Dear West Coast,

[The Falcon Strike]

Clearly everyone's too busy star gazing at Shuey.

You don't think his ground ball / grunt work has improved this year?

 

[Here2tellyouwhy]

You don't think his ground ball / grunt work has improved this year?

No. Clearly it has.
Everyone else is just star gazing instead of doing the same bloody thing.

 

[Brave Sir Robin]

Thats like saying a guy got laid 5 days in a row with chicks who were terrible in bed. It's great that he got laid, but not good quality.

Or...

You're in a competition with your mates to see who can sleep with the most girls in 22 weeks before the top half go into a finals competition to see who can be first to bed an absolute 10/10 stunner.

I can play this game too!

 

[Mickey Rae]

I have the distinct feeling that the majority of our so called "best 25" have peaked i.e. Kennedy, LeCras, Cripps, Jack, Priddis, Masten, Wellingham, McKenzie, Butler, Hutchings, McGinnity, Giles, Yeo, Jetta and, dare I say, Nic. Some such as Kennedy, LeCras, Priddis etc will drop off quickly over the next 12 months. That's 11 of our best 22 there!
Due to the equalisation system and us finishing generally above 10th place for the past decade ......when we didn't GC and GWS concessions pushed us further back in the draft ...... we have not been in a position to pick up the marque players such as Petracca, Bont etc.. that most of the perennially cellar dwelling clubs such as Melbourne, Bullfrogs, St Kilda and Carlton plus the two expansion clubs have been able to secure. In addition, a fair proportion of the top picks the expansion clubs pick up are from Victoria and, as we have seen, there has been an exodus of these guys moving back to Vic clubs for below value trade prices thus further boosting the clubs such as Collingwood and Carlton in particular. The expansion clubs have become another fertile proving and recruiting ground for the Vic clubs.
In contrast, it seems that there are not too many ex-pat WA players of real quality who have returned. They generally seem to settle in well in all of the other states.
We desperately need some quality players on our list to keep us in the mix going forward and the best way to do this is through free agency. We need to chase the likes of Omeara (if he is fit), Martin, Coniglio, Hogan, Lobb or even guys like Sam Mitchell who was a FA later this year. He is hard and smart, gets plenty of possessions and uses the ball every time. He would have been invaluable to youngsters like Sheed, Partington and dare I say Yeo in their education over the next 2 years.

 

[Milenko]

I have the distinct feeling that the majority of our so called "best 25" have peaked i.e. Kennedy, LeCras, Cripps, Jack, Priddis, Masten, Wellingham, McKenzie, Butler, Hutchings, McGinnity, Giles, Yeo, Jetta and, dare I sat, Nic. Some such as Kennedy, LeCras, Priddis etc will drop off quickly over the next 12 months. That's 11 of our best 22 there!
Due to the equalisation system and us finishing generally above 10th place for the past decade ......when we didn't GC and GWS concessions pushed us further back in the draft ...... we have not been in a position to pick up the marque players such as Petracca, Bont etc.. that most of the perennially cellar dwelling clubs such as Melbourne, Bullfrogs, St Kilda and Carlton plus the two expansion clubs have been able to secure. In addition, a fair proportion of the top picks the expansion clubs pick up are from Victoria and, as we have seen, there has been an exodus of these guys moving back to Vic clubs for below value trade prices thus further boosting the clubs such as Collingwood and Carlton in particular. The expansion clubs have become another fertile proving and recruiting ground for the Vic clubs.
In contrast, it seems that there are not too many ex-pat WA players of real quality who have returned. They generally seem to settle in well in all of the other states.
We desperately need some quality players on our list to keep us in the mix going forward and the best way to do this is through free agency. We need to chase the likes of Omeara (if he is fit), Martin, Coniglio, Hogan, Lobb or even guys like Sam Mitchell who was a FA later this year. He is hard and smart, gets plants of possessions and uses the ball every time. He would have been invaluable to youngsters like Sheed, Partington and dare I say Yeo in their education over the next 2 years.

I agree. We should have pillaged the bejeesus out of Gold Coast. Hasn't happened.

 

[Pottering]

For what it's worth, here's my take on why we're just going.

