Game Day Round 17, 2024: West Coast vs Melbourne

[YeoGabbaGabba]

I'm sure plenty of us are keen to put last week's game against Hawthorn behind us real quick, with the focus this week turning to Melbourne - who went down in a spirited performance against Brisbane by 5 points at The Gabba last Friday Night.

The last time we met - which feels like a lifetime ago now despite only being 7 weeks, the Eagles managed to have their best 4-quarter performance arguably since 2021. Harley Reid (21 disposals, seven clearances and two goals) and [PLAYERCARD]Jake Waterman[/PLAYERCARD] (five goals) helped lift the team to an impressive win, defeating the Demons by 35 points at Optus Stadium - a ground which Melbourne have travelled to well in recent times including their premiership win in 2021.

Previous 3 Meetings




Funnily enough, this is our first away game in Victoria against Melbourne since 2014! Pridda's Brownlow year - where the Eagles won by 93 points. For reference as to how long it has been, we have played 2 Subiaco games more recently against Melbourne then at the MCG.

Team Selection


It's hard to be very optimistic after last week's disappointing performance, but hoping for a response which to our credit has been there after recent disappointing losses (Swans Gather Rd game after the start to the year, Melbourne game this year after the 66-pt loss to Collingwood, St Kilda game last year after 171-pt loss).

Will be interested to see the changes at selection table tonight and tomorrow.

 

[YeoGabbaGabba]

The last time we met at the MCG, more brilliant fixturing from the AFL. 2 unusual fixtures in back to back weeks coming, Demons at the MCG + Lions at Optus for the first time ever

 

[ioppolo]

View attachment 2038268
The last time we met at the MCG, more brilliant fixturing from the AFL. 2 unusual fixtures in back to back weeks coming, Demons at the MCG + Lions at Optus for the first time ever

That would be Simmo's second game in charge of us then. Wow

 

[NeedForTheReids]

Will be interested to see the changes at selection table tonight and tomorrow.

Very intrigued to see what happens at selection table, hope there’s a massive statement few players dropped… too tall ahead of the footy, could we drop a Jack Darling? Be a big statement but it’s one we need to make try different things. The ruck combo isn’t working with Bailey Williams supporting.

Probably need an extra mid and small around the ground the way Melbourne played last week. Trew/Culley? Wouldn’t even hurt Loch Rawlinson even as a sub allow Maric to play high up the ground?

 

[YeoGabbaGabba]

Very intrigued to see what happens at selection table, hope there’s a massive statement few players dropped… too tall ahead of the footy, could we drop a Jack Darling? Be a big statement but it’s one we need to make try different things. The ruck combo isn’t working with Bailey Williams supporting.

Probably need an extra mid and small around the ground the way Melbourne played last week. Trew/Culley? Wouldn’t even hurt Loch Rawlinson even as a sub allow Maric to play high up the ground?

Darling surviving this week should be down to whether Waterman gets up - which it sounds like he is?

Give Jack Williams a go this week, needs to be in over BWilliams or Darling for me. BWilliams better off playing ruck in the WAFL as long as Flynn’s healthy - improved from 18th in hitouts to advantage all the way to …16th with Flynn in vs BWilliams as the #1 ruckman.

 

[NeedForTheReids]

Darling surviving this week should be down to whether Waterman gets up - which it sounds like he is?

Give Jack Williams a go this week, needs to be in over BWilliams or Darling for me. BWilliams better off playing ruck in the WAFL as long as Flynn’s healthy - improved from 18th in hitouts to advantage all the way to …16th with Flynn in vs BWilliams as the #1 ruckman.

Jack Williams form definitely warrants a recall. From what I’ve heard Waterman is okay should be fine just those stitches in back of the knee just get through main session today. BWilliams definitely needs a spell.

HEdwards for Rotham too little taller with Melbourne’s forward line.

If all fit changes should be at the minimum
JWilliams, Trew/Culley take ur pick, HEdwards in

Rotham, Darling, BWilliams out

and a fourth can be tossed up with few players in/out

 

[Scythe]

It's hard to be very optimistic after last week's disappointing performance

Well then, do I have the matchup for you

 

[YeoGabbaGabba]

Well then, do I have the matchup for you

It’s hard to not think this game just reeks of 60-55 Melbourne up 32 at 3QT then go goalless last quarter Simmo “we’ll take the positives” and Goodwin “we’re proud of that effort”.


But yea hope a 35 pt win at home with the inclusion of Yeo + Allen and no Petracca doesn’t result in a 80+ pt turnaround. But who even knows

 

[Scythe]

It’s hard to not think this game just reeks of 60-55 Melbourne up 32 at 3QT then go goalless last quarter Simmo “we’ll take the positives” and Goodwin “we’re proud of that effort”.

Hey, goalless last quarters are our thing

 

[FKASC]

Well then, do I have the matchup for you

let’s both forfeit and fold the clubs into one another

 

[Scythe]

let’s both forfeit and fold the clubs into one another

 

[UseR2006]

 

[YeoGabbaGabba]

View attachment 2038464

Looks - predictably - soft on selection

 

[Flarn Rarn]

So, 1 (forced) change after last week's effort.

Guess it wasn't the players' fault after all.

 

[Woutizmoo]

Just to make matters worse it's a milestone game for Hunt.

Chalk up a low effort loss

 

[EagleMan87]

Damn, Petty out is bad for us.

 

[DanWCE]

View attachment 2038268
The last time we met at the MCG, more brilliant fixturing from the AFL. 2 unusual fixtures in back to back weeks coming, Demons at the MCG + Lions at Optus for the first time ever

Early in the downhill ski era. How I miss thee

 

[CursoryMercenary]

Typical Simmo

 

[Doashuey]

View attachment 2038464

So of our 4 ins, 3 are talls? Cool, should win this in a canter then.

 

[squashface]

So of our 4 ins, 3 are talls? Cool, should win this in a canter then.

Might stretch them for height

 

[WCErevival]

So of our 4 ins, 3 are talls? Cool, should win this in a canter then.

Hutchinson isn't a tall.

 

[PremiershipNo4]

I’m sure once we’ve owned our journey to be Synergised, we’ll be fine.
Melbourne by the length of the Flemington straight.

 

[Mulldogg]

You play like you train hey? Didn’t show up from the first bounce last week and they’re already 15 minutes late coming out for the captain’s run…

 

[jdisc]

Very intrigued to see what happens at selection table, hope there’s a massive statement few players dropped… too tall ahead of the footy, could we drop a Jack Darling? Be a big statement but it’s one we need to make try different things. The ruck combo isn’t working with Bailey Williams supporting.

Probably need an extra mid and small around the ground the way Melbourne played last week. Trew/Culley? Wouldn’t even hurt Loch Rawlinson even as a sub allow Maric to play high up the ground?

ahh so much optimism in this post

 

[Mulldogg]

Waterman looking proppy as. Unlikely starter I’d say.