Podcast Every WC Player of the 2010's ranked

[Ishmael_]

I loved Bennell. Looked quick, skilled, relatively clean. He stood out even more given how boring and slow we looked at the time.

Surprised he was delisted so soon. I seem to remember us playing Brennan in his place a bit, which I never understood. And it's hard to crack into a squad with 22 competing half-back flankers.

 

[Ok Boomer]

I liked Bennell but his last game was a shocker. I think he was shocked too because about 5 weeks later he was in the East Perth reserves. Probably a record for shortest time from round one B22 to the thirds.

His 2014 was good, 2015 was meh, got subbed a bit and was dropped and 2016 became a train wreck. Bit of a shame really.

 

[FKASC]

All these horror stories of players showing promise and then falling off cliffs makes me very nervous

 

[bl4ke]

Great thread/10

 

[RookiePick]

All these horror stories of players showing promise and then falling off cliffs makes me very nervous

That's why we went the ainers. No unrealistic expectations with that ball drop!

 

[ronpingwins]

#45 Brad Ebert

It feels like forever ago that he actually played for us, managing nearly 2 full seasons in 10/11 and 44 games. With a weak team in 2010, Ebert was given a chance to develop as a key part of the midfield. He wasn't a massive accumulator, but he was very strong, had a big tank and was very strong overhead. It wasn't quite a breakout year but he was a very solid performer for the wooden spooners, finishing top 10 in the B&F.

Ebert was versatile in the sense that he was a very good mark, which meant he was a capable option up forward. This was to his detriment a little in 2011, with players returning to the midfield from injury, Ebert was forced out to half forward for most of the year. He did have some fantastic games there, but often went missing in the awkward role, also playing as the sub sometimes. His standout games came against the Dees where he had 24 touches but also 4 contested marks and set up a few goals, as well as against the Tigers for 21 touches + 4 goals and a physical performance against the ladder leading Cats. There was always the sense Ebert was going to go home one day and when he was dropped for the second final, it may have triggered him to pull the pin earlier. Some great games, but was much better after leaving and was probably a bit wasted here.

#44 Callum Sinclair

A mature age recruit for ruck depth, this was a very astute pick up that we eventually cashed in for Lewis Jetta. Sinclair was up against it to find a spot when he arrived, with Cox and NN both coming off AA seasons and a promising Lycett that seemed destined to be a key player. He seemed to impress the coaches though and he started 2013 and 2014 in the team, proving to be mobile and a strong contested mark. The coaches wanted him in the team, but it resulted in the ineffective land of the giants, so it didn't last.

With Cox retired, 2015 loomed as a head to head battle between Sinclair and Lycett for the other ruck spot. Lycett got it first but poor form/injuries gave Sinclair a chance. His return game was rusty and that rust continued into the Port game the next week, making comical errors early. He grew into it though, gathering 15 touches around the ground and won his position. Sinclair made the role his own and got better and better, effective in the ruck, accumulating touches around the ground and taking 29 contested marks for the year, proving to be a handful in the air. The less said about his Grand Final the better, trying to claim an NN shot was touched and eventually being subbed off. Has gone on to a reasonable career with the Swans.

#43 Ashton Hams

Defined the era where the team was constantly getting high tackle frees. Mature age recruit who had dominated the WAFL, Hams played 39 games for 41 goals and seemingly left of his own choosing, preferring not to be a career fringe player. Hams hit the ground running in 2010, playing as a small forward rather than his natural midfield role, he impressed with his agility, contested work and his outstanding field kick. He managed 11 games, unfortunately kicking 4 behinds against Freo, 18 touches and 3 goals in the LeCras dozen games well as 22 touches and 2 goals against the Cats to end the season. Stayed on the fringes the next season, only managing 4 games and 1 goal which was a flukish banana from the boundary.

2012 was more fruitful though, with Nicoski and LeCras out, Hams played 16 games and was unfortunate to miss finals. Hams provided great pressure and hit the scoreboard well, with 22 goals, including multiple 3 goal games. He played for a very disappointing team the next year and had probably reached his max, playing 8 games at a mediocre level. Hams probably could have stayed under Simpson as a fringe player, he was a reasonable contributor when out there. He realised at this point he wasn't going to be any more than that and instead decided to retire and go back to dominating WAFL level

#42 Tom Cole

Recruited to be a medium defender, Cole has taken on the role well for 41 games and a flag so far. Cole got a taste for it in 2016/17, managing 6 games after strong WAFL form. 2018 was a boom year for him though, establishing himself as a regular early on through his athleticism and defensive capabilities. Had an all time shocker of a moment dropping an uncontested mark that led to a goal in the GF, which could have been crucial, however his strong temperament allowed him to recover and ultimately beat Stephenson. He was ok in 2019 but stagnated a little, he got beaten a few times and was overtaken by Nelson. Think there is room for improvement with him.