First off we've mainly played the weak teams here and the good ones away, easy way to get the flat track bully tag. Last year we only had 2 victories of any note away, against Port and Richmond. Off season recruiting has failed miserably. Jetta has simply continued the decline he showed at Sydney and IMHO was never a good choice. Redden I thought was an astute pick, take some if heavy lifting work off Priddis' shoulders. But he's fallen off a cliff formwise. We desperately need a fit Sheed. The loss of Sinclair was minimal, Lycett barely played last year.

A feature last year was a backline comprised almost exclusively of people who could run, carry and deliver. MacKenzie and Brown out was a forced change which turned to gold. Mckenzie back in didn't really work. Barrass is showing strong improvement, but hasn't shown any inclination to attack. Having him and Emac together isn't a good mix, makes us too slow out of defence.

But to me the biggest issue is I don't see any sign we enter matches against anyone, even Essendon, looking like we've set ourselves to crush them. We seem to specialise in grinding clear of the poor teams and being overpowered by the good teams.

Back in March I started a thread suggesting we essentially ignore round 1 against Brisbane and put all our eggs in beating Hawthorn at the G in round 2. We were always going to beat the Lions but a win against the premiers would have set up our season. In the Lions match they quickly dropped a a spare man back to stem the tide. We let them do that but their pressure was so poor we could simply bypass that extra defender and score easily. A week later the Hawks had Josh Gibson loose in our forward line. At half time he 20 possessions. By full time he had 40 possessions and a goal. We played right into their hands and I think got a massive confidence dent which we've yet to overcome. Against the Cats we were way off till Naitanui got fed up and started bashing the ball forward. All of a sudden we were back in it. Then 1 silly turn over lead to a Cats goal and we dropped our heads and lost easily.

I'm beginning to think that Simpson might turn out a bit like Worsfold; good setup and the players to carry it out but a lack of game day nous. We played the 1st quarter on Saturday like it was perfect conditions rather than the slippery ground it was. The idea of McGovern going forward when we're struggling seems to have been forgotten. Guys who perform poorly at Wafl level get call ups, ie Jetta, Duggan, McInnes.

We need a mental change right through the club because we are good enough, but we're playing as though we aren't.

 

[SpaceClef]

Yep - GWS and GC effectively just created a 'suspended' draft for the Victorian clubs. The Vic sides lost access to the best talent, which got shipped off to Sydney and GC for a couple of years of training and development, only to be made available again once their initial contracts expired.

Not only did the Vic sides get them for cheaper than what they initially would have paid for them (in some cases, not so much in others), but they also weren't required to put any development resources in to them, and were also given the ability to 'preview' the players' ability to adapt to AFL before buying. So unlike the actual draft where you are basing your decisions on U/18 competitions only, this 'draft' allowed teams to make more assured decisions.

It hasn't benefited the Perth sides at though, because in terms of lifestyle/climate etc, Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney are much of a muchness.

 

[Mickey Rae]

Yep - GWS and GC effectively just created a 'suspended' draft for the Victorian clubs. The Vic sides lost access to the best talent, which got shipped off to Sydney and GC for a couple of years of training and development, only to be made available again once their initial contracts expired.

Not only did the Vic sides get them for cheaper than what they initially would have paid for them (in some cases, not so much in others), but they also weren't required to put any development resources in to them, and were also given the ability to 'preview' the players' ability to adapt to AFL before buying. So unlike the actual draft where you are basing your decisions on U/18 competitions only, this 'draft' allowed teams to make more assured decisions..

And Carlton had the additional benefit of having SOS, supposedly working for and being paid by GWS, imbedded for a couple of years to groom and then cherry pick the players Carlton wanted when he returned to the Blues in a formal capacity. I would be spewing if I was GWS.

 

[eagles rule]

F-that! Carpe Jugulum should be the MO!

my latin is a bit rusty but I think it means seize the Double D`s , seize or squeeze too not sure .

 

[ziad]

My take is that we haven't hit form but are equal second on points

 

[SpaceClef]

And Carlton had the additional benefit of having SOS, supposedly working for and being paid by GWS, imbedded for a couple of years to groom and then cherry pick the players Carlton wanted when he returned to the Blues in a formal capacity. I would be spewing if I was GWS.

