Remove this Banner Ad

Preview 2022 AFL Season West Coast Eagles Preview, Fixtures and how the club can contend in 2022 despite injury woes. More from Dylan82 on the second page.

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

xInfected_Virus

All Australian
Joined
Apr 23, 2020
Posts
643
Reaction score
3,258
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Wisconsin Badgers Women's Volleyball
west-coast-logo_1p720f5yp8lxw1kgon1p9x74ix.jpg

The legendary mighty West Coast Eagles.

I may or may not edit this thread again depending on how busy this thread is.

2022 Pre season not looking good.


The club has missed out on finals since 2014 finishing 9th (if only Richmond won against the Hawks though) with the worst record after the bye finishing 2 - 7. Pre season hasn't gone to plan well that would be an understatement. Darling refusing to vax (likely also sending cease and desist letters to journos who reported that he's getting Novavax), Shuey another soft tissue again (when will he be free of soft tissue injuries), first round draftee Chesser who we can't wait to see set to miss half the season with a foot injury although not surprising if it's the whole season, Sheed rolling his ankle and needing surgery thus missing half the season (I personally don't mind him out for now though). Shuey and Yeo will be underdone when they comeback so the club would have to refrain from playing too many talls. Cripps also gone for a good amount of the season after doing his pec. Clark should've had his shoulder surgery after the WAFL Grand Final but no he just had to inevitably injure it during the intra club match.

388376f65e2ea4fedd342e0809d18ef6
5ecf30e5db0de021caeb428f51b192f1935e9e5e-4x3-x580y0w1835h1376.jpg

Well fold the season??? Don't write us off yet although if things don't change from a tactical standpoint then we may as well fold the club and gear up a top draft pick.
I wonder what medical condition JD has??? Oh wait nonsense forced upon by his wife and the wrong parts of the internet.


Tactics and what the club needs to do to get back into contention?

Inspired by the legendary Dylan82.

May add additional tactics I missed should I edit this post.


Adopt a high press and man on man defense.


The club has recruited Jarrad Schofield who masterminded the press that helped Port Adelaide finish top four (shouldn't have finished top 4 though and didn't look like a top 4 side to me) so hopefully Simmo gave the tactical reins to him because his slow ball movement in the backline, zone defense is soo outdated and teams have well and truly figured out how to defeat it by simply attacking the corridor because the defense is soo deep and static that the opposition can easily waltz into our backline. No amount of gun defenders can stop oppo forwards from marking entries coming in unopposed.

Too often we see teams just easily out kick mark us especially after the bye. This isn't workrate we're talking about this is the rubbish zone defense Simmo has instilled in the club which as mentioned already been worked out by the opposition. All the oppo has to do is to kick where the free space is because no one cares about accounting for a man and keep repeating until the corridor opens up and then they can punish the team's static deep defense.

Playing a man on man defense will stop the opposition chipping it around and having a high press will stop or reduce teams from attacking the corridor which brings Gov and Barrass into play and the club will win more turnovers bring our gun forwards into play. Instead of the HBF staying static like under the old plan, they should move up to defend the corridor and provide an attacking option such as Witherden, a fit and injury free Hurn and even Duggan if he's fit again.

Main wingers should only go to the forward line and the wing while the defensive wingers stay in the middle of the ground to the defensive 50 if needed.

No more static defense anymore, defenders will have to push up when needed to defend the corridor and to provide extra attacking options.

latest
Hurn-14WCEs19WR0328.JPG
22FrWC21PK375429326.JPG

Instrumental to the team's high press defense and to provide extra options in the corridor and the first two are very important in moving the ball from the backline, no more sideways stale ball movement from now on. With Sheppard retired it's also important that they keep those gun small forwards such as C.Cameron, T.Greene and Tom Papley in check.


Chaos ball defense (Well not much I can think of).

Well the forward press can only do so much with the backs in my proposal team, gun small forwards like Brisbane's C.Cameron, Raynor and co or even Richmond's 2017 style ball movement. The only weakness I can see so far at least is fast chaotic ball movement that's fast low and flat and kicked on the ground which gun small forward teams will feast on. Sheppard is a huge loss here but I back Foley to play on those guys as well.

With the defense setup up higher on the ground the forward pressure must hold strong and make sure any oppo disposals aren't clear and trust the three KPDs and Hurn to mark or spoil to the boundary line any blind kicks that come out of the F50. Should any mark get dropped or spoiled then defenders will need to be desperate to get the footy before the opposition can take it and score an easy goal. If any goals come out the back then so be it just as long it doesn't become a common occurrence. Trust the defenders to win their own ball against the gun small forwards.


Tackle and pressure hard. No more corralling BS. Forward pressure very important as well (will fix the I50 efficiency issues too).

Too many times we've seen tackles get easily broken at will which leads to opposition possession chains up the ground when they should've been stopped in the midfield. Too many times we've seen rebounding defenders have a field day with our zero forward pressure rebounding it out at will. The club is one of the worst tackling teams in the league.

If the club can adopt a high press and man on man or a tight zone defense then tackling and pressuring hard can be more sustainable as players are closer the opponent than on the old and outdated zone defense where they are more further out thus any pressure applied is near useless. Sticking tackles is very important as Jones showed as the opposition can't move the ball out of the tackle and continue on their attack. Once the club upfield pressure is strong for the most part then teams will be forced to bomb high and long where Gov, Barrass or our third genuine KPD can feast on like they did in 2018 and 2019.

