Prediction Changes v Whoever The **** It Is After The Bye

[MIKE85]

Simpson will chased be out of town by the west aussie media and fans if he has another shit year, so what's the harm in actually making some tough calls, and culling the players that need to be?? He probably can't win either way, so may as well go out in a fashion that shows he knew what he was doing. If he really thinks we can be competitive against the good sides (shit, any side really) with the same group of players, then he should go, because he is blind as f**k.

We aren't going anywhere with this current group. Their higest achievement is an absolute choke in the biggest game of their lives, and they all have to live with that. Most of them seem more worried about being seen in the local cafe strip, and following the latest american sport that it's cool to follow.

I feel like Homer Simpson when Bart asks why he hate's the isotopes so much? "Because I loved them once, and they broke my heart"

 

[Jiggyman]

As much as some on here want us to tank, we should still be reaching for the Top 4 and a win against Geelong is a must.

Karpany hasn't exactly showed an aptitude for the big stage, and Lamb is such an unknown quantity the risk would probably be too great.

Karpany can run and chase. Good for a goal. What exactly is Lecca offering?

 

[CM9000]

Karpany can run and chase. Good for a goal. What exactly is Lecca offering?

Better support up the ground and probably more goals then Karpany.

This is all on the basis of his home form however, so we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Keys]

Surely Venables is a chance now if he plays well enough. He's had half a season in the WAFL he should be fit enough.

Thought about Venables but his form within games is still a little too spasmodic and I'm not convinced bringing him against a very physical Geelong side would be the best thing for his development

Everyone is saying Emac out I didn't think he played that bad.

Yeah I thought EMac had a decent game. Made a bit of a blue with that deliberate OOB but didn't lose too many one on ones vs Lynch and his disposal was reasonable

Was far from our worst today

 

[Woobla Stainz]

An interesting article today's Australian

West Coast are in danger of becoming a team going nowhere.

In airline terms, they are close to having a “stick shaker” experience, where a warning system that causes the control stick to vibrate is activated, alerting the pilot that his plane could enter a “stall” condition. It’s not good.

It was only 20 months ago that they played in a grand final. But the reality is West Coast look every chance to stagnate, or even slip backwards, because they have failed to rejuvenate their list, and that could cost them dearly as early as next year or the year after that if the situation goes unchecked.

They should remain thereabouts this season, and because of their favourable home-ground advantage — only broken this year by the Giants last weekend — they’ll probably play finals. However, in what is shaping as a wide open contest behind Adelaide and GWS, they are already struggling to keep pace.

Today’s contest against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium might be a more even affair than most expect. Less than a month ago the Suns, at home, were too quick for Geelong and they should again have that speed advantage.

Following the Eagles’ poor loss to Hawthorn at the MCG in round five, coach Adam Simpson said: “The Hawks were just relentless all day and we couldn’t sustain it. Even when our intent was right we looked fumbly, from our senior players down to our kids.” Hang on, what kids?

After being thrashed by Essendon in round nine, Simpson mentioned that he would have a look at how the club’s “second-tier” players were progressing after another dismal away performance. What second-tier players?

West Coast have become a halfway house for old players.

The Eagles’ recruiting of rising 35-year-olds Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie does little for the development of young players to take the club to a higher level over the next five years.

The club and their blinkered fans will argue that they have won six of their first 10 games and are only one win behind where they were at the corresponding time last year before winning 16 home-and-away matches, one less than minor premiers Sydney.

The glaring problem is that there is a lack of promising youth coming up behind seasoned players, who have been topped up by older players again. West Coast’s plight can best be summed up by some alarming facts.

Since the start of 2012, they have won the least amount of rising star nominations of any club.

Their two nominations have been Dom Sheed in 2015 and Tom Barrass last year, and defender Barrass has not been selected for the past two weeks. That’s two nominations over the past 125 rounds.

In the 5½ seasons, the Giants understandably have the most (16), followed by Adelaide (10), the Western Bulldogs (10) and Melbourne, with nine. Hawthorn, even through a golden period of four grand finals and three premierships, have had five players nominated.

