Another List Review

[Mr Q]

Well here's my entirely subjective take on the performances of all the players on the Eagles senior list in 2003. I'm not of course rating the players on their potential, just what they provided to the club in 2003 - all in my opinion of course. At the end of each player's review is what I believe their status at the club should be.

I know a few people may question my giving Andrew Embley a higher ranking than Ben Cousins, however my personal feel is that while we could rely on Cousins week in week out, it was when Embley was there that we looked most dangerous, and this year in my opinion he has stepped up to be our most important player.

Anyway the top five:
1) Andrew Embley (93)
2) Ben Cousins (91)
3) Michael Gardiner (90)
4) Chad Fletcher (82)
5) Chris Judd (78)

Somewhat unsuprisingly there is a midfield dominance in this list as the midfielders were the leading players at West Coast in 2003, and it was when they were on top that the club looked its best on the field.

Anyway, player by player:

Damien Adkins – 35.
Games: 8
Goals: 7
Possessions per game: 7.3
Adkins shows potential, but other than a good effort against the Lions he has shown little on the field. The Eagles should persist with him though as he could be very good in the future. (Retain - trade value too low)

Drew Banfield – 60.
Games: 22
Goals: 3
Possessions per game: 13.0
Banfield is still capable of AFL football, and his footy brain still seems to work, but he doesn't seem quite as able to hold down any particular position as he used to be. Certainly should be retained for 2004, but will need to show a lot to continue his career past that. (Retain - untradeable)

Zac Beeck - NA.
Beeck was promoted from the rookie list in place of Paul Johnson late in 2003 but did not play a senior game. Has shown a lot at East Perth over the season, and it seems reasonable that the Eagles may choose to put Beeck on the main list for 2004. (Retain)

Michael Braun – 73.
Games: 22
Goals: 4
Possessions per game: 16.0
Brauny started the year in shocking form, and it seemed that perhaps the AFL had passed him by. However an impressive run home to the season when everyone around him was dropping off showed that Braun still has value to the side. If he can carry his late season form into 2004 he will be very valuable. (Tradeable)

Trent Carroll – 50.
Games: 14
Goals: 2
Possessions per game: 9.5
Carroll never really shows much, and doesn't quite seem capable of the key position backman position he usually occupies. However Carroll would remain required at the Eagles while there is the current dearth of key defenders in the side. Will need a dramatic improvement in 2004 to retain a spot on the list. (Retain - untradeable)

Callum Chambers – 52.
Games: 4
Goals: 2
Possessions per game: 16.0
Chambers has skills and potential, but failed to really show them in 2003 except in his comeback match against the Crows. He seems (to me anyway) to be subject to backing out of difficult contests and consequently doesn't win the hard ball. Definitely has trade value though. (Very Tradeable)

Daniel Chick – 64.
Games: 18
Goals: 12
Possessions per game: 12.6
Chick was clearly hampered in the latter part of the season by an injury, and that let him down dramatically. When at the top of his game such as the game against Collingwood he is a natural leader and an integral part of the team. Needs to play injury free next season to show his talent - if he does he will be one of our best. (Required)

Michael Collica – 44.
Games: 5
Goals: 0
Possessions per game: 9.4
One of the bizarre things this season was that Collica couldn't get into the side. Eventually though he made it back but was not particularly impressive as a defender. There is no doubt he put effort in, but doesn't appear to always make the right decision. Will need a good 2004 to stay at the club (Retain - untradeable)

Ben Cousins – 91.
Games: 23
Goals: 17
Possessions per game: 2.6
Clearly Cousins played early in the season with an injury (the ankle suffered in round 2 against Hawthorn perhaps), and he was often tagged out of the game. However like the consummate player he is he made it back into form and would probably be the Eagles best and fairest again in 2003. Most notably the only player to stand up in the final against the Crows. (Required)

Dean Cox – 68.
Games: 19
Goals: 10
Possessions per game: 11.2
Big Cox had an ordinary start to the season to the point of being dropped at one stage, but when Gardiner went down late in the season Cox stood up reasonably well, and was a useful player in many games in the latter part of the season. Cox would be chased by many clubs looking for a ruckman, and if he bulks up a bit shows a lot of potential. (Tradeable)