Why corral when you can tackle hard. Tackling hard and powerful pressure can do much more than corralling ever could. Hopefully the biggest offenders of missed tackles and everyone spend time during the off season and pre season improving their core strength (looking at you Gaff and Sheed and players who can't stick their tackles like Jones and Yeo can). With a strong core strength that Yeo and Dusty have, it makes tackles more likely to stick and gives the players the ability to break tackles more easily.

Forward pressure looked good in the second practice match vs Freo and if the club can maintain a small forward structure with the key talls working hard as well plus maintaining a forward structure instead of sending them back in an attempt to slow down opposition scoring then the team will have a sustained forward pressure. Luckily with Rioli back he'll be able to crumb and provide forward pressure the team needs.

jamaine-jones-of-the-eagles-marks-the-ball-during-the-2022-afl-picture-id1238971713
1deddf774aa25f1ddafed92631be0e5c

If the rest of the team can stick their tackles like those two can then we'll be a much better side and with strong pressure from all around the ground the fat man in the below picture can dominate.

081_SGF7004.jpg

With strong midfield and forward pressure, we'll be seeing Gov return to AA form while he's still on his big $$$. If he becomes AA again then we should give him all you can eat whoppers and meat pies until pre season training begins then you gotta earn those whoppers and meat pies again.

Hold small forwards in the forward line.

Too many times throughout 2020 and 2021 the team pretty much has no small forwards ready to crumb an exit bomb which leads to opposition repeat entries. Small forwards in an attempt to slow down opposition scoring make their way down back and once the team wins the ball again via bombing it out, they rely on JK, Darling, Allen and the second ruck Vardy or Williams to mark it (they don't get outmarked except for Williams) without any crumbers available and the opposition has numbers at the contest so any spoiled balls will go to them and they will eventually find the man during those repeat entries.

Trust the midfield and backline to win the ball back and any balls won and bombed from the backline can be crumbed and if the opposition gets it then they can make the tackle and have a stoppage midfield. There is potential for scoring opportunities. If the club concedes out the back goals then so be it but at least no more forwards in the backline. Let the midfield improve it's two way running so forwards can stay in place.

The only time when the small forwards can go down back is in crunch time games when the team needs to hold onto a small lead with not much time left but even then try and kick the sealer.

feb2367bf1ffbbe1ccffc5be140dc099bd31d352-4x3-x0y90w1042h782.jpg

Rioli can use his flair and creativity in the forward line and can even go in the midfield if needed while Ryan can also stay deep or go up the ground to link up play using his class as shown in 2020 but please keep them out of the backline unless defending in crunch time games but if we play well then they will be in the forward line and moving to the midfield at the furtherest.

Play only two KPFs THAT'S IT pre Allen's return. Three KPFs once Allen returns. No Waterman (Sorry GlennTwenty) or Williams in my team unless injuries to KPFs.

Too many times throughout 2021 the club has suffered fourth quarter fadeouts, infact the club is worst during final quarters plus too many times the opposition gets a clean rebound from out forward line. This is because the club has played too many talls especially two possession Vardy or Williams who hasn't fully developed yet giving them 60% TOG and we all know Nic Nat is a 65-75% TOG player. That wasted spot should've went to an extra runner to help the club contend in the final term and not run out of gas. Forward pressure looked good in the second pre season match vs Freo and the forward pressure would last longer as long the team doesn't pick too many talls in the front half but it was pretty bad last season when teams were able to waltz it out at will but promising signs this pre season with forward pressure.

With Darling going AWOL with his anti vax stance, the mighty only god Allen injured and Williams not showing enough the club has to play both JK and Dixon as the KPFs. With Darling vaccinated seems like Dixon and Waterman are not needed unless injuries or suspension to KPFs. If Allen comes back then we can get away with three talls just like 2018. But at this stage with the amount of soft tissue injuries Shuey has and with Yeo being underdone early in the season, they're gonna need to be managed minutes so playing three KPFs at this stage will tire out the team early and would have to force Shuey and Yeo to play more minutes which means more chances of injury before their bodies are set which means more injury risk later in the season.

If Dixon doesn't perform well and Allen's back I think the team should go for a two KPF structure with Allen and JK but if Dixon performs well then keep him in the side for a three KPF structure.

9MuU52tw.jpg
3a11dab78819fa07f211f2ccb6e3a04fede58f78-16x9-x0y143w1038h584.jpg
73572df3187bda94318dbee0f2ca986f5d347ab2-4x3-x0y249w1588h1191.jpg

2022's three headed monster once Allen and Darling returns. Please no extra talls such as Williams or Waterman. We won't be seeing JD anytime soon unless the vax mandates lift which is unlikely. Darling's back now baby yaay.

How to manage Nic Nat's limited TOG. No Allen in the ruck please.

We know Nic Nat's not 85-90% TOG ruck like Gawn or Goldstein but the team is so much better whenever Nic's on the field than without. Williams hasn't shown much so far as a forward plus he's a not a good kick at goal and can't seem to constantly clunk them like JK, JD and Allen can. Waterman to me is a bit too small for KPF but a bit too big as a medium (sure Darling is an undersized KPF too but he's got strength, smarts and is very strong in the air for his height).

When Nic is off H.Dixon (before Darling comes back assuming he's not ready for the early rounds) or Gov can chop in the ruck with Dixon or Allen going down back should Gov be in the ruck (dunno if Dixon can play defense but it's said to be easier than playing as a forward) but it will maintain a three tall KPD structure which is important to the team. This will allow the team to have an extra small for relentless forward pressure if JK or Ryan doesn't mark it. Obviously the KPDs stay 95% or more TOG to maintain midfield rotations.

