Eagles Vs. Carlton

[Visro]

What does everyone think of the match. Personally I can't see us winning and whether Cummings, Merenda and Glass all come back is still questionable. They may have to rush Glass back though with the current state of our backline. Cummings and Merenda are also desperately needed in our forward line. They could all end up being rushed back in!

Vis

 

[EaglesFlyingHigh.com]

I can't see us winning either, which means we'll once again equal our worst ever losing streak (6).

It'll also be our third losing streak of six in a row! We lost six in a row last year, then won one (St Kilda). Then we lost another six (split over two seasons), then won two, and now look like losing another six.

The only other time we've lost six in a row was in 1989.

The longest winning and losing streaks for all the teams can be seen here if you're interested in that sort of thing. (Scroll down a bit)

While I'm on the stats thing, we're also approaching our 200th win (need four more), and much more rapidly approaching our 150th loss (eight to go).

And for the real stat-head, last weekend's game was our 150th match since our last Premiership. On that score we're doing better than some other, in particular the Swans who've played 1,385 games since their last flag!

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Somehow i think we will reach the 150 loss mark before we reach the 200 win mark. In fact, i don't think we will see that 200 win mark reached this year.

 

[jod23]

I think all 3 will have to come back to give us any hope, but are they all fully fit and ready?

 

[Visro]

Ok the team for the game:

Backs: Harding Carroll Peter Matera

Half-backs: Collica Jakovich Morrison

Centres: Williams Braun Jones

Half-forwards: Taylor Gaspar Merenda

Forwards: Wirrpunda Cummings Phil Matera

Ruck: Gardiner Kemp Cousins

Interchange: Embley Fletcher Hunter Kerr

In: Cummings, Merenda

Out: Banfield (knee), Wilson

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Backline still looks very dodgy. Carroll has been getting better in the last few weeks and Lance Witnall isn't the greatest full forward (if he plays there) so maybe Carroll will do. The two other backs are very short though! Wilson surprisingly dropped and it looks like Gaspar has cemented his spot in the team now, hope he plays well. I think we are capable of winning the game but we are a bit short on big men. Should be a closer contest...

Vis

 

[WA]

Originally posted by daddy_4_eyes
Somehow i think we will reach the 150 loss mark before we reach the 200 win mark. In fact, i don't think we will see that 200 win mark reached this year.

I think you're right....

 

[EaglesFlyingHigh.com]

The Eagles forward line will receive a boost for Saturday's game against Carlton with the return from injury of Scott Cummings and Mark Merenda. But after some indifferent form and suffering flu last week, Troy Wilson has been dropped.

So far this year, the Eagles have scored on average just under 78 points per game. That's not enough to win many games these days - it's also 40 points per match less than the league's leading scorers Port Adelaide, and 22 points behind this week's opponent Carlton.

The addition of Scott Cummings, who hasn't played since the Round Five loss to Richmond, and Mark Merenda, who injured a hasmtring against Port Adelaide two weeks ago, should add a few more scoring options up forward. David Wirrpunda has also been named in the forward line, in what may be an attempt to bring him back into form with a change of scenery.

After struggling to have an impact on the game for the past few weeks, Troy Wilson has been droped from the side. He was suffering heavily from flu during last week's game, but it is not known whether it is this or just bad form which is keeping him out.

The other omission from last week's team is Drew Banfield, out with a knee injury.

Even if the front end can rack up a few more points, containing the Blues at the other end will be a big challenge. With Ashley McIntosh still unavailable, the Eagles backline will struggle to match the Carlton forwards.

The Record: West Coast have played Carlton 23 times, with the Blues winning 13 of those. The Eagles have won only twice in eight matches in Melbourne.



Cummings and Merenda In, Wilson Out

 

[jod23]

I really dont like Carroll on Koutafidies, Wilson surprisingly dropped and still no Cox?

Should make things a bit more interesting and great to see Scotty back, i hope he has a big game and kicks a bag. Cousins V Ratten in the midfield should be a delight to watch. All in all im looking forward to the game even though it will probably be a loss.

 

[Visro]

I think the reason Cox is not back in again is over the past few games he played for WC he wasn't playing that well and I think KJ thought he should be rested and drop back to the WAFL. Last week he didn't play the greatest game at Collie or so I hear. He will bounce back again though, we don't have to worry.

Vis

 

[Frodo]

I am not surprised at Wilson being out. First impressions were good because he was hard at the ball (and the man) where others weren't. He can take a good mark on the lead but his vertical jump an body work are very poor. When Scotty goes for a mark there is a lot of body work. If he doesn't get the mark the ball spills close and joey can crumb. With Willo his marks are out around the 40-50 metre area and he either gets the mark or the ball is fisted out of the 50. No second phase.
In reality Willo is an above average WAFL player, worth a go in Scotty's absence, but the opposition have now watched him on video and worked him out.

I'm looking forward to the game. I don't think we will win but we just may do if it is our day. On paper the line up is not bad at all given that.

Roo keeps injury free
Carrol continues his improvement
Harding improves
Morrisson puts in a bit more
Jako controls Whitmall
Collica learns to use his body and not get bumped off the mark
Williams continues to stand up
Braun continues comeback form from last quarter last week
Jones injury is healed
Merenda plays like against Port
Gaspar continues to grow in Confidence
Taylor Stays injury Free
Wirra finds his sparkle
Scotty is fit
Joey kicks butt
Gardy is good
Cuz is normal
Kempy is fit

Embley continues comeback form
Fletcher gets back to early season form
Hunter continues to impress
Kerr continues to excel.

I agree that the back line is the shakiest but Hunter and Gaspar can be moved there if needed.


Is certainly worth $10 to make $57.50 and I'm having a flutter on winning.

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by Frodo


Cuz is normal

LOL, its amazing how much we actually rely on his 25 - 30 odd possesions and drive out of the midfield and generally a guy who never stops trying. I have nightmares about Cousins getting injured. Wouldnt have mattered so much in the past but with todays Eagles we rely on too few.

 

[iceman]

Originally posted by Frodo

Roo keeps injury free
Carrol continues his improvement
Harding improves
Morrisson puts in a bit more
Jako controls Whitmall
Collica learns to use his body and not get bumped off the mark
Williams continues to stand up
Braun continues comeback form from last quarter last week
Jones injury is healed
Merenda plays like against Port
Gaspar continues to grow in Confidence
Taylor Stays injury Free
Wirra finds his sparkle
Scotty is fit
Joey kicks butt
Gardy is good
Cuz is normal
Kempy is fit

Embley continues comeback form
Fletcher gets back to early season form
Hunter continues to impress
Kerr continues to excel.

Gee, if thats all we have to rely on, we're gonna have a day out