Keys
Looking for a cloud to yell at
- Moderator
- #1
This thing that you're doing.
This thing that is masquerading at football, or as a football club that was burned by a GF loss and is doing everything that it can to go one better.
It's not working and needs to change. Now, before it's too late.
In 2015 we played fast, fluid, instinctive football. We defended brilliantly with an undersized defence. We exceeded all expectations by making the Grand Final but deserved to be there without question.
On the day we were overawed, too inexperienced to cope with a battle hardened opponent that mercilessly exposed our weaknesses. We weren't ready and got embarrassed. In short, we got taught a lesson.
The type of lesson that drives a team to want to get better, to leave no stone unturned to atone, that motivates a pre-season.
Steps were taken to improve the list - outside run with improved disposal and a bigger body for the inside contest were added. Our 2014 B&F winner was returning after sitting out 2015 with a knee reco.
On paper we were an improved side. We were a legitimate challenger.
The reality has fallen short of expectation by some margin
We beatup on the minnows sure, but away from home we met each challenge against a fellow contender and failed. Usually miserably. Then we shat the bed against our first decent opponent at home and coughed up what should have been a match winning lead.
The draw gifted us some "soft" kills after that loss to restore confidence and build momentum. Despite a last quarter fade out at the home of football (the GF venue and home ground of some) it looked to be working.
Today I sat through the most spineless, inept display of football I've had the displeasure of seeing.
We were beaten in every measurable statistic which confirmed what the eyes were seeing - the other side wanted it more, were prepared to work harder, had better structures. We were outplayed. Completely
After wondering just how it was that we weren't further behind than a goal or so for most of the match, I was amazed that somehow we got over the line and won a game we had no right to be even close in.
We got lucky.
But we won and that's the upside
We've been terrible in comparison to last year but miraculously after 17 rounds we're still balls deep in the race for this years flag. A race that we have no right still being in just like 3/4 time of today's game.
Can we go one better in 2016. Right now I doubt it because the effort, the hunger just doesn't seem to be there.
On field we look timid, frightened almost. Off field we've been conservative afraid to take risks. Our structures look wrong and the pieces of the puzzle aren't falling into place the way they did last year.
From the outside the loss of Pyke to Adelaide looks to have left a massive hole but other than him the coaching staff is the same with the addition of the well credentialed Wardorp from Hawthorn. Surely one assistant can't make that much difference. Maybe he does, but even then it only explains the drop in strategy and not the fall in intent and effort.
Maybe the players just expected it would happen. Assumed the improvement would come but are looking to others to improve and not looking within.
I don't know what the answer is but this years version of the West Coast Eagles is a pale imitation of the side from 2015.
There's 5 rounds left and we are equal 2nd on percentage without playing anywhere near our best. Five rounds left to rediscover our mojo, to find form as a club not just onfield but as an organisation.
Time to fix what's broken
Time to Hunt, goddammit.
This thing that is masquerading at football, or as a football club that was burned by a GF loss and is doing everything that it can to go one better.
It's not working and needs to change. Now, before it's too late.
In 2015 we played fast, fluid, instinctive football. We defended brilliantly with an undersized defence. We exceeded all expectations by making the Grand Final but deserved to be there without question.
On the day we were overawed, too inexperienced to cope with a battle hardened opponent that mercilessly exposed our weaknesses. We weren't ready and got embarrassed. In short, we got taught a lesson.
The type of lesson that drives a team to want to get better, to leave no stone unturned to atone, that motivates a pre-season.
Steps were taken to improve the list - outside run with improved disposal and a bigger body for the inside contest were added. Our 2014 B&F winner was returning after sitting out 2015 with a knee reco.
On paper we were an improved side. We were a legitimate challenger.
The reality has fallen short of expectation by some margin
We beatup on the minnows sure, but away from home we met each challenge against a fellow contender and failed. Usually miserably. Then we shat the bed against our first decent opponent at home and coughed up what should have been a match winning lead.
The draw gifted us some "soft" kills after that loss to restore confidence and build momentum. Despite a last quarter fade out at the home of football (the GF venue and home ground of some) it looked to be working.
Today I sat through the most spineless, inept display of football I've had the displeasure of seeing.
We were beaten in every measurable statistic which confirmed what the eyes were seeing - the other side wanted it more, were prepared to work harder, had better structures. We were outplayed. Completely
After wondering just how it was that we weren't further behind than a goal or so for most of the match, I was amazed that somehow we got over the line and won a game we had no right to be even close in.
We got lucky.
But we won and that's the upside
We've been terrible in comparison to last year but miraculously after 17 rounds we're still balls deep in the race for this years flag. A race that we have no right still being in just like 3/4 time of today's game.
Can we go one better in 2016. Right now I doubt it because the effort, the hunger just doesn't seem to be there.
On field we look timid, frightened almost. Off field we've been conservative afraid to take risks. Our structures look wrong and the pieces of the puzzle aren't falling into place the way they did last year.
From the outside the loss of Pyke to Adelaide looks to have left a massive hole but other than him the coaching staff is the same with the addition of the well credentialed Wardorp from Hawthorn. Surely one assistant can't make that much difference. Maybe he does, but even then it only explains the drop in strategy and not the fall in intent and effort.
Maybe the players just expected it would happen. Assumed the improvement would come but are looking to others to improve and not looking within.
I don't know what the answer is but this years version of the West Coast Eagles is a pale imitation of the side from 2015.
There's 5 rounds left and we are equal 2nd on percentage without playing anywhere near our best. Five rounds left to rediscover our mojo, to find form as a club not just onfield but as an organisation.
Time to fix what's broken
Time to Hunt, goddammit.
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