Nic Nat shouldn't be behind the ball he should be rucking in the F50 stoppages where he's more intimidating and we're more likely to score there. When Nic's off then Darling can do the F50 stoppages leaving Gov and co down back behind the ball and Gov can do the center bounces with Allen rotating down back to maintain the three KPD structure.

Ryan in this case becomes the temporary second target in the forward line before Darling is available. With JK and Ryan being the undersized key targets the forward pressure must be high and it must stay in the F50 at all times.

8f17a9153766338086cac981543aa3157f22352f-16x9-x0y0w1280h720.jpg

Best player in the team and we're a much better side when he's in however the team's performance drops when he doesn't play and spends a bit too much time on the bench. So adequate backup is needed when he's not in the field to reduce the loss of team performance. I'd say Gov in the ruck and Dixon or Allen in the backline to maintain the three KPD structure.
Please no Williams unless injuries or suspension to KPFs or Nic Nat.


Play three KPDs.

Gov and Barrass as the only KPDs in the club seem to be unaccountable one too many times which allows certain forwards to have big days against the club. I would love to see H.Edwards play in the same backline as Gov and Barrass as he can go on the gorilla forwards and it frees up Gov and Barrass to intercept. Rotham for me is more a of a tall flanker rather than a proper KPD. We saw the value of Schoey in the 2018 Grand Final freeing up Gov and Barrass. With Gov, Barrass and H.Edwards the club is more prepared to defend against taller forward lines and Gov and Barrass will be more free. The club has to play a man on man defense instead of the outdated zone defense as mentioned above. More midfield pressure will make our defenders much better.

This also allows one to alternate as the main intercept marker and can rotate with a KPF until the perfect match ups are found.

Gov has been pretty bad during the pre season with his decision making but hopefully his decision making, spoiling, overall defending and intercept marking will be improved with H.Edwards in the side just like what Schoey did in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Freo uses three genuine KPDs in B.Cox, Logue and Pearce they may even use Hamling too once fit again. Richmond use Balta, Grimes, Astbury and Broad. Collingwood use Moore, Roughead and Howe. Port use Alir, Clurey and Jonas. Melbourne use May, Lever, Tomlinson then Petty. Brisbane uses Andrews, Gardiner, Lester or Adams. So don't see a reason why we can't since it worked in the 2018 Grand Final and no Rotham doesn't count.

19WCSt21DC1267.jpg

H.Edwards in the side would free up Gov and Barrass and can attack with ball in hand too giving us extra rebound as he shown.
Please no Rotham unless injuries or suspension to the KPDs.


Be defensive minded at the stoppages and cut down blind bombs unless needed.

Team seems to be overreliant on Nic Nat on the stoppages and early to mid 2021 whenever the team has won the stoppage clearance the team wins but if they lose the stoppage clearance the team loses. With way the stoppages are now, it's clear Nic Nat papers over the cracks with his clearing ability that no other rucks can replicate on a consistent basis.

In 2018 when Nic Nat went down the team had to be more defensive minded at the stoppages where a draw is a win and a win is a bonus, just don't lose. Lycett and Vardy aren't gonna win and give silver service taps on a consistent basis like Nic Nat can at the time. So with Nic Nat's dominance the club can revert to defending the stoppages by placing blocks and make strong tackles (hopefully they improved their core strength during the off season and pre season) in addition to the self clearances Nic Nat can do. If the opposition places an addition forward at the stoppage then send a defender onto him to negate any stoppage advantages the oppo will have but don't fall into the trap of sending a forward to the stoppage unless it's a designated stoppage player like Jones, Rioli or even Petch.

With blocks negated and numbers not being a threat the team can focus on not being blocked and any tackles they made to stop the oppo clearance is a win. Should the team win the stoppage half back flanks can get involved by providing extra options around the ground while maintaining a forward structure, maybe an aerobic forward who hightails it from the forward line to midfield and back. Best player for that is Rioli but his fitness isn't the best after being out for two years, Langdon's got the fitness but lacks class and polish the Rioli has.

Gaff has got to stay away from both the CBDs and stoppages as when he wins it his first instinct is to blindly bomb it forward, he should be on the outside ready to receive the footy in open space. He's got to be the third or fourth guy in the possession chain after the stoppage not the first or second guy.

Elliot_Yeo_tackling_Clayton_Oliver.1.jpg

In 2021 whenever the team has won the overall clearance count they go on to have a 10-3 record. Also the club has gone 8-2 whenever it won the stoppage clearance.

Forward midfield linker.

Now that I mentioned the forward aerobic sweeper. The forward aerobic sweeper provides and extra number at the stoppages while the club's HBF takes the oppo forward extra. With extra numbers in the stoppage the team can run it out of the congestion rather than blindly bombing it where they would have a spare thus negating the defensive spare the opposition has. They can provide blocks and extra option for Nic Nat or the second ruck and act as an extra defender in the stoppage and if the ball is quickly won then they hightail it to the forward line ASAP where they can provide an option.

