I definitely agree with all the other things you said on disposal efficiency, missing set shots, and in the first WCE eagles game, a lack of a defence cost us any chance.
Actually I think the loss of Robbo, Curnow and Carrazzo just before the game, plus Jamo in the first Q cost us.
They smashed us in the clearances........the defence never had a chance.
Roll forward to Saturday, and all of a sudden the clearances are more even with our "hard nuts" in and we look much better.
I think part of us missing that big body means all our smalls end up on the boundary or very acute angle taking harder shots at goal than some of the other top 4 teams.
I agree with you BG that we need a good tall marking target.
The problem with our smalls, especially Betts, is that he has learnt to think like a leading, marking forward. What this means is that from time to time he now gets stuck out of position, to neither contest as a marking player, or crumb the drop of the ball.
Saturday night, on far too many occasions Eddie led his man to the contest, not for the drop of the ball, but for the arial duel. As Eddie pulled up and peeled off to the front of the contest, his man was able to continue on with no pressure and go third man up.
This didn't help the likes of O'hAiplin or Thornton, both of whom copped way too much flak for Saturday night. Instead, O'hAilpin started to push further up the ground looking for some space.
I disagree with some that Thornton is just a "stop gap".
It may well prove to be the case, but he has always been strong overhead. I'd like to see him spend the summer re-learning the role of a forward and see if he can make a fist of it.
I don't see us getting Dawes. Have a look at how much Eddie is trying to limit their rivals by tying up their soon to be ex-coach and not allowing the IP out.
No way he gives us, a main contender, a huge leg up by delivering a big power forward..........they will screw us over HUGE if we do get him, but I still don't think Eddie will help us out like that.....and besides, he's had one and a half good seasons and he's got bodgy knees.
Any chance we look at Mitch Clarke (I know he wants to go home, but maybe just getting out of Vossbane is enough). Maybe we do look at Lake, but with his mobility are we just getting another clapped out Lance Whitnall - some similarities there?
If a ready made forward presents to us then we should look at it, but I think we are that close with what we have. Walker will get better. That was his first year as a permanent forward. Maybe the likes of Waite, Thornton, Hampson, O'hAilpin, Mitchell, Watson or Henderson..........will step up another notch, or remain fit enough to get some form.
IMHO, premierships in the last 10 years are usually won by the best defensive side with the best midfield. Forward lines have been optional, or ineffectual come the big day.
Same would have been true for us Saturday night. Some straight kicks from Murphy and Simpson........some composure from Davies......and we are talking about whether we can repeat the dose on the Cats at the G rather than 2012. Height not a factor there.