Andrew Embley – 93.
Games: 19
Goals: 31
Possessions per game: 18.0
Until Embley went down with a broken collarbone he was putting in the best season of his career. From a frustrating and debateable bit part player, Embley turned into the Eagles most damaging wingman/forward. The spark Embley provided the Eagles in many games in 2003 was impressive, and he could become a champion if he can carry that form forward. (Required)

Chad Fletcher – 82.
Games: 20
Goals: 10
Possessions per game: 22.7
Fletcher had a reputation leading into the season of being hot and cold, but he turned into Mr Consistency in 2003, becoming a vital cog in the Eagles midfield. Fletcher became a regular posession winner and was probably the Eagles premier midfielder until he was injured late in the season. Came back but was not able to recapture early season form. (Tradeable - just)

Michael Gardiner – 90.
Games: 18
Goals: 10
Possessions per game: 13.5
Gardiner was clearly the best ruckman of 2003, and despite missing the last six weeks still gained All-Australian selection albeit on the bench. Gardiner's dominance in the ruck and an uncanny link with the midfield (particularly Cousins and Fletcher) underpinned the Eagles early season form. Perhaps a little injury prone but a vital player at West Coast. (Required)

Travis Gaspar – 46.
Games: 5
Goals: 4
Possessions per game: 7.8
Injuries ruined Gaspar's year, and despite all the potential and talent Gaspar has shown he was unable to play a major role in the Eagles' season. On form deserved a better rating, but his inability to take the field means he needs to have an uninterrupted season soon or the Eagles will have to think hard about his future. (Retain)

Darren Glass – 59.
Games: 15
Goals: 1
Possessions per game: 9.5
Glass has the ability to play well at AFL level, but his thinking processes are a little worrying. Glass needs to improve his disposal to make the leap to the next level. The Eagles will be banking on that leap happening as he is the best of a motley bunch of tall defenders at the club. Needs a good 2004. (Tradeable)

Kasey Green – 62.
Games: 20
Goals: 2
Possessions per game: 11.0
Green showed a lot of potential as a backman in 2003. Put in a couple of shockers, but as an up and comer Green hopefully still has a lot of improving to be done. Has certainly shown enough to justify a position in the team for 2004 and beyond, and as a promising defender he will be an important part of the club's future. (Tradeable)

Ashley Hansen – NA.
Key forward who did not play a game in 2003. Will need to have an impact in 2004 as time must be limited for Hansen to make a future for himself. (Tradeable)

David Haynes – 51.
Games: 21
Goals: 27
Possessions per game: 10.2
Haynes showed potential at full forward, but I can't see that he is a long term solution up forward. Tends to go missing (admittedly a trait of full-forwards), but does not appear to have the determination to play the game to his potential. Reasonable mark most of the time, and might make a reasonable third tall forward, but needs to show something soon. (Tradeable)

Jeremy Humm – 45.
Games: 8
Goals: 0
Possessions per game: 9.1
Humm showed a lot in the 2002 Elimination Final against Essendon, and again in the win against Collingwood in 2003, but has not consistently shown the hard nut qualities he is known to have. Certainly worth persisting with, but he will need to have a breakthrough soon. Could improve with experience, and if he can fulfil his potential will be good for the club. (Tradeable)

Adam Hunter – 66.
Games: 20
Goals: 4
Possessions per game: 11.1
Hunter didn't have the best start to the season, but he showed a lot filling in as a small key defender, notably against Port and Hawthorn. Probably not quite tall enough to play as a key defender full time, but his height and skills will be more than useful to the Eagles in the future, a future that looks bright for Hunter. (Required)

Glen Jakovich – 61.
Games: 21
Goals: 14
Possessions per game: 13.5
Jako was probably the best center half back of the 90s, but is now too slow to fulfull the requirements of that position. Has shown a bit moving forward to center half forward, and were he younger would be worth persevering with at this position. However he isn't and probably will see out 2004 and then retire. It will be sad to see a great of the club leave, but it is looking inevitable. (Retain)