As mentioned above Rioli is best for this role but his tank isn't the best after being out for two years however he can do this in spurts along with Ryan who both have class. As mentioned above, Langdon is probably the fittest player in the team after Gaff and can do it for most of the game but he lacks class and polish. Jones does have a good balance for this role. Heck even Kelly can do this role too if he's resting up forward from a tag.

b5af2727387330cb23b8cac6f266ddb08b91cb7f-16x9-x594y991w1679h944.jpg

Best exponent of this role with midfield to forward and vice versa connection. Just his tank would be lacking after being out for two years but hopefully he still trained on his fitness during his suspension so he would be maximized in this role.

Kelly needs help.

It's no coincidence that Kelly performed at his best at the Cats because he's not the number one or second mid. The Kelly trade may have costed the club three first round picks but the team is pretty much screwed without Kelly for this season. For Kelly to perform at his best the club needs to make sure that he's the frosting of the cake not the cake itself which is why we need mids who can be the cake such as Shuey and Yeo both staying on the park and all the other mids taking pressure off Kelly.

Should he get tagged then he should go forward and play the linkage role from midfield to forward and vice versa. That way he can still be damaging while escaping from the tag.

12WCHa20DC0720.JPG

Kelly operates best as a third or fourth mid not as the main mid. Shuey and Yeo have to stay on the park and others have to step up for Kelly to operate at his best.


My team's best 22 as of Round 1 2022.


Backs29. Luke Foley37. Tom Barrass42. Harry Edwards
Half Backs25. Shannon Hurn20. Jeremy McGovern30. Jackson Nelson
Centre38. Patrick Naish11. Tim Kelly3. Andrew Gaff
Half Forwards21. Jack Petrucelle27. Jack Darling*44. Willie Rioli
Forwards.31. Jamaine Jones17. Josh Kennedy1. Liam Ryan
Ruck9. Nic Naitanui8. Jack Redden*13. Luke Shuey*
Interchange14. Liam Duggan*36. Connor West* / 5. Sam Petrevski Seton19. Brady Hough

Note: *Means in doubt due to injury or in Darling's case match fitness or vaccine paper work which may rule him out for round 1. Here are the fit replacements below for the players *. However they are a chance for round 1.

Not like for like.
  • Liam Duggan = Josh Rotham (Maybe get him to a play a flanker role and get him to rebound the damn footy and NOT go backwards or sideways with it could also sub for one of the KPDs during a game should one of them go off)​
  • Luke Shuey = Isiah Winder (SPS to start in the middle where he operates best)​
  • Jack Redden = Tom Joyce (Get him in the side if possible)​
  • Connor West = Zac Langdon (Can run for a long time at least but not make 40m with his Legdon kicks and lacks class and polish)​
  • Jack Darling = Hugh Dixon (Finally a near like for like KPFs).​

My best 22 overall for 2022.

Backs29. Luke Foley37. Tom Barrass42. Harry Edwards
Half Backs25. Shannon Hurn20. Jeremy McGovern23. Alex Witherden
Centre5. Sam Petrevski Seton13. Luke Shuey3. Andrew Gaff
Half Forward44. Willie Rioli27. Jack Darling31. Jamaine Jones
Forward1. Liam Ryan17. Josh Kennedy12. Oscar Allen (My only god)
Ruck9. Nic Naitanui11. Tim Kelly6. Elliot Yeo
Interchange14. Liam Duggan8. Jack Redden / 36. Connor West15. Jamie Cripps

Best 22 team won't be available until halfway of the season but I think the team can cover for those players.

  • Brady Hough may have breakout debut and could be best 22. Chesser could also be a gun as well once fit and firing.
  • Naish also has the potential to be best 22 ahead of West should he have a breakout season making Richmond regret delisting him.
  • L.Edwards could also be in the side ahead of West.
  • Seems unlikely Darling will be featured this season unless the AFL drops the vaccine mandates. Get vaccinated ya muppet. He's now been vaxxed.
  • Sheed isn't in my best 22 anymore because for all the great things his done, his flaws are detrimental to what I'm proposing. He's a one way runner who only operates best if the opposition are NOT accountable for him but he becomes ineffective once the opposition account for him especially with a bigger stronger mid. He can't stick his tackles and can't break tackles when he needs to. One of the worst offenders on missed tackles that I always fume when I see him miss a tackle or get done HTB because he can't break the tackle.
  • I'd say West and SPS are best 22 heck even Clark could take West's place in the team. They can tackle something the team lacks and are pretty quick probably not Clark though in terms of leg speed.
  • For those of you why I refer to Oscar Allen as god is because I sponsor him for the 2022 season.
  • I wouldn't be surprised if Hurn reaches near AA form again. In 2021 pre injury he was in AA form IMO.
  • Witherden and Hurn have got to be in the same side reminiscent to 2018/19 Hurn and Jetta for improvement in ball movement down back and they got to push up the corridor to not only defend but to provide an attacking option.
  • With Shep retired (Thank you for your service to the club) I can't wait to see more of Foley for both defending and attacking with ball in hand.
Depth in no particular order who's not in the best 22 team although some players here are best 22 worthy.
*Best 22 worthy but unlucky to miss out.

Defenders: Rotham, *Cole, Nelson and Bazzo.
Midfielders: *Chesser, *Hough, *Sheed, *L.Edwards, Trew, *Clark, Naish and XON.
Forwards: Dixon (if team goes for two KPFs), Waterman, Winder, *Petruccelle (if team goes for two KPFs) and J.Williams. (Darling MIA due to vax refusal)
Ruck: B.Williams, Jamieson and Strnadica

2022 AFL West Coast Eagles Fixtures.

Note: My result predictions don't account for the weather because of how early this preview thread is being made so if we make changes and implement new tactics which involves pressing, hard tackling and playing a smaller side then the team will do much better in wet weather. Also assumes if no more key players gets injured.