Not too sure about Jaksch, Sumner and co though.

 

[WUUBLY DUUBLY]

This thing that you're doing.

This thing that is masquerading at football, or as a football club that was burned by a GF loss and is doing everything that it can to go one better.

It's not working and needs to change. Now, before it's too late.

In 2015 we played fast, fluid, instinctive football. We defended brilliantly with an undersized defence. We exceeded all expectations by making the Grand Final but deserved to be there without question.

On the day we were overawed, too inexperienced to cope with a battle hardened opponent that mercilessly exposed our weaknesses. We weren't ready and got embarrassed. In short, we got taught a lesson.

The type of lesson that drives a team to want to get better, to leave no stone unturned to atone, that motivates a pre-season.

Steps were taken to improve the list - outside run with improved disposal and a bigger body for the inside contest were added. Our 2014 B&F winner was returning after sitting out 2015 with a knee reco.

On paper we were an improved side. We were a legitimate challenger.

The reality has fallen short of expectation by some margin

We beatup on the minnows sure, but away from home we met each challenge against a fellow contender and failed. Usually miserably. Then we shat the bed against our first decent opponent at home and coughed up what should have been a match winning lead.

The draw gifted us some "soft" kills after that loss to restore confidence and build momentum. Despite a last quarter fade out at the home of football (the GF venue and home ground of some) it looked to be working.

Today I sat through the most spineless, inept display of football I've had the displeasure of seeing.

We were beaten in every measurable statistic which confirmed what the eyes were seeing - the other side wanted it more, were prepared to work harder, had better structures. We were outplayed. Completely

After wondering just how it was that we weren't further behind than a goal or so for most of the match, I was amazed that somehow we got over the line and won a game we had no right to be even close in.

We got lucky.

But we won and that's the upside

We've been terrible in comparison to last year but miraculously after 17 rounds we're still balls deep in the race for this years flag. A race that we have no right still being in just like 3/4 time of today's game.

Can we go one better in 2016. Right now I doubt it because the effort, the hunger just doesn't seem to be there.

On field we look timid, frightened almost. Off field we've been conservative afraid to take risks. Our structures look wrong and the pieces of the puzzle aren't falling into place the way they did last year.

From the outside the loss of Pyke to Adelaide looks to have left a massive hole but other than him the coaching staff is the same with the addition of the well credentialed Wardorp from Hawthorn. Surely one assistant can't make that much difference. Maybe he does, but even then it only explains the drop in strategy and not the fall in intent and effort.

Maybe the players just expected it would happen. Assumed the improvement would come but are looking to others to improve and not looking within.

I don't know what the answer is but this years version of the West Coast Eagles is a pale imitation of the side from 2015.

There's 5 rounds left and we are equal 2nd on percentage without playing anywhere near our best. Five rounds left to rediscover our mojo, to find form as a club not just onfield but as an organisation.

Time to fix what's broken

Time to Hunt, goddammit.

..we dont have a senior player group with grit. No fortitude to compete at the big dance in Sept, rnd 2 16 against the Hawks confirmed what the 2012 semi final loss to Pies and 2015 GF loss had shown. This senior grp cannot do it.
Bin our senior players at end of 16..all of them.

Start 17 fresh and build a team around:
SHUEY
SHEED
DUGGAN
GAFF
SHEPPERD
BARASS
MCGOVERN
LYCETT

..and Wellingham. ..on his best kicking days.