#41 Drew Petrie

What a legend. Only played 16 games but had a big impact. Drafted at 34 Years old to be a backup ruck, a role he hadn't played consistently in a few years, his pickup was initially met with some derision. The squad was getting old, the kids weren't getting a chance and we were now topping up with has beens. Petrie was coming off a poor year and in his final two games for North he went touchless in the first half. He was cooked.

Immediately brought into the team for round 1, he kicked a nice goal but broke his hand that kept him out for a few months. It seemed like such a waste of a pick. Petrie returned in round 10 for an impressive game against GWS, which coincided with Kennedy getting a serious injury. He now needed to fill another gap. A few solid games followed which were full of heart, he tried to drag us over the line against Melbourne with a 19 touch 4 goal game, as well an 18 touch and 12 1% game against the Dogs. The 1%'s show what Petrie offered, fighting out of his height division, he consistently offered heart and stepped up when needed, in a team that weren't always showing that. He became a big fan favourite. The elimination final against Port will be long remembered and had everything that he offered in 1 game, 15 touches (13 contested), very competitive against the AA ruck in Ryder, 6 tackles and 2 crucial goals, including 1 to retake the lead in the final quarter. A really canny pickup for the position the team was in, I don't recall seeing such a turnaround in the fans opinion of a player the way it changed from when he was drafted to when he retired.

 

[FKASC]

That's why we went the ainers. No unrealistic expectations with that ball drop!

That ball drop makes me want to fall off a cliff

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Must admit I scoffed and thought the Eagles wouldn't be crazy enough to bring over both Sam Mitchell AND Drew Petrie in the one off-season. Thought Petire was cooked and Mitchell too slow for an already glacial midfield.

Ended up loving them both.

Still can't believe they played for us. It's like that time we drafted Tim Watson but better.

 

[kid_a]

Stayed on the fringes the next season, only managing 4 games and 1 goal which was a flukish banana from the boundary.

More like, "best goal of 21st century"

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I'd have had Petrie above Mitchell, tbh. Mitchell and Priddis in the middle was a poor combination.

ronpingwins could you do a running list in the OP? Makes it easier to look at the list in its entirety.

 

[ronpingwins]

I'd have had Petrie above Mitchell, tbh. Mitchell and Priddis in the middle was a poor combination.

ronpingwins could you do a running list in the OP? Makes it easier to look at the list in its entirety.

Could easily have Petrie ahead. It was a poor combination, but I think it looked worse due to Priddis' sudden decline. Mitchell's class still shone through.

Good idea on the running list, will get that sorted soon.

 

[Forward Press]

I just realised this means Patrick McGinnity is somewhere in the top 40. Yes, he outranks the Dish and premiership player Tom Cole.

 

[Quinz]

I just realised this means Patrick McGinnity is somewhere in the top 40. Yes, he outranks the Dish and premiership player Tom Cole.

 

[Forward Press]

Ricky Petterd's mother doesn't like this.

 

[RookiePick]

I'm confused. The tone of his post suggests we are supposed to be surprised Ginners is rated so highly.

 

[Forward Press]

I'm confused. The tone of his post suggests we are supposed to be surprised Ginners is rated so highly.

Not surprised at all. After all, he ranked #25 in the BigFooty Top 50 in 2013.

BigFooty Top 50 - Results!

Yeah Forward Press, should definitely be stickied. Where's a mod when you need one? :rolleyes:

www.bigfooty.com

 

[ronpingwins]

#40 Adam Selwood

The lasting memory of Selwood from the decade is the sight of an ageing man repeatedly trying and failing to chase down a methhead. But before all that, back in the days of 2010, he was a key part of the midfield. 2010 was a transition period and Selwood had matured into one of the few reliable hard running, strong bodied players in the team. He began 2010 with back to back 30 touch games and continued the solid form until midseason (including a 32 touch, 2 goal effort against a strong Saints side). Injury struck though and the second half of the season was interrupted, possibly costing him a high spot in the B+F.