I'll be editing this post only if this thread is active if not then I'm not bothering to update it.


Contains optimism and pessimism at the same time.

Assuming COVID doesn't affect the season.


Round 1: West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium
  • Date and Time: Sunday 20th of March 2022 at 4:40 pm AWST.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Gold Coast by 56 points (they've defeated two top 4 sides in the pre season especially the Cats in convincing fashion.
  • My predictions if the team uses my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 32 points.

Round 2: North Melbourne vs West Coast Eagles.
  • Where?: Marvel Stadium
  • Date and Time?: Sunday 27th of March 2022 at 10:10 am AWST (possible delayed telecast for 7 viewers).
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: North Melbourne by 9 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 62 points.

Round 3: West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle Dockers.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium
  • Date and Time?: Sunday 3rd of April 2022 at 4:20 pm AWST.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Fremantle by 44 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 38 points.

Round 4: Collingwood vs West Coast Eagles.
  • Where?: Marvel Stadium
  • Date and Time?: Saturday 9th of April 2022 at 2:35 pm AWST.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Collingwood by 58 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 49 points.

Round 5: West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium.
  • Date and Time?: Friday 15th of April 2022 at 5:40 pm AWST.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Sydney by 79 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: Sydney by 25 points.

Round 6: Port Adelaide vs West Coast Eagles.
  • Where?: Adelaide Oval.
  • Date and Time?: Saturday 23rd of April 2022 at 2:35 pm AWST.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Port Adelaide by 57 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 8 points.

Round 7: West Coast Eagles vs Richmond.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium.
  • Date and Time?: Friday 29th of April 2022 at 6:10 pm.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Richmond by 10 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 57 points.

Round 8: Brisbane Lions vs West Coast Eagles.
  • Where?: The GABBA.
  • Date and Time?: Saturday 7th of May 2022 at 5:25 pm AWST.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Brisbane Lions by 56 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 13 points.

Round 9: West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium.
  • Date and Time?: Sunday 15th of May 2022 at 3:20 pm AWST.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Melbourne Demons by 36 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 25 points.

Round 10: Greater Western Sydney Giants vs West Coast Eagles.
  • Where?: Giants Stadium
  • Date and Time?: TBC
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: GWS by 19 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 21 points.

Round 11: West Coast Eagles vs Western Bulldogs.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium.
  • Date and Time?: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Western Bulldogs by 28 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 30 points.

Round 12: Adelaide Crows vs West Coast Eagles.

  • Where?: Adelaide Oval.
  • Date and Time?: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Adelaide Crows by 22 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 65 points.

Round 13: BYE.


Round 14: West Coast Eagles vs Geelong.

  • Where?: Optus Stadium.
  • Date and Time: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Geelong by 25 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 41 points.

Round 15: West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium.
  • Date and Time?: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Essendon by 35 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 51 points.

Round 16: Richmond vs West Coast Eagles.
  • Where?: MCG.
  • Date and Time?: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Richmond by 29 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 38 points.

Round 17: West Coast Eagles vs Carlton.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium.
  • Date and Time?: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Carton Blues by 11 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 66 points.

Round 18: Hawthorn vs West Coast Eagles.
  • Where?: MCG.
  • Date and Time?: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 14 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 77 points.

Round 19: West Coast Eagles vs St Kilda.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium.
  • Date and Time?: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: St Kilda by 15 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 68 points.

Round 20: Gold Coast Suns vs West Coast Eagles.

  • Where?: Metricon Stadium.
  • Date and Time?: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Gold Coast by 45 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 33 points.

Round 21: West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide Crows.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium.
  • Date and Time: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 26 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 86 points.

Round 22: Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles.
  • Where?: Optus Stadium.
  • Date and Time?: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Fremantle by 33 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: West Coast Eagles by 47 points.

Round 23: Geelong Cats vs West Coast Eagles.
  • Where?: GMHBA Stadium (God please help me).
  • Date and Time?: TBC.
  • My predictions if nothing changes with personnel structure and tactics: Geelong by 115 points.
  • My predictions if the team uses the my suggestions with personnel structure and tactics: Geelong by 37 points.

With my predictions I can see the club finishing with the wooden spoon with a proposed record of 2-0-20 if things don't change like we defend deep, play too tall, outdated guarding space, slow ball movement down back and missed tackles. However if things change for the better I can see the team finish top 2 with a record of 20-0-2 at the very best.

I'm just being overly optimistic despite how bad the pre season went but at the same time pessimistic if things don't change.

If thread remains active during the season I may change my predicted results depending on weather, team performance and team structure.


Post updates.

  • 11-03-22: Post updated to include Darling. Predicted results are the same. Added "If thread remains active during the season I may change my predicted results depending on weather, team performance and team structure." At the end.
 
Last edited:
A for effort, and you make a lot of good points, but its all undone for me with this ...

No Waterman

Agree he is only the on the fringe of our best 22 but surely he is at least in the round 1 team... He's a great replacement for JD or as a 3rd tall and has consistent shown he is also a good high half forward option. If you don't agree with me on this then you are wrong :p
 

Log in to remove this Banner Ad

20-2? With multiple 70-100 point turn arounds by following your suggestions? That is some rosey tinted glasses my man. Love the optimism.

Also really hoping you are J.Schofield or M.Knights rn.
 