Paul Johnson – 28.
Games: 1
Goals: 0
Possessions per game: 1.0
Johnson only had the one chance in 2003 (the first derby), and didn't do much with it, but he was not drafted as an instant solution. Had a reasonable year at Swans and should be persevered with. (Retain)

Rowan Jones – 70.
Games: 23
Goals: 14
Possessions per game: 15.6
Jones has all the attributes of a great utility player - except he can't kick. Was very impressive filling the role Andrew Embley had been playing at the end of the season, and is an integral part of the Eagles' best 22. Probably wouldn't command the trade value he is worth, and he is an important cog in the Eagles' side, so will continue on in 2004. (Retain)

Chris Judd – 78.
Games: 23
Goals: 29
Possessions per game: 18.2
Juddy showed everyone what he was capable of with a five goal first half against the Lions at the Gabba. His explosive pace and silky skills shine in the Eagles' midfield where he will hopefully stay for many years to come. Had trouble with heavy tagging late in the season, but with that skill in only his second season he has a stellar future ahead of him. (Untouchable)

Daniel Kerr – 73.
Games: 21
Goals: 17
Possessions per game: 19.2
Kerr was not as good in 2003 as 2002, but still showed guts and determination, particularly against Sydney and in the second derby. The Eagles need his in and under talents in the midfield, and while Kerr is not in the class of Cousins or Judd he is a very good midfielder that any club would be happy to have. The Eagles would be mad to even think of trading Kerr. (Untouchable)

Quinten Lynch – NA.
Many questions are asked as to why the massive Quinten Lynch could not get a game in 2003 after an more than reasonable debut season in 2002. Has been in excellent form for the Garlicmunchers (aka West Perth), and hopefully will evolve into a good key position player over the next couple of years. Lynch would be unlucky to continue on the sidelines if he has another good WAFL season. (Tradeable)

Philip Matera – 77.
Games: 19
Goals: 62
Possessions per game: 9.0
The competition's premier small forward of 2003, Phil Matera was outstanding until he missed a chunk of the mid-season. Matera has a few disciplinary problems on the field, but his value to the team is unquestionable. Could be even better should the Eagles find a good tall forward for the full forward spot and he does not have to be the club's main forward target. (Required)

Andrew McDougall – 58.
Games: 10
Goals: 9
Possessions per game: 9.6
Dooooogs finally got to string a few games together in 2003 and showed the potential the Eagles thought was there when he was drafted at #5 in the 1999 draft. McDougall would likely be looking at holding down a key forward position in the future, and the Eagles will need him firing to keep the forward line up there. (Required)

Ashley McIntosh – 25.
Games: 14
Goals: 0
Possessions per game: 8.4
McIntosh should have retired at the end of 2002, and the way he was taken apart by players he would have shredded in past seasons was painful to see. McIntosh has declared his intention to retire from the game, either way had he not the club would be forced to delist him as there is little he could continue to offer - an undeserving but required act. (Retired)

Chad Morrison – 43.
Games: 10
Goals: 0
Possessions per game: 13.6
Morrison has not made it back satisfactorally from the double knee reconstruction that kept him out of the game for two years. He probably still has something to offer the list, and his dodgy knees would make him a debatable trade. Morrison would need to get back some form over the next season or so to remain in AFL football. (Tradeable)

Kane Munro – 40.
Games: 6
Goals: 4
Possessions per game: 8.3
Munro had few chances in 2003, and didn't make the most of them either. At the moment he appears too skinny to have an impact at AFL level and will need to bulk up over the summer to be competitive. Deserves at least one more year to show what he can do, but 2004 would be make or break for Kane Munro. (Retain)

Phil Read – 53.
Games: 11
Goals: 1
Possessions per game: 12.5
Read has made a better return to the game from a double knee reconstruction than Chad Morrison, but is not the player he was before he went down. Read appears to lack a little confidence and needs to get it back to warrant a spot in the 22. Certainly valuable on the list, the Eagles would be hoping Read returns to his best in 2004. (Tradeable)