Since the start of 2016, West Coast have played only three debutants — Tommy Cole and Malcolm Karpany last year and Kurt Mutimer this year, — and it would be fair to say they have only plodded, though left-footer Karpany last week showed some promise in his second game since being the 31st overall choice in the 2013 national draft. But it was not enough for Simpson to retain him this weekend. Sydney played seven debutants in a grand final year last season and have already played another six this season. They may not be travelling that well at the moment, but their future appears to be in good shape.

Geelong, who are sitting third, have played seven fresh faces since the start of last season, including five debutants this year. Of that five, three have played in 23 of a possible 33 games.

Top-of-the-ladder Adelaide have played five newcomers in the same period, with the injured Mitch McGovern and this week’s rising star nomination Wayne Milera clearly the pick of their debutants.

The Eagles have also been let down by the progress of their top two picks in the past three national drafts, especially in comparison to other clubs who have been around the same mark as West Coast in recent years.

While it may be a little early to judge last year’s first two picks — Daniel Venables (selection No 13) and Josh Rotham (37) who have yet to play a senior game — early selections at other clubs have already made a huge impression.

Geelong teenager Brandan Parfitt (26) played every game and won a rising star nomination before badly damaging his hamstring in round six. New teammate Tom Stewart (40) has played 10 games.

Sydney’s first two selections — Oliver Florent (11) and Will Hayward (21) — have played 15 games between them. Hayward could be a star in the making.

The Eagles first two selections over the past three drafts have played a combined 35 games, with Liam Duggan, the club’s first pick in the 2014 draft at No 11 overall, playing 32 of them. Of the others, only Cole (two games) and Tom Lamb (one) have played.

Geelong, with only one pick inside the top 25 in the past three years of the national draft, have got 90 games out of their six top-two picks in that period, with Parfitt, Stewart, Sam Menegola (pick No 66 in 2015) and Nakia Cockatoo, the 10th overall pick in 2014 — all having played at senior level this year.

From the same three drafts, five of the six players taken by the Swans with their first two selections, have played a combined 99 games.

West Coast must make some tough decisions this year, especially on veterans Matt Priddis (32) and Mark LeCras (30), who are both coming out of contract. The two have been influential players — Priddis a Brownlow medallist and LeCras, an All-Australian and best-and-fairest winner in 2010 — but are now looking slow and wobbly, particularly on the road.

Someone’s taken their eye off the ball. So who is responsible for a list that appears to be on the verge of quickly falling into mediocrity? Long standing and highly-respected chief executive Trevor Nisbett has always kept his finger on the pulse of his football department, but he’s been flat out for some time organising a new training and administration headquarters and lobbying for the best deal at Perth’s new 60,000-seat stadium.

Simpson is a senior coach with a disproportionate say in what goes on internally at West Coast. And the club’s general manager of football is Craig Vozzo. Under their watch, they brought in Jack Redden from Brisbane, Mitchell and Petrie, and now there is talk of interest in Gold Coast’s Brandon Matera. Please.

There is no time for sentiment in football, only the four points on offer every week. The eventual return of Nic Naitanui will take the Eagles a long way, but the warning signs are there. The “stick shaker” is ready to go off and is anybody at the controls?

Greg Denham can be heard on SEN (1116am) radio on Hungry For Sport on Monday and Thursday between 9-10am.


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Scary but true.

 

[Jiggyman]

Better support up the ground and probably more goals then Karpany.

This is all on the basis of his home form however, so we'll just have to wait and see.

It is a tough one, but one of our biggest problems seems to be lack of defensive forward/midfield pressure. Also starts to send a really negative message to reserves when you can disappear like he did today and hold a spot, after Karps might've considered himself stiff this week.

Starts with our slowest forward and slowest mid... We can still move it well atm, but may need to sacrifice some 'class' for sheer grunt work.

 

[Biggie]

As much as some on here want us to tank, we should still be reaching for the Top 4 and a win against Geelong is a must.