Trade all our senior players/and others..they are muppets.
Delist:
Ploddus
Hutchings
Masto
Kennedy
Lecca
Darling
Nic Nat
Hurn
Butler
Hill
Ezy
Schofield
Elis
Ginnas
Bennel
Jetta

 

[WUUBLY DUUBLY]

Nisbett's above reading what the fans think

Nisbett...least successful CEO in AFL

 

[Keys]

Oh Jesus ******* Christ

You are a special one

 

[WUUBLY DUUBLY]

I have the distinct feeling that the majority of our so called "best 25" have peaked i.e. Kennedy, LeCras, Cripps, Jack, Priddis, Masten, Wellingham, McKenzie, Butler, Hutchings, McGinnity, Giles, Yeo, Jetta and, dare I say, Nic. Some such as Kennedy, LeCras, Priddis etc will drop off quickly over the next 12 months. That's 11 of our best 22 there!
Due to the equalisation system and us finishing generally above 10th place for the past decade ......when we didn't GC and GWS concessions pushed us further back in the draft ...... we have not been in a position to pick up the marque players such as Petracca, Bont etc.. that most of the perennially cellar dwelling clubs such as Melbourne, Bullfrogs, St Kilda and Carlton plus the two expansion clubs have been able to secure. In addition, a fair proportion of the top picks the expansion clubs pick up are from Victoria and, as we have seen, there has been an exodus of these guys moving back to Vic clubs for below value trade prices thus further boosting the clubs such as Collingwood and Carlton in particular. The expansion clubs have become another fertile proving and recruiting ground for the Vic clubs.
In contrast, it seems that there are not too many ex-pat WA players of real quality who have returned. They generally seem to settle in well in all of the other states.
We desperately need some quality players on our list to keep us in the mix going forward and the best way to do this is through free agency. We need to chase the likes of Omeara (if he is fit), Martin, Coniglio, Hogan, Lobb or even guys like Sam Mitchell who was a FA later this year. He is hard and smart, gets plenty of possessions and uses the ball every time. He would have been invaluable to youngsters like Sheed, Partington and dare I say Yeo in their education over the next 2 years.

..our grp peaked at the 2011 Prelim. No gains since...
That effort was better with Cox n Kerr still around than Simos shite grp effort

 

[TOA.]

Nisbett...least successful CEO in AFL

Heard on the radio that we have $54 million in the bank. Meanwhile we have one of the youngest and least experienced coaching groups in the league and even though we are supposed to have one of the biggest recruiting teams, our results have not been amazing on that front either.

 

[kranky al]

..we dont have a senior player group with grit. No fortitude to compete at the big dance in Sept, rnd 2 16 against the Hawks confirmed what the 2012 semi final loss to Pies and 2015 GF loss had shown. This senior grp cannot do it.
Bin our senior players at end of 16..all of them.

Start 17 fresh and build a team around:
SHUEY
SHEED
DUGGAN
GAFF
SHEPPERD
BARASS
MCGOVERN
LYCETT

..and Wellingham. ..on his best kicking days.

Trade all our senior players/and others..they are muppets.
Delist:
Ploddus
Hutchings
Masto
Kennedy
Lecca
Darling
Nic Nat
Hurn
Butler
Hill
Ezy
Schofield
Elis
Ginnas
Bennel
Jetta

Delist pffft

Take them out the back and shoot thrm

Torture them first - put cigars out on their genitals even

Delist kennedy. Let that roll around the tongue and savour it.

 

[Mickey Rae]

Heard on the radio that we have $54 million in the bank. Meanwhile we have one of the youngest and least experienced coaching groups in the league and even though we are supposed to have one of the biggest recruiting teams, our results have not been amazing on that front either.

Maybe we can afford a Boot Studder then........ we obviously don't have one at the moment as evidenced by the number of times Jack and others keep losing their footing week after week!

 

[WUUBLY DUUBLY]

Heard on the radio that we have $54 million in the bank. Meanwhile we have one of the youngest and least experienced coaching groups in the league and even though we are supposed to have one of the biggest recruiting teams, our results have not been amazing on that front either.

WCE are a cashcow for many...including Nisbett.
Unfortunately. ..we are not a crack sporting team anymore. Just a community bank and BS camp.
These players would have been delisted at other clubs.
Schofield
Ginna
Ellis
Butler
Ezy...cant kick after all these yrs...still
Masto
Hill
Hutchings
Hurn

 

[ep2018]

* it guys, lets win the rest of our games, finish 2nd and flog the Hawks in the GF, revenge for last year.

WE CAN DO IT

 

[WUUBLY DUUBLY]

For what it's worth, here's my take on why we're just going.