Ashley Sampi – 69.
Games: 21
Goals: 31
Possessions per game: 9.9
Looks like Chris Lewis and plays like Chris Lewis. Not quite in Lewey's mould just yet, but there have been flashes of brilliance that explain Sampi's selection at #6 in the 2001 draft. Hopefully he can get it all together in 2004, if he does he could be a valuable player all around the ground. Sampi has been a useful small forward in 2003, and has shown something in defence as well. (Required)

Mark Seaby – NA.
A big ruckman who has yet to break into the side. Seaby however impressed many at West Perth in 2003 and will certainly be in the AFL for the time being. Ruckman tending to mature late the Eagles should persist with Seaby for a few years yet. (Retain - particularly if Cox is traded)

Adam Selwood – 41.
Games: 2
Goals: 0
Possessions per game: 10.0
Selwood has only played two games so far in a short AFL career, but has shown a lot of potential so far. Has tended to be a little overawed at AFL level, but that will hopefully be worn off with time. Selwood hopefully will be able to make the move into a more regular spot in 2004. (Retain)

David Sierakowski - 50.
Games: 3
Goals: 0
Possessions per game: 11.3
Sierakowski's selection for any games in 2003 was a surprise to many, and he tried hard and wasn't actually too bad in any of his AFL appearances for the season. Unfortunately for Siera its probably too little too late and it would appear that was even evident to him as he has declared that he has retired from football. (Retired)

Brent Staker – 52.
Games: 7
Goals: 3
Possessions per game: 7.4
Staker was an impressive rookie in 2003, his first kick and subsequent goal in AFL football were worthy of a player of much more experience. He has the height to play key positions should he bulk up, and the skills and speed to be a big wingman a-la Andrew Embley should he not. Has a huge future ahead of him, hopefully at the West Coast Eagles. (Retain)

Troy Wilson – 31.
Games: 5
Goals: 5
Possessions per game: 5.0
The Troy Wilson experiment is over. Willo fulfilled everything that was asked of a player drafted to be a full-forward at 29 and the Eagles would be ecstatic with the return, but it appears he doesn't have any more to offer. Hopefully though Wilson's successes will encourage more clubs to gamble on older players in the future. Thanks Willo, you were a star! (Delist)

David Wirrpunda – 76.
Games: 19
Goals: 10
Possessions per game: 16.2
Wirrpunda was far and away the Eagles best defender in 2003, his silky skills and football brain making him almost need to be tagged in the backline. Hopefully Wirra will sign up, because the Eagles will not want to trade one of the club's favourite players, and hopefully an injury free season or two are on the cards for an impressive Eagle. (Required - if he wants to stay!)

Josh Wooden – 54.
Games: 9
Goals: 1
Possessions per game: 10.7
Wooden had a few good games and a few bad games, but again failed to hold down a spot consistently in 2003. Is it bad luck from the #13 perhaps? Wooden hopefully has more to offer the Eagles, but would certainly be a possible trade should something come up. If not he will need to try and step up again in 2004. (Tradeable)

 

[llosis]

Excellent review Q. Very thorough.

I would take issue with the way you ranked the top three. Gardiner was our MVP this year and I think his absence was more pronounced than Embley. After the Port game we were never the same and I think that hinged upon losing Gardy from the ruck. So I would've had:

1. Gardiner.
2. Cousins - over the course of the 23 games it was Cousins who stood up as you quite rightly said.
3. Embley - Incredible year but not on par with Gardiner or Cousins in terms of effectiveness or importance to the team. Worthy 3rd.

Your top 6 is pretty good. Although I'd probably push Fido ahead of Judd swapping their scores. Both Matera and Judd probably went missing in equal number of games but Matera's weight of goals on our team without a key forward target was pretty huge.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Good review, good reading. Did you write it all from memory of the 2003 season, or did you take notes along the way?

 

[Mead]

Good review.