With my predictions I can see the club finishing with the wooden spoon with a proposed record of 2-0-20 if things don't change like we defend deep, play too tall, outdated guarding space, slow ball movement down back and missed tackles. However if things change for the better I can see the team finish top 2 with a record of 20-0-2 at the very best.
Marvellous
 
I got a sore typing finger just reading it.Well done!! Coupla' points.
-West's attack on the contest is fantastic.Being in the system a bit has improved his tank immensely.Yes his disposal can be ordinary but we need his "hunt".Sheed has lived off "that" goal for a while so we aren't losing much.
-Talking of defending the chaos ball; why isnt it an integral part of our forward planning?
-We cant be afraid!! Attack attack.Give responsibility to newbies.
-Somebody needs to get hold of Xon and make him watch [repeatedly] videos of Sam Mitchell.Xon looks very composed on the left.It has me buggared why players who can kick well on the left dont go to the left 60-70% of the time? It changes the dynamic totally!!
-Ive picked us in the eight but we need to somehow win 2-3 games in the first six.Then the cavalry will start arriving.I think their is a good vibe around us and im quietly confident.
-
 
Good write up mate but if you think your planning will result in a team going from spoon to flag with an average of 60-70 points difference each game I think you are a touch completely delusional. That would make you the best coach the game has ever seen.
 
Positives
  • On paper our midfield remains elite. Provided the nucleus of that group plays a good percentage of the year we should get reasonable supply into our forwardsline (obviously as I type this Shuey is out with another soft tissue injury and Yeo with christ knows what.
  • Nic is a beast
  • Rioli is recruit of the year
  • Waterman, Kennedy, Allen, Rioli and Ryan is still pretty good on paper

Negatives
  • Our defence will always be unbalanced while we play Barrass and McGovern together. The only way it works is if our midfield absolutely dominates so that McGovern spends most of the game a kick behind the footy way up the ground.
  • Compounding the above is a lack of quality small/medium defenders now that Sheppard :( is gone and Cole is injured.
  • Basically our defence is a massive worry. It lacks accountability, toughness, composure, speed and rebounding ability.
  • Midfield is good on paper but falls off a cliff after its frontline players. If most of them dont play most of the year we will get thrashed day in day out.
  • We still don't have a decent backup ruck for Nic Nat (although I believe we've recently drafted a few likely types who might address that hopefully)
  • There's 50 goals and a power of contested marking in transition from defence up around our wings where Jack Darling used to be.
  • Squad lacks the physicality all over the ground to compete with hard at it ground level teams.

Overall
Big "iffs" but provided the squad stays healthy there's no reason we can't be competitive. My biggest concern is our defense that has lost the last two players we can afford to lose in Shep and Cole. Even before that was announced (and noting our deficiencies elsewhere) I personally would have used our first rounder on the classiest small/medium defender in the draft. Unless our midfield and forwadline dominates I fear that defence is going to kill us. The loss of Darling is going to hurt our forwardline, as will the loss of Cripps early in the year. I can't wait to watch Rioli and Ryan in the same forwardline again.
 
Positives
  • On paper our midfield remains elite. Provided the nucleus of that group plays a good percentage of the year we should get reasonable supply into our forwardsline (obviously as I type this Shuey is out with another soft tissue injury and Yeo with christ knows what.
  • Nic is a beast
  • Rioli is recruit of the year
  • Waterman, Kennedy, Allen, Rioli and Ryan is still pretty good on paper

Negatives
  • Our defence will always be unbalanced while we play Barrass and McGovern together. The only way it works is if our midfield absolutely dominates so that McGovern spends most of the game a kick behind the footy way up the ground.
  • Compounding the above is a lack of quality small/medium defenders now that Sheppard :( is gone and Cole is injured.
  • Basically our defence is a massive worry. It lacks accountability, toughness, composure, speed and rebounding ability.
  • Midfield is good on paper but falls off a cliff after its frontline players. If most of them dont play most of the year we will get thrashed day in day out.
  • We still don't have a decent backup ruck for Nic Nat (although I believe we've recently drafted a few likely types who might address that hopefully)
  • There's 50 goals and a power of contested marking in transition from defence up around our wings where Jack Darling used to be.
  • Squad lacks the physicality all over the ground to compete with hard at it ground level teams.

Overall
Big "iffs" but provided the squad stays healthy there's no reason we can't be competitive. My biggest concern is our defense that has lost the last two players we can afford to lose in Shep and Cole. Even before that was announced (and noting our deficiencies elsewhere) I personally would have used our first rounder on the classiest small/medium defender in the draft. Unless our midfield and forwadline dominates I fear that defence is going to kill us. The loss of Darling is going to hurt our forwardline, as will the loss of Cripps early in the year. I can't wait to watch Rioli and Ryan in the same forwardline again.
Well we do get Duggan back so thats a good start.Hurn will do his bit as will Barass and Guv.Dont write off gun players too easily.Rotham should be ok tho he worries me a bit.Foley may be ok as well.Hough could be a halfback surprise as hes quick and surprise surprise;he can tackle. Shuey to halfback?? OAllen back;Guv forward? All is not lost.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Midfield worries me more than the backline. Even when the midfield "guns" played last year we were sh*t. Defenders can't do much when the midfield rolls over.
Yeah don't get me wrong I reckon our midfield is incredibly fragile. Beyond our preferred starters the quality falls off the table and that starting group is injury prone. If the moon and stars line up injury wise and that groups works its way into form though, it remains elite.
 