Overnight the team matured and in 2011, at the age of 27, Selwood was being phased out of the middle. He mostly played off half back, although was an occasional rotation in the middle to relieve younger players. Still an integral player, Selwood managed all 25 games without reaching any great heights but still showing a decent ability to accumulate. 2012 provided more of the same but a few more niggling injuries, although he stayed fit for the finals. 2013 was a dramatic shift, always a one paced player, he lost a touch of speed which became very noticeable and was regularly exploited. He was a liability out there and could no longer stay in the senior team. A solid contributor in defence and helpful midfielder in a transition period, Selwood will go down as the 2nd best sledger the club has ever had.

#39 Patrick McGinnity

The 1st best sledger the club has ever had, Paddy did well to play 86 games through the decade, despite having literally zero talent. As games were being pumped into the kids, Ginners played roles through the midfield as a tagger and as a lockdown defender. He had a rabid intensity and could put a lot of pressure on, countered by always being the worst disposer of the ball in the team by far. There was good and bad with Paddy.

In 2011 he was on the edge of the 22 but managed 19 games in a similar role. With the team having better structures around him, his abysmal kicking skills weren't as exposed and less turnovers resulted. The peak of his season, and probably his career has been covered above by others, firmly putting the petulant Ricky Petterd in his place with a lashing from his sharp tongue. McGinnity was dropped for the 1st final but got a reprieve when Kerr withdrew, taking his place as a sub. Playing 1 quarter, he managed 6 touches and 4 tackles, showing everything you want from a sub, he looked quicker than others, was full of run and won a crucial HTB free late on. Retained on the back of this to be a specialist sub, Paddy was great again. Only 20% game time, he kicked 1.1 and an assist, proving crucial again with his pressure. The prelim effort was futile however, as the game was cooked by the time he got on.

2012 had him in the team most of the season as a defensive forward, his pressure reminiscent of one of Richmonds recent small forwards, which he was in some way an inspiration for. Certainly benefitting from the absence of LeCras and Nicoski, he kicked 0.5 goals per game but was useful there. His best games came at the end of the season, kicking 2 against the Hawks at the G, as well as an admirable performance against the Pies in the Semi, kicking a goal but also 3 direct goal assists, the finals intensity suited him as he stayed involved all night.

2013 was a mixed year for him, only managing 7 games towards the end of the season in a mix of roles. 2014 brought a new coach in who had a focus on kicking skills, which meant Paddy made no non sub appearances until round 15. He returned to his defensive forward role and in a round 17 clash that was generally, absolute trash, he impressed enough to actually gain the 5 coaches votes from Simpson. He kicked 1 and assisted 2, with his pressure providing numerous turnovers. He stayed in the team for the rest of the year and lined up in round 1 2015 with the task of tagging Bob Murphy. He failed miserably and was out of the team in a month as teams exploited the fact he had nothing to offer but pressure and wasn't a reliable target. He stayed a fringe player for most of the season, playing a few games and an emergency for the GF. 2016 the writing was on the wall and basically killing time to end his contract. Out of nowhere he gets another chance as a forward to play against the most depleted side of all time and he cashed in, popping up for 4 goals and 3 assists, probably harshly only getting 1 Brownlow vote. Not done yet maybe? Nah that was it, he reverted to type the next fortnight and became a good WAFL player.

#38 Nathan Vardy

Vardzzzzz. Handy pickup for pick 70 something. Highly rated early in his career but never able to put a run of games together, Vardy was brought over as cheap alternative to Lycett and Giles while NN was out. With Lycett getting significant injuries and Giles proving to be a mirage, Vardy ended up holding down the 1st ruck spot the whole season, something he had never been close to doing. His season exceeded expectations, proving strong and mobile in the ruck and occassionally having another gear to go to, with standout games against former side Geelong and a match winning one against the Dogs, kicking the winning goal and taking multiple pressure relieving contested marks late.

With Lycett and NN returning, Vardy's habit of getting injured returned at the worst possible time, giving Lycett pole position and virtually no chance barring injury of returning. Of course, that happened. Vardy was an adequate performer in the role until the GF, where he tagged Grundy out of it, kicked a crucial goal and again took several crucial contested marks. It seemed like he was everywhere in that final quarter. It was a deserved flag with a fantastic performance. 2019 was not the same though, with his on field performance declining, he became unable to mark the ball and a few other things (admittedly very very soft) tarred his name. In an interesting spot now, will get his chances but could also struggle to stay on the list in a year or two, he has been a fantastic pickup regardless.


