The most influential person on the contest is Michael Gardiner. Simmonds is capable of running around the midfield as good as if not better than Gardiner but Gardiner has a distinct edge in boundary throw ins and stoppages. His bullocking work gives a lot of momentum and muscle to the eagles midfield and his aggressive attitude is his greatest attribute. If Gardiner goes forward I think Pavlich would have to play back as Simmonds wouldn't be able to stop him. If the style of the game is a fierce contest after contest rather than a free wheeling game, as woosha would prefer, then Gardiner's worth doubles. Either Pav or Hase has to help out in rucking contests.
The next guy capable of tearing the game apart is Chris Judd. His ability to recieve a tight handball from Kerr or Cousins then sprint away from the contest means a scoring opportunity every time. Judd does not get as many junk possessions as Cousins and is twice as dangerous with the pill. Saying that I still think Carr will tag cousins. My tip is that Headland will get the assignment on Judd. Playing on Shannon Grant was a trial for running with Judd this week.
I am not so concerned with cousins or Matera. West Coast will have to make sure that they don't go to Matera every time.
For Fremantle Farmer and Medhurst are the forwards capable of hurting the eagles. In the past small forwards have been the bane of West Coast and I don't think that has changed. Pav is a danger if let to play loose as his penetrating kicking goes in faster and longer than any other Docker. I would have chick tag him. Hasleby is smarter than the average bear while lacking pace his disposals are attacking and his overhead marking can expose the tagger. West Coast should try to rough him up with Hunter et al.
If Freo can withstand the eagles physicality and intensity for long enough they will win but if they crack West Coast might steam roll them. West Coast slight favourites.
The next guy capable of tearing the game apart is Chris Judd. His ability to recieve a tight handball from Kerr or Cousins then sprint away from the contest means a scoring opportunity every time. Judd does not get as many junk possessions as Cousins and is twice as dangerous with the pill. Saying that I still think Carr will tag cousins. My tip is that Headland will get the assignment on Judd. Playing on Shannon Grant was a trial for running with Judd this week.
I am not so concerned with cousins or Matera. West Coast will have to make sure that they don't go to Matera every time.
For Fremantle Farmer and Medhurst are the forwards capable of hurting the eagles. In the past small forwards have been the bane of West Coast and I don't think that has changed. Pav is a danger if let to play loose as his penetrating kicking goes in faster and longer than any other Docker. I would have chick tag him. Hasleby is smarter than the average bear while lacking pace his disposals are attacking and his overhead marking can expose the tagger. West Coast should try to rough him up with Hunter et al.
If Freo can withstand the eagles physicality and intensity for long enough they will win but if they crack West Coast might steam roll them. West Coast slight favourites.