I didn't read it, but if you've spent that much time typing and formatting that post you get a like from me!
Thanks it means a lot :)

A for effort, and you make a lot of good points, but its all undone for me with this ...



Agree he is only the on the fringe of our best 22 but surely he is at least in the round 1 team... He's a great replacement for JD or as a 3rd tall and has consistent shown he is also a good high half forward option. If you don't agree with me on this then you are wrong :p
Sorry if I didn't include your godly Waterman in. No doubt he works hard. I think I might include him in the pre Allen 22 team but not sure who to replace him with maybe Petch as I've done with Allen. I think with better ball movement he can be effective. Just he does go missing a bit too much.

Now with Darling back, I don't see a place for him in the side and if he's in the side along with JK, Darling and Allen then the team will be too tall unless you want to turn him into a genuine midfielder like we did with Brander as he does have a very good tank.

Great effort. :thumbsu:

Agree with the points raised.


Will post my preview content into this thread shortly.
Can't wait to see :)

Marvellous
Thanks it means a lot :)

If things remain the same like it did on the second half of 2021 then yeah fold the club and season.

I got a sore typing finger just reading it.Well done!! Coupla' points.
-West's attack on the contest is fantastic.Being in the system a bit has improved his tank immensely.Yes his disposal can be ordinary but we need his "hunt".Sheed has lived off "that" goal for a while so we aren't losing much.
-Talking of defending the chaos ball; why isnt it an integral part of our forward planning?
-We cant be afraid!! Attack attack.Give responsibility to newbies.
-Somebody needs to get hold of Xon and make him watch [repeatedly] videos of Sam Mitchell.Xon looks very composed on the left.It has me buggared why players who can kick well on the left dont go to the left 60-70% of the time? It changes the dynamic totally!!
-Ive picked us in the eight but we need to somehow win 2-3 games in the first six.Then the cavalry will start arriving.I think their is a good vibe around us and im quietly confident.
-
Thanks it means a lot :)

  • I get pissed off when Sheed misses a tackle and gets done HTB because he can't break the tackle due to his weak core strength. Credits in the bank from that goal has ran out for me at least.
  • Hopefully West can improve on his disposal or better yet become the team's primary extractor where he can make simple short handpasses to receivers.
  • Hopefully the club can address it, I wish they read BigFooty though.
  • Attacking is a must and if we score big then we win especially if our defense is solid.
  • Dunno how long XON's new deal is but hopefully he can breakout this year if the team has injuries which hopefully they stay fit. For XON to be in contention in the main team, he would have to dominate the WAFL at this stage getting 30+ effective disposals per game and averaging a goal a game.
  • My optimism says we'll be 5-1 in the first six games or 0-6 if things continue to be the same from post bye 2021.

Good write up mate but if you think your planning will result in a team going from spoon to flag with an average of 60-70 points difference each game I think you are a touch completely delusional. That would make you the best coach the game has ever seen.
That entirely depends if things change drastically change and we stay injury free. The club's midfield is still elite if all fit and firing especially with Nic Nat available. Massive difference a change of approach can make. If nothing changes from post bye 2021 then the club is looking at the wooden spoon again but if things change for the better than I can see the team contend for the flag.

Booking tickets to Melbourne for September now.
Don't bother if things are the same from post bye 2021 instead bet for the club to win the spoon. If things change like the things I and soon to be Dylan82 to propose and we don't play too much talls then go for it.

Positives
  • On paper our midfield remains elite. Provided the nucleus of that group plays a good percentage of the year we should get reasonable supply into our forwardsline (obviously as I type this Shuey is out with another soft tissue injury and Yeo with christ knows what.
  • Nic is a beast
  • Rioli is recruit of the year
  • Waterman, Kennedy, Allen, Rioli and Ryan is still pretty good on paper

Negatives
  • Our defence will always be unbalanced while we play Barrass and McGovern together. The only way it works is if our midfield absolutely dominates so that McGovern spends most of the game a kick behind the footy way up the ground.
  • Compounding the above is a lack of quality small/medium defenders now that Sheppard :( is gone and Cole is injured.
  • Basically our defence is a massive worry. It lacks accountability, toughness, composure, speed and rebounding ability.
  • Midfield is good on paper but falls off a cliff after its frontline players. If most of them dont play most of the year we will get thrashed day in day out.
  • We still don't have a decent backup ruck for Nic Nat (although I believe we've recently drafted a few likely types who might address that hopefully)
  • There's 50 goals and a power of contested marking in transition from defence up around our wings where Jack Darling used to be.
  • Squad lacks the physicality all over the ground to compete with hard at it ground level teams.

Overall
Big "iffs" but provided the squad stays healthy there's no reason we can't be competitive. My biggest concern is our defense that has lost the last two players we can afford to lose in Shep and Cole. Even before that was announced (and noting our deficiencies elsewhere) I personally would have used our first rounder on the classiest small/medium defender in the draft. Unless our midfield and forwadline dominates I fear that defence is going to kill us. The loss of Darling is going to hurt our forwardline, as will the loss of Cripps early in the year. I can't wait to watch Rioli and Ryan in the same forwardline again.
If our first line midfield is fit and firing then we probably have the best midfield in the league that's getting fed by the best ruck in the league our defense should be shielded for the time being. Very nice to have Rioli back where he can use his flair and creativity and his crumbing ability. Without Rioli the team hasn't had any good crumbers since he got suspended.