Totally agree with you about Embley actually- we won without Gardiner, we couldn't win without Embley.

 

[larrikin]

Great review, one thing bugged me though.

I was fascinated that you listed only Judd and Kerr as Untouchables, when I would have thought that Cousins and Gardiner would be the first two in that class.

Don't get me wrong, Kerr and Judd are great players, but neither player had anywhere near as good a year as Cousins, Embley, Fletcher or Gardiner and Kerr already has had altercations with the club's captain, whilst Judd is no guarantee to stick around in 2 years when his next contract is up.

I'm not saying I'd trade either of these two, far from it, but I just would have thought there'd be other untouchables ahead of them.

 

[no1bankteller]

Mr Q

Great review!

The key part of the analysis is that Darren Glass on a full back line (on avg) had more possesions then Travis Gasper at CHF. One more reason why gasper should not be playing CHF next season.

Cheers

 

[vicki]

untouchable

Good review Mr Q.

But I agree with Larrikin - Cousins and Gardiner should be UNTOUCHABLES - in capital letters !!!!

 

[Mr Q]

Originally posted by larrikin
Great review, one thing bugged me though.

I was fascinated that you listed only Judd and Kerr as Untouchables, when I would have thought that Cousins and Gardiner would be the first two in that class.

I think its a reflection of accidentally changing my terminology part way through the review (it took two sittings). Cousins, Gardiner and Embley are all also meant to be untouchable.

Originally posted by daddy_4_eyes
Good review, good reading. Did you write it all from memory of the 2003 season, or did you take notes along the way?

Done from memory, but much aided by having done weekly previews every week which I consulted from time to time to see how players were stacking up as the season progressed.

An interesting one on the stats was that Darren Glass and Trent Carroll had almost identical statistics for the season. I'd rate Glass's season better, but that certainly influenced my opinion of both.

 

[no1bankteller]

Originally posted by Mr Q

An interesting one on the stats was that Darren Glass and Trent Carroll had almost identical statistics for the season. I'd rate Glass's season better, but that certainly influenced my opinion of both.

Difference being that Glass has a better footbal brain and is tougher at the contest. It would be interesting to do a tackling comparison between the two as well as the spoiling comparison. Glass does need to lear to dispose of the footy better though.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Originally posted by Mr Q
An interesting one on the stats was that Darren Glass and Trent Carroll had almost identical statistics for the season. I'd rate Glass's season better, but that certainly influenced my opinion of both.

That's a disturbing piece of information.

Carroll was mostly there early when we were under less pressure at the back, while Glass was there mostly for the latter half when we were under the pump. I would have expected Glass to get more stats for that reason, so don't know where that leaves us. Glass' main skill appears to me to be as a scragger (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Good review Mr Q - excellent effort.

 

[Mr Q]

Originally posted by no1bankteller
Difference being that Glass has a better footbal brain and is tougher at the contest. It would be interesting to do a tackling comparison between the two as well as the spoiling comparison. Glass does need to lear to dispose of the footy better though.

Tackling is the one area Glass had notably better stats (24 in 15 games compared to Carroll 9 in 14). Whether that says that Glass's opponents were getting more of the ball I don't know....

On the football brain side, neither are footballing geniuses, but I personally believe that Carroll has the better football brain, but Glass has much more ability. Glass's inablilty to dispose of the ball is IMO a symptom of checking his brain at the door before entering the field.

If you made me pick one or the other right now I'd take Glass as would everyone but Carroll's mum, but I don't think the difference is as big as its often made out to be - and if Glass doesn't start using his brain he may not be able to move on from the liability stage.

 

[jod23]

Good review MrQ. It's amazing that in the space of one year Embley has gone from an annoyingly inconsistent and at times utterly useless player to a star who could become an All Australian and even a possible brownlow winner. The change is somewhat unbelieveable.

 

[Deegle]

Originally posted by jod23
Good review MrQ. It's amazing that in the space of one year Embley has gone from an annoyingly inconsistent and at times utterly useless player to a star who could become an All Australian and even a possible brownlow winner. The change is somewhat unbelieveable.

