting between these two sides was a 70 point thrashing inflicted on the Saints in Round 3, while in 2002 these teams met at Docklands in a forgettable performance by the blue and gold.
2003, Round 3, Subiaco
West Coast 5.6 12.10 17.14 21.18 (144)
Saint Kilda 2.3 5.5 8.6 11.8 ( 74)
2002, Round 10, Docklands
Saint Kilda 8.0 15.3 20.5 20.7 (127)
West Coast 3.2 5.5 7.8 11.11 ( 77)
Head to Head
Overall: Played 26; St Kilda 10, West Coast 15, Draws 1.
At Docklands: Played 3; St Kilda 1, West Coast 1, Draws 1.
Biggest Margin - West Coast: West Coast 26.15 (172) d St Kilda 12.7 (79), 92 points, Subiaco, R18 2001. (nice to see a positive record from 2001 for a change
Biggest Margin - St Kilda: St Kilda 15.5 (95) d West Coast 3.11 (29) 66 points, Waverley, R18 1992.
Milestones
Two Eagles face minor milestones in this game, with Dean Cox and Darren Glass both bringing up their 50th games with the club.
Summary
This game is a real danger game for the Eagles, a weakened side travelling to Melbourne to play a side with nothing but pride on the line. Very dangerous. However I think the Eagles still have the better side available for this week, and are just a little better than the Saints, enough to get over the line and keep the season ticking along. Certainly this game should be exciting (now I've guaranteed a one sided affair), but complacency is long gone at the Eagles and the need to win this game should get the Eagles home.
My prediction: Eagles by 8 points