#37 Sam Mitchell

Repeatedly our nemesis of the previous years, his season as an Eagle was completely bizarre. But he was pretty good, even if the mix wasn't completely right. In his 1st game Mitchell clocked up 38 touches, some of them seemed unnecessary but there was no one else you wanted the ball with if you wanted to retain the ball. His class shone through and despite a quieter 25 touches the next week, he provided 3 goal assists, a few of them crucial late as he received the ball, didn't panic despite strong pressure then nailed the pass. Mitchell played some solid games and some outstanding as the team underwhelmed. It was a treat to watch his decision making at times, it seemed like no one could touch him and he was so creative in setting others up. Other times he overused it, kicking it sideways, most notably against GC with a minute to go, as he and Hurn passed it around deep in defence despite the urgent need to get forward. Mitchell still had 3 assists that day. He was a crucial player in the brief time he played here, providing leadership that paid off in the first final, getting the team focused and understanding of the situation of extra time to allow them to adjust quickly. The team disappointed but Mitchell provided all you could expect from a slow 34 year old.

#36 Mark Nicoski

An objectively very good looking man. Very, very pretty. Nicoski began the decade in his familiar role of chief turnover specialist off half back, managing 6 games before injury struck again and his season was over. At this point the promise he showed early in his career was a faint memory and he had become a liability as a half back flanker. Many fans thought that was it and were surprised he was retained in 2011. Even more surprising was that he played round 1. A role change of a defensive forward proved a masterstroke, although he only kicked 3 behinds in the first quarter, it was obvious something had changed in Nico. His crumbing was spot on, his pace, strongish body and raking (wayward) left boot proved a handful as he consistently got shots on goal. Nicoski had 4 behinds at 3QT but it clicked and he kicked a further 2.1, along with 21 disposals was crucial to the win. The season was a very strong one and a great story, an injury prone player completely reinventing himself when he looked finished. He had a few quiet games but was reliable to kick multiple goals and have a stack of score involvements. He was a weapon. His standout game coming against the Tigers where he kicked 6, which would have been mind boggling 12 months earlier. Nicoski was a burst forward and this was summed up in the semi against the Blues, we were jumped early, before Nico kicked all 3 of his goals within 10 minutes to put us in front.

He kicked 41 goals and had 20 assists in 2011. He was only turning 28 in 2012 and seemed to be getting better in the role as the year went on. It is a great what if regarding his career ending injury. How good could he have become as a forward? Do our 2012 or 2015 seasons look different with that extra firepower? Why wasn't he played in that role much earlier?

 

[squashface]

Nico was such a gun FP. I was devastated when he retired due to injury.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Nicoski was one of my favourite players.

Going back in time he destroyed Ablett in the Geelong comeback game. Granted, that was before Ablett became the GOAT, but still. Was devastated he missed the 06 Premiership with injury.

His 2011 was awesome.

 

[FKASC]

Vardy too high IMO. Played more spud games than good ones, the GF shouldn’t be weighted that highly. I’d have him below Hams, Selwood, Cole

 

[RookiePick]

Vardy too high IMO. Played more spud games than good ones, the GF shouldn’t be weighted that highly. I’d have him below Hams, Selwood, Cole

Who ****ing asked you?

 

[ronpingwins]

Vardy too high IMO. Played more spud games than good ones, the GF shouldn’t be weighted that highly. I’d have him below Hams, Selwood, Cole

Yeah possibly. I think his best games were better than Hams and Cole. Bumped him up for holding down the number 1 ruck role pretty well in 17, but compared to someone like Hickey who was probably better this year, I may have overrated him.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Vardy has had his fair share of stinkers (mainly this year), but I reckon he has influenced far more games than Hams, Selwood and Cole.

His impact on the 2018 finals series was far more profound than Selwood in 2006 or Cole in 2018 for example.

For that reason I'd have him ahead of them.

 

[ioppolo]

Vardy 2018 > Hickey 2019. Apparently this is unpopular?

 

[kid_a]

Vardy 2018 > Hickey 2019. Apparently this is unpopular?

It's the truth though.

I think one of the reasons its unpopular is because Vardy seems kinda like a dick