First off we've mainly played the weak teams here and the good ones away, easy way to get the flat track bully tag. Last year we only had 2 victories of any note away, against Port and Richmond. Off season recruiting has failed miserably. Jetta has simply continued the decline he showed at Sydney and IMHO was never a good choice. Redden I thought was an astute pick, take some if heavy lifting work off Priddis' shoulders. But he's fallen off a cliff formwise. We desperately need a fit Sheed. The loss of Sinclair was minimal, Lycett barely played last year.

A feature last year was a backline comprised almost exclusively of people who could run, carry and deliver. MacKenzie and Brown out was a forced change which turned to gold. Mckenzie back in didn't really work. Barrass is showing strong improvement, but hasn't shown any inclination to attack. Having him and Emac together isn't a good mix, makes us too slow out of defence.

But to me the biggest issue is I don't see any sign we enter matches against anyone, even Essendon, looking like we've set ourselves to crush them. We seem to specialise in grinding clear of the poor teams and being overpowered by the good teams.

Back in March I started a thread suggesting we essentially ignore round 1 against Brisbane and put all our eggs in beating Hawthorn at the G in round 2. We were always going to beat the Lions but a win against the premiers would have set up our season. In the Lions match they quickly dropped a a spare man back to stem the tide. We let them do that but their pressure was so poor we could simply bypass that extra defender and score easily. A week later the Hawks had Josh Gibson loose in our forward line. At half time he 20 possessions. By full time he had 40 possessions and a goal. We played right into their hands and I think got a massive confidence dent which we've yet to overcome. Against the Cats we were way off till Naitanui got fed up and started bashing the ball forward. All of a sudden we were back in it. Then 1 silly turn over lead to a Cats goal and we dropped our heads and lost easily.

I'm beginning to think that Simpson might turn out a bit like Worsfold; good setup and the players to carry it out but a lack of game day nous. We played the 1st quarter on Saturday like it was perfect conditions rather than the slippery ground it was. The idea of McGovern going forward when we're struggling seems to have been forgotten. Guys who perform poorly at Wafl level get call ups, ie Jetta, Duggan, McInnes.

We need a mental change right through the club because we are good enough, but we're playing as though we aren't.

..wtf
..no...we arent good enough...thats why we have been shown to be..yep...Not good enough!!!!!

 

[Biggie]

Trade all our senior players/and others..they are muppets.
Delist:
Ploddus
Hutchings
Masto
Kennedy
Lecca
Darling
Nic Nat
Hurn
Butler
Hill
Ezy
Schofield
Elis
Ginnas
Bennel
Jetta

 

[Mickey Rae]

..we dont have a senior player group with grit. No fortitude to compete at the big dance in Sept, rnd 2 16 against the Hawks confirmed what the 2012 semi final loss to Pies and 2015 GF loss had shown. This senior grp cannot do it.
Bin our senior players at end of 16..all of them.

Start 17 fresh and build a team around:
SHUEY
SHEED
DUGGAN
GAFF
SHEPPERD
BARASS
MCGOVERN
LYCETT

..and Wellingham. ..on his best kicking days.

Trade all our senior players/and others..they are muppets.
Delist:
Ploddus
Hutchings
Masto
Kennedy
Lecca
Darling
Nic Nat
Hurn
Butler
Hill
Ezy
Schofield
Elis
Ginnas
Bennel
Jetta

Are you deliberately trying to be controversial to get attention?

 

[WUUBLY DUUBLY]

Are you deliberately trying to be controversial to get attention?

No.
Prelim 11
Semi 12
GF 15
Rnd 2 V Hawks...16.

This Grp has always been soft. The previous coach new it too.
We need to start again. Just get on with it.

 

[WUUBLY DUUBLY]

No.
Prelim 11
Semi 12
GF 15
Rnd 2 V Hawks...16.

This Grp has always been soft. The previous coach new it too.
We need to start again. Just get on with it.

.listen to Hurn at all his pressers
.and the GF speach....he is floundering.
Shannon bangs on like hes the Albert Einstein of footy smarts..but he cannot put his body on the line, or execute an elite kick when its critical...he cannot back up his presser sentiments in actions.