- Apr 1, 2013
- 2,132
- 4,160
- AFL Club
- West Coast
- Thread starter
- #26
#75 Simon Tunbridge
Remember that tackle and goal against Adelaide? That was pretty good wasn't it? That moment happened in the last round of 2013, where I'm pretty sure the team had given up in the last 3 weeks of the season. Tunbridge kicked 2 goals in that game and his intensity was probably the only positive to come from that game. A forward who could run through the midfield, he was an interesting size, a good runner at 191cm and 94kg, he was a bit of a bull.
There were 2 big issues with Tunbridge. One was that he was worse than Venables at being able to find the ball, whether that was due to poor running patterns or his size meant he couldn't really build his endurance, he never accumulated. It made it hard for him to demand a spot at WAFL level, and he was often played as the sub, being seen as more of an 'impact' player. The second big issue, the career killer was his injuries. He suffered a number of injuries that stopped him getting a run of games, in 2015 in his only game he managed 10 touches in 38% game time in what looked like his breakout, before doing his ankle. He got a surprise call up late in 2016 and looked a chance to play finals, only this time to blow it by getting suspended. The club gave him every chance to come back, he was actually still on the list in 2017 attempting a LARS comeback, but he never recovered.
#74 Francis Watson
Hard to place really. Played 2 games without dominating but not doing anything wrong either. 24 this year, has been unlucky that we've had strong depth in defence, with Hurn/Sheppard/Jetta locked in and Duggan likely to hold a spot too, he's competing with Cole, Nelson and Rotham for basically 1 spot. Could see him having a decent career in the right circumstances.
#73 Koby Stevens
A big bodied midfielder, he was the type of player who would have complemented our midfield quite well if he'd stayed. And been a bit better. He looked quite promising in his first year, getting games towards the end of 2010 as we pumped games into the kids. He didn't have a big impact but didn't look out of place. The team was much stronger the next season but there was probably still a spot for him if he wanted, but he never demanded it. The sub rule didn't help, his 2 games were from the bench, only managing a quarter each where he couldn't really impact.
2012 was a similar story, only managing 1 full game against GWS in their 3rd ever game. He played ok, but didn't do enough to stay in. His only other chances were 3 more sub appearances. Man that rule sucked. He was traded to the Dogs the next year, which is unfortunate as he probably would have been a regular if he'd stayed for the next season. The positive is with some minor pick shuffling, we got Jamie Cripps out of losing him, so it worked out ok.
Stevens had a mixed career, plagued by concussion issues which meant he missed the 16 flag, he had periods where he dominated and looked like breaking out, his best was as good as anyone, but never completely established himself. He played 91 games but no finals.
#72 Beau Wilkes
On the rookie list for a long time, he finally got a game when we were rebuilding. He always felt like a battler, an in-between eras kind of player. He suited up for 6 games in 2010, all losses, before being delisted. He was ok but key defence was an area we had strong depth in. Spent a year in the WAFL as a forward before the Saints picked him up in 2012 for the bizarre Scott Watters era. He took 12 marks and kicked 5 goals against Melbourne, who were one of the worst teams of all time, but aside from that solidified his image as a very good WAFL player.
#71 Matthew Spangher
Drafted way back in 2005, he was useful when he played but never looked like he'd play for a successful team.He played 8 games in 2010, you could never question his intensity, and he was a very likeable player. The year after he was drafted, we went to the 06 draft and picked up Mitch Brown, Eric Mackenzie and Will Schofield. Ultimately it was survival of the fittest and club rated the other 3 higher, which left Spang on the scrapheap. His post-Eagles career is much more interesting.
Remember that tackle and goal against Adelaide? That was pretty good wasn't it? That moment happened in the last round of 2013, where I'm pretty sure the team had given up in the last 3 weeks of the season. Tunbridge kicked 2 goals in that game and his intensity was probably the only positive to come from that game. A forward who could run through the midfield, he was an interesting size, a good runner at 191cm and 94kg, he was a bit of a bull.
There were 2 big issues with Tunbridge. One was that he was worse than Venables at being able to find the ball, whether that was due to poor running patterns or his size meant he couldn't really build his endurance, he never accumulated. It made it hard for him to demand a spot at WAFL level, and he was often played as the sub, being seen as more of an 'impact' player. The second big issue, the career killer was his injuries. He suffered a number of injuries that stopped him getting a run of games, in 2015 in his only game he managed 10 touches in 38% game time in what looked like his breakout, before doing his ankle. He got a surprise call up late in 2016 and looked a chance to play finals, only this time to blow it by getting suspended. The club gave him every chance to come back, he was actually still on the list in 2017 attempting a LARS comeback, but he never recovered.
#74 Francis Watson
Hard to place really. Played 2 games without dominating but not doing anything wrong either. 24 this year, has been unlucky that we've had strong depth in defence, with Hurn/Sheppard/Jetta locked in and Duggan likely to hold a spot too, he's competing with Cole, Nelson and Rotham for basically 1 spot. Could see him having a decent career in the right circumstances.
#73 Koby Stevens
A big bodied midfielder, he was the type of player who would have complemented our midfield quite well if he'd stayed. And been a bit better. He looked quite promising in his first year, getting games towards the end of 2010 as we pumped games into the kids. He didn't have a big impact but didn't look out of place. The team was much stronger the next season but there was probably still a spot for him if he wanted, but he never demanded it. The sub rule didn't help, his 2 games were from the bench, only managing a quarter each where he couldn't really impact.
2012 was a similar story, only managing 1 full game against GWS in their 3rd ever game. He played ok, but didn't do enough to stay in. His only other chances were 3 more sub appearances. Man that rule sucked. He was traded to the Dogs the next year, which is unfortunate as he probably would have been a regular if he'd stayed for the next season. The positive is with some minor pick shuffling, we got Jamie Cripps out of losing him, so it worked out ok.
Stevens had a mixed career, plagued by concussion issues which meant he missed the 16 flag, he had periods where he dominated and looked like breaking out, his best was as good as anyone, but never completely established himself. He played 91 games but no finals.
#72 Beau Wilkes
On the rookie list for a long time, he finally got a game when we were rebuilding. He always felt like a battler, an in-between eras kind of player. He suited up for 6 games in 2010, all losses, before being delisted. He was ok but key defence was an area we had strong depth in. Spent a year in the WAFL as a forward before the Saints picked him up in 2012 for the bizarre Scott Watters era. He took 12 marks and kicked 5 goals against Melbourne, who were one of the worst teams of all time, but aside from that solidified his image as a very good WAFL player.
#71 Matthew Spangher
Drafted way back in 2005, he was useful when he played but never looked like he'd play for a successful team.He played 8 games in 2010, you could never question his intensity, and he was a very likeable player. The year after he was drafted, we went to the 06 draft and picked up Mitch Brown, Eric Mackenzie and Will Schofield. Ultimately it was survival of the fittest and club rated the other 3 higher, which left Spang on the scrapheap. His post-Eagles career is much more interesting.