Karpany hasn't exactly showed an aptitude for the big stage, and Lamb is such an unknown quantity the risk would probably be too great.

Top 4 you say?

Think that ship has sailed.

 

[ziad]

Thought about Venables but his form within games is still a little too spasmodic and I'm not convinced bringing him against a very physical Geelong side would be the best thing for his development





Yeah I thought EMac had a decent game. Made a bit of a blue with that deliberate OOB but didn't lose too many one on ones vs Lynch and his disposal was reasonable

Was far from our worst today

certainly on of the better

 

[Winky]

Better support up the ground and probably more goals then Karpany.

This is all on the basis of his home form however, so we'll just have to wait and see.

If Karpany plays it has to be a wing. Lecca is OK IF he plays forward. Trying to get him to prop up midfield doesn't work. Despite what Simpson says, the forward line isn't the major problem...it's still the ******* midfield. There is no way we can beat Geelong without Kennedy so we need a midfield with a couple of either Karpany, Nelson, Murtimer or Partington in with Sheed, Shuey, Jetta, Gaff, Masten and Mitchell (+possibly Hutchings) Some of these can also change in forward line. I don't give a crap if we get slaughtered at least we will be either heading in the right direction or will identify where our improvement is going to come from. Lamb should also get a go as a HFF and Venables and Rioli get a gig as soon as they can reasonably run a game out. That means Priddis has to go and I think Duggan needs to go back to EP to work on some things.

 

[Eagleboy68]

Scary but true.

Yeah must be exciting getting drafted by East Perth on draft day for he kids.

 

[Winky]

Thought about Venables but his form within games is still a little too spasmodic and I'm not convinced bringing him against a very physical Geelong side would be the best thing for his development





Yeah I thought EMac had a decent game. Made a bit of a blue with that deliberate OOB but didn't lose too many one on ones vs Lynch and his disposal was reasonable

Was far from our worst today

Yep agree with both points. I don't know why everyone is so down on giving him (Emac)a go. He had a couple of shockers last year but played well today given his opponent and the lack of pressure from our mids

 

[WestCoast05]

What sort of player is Venables - is he an inside or outside midfielder or both?

My understanding is he's an inside mid but not sure.

I don't know a whole lot about him but blooding a young buck had surely got to be better than Priddis. He's been a stalwart of the club but time is clearly up.

Same with Karpany for Lecras. Karpany actually scored last week against the Giants!! And we dropped him for Lecras.

 

[frenchconnection]

Simpson can start by calling out these senior players, dropping them, and affirming a policy to keep growing and developing the list with finals footy just being a bonus.

Maybe just maybe the pressure is coming from upstairs if you know what I mean, in respect of not being allowed to drop the senior stalwarts?

 

[Eagleboy68]

As much as some on here want us to tank, we should still be reaching for the Top 4 and a win against Geelong is a must.

Karpany hasn't exactly showed an aptitude for the big stage, and Lamb is such an unknown quantity the risk would probably be too great.

More and more with each post I am believing you are Adam Simpson

 

[CM9000]

It is a tough one, but one of our biggest problems seems to be lack of defensive forward/midfield pressure. Also starts to send a really negative message to reserves when you can disappear like he did today and hold a spot, after Karps might've considered himself stiff this week.

Starts with our slowest forward and slowest mid... We can still move it well atm, but may need to sacrifice some 'class' for sheer grunt work.

Honestly, I think LeCras might've been rushed in today to cover for JK's absence, so he could come back better with a week off.

I agree that it might send the wrong message, but this game really is a must win and Karpany isn't exactly a tackling beast.

Top 4 you say?

Think that ship has sailed.

Thought you knew me better Biggie.

Top 4's still a possibility, and should be the aim.