Yeah i agree, Embley showed flases of brillance last year but could never really back it up on a weekly basis but this year he has showed his true class. Which is great news for Embley and the Eagles.

I think one of the reasons why Embley may of been frustrating and inconsistent last year was the fact we had 3 similar sorts of players (Embley, Jones and Andrew Williams) and they seemed to of cramped each other up at times. But since Williams departure both Embley and Jones have improved as footballers and even Williams showed promise of becoming a future All-Australian early in the season, however he did drop off towards the latter part of the year.

 

[Jabber]

Originally posted by Mr Q
An interesting one on the stats was that Darren Glass and Trent Carroll had almost identical statistics for the season. I'd rate Glass's season better, but that certainly influenced my opinion of both.

Interesting - My ratings, revised to account for consistency in performance, show a vast chasm between the 2. This system is fairly harsh on players who have erratic form, hence McDougall & Haynes lower than expected rating. (5 or more games is the qualification, delistings have been removed, EF is included)

B.COUSINS 86
M.GARDINER 85
D.WIRRPUNDA 83
C.FLETCHER 81
C.JUDD 81
D.KERR 79
A.EMBLEY 78
R.JONES 72
A.SAMPI 67
D.COX 66
D.CHICK 65
M.BRAUN 64
M.COLLICA 63
D.GLASS 60
P.READ 59
D.BANFIELD 59
G.JAKOVICH 58
J.WOODEN 58
P.MATERA 56
C.MORRISON 56
A.HUNTER 56
B.STAKER 56
K.GREEN 55
A.McDOUGALL 52
T.GASPAR 51
D.HAYNES 51
T.CARROLL 49
D.ADKINS 48
K.MUNRO 47
J.HUMM 46

Anyone under 50 is expendable IMO

 

[Mead]

Originally posted by regal_eagle
Yeah i agree, Embley showed flases of brillance last year but could never really back it up on a weekly basis but this year he has showed his true class. Which is great news for Embley and the Eagles.

I think one of the reasons why Embley may of been frustrating and inconsistent last year was the fact we had 3 similar sorts of players (Embley, Jones and Andrew Williams) and they seemed to of cramped each other up at times. But since Williams departure both Embley and Jones have improved as footballers and even Williams showed promise of becoming a future All-Australian early in the season, however he did drop off towards the latter part of the year.

Possibly. But i think the key reason why Embley was so frustrating and inconsistent last year was because he was going out and drinking himself insensible every other week, not going to training, and consequentially was *almost* fit enough to stay on the ground for about 10 minutes at a time.

 

[Clayton]

Possibly. But i think the key reason why Embley was so frustrating and inconsistent last year was because he was going out and drinking himself insensible every other week, not going to training, and consequentially was *almost* fit enough to stay on the ground for about 10 minutes at a time.

Im not sure what you mean by that and im not flaming you or anything but how could Embley go out and get on the turps and expect to play when Fletcher & Carroll both got suspended by the club for having one drink on his birthday.

I thought no drinking was a club rule ?

 

[Mead]

Originally posted by Clayton
Im not sure what you mean by that and im not flaming you or anything but how could Embley go out and get on the turps and expect to play when Fletcher & Carroll both got suspended by the club for having one drink on his birthday.

I thought no drinking was a club rule ?

I'm not sure, but I think the club rule is no drinking whilst you are out injured (which, iirc, was the case with Fletch and Carroll), because it interferes with your body's recovery process.

Its pretty common knowledge, and (i think) Embley admitted as much himself, that Embley was very much living the party life these last couple of years, and his football suffered as a result. He said that it got to the point where every monday he'd be rocking up for training waiting to get busted for whatever he did over the weekend.
By all accounts, he got a kick up the arse from Worsfold at the end of last season, got off the turps and worked his butt off over the off season. The results of that, we all saw this year- he's turned his footballing career and quite possibly his life around- good for him.

 

[Clayton]

oh ok thanks for clearing that up i thought there was no drinking period