West Coasters Flag Prospects 2020
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Senor M
SFAEW World Heavyweight Champion
This is just some observations from the two games I saw West Coast play in person in 2020:
- West Coasts backline struggles against the high ball. The combinations of both Lynch/Riewoldt & Hawkins/Esava made the backline look nervous & they made too many mistakes in both games
- Liam Ryan had the worst first quarter of football I saw in person last year in the semi final Vs Geelong. He had NO impact on that game when the game was in doubt. I personally don’t think he’s got much heart & will need to step up to cover for the loss of Gatorade boy.
- Nic Nat can’t run out a whole game (from what I saw in the Geelong game) and very few clubs can carry a resting ruckman
Forward Press
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Jeremy McGovern is the competition's leading intercept marker and Barrass and Sheppard aren't slouches in the air either, so dot point one makes no sense. Liam Ryan is probably the hardest working forward in our team, as is expected with a player that puts in the effort mistakes are made, so dot point two also makes little sense.
Fair enough on the third point though.
Typical Richmond supporter, dumber than a brick.
FreeTK
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These are actually decent observations and deserve a considered response.
- West Coasts backline struggles against the high ball. The combinations of both Lynch/Riewoldt & Hawkins/Esava made the backline look nervous & they made too many mistakes in both games
In 2018 GF his ability to shutdown Cox in the first half is what kept us close enough to end up winning.
- Liam Ryan had the worst first quarter of football I saw in person last year in the semi final Vs Geelong. He had NO impact on that game when the game was in doubt. I personally don’t think he’s got much heart & will need to step up to cover for the loss of Gatorade boy.
About Ryan in particular, I wasn't a huge fan of Ryan in 2018. Thought he was flashy but lacked heart in the contest. He really improved in that area in 2019 and I was really impressed by his attitude to continue working on areas of his game to get better. The SF against Geelong was 24 hours after the Rioli situation surfaced. I am sure it had an emotional impact on the whole team, but no doubt it affected Ryan and Jetta the most. I wouldn't read too much in one game given the context.
- Nic Nat can’t run out a whole game (from what I saw in the Geelong game) and very few clubs can carry a resting ruckman
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First point is fair for those 2 games. Our tall defenders, particularly Barrass, had some problems in the last month of the season.
I haven't re-watched the semi final, but my recollection is that Liam Ryan was a big reason we managed to pull ourselves back into the game in the first half after our very poor start. You're right that he completely fell out of it towards the end, but young small forwards do tend to go missing and he had spent a few petrol tickets. So I think its a bit harsh to single him out.
Yeah, can't argue with the last point. But if there is one ruckman in the game worth his salt on reduced minutes it's NN. I'm not sure if he had much to do with the losses you mentoned, though. I reckon that's much more point 1.
Senor M
SFAEW World Heavyweight Champion
Based on statistics that may be true-- but they got shown up by Esava Ratugolea in the semi final. It was the first time in his career that kid had ever kicked three goals. IMO the lack of ability by the WCE defenders to shut down Hawkins & Ratugolea played a big part in the reason they lost the semi final.
It's not his fourth quarter of the Semi Final I'm critical of-- it's his first half. In the first half he barely played with any intent. He had his hands on his hips and jogging when he should've been running. There was at least 5-6 50/50 contests where he not only did't get to the ball in time; but didn't even lay a tackle. There was a stage about 20 minutes into the second quarter where his stat sheet read 0 Disposals, 0 tackles, 2 Free's Against. I remember talking about this with the Eagles supporters sitting behind me-- they were fuming at Liam Ryan for not giving an effort. I agree with you that he did improve as the game went on-- was a bit of the barometer for your side. But you really expect more from any player during the first quarter of a sudden death final than what he gave.
It's less about Nic Nat and more that carrying Tom Hickey in the team becomes a liability. He got beaten in the ruck; but was decent around the ground Vs Richmond in R22. But he looked 'lost' around the ground a couple of times during the Semi Final Vs Geelong. If one of the comments is going to be the West Coast runs out of legs in games-- your second ruck needs to spend more time on the ground contributing than taking a spot on the bench.
Forward Press
Hall of Famer
Yeah the last month for our defence was poor (Barrass was playing injured, teams worked out how to stop McGovern), but I'd write it off as an aberration. It certainly isn't an area of weakness.
Your "Strange Cat" in your other guise.
And yet you THINK you know what WCs problem areas are...you'd be better off letting the Tiger supporters that aren't trying to troll discuss the topic.
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VicBased
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Very true, how is the million dollar question. It is hugely difficult for an Interstate side to snatch the mug. Hopefully through sheer hard work and no injury we just might, maybe, maybe.
His first quarter was poor, which happens often with small forwards when their team is struggling.
His second quarter was superb, but he did fade after that.
Your observations about our defence are correct for the latter half of the year. Normally we eat high balls for breakfast, but unfortunately Barrass found himself horribly out of form, the game he had against Richmond would have been a confidence killer. There are mitigating circumstances, he didn't have a preseason, then his foot was re-injured/didn't heal properly early in the year. A reality check could be what he needs though.
Barrass being vulnerable set of a chain reaction for our other interceptors including McGovern and Sheppard with the security blanket not being effective. Thus our defence was much more leaky.
aflfootyfanatic
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With TK in our team, our midfield is looking elite anything is possible bring on 2020!
Goomba1973
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Goomba1973
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Goomba1973
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Damn work server blocked it -----
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Alf not vfl.
Brick Loosener
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Finish 1st or 2nd.
Maylandsman
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Fyfe never ‘went’ to freo. He was given a poison chalice and cursed to Fremantle.
All Eagles need to worry about is not getting to far in front of themselves.
Eagles have bigger challenges and more to worry about than their perceived threat - Richmond. Tigers are in a blessed position right now with list depth that when everyone is fit and firing others look with envy. We have far less to worry about.
Teams are working out McGovern and his influence can decline markedly if chopped out of games. Kennedy is a champ and back him in but you need him and darling firing together to create havoc and plenty of fodder for Ryan. If Kennedy struggles so will the Eagles. Kelly is the bonus that may just equalise any deficiencies. Being spoon fed by natanui could see games played for fun and record inside 50s. The trap is thinking Kelly will solve any worries and automatically put you in contention for a flag or be flag favourites. And will nicnat stay fit. He’s good for tap work and bursts of good footy but to unreliable around the ground. You would hope he stays on the park.
Otherwise, always be wary of getting to far in front of yourselves and think everything is hunky dory because you have Kelly.
Out on a limb I think you miss top 4.
All Eagles need to worry about is not getting to far in front of themselves.
Eagles have bigger challenges and more to worry about than their perceived threat - Richmond. Tigers are in a blessed position right now with list depth that when everyone is fit and firing others look with envy. We have far less to worry about.
Teams are working out McGovern and his influence can decline markedly if chopped out of games. Kennedy is a champ and back him in but you need him and darling firing together to create havoc and plenty of fodder for Ryan. If Kennedy struggles so will the Eagles. Kelly is the bonus that may just equalise any deficiencies. Being spoon fed by natanui could see games played for fun and record inside 50s. The trap is thinking Kelly will solve any worries and automatically put you in contention for a flag or be flag favourites. And will nicnat stay fit. He’s good for tap work and bursts of good footy but to unreliable around the ground. You would hope he stays on the park.
Otherwise, always be wary of getting to far in front of yourselves and think everything is hunky dory because you have Kelly.
Out on a limb I think you miss top 4.
The wily weagle
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I completely agree with this and amongst supporters it's an ongoing sore point