If Karpany plays it has to be a wing. Lecca is OK IF he plays forward. Trying to get him to prop up midfield doesn't work. Despite what Simpson says, the forward line isn't the major problem...it's still the ******* midfield. There is no way we can beat Geelong without Kennedy so we need a midfield with a couple of either Karpany, Nelson, Murtimer or Partington in with Sheed, Shuey, Jetta, Gaff, Masten and Mitchell (+possibly Hutchings) Some of these can also change in forward line. I don't give a crap if we get slaughtered at least we will be either heading in the right direction or will identify where our improvement is going to come from. Lamb should also get a go as a HFF and Venables and Rioli get a gig as soon as they can reasonably run a game out. That means Priddis has to go and I think Duggan needs to go back to EP to work on some things.

I wouldn't be against playing Karpany on a wing, but Gaff and Jetta already have those spots occupied, so I'm not sure how we'd fit him in without dropping either one.

 

[ioppolo]

Barrass for EMac, Wellingham for Butler. Probably all we'll see. I wouldn't be rushing Lycett back in

 

[Jiggyman]

Maybe just maybe the pressure is coming from upstairs if you know what I mean, in respect of not being allowed to drop the senior stalwarts?

Who knows, but it's not like we'd have any kind of influence in changing things if there was...

Imo the club could be forgiven for rotating senior players through to find a better combination over the last month, but surely these last few weeks have revealed hard truths. You can only use "we'll work through these things at training" as an excuse for blokes out-of-form on the wrong side of 30 in an average side for so long...

 

[Biggie]

Top 4's still a possibility, and should be the aim.

It'd take an incredible turn around of form for this to occur.

Personally, I thinks it gone and if Dangerwood get a hold of us in a fortnight, well you should change your view to just making the 8.

Tough weeks ahead.

 

[CM9000]

More and more with each post I am believing you are Adam Simpson

I'm sorry my positivity offends you.

 

[CM9000]

It'd take an incredible turn around of form for this to occur.

Personally, I thinks it gone and if Dangerwood get a hold of us in a fortnight, well you should change your view to just making the 8.

Tough weeks ahead.

Just like Geelong did after their 3 week slump?

Until Top 4 is mathematically impossible, I'm not ruling it out.

 

[mick06]

I doubt that Lamb and Karpany would offer more at home then LeCras and Darling, especially in a crunch game.

We've had 3 crunch games in a row. And failed.

6 and 5, we are not finishing top 4 and not in contention. The crunch game is in the mid year review with coaching staff and accepting where we are at as a squad and re strategising for the second half.

Its hard internally to shift focus mid season - but if they are honest and strong internally, then they can make that hard decision. I say hard decision, but its really not, football is now a ruthless business and sentiment needs to be left out or you get left behind.

 

[Barney44]

O tackles LeCras, 0 tackles. When WCE needed the senior forward to stand up with Kennedy out it is not the goals or disposals it's the lack of work rate and effort to get himself out of the slump. 0 tackles.

Can't carry him anymore.

 

[Barney44]

I doubt that Lamb and Karpany would offer more at home then LeCras and Darling, especially in a crunch game.

It would be harder to offer less.

 

[CM9000]

We've had 3 crunch games in a row. And failed.

6 and 5, we are not finishing top 4 and not in contention. The crunch game is in the mid year review with coaching staff and accepting where we are at as a squad and re strategising for the second half.

Its hard internally to shift focus mid season - but if they are honest and strong internally, then they can make that hard decision. I say hard decision, but its really not, football is now a ruthless business and sentiment needs to be left out or you get left behind.

I think circumstances might've contributed to our form slump.

Against Essendon, that was entirely our fault, so I'll give you that.

Against GWS, our loss of key personnel cost us a close game against the AFLs plastic franchise.

Against Gold Coast, without the best FF in the competition and the wrong mix of midfielders (something that will change), the GAJ effect took hold.

 

[Biggie]

Just like Geelong did after their 3 week slump?

Until Top 4 is mathematically impossible, I'm not ruling it out.

I like your positive attitude.

Our squad doesn't have what it takes now, to get to top 4.

And before you throw at me last year that run to the finals or 2015 or whatever, face the hard facts of how the team is performing right now.

We're cooked.

If we make top 4 from here, I'll be shocked. And I'll remember this convo and apologise.