"Our defence will always be unbalanced while we play Barrass and McGovern together. The only way it works is if our midfield absolutely dominates so that McGovern spends most of the game a kick behind the footy way up the ground."

Yes both Gov and Barrass are unaccountable defenders which is why both of them as the KPDs in the team cannot work as one of the oppo forwards can do as he pleases which is why we need a H.Edwards in the team to take pressure off them.

"Compounding the above is a lack of quality small/medium defenders now that Sheppard :( is gone and Cole is injured."

That's still an issue so Hurn, Foley and Witherden would have to be more accountable while maintaining the attacking balance. But yeah Sheppard is a massive loss for those gun oppo small forwards like Charlie Cameron or Cam Raynor.

"Basically our defence is a massive worry. It lacks accountability, toughness, composure, speed and rebounding ability."

With the proposed plan the defense should be more accountable H.Edwards has shown to take risk, if only Gov got back to his AA form where he was an underrated gun rebounder, don't forget we have Witherden, the god Hurn and Foley who can provide rebound.

"Midfield is good on paper but falls off a cliff after its frontline players. If most of them dont play most of the year we will get thrashed day in day out."

True but it will test the new recruits and the kids and get them prepared to see what's it like to play at AFL level even though the club will get smashed.

"We still don't have a decent backup ruck for Nic Nat (although I believe we've recently drafted a few likely types who might address that hopefully)"

Hopefully Luke Strnadica would be the decent backup and B.Williams can develop.

"There's 50 goals and a power of contested marking in transition from defence up around our wings where Jack Darling used to be."

Now Darling got vaxxed we should be good if he comes back to the main side early in the season. Will be fixing the Jack Darling parts in my thread.

"Squad lacks the physicality all over the ground to compete with hard at it ground level teams."

I think West, Rioli, Jones, Nic Nat and Yeo can help with that. Just keep Sheed out of the side but yeah it might be a problem unfortunately but hopefully the team has worked on their core strength and ground ball physicality especially after we recruited J.Schofield and M.Knights to address such problems that's been plaguing the club for a while.

"Overall
Big "iffs" but provided the squad stays healthy there's no reason we can't be competitive. My biggest concern is our defense that has lost the last two players we can afford to lose in Shep and Cole. Even before that was announced (and noting our deficiencies elsewhere) I personally would have used our first rounder on the classiest small/medium defender in the draft. Unless our midfield and forwadline dominates I fear that defence is going to kill us. The loss of Darling is going to hurt our forwardline, as will the loss of Cripps early in the year. I can't wait to watch Rioli and Ryan in the same forwardline again."

I think Hurn and Duggan can somewhat cover the loss of Shep and Cole for more attack we sacrifice some defense so hopefully Hurn and Duggan and Foley know when to lock their man while moving up the ground to attack. Yeah if only the team stays healthy then we'll be fine.

That's minimum 5 toilet breaks right there.
More than that lol :D

Well we do get Duggan back so thats a good start.Hurn will do his bit as will Barass and Guv.Dont write off gun players too easily.Rotham should be ok tho he worries me a bit.Foley may be ok as well.Hough could be a halfback surprise as hes quick and surprise surprise;he can tackle. Shuey to halfback?? OAllen back;Guv forward? All is not lost.
Nah prefer H.Edwards over Rotham, personally don't want another flanker in the side. We need genuine KPDs to support Gov and Barrass and H.Edwards is the guy. I think Hough will have a breakout year. Not a bad idea sending Shuey to halfback since he's one of the best ball users in the club. O Allen goes back when Gov is in the ruck. Gov Rucks for Nic Nat and can drift forward too.

Jones appears to have added a bit of grunt to his game.Maybe he is inspired by the Rioli/Ryan combo.
Hell yeah best 22 for me hands down. Jones has got to be in the side because he's one of the few guys who actually sticks his tackles.

I had him top 5 toilet breaks so this is a great result.
Nope more than that :D

Yeah don't get me wrong I reckon our midfield is incredibly fragile. Beyond our preferred starters the quality falls off the table and that starting group is injury prone. If the moon and stars line up injury wise and that groups works its way into form though, it remains elite.
Agreed we just have to hope they stay on the park for most of the season like they did in 2018 and we'll be fine. We're starting to address midfield issues by drafting two mids in last years draft so hopefully Chesser and Hough become elite.

We'll certainly finish top 4 if we're healthy and the club uses new up to date tactics not outdated tactics that the oppo has worked out.I didn't read it, but if you've spent that much time typing and formatting that post you get a like from me!

I feel sorry for xInfected_Virus who will have to completely re-work his season prediction that had us finishing somewhere between wooden spooners and premiers, depending on how things worked out.
Working on it now to include Darling.
 

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Shit! Forgot Edwards.Definitely over Rotham.Just needs to smash bodies more when spoiling, seems to be infected by the Barass model of going clean at the ball instead of body/ball.Watch May from Melbourne spoiling.He borderline mugs people.
-Have said for a few seasons now that Gov should ruck.Frees him up to just get a kick anywhere.When he doesnt need to guard players/space he is a VERY good reader of the play.
-Is there a market yet for WCE to make the eight? Just might have a flutter!!!
 
Sheed will always be a walk up start in the 22…..something something credits in the bank. campaigner should almost have been delisted after his performance in 2021. His runner up in the JW is mind boggling
Not really. He played 22 games and was probably our 2nd best midfielder overall.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Remove this Banner Ad

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Back
Top Bottom