Great Effort

[eagleskickass]

Well, that was a much better effort from the Eagles. Its almost over, pretty much sealed for Brissy, but we've played much better. Much more accountable, and good run and guts on display by players. One downer, only 2 goals so far in the second half. Guess I'll have to make more comments after the games completion.

 

[WCE2000]

yeah, a much geater effort.

From the sounds of it, we didn't take full advantage in the second quarter, when we were very dominant. Those two late second quarter goals cost us dearly.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

I'm following the game on the internet here, and from the statistics it seems the eagles are finally playing like a team.

BUT i believe the score is deceiving. Brisbane have had almost twice as many scoring shots as us, so technically it can be said they have played twice as good as we did.

Also, whats happened to Cox, Humm, Roo, Chambers and in the 2nd half Cummings and Kerr? Merenda is pissing me off, 9 touches 5 clangers, debutants don't make that many screw ups.

Wooden has inpressed me, and also great to see Wirrpunda, Braun and Jakovich doing good.

And who did Munro and Cox replace? Wilson and ?? Or was Cox in the starting line up?

 

[EaglesFlyingHigh.com]

West Coast battled hard against Brisbane at Subiaco Oval tonight, and for a while looked like they might pull off an upset win.
In the end, though, the Lions prevailed for a 22 point win.

Brisbane
2.5
5.7
8.13
11.18
84
West Coast
3.1
7.2
9.5
9.8
62


Troy Wilson, still suffering from flu, was withdrawn from the named side and
was replaced by Kane Munro.

The early signs weren't good in the first quarter, with Brisbane having most of
the ball. However, as they often do, they kept West Coast in it with inaccurate
kicking at goal, and late in the quarter goals to Michael Gardiner and Scott
Cummings allowed the Eagles to take a quarter time lead for the first time
since Round Four against Fremantle.

The second quarter Eagles looked better than they have in a long time, with
more commitment and desperation at the ball. The self-belief was there at last,
with especially good efforts from David Wirrpunda and Richard Taylor. The lead
was stretched to three goals before the Lions were allowed two goals in the last
minutes of the term. Had the Eagles not conceded those two, the result at the
end of the night may well have been different.

Missed chances early in the third quarter allowed Brisbane to take lead with
two quick goals. West Coast got back in front briefly with a goal from Travis
Gaspar, but the Lions replied to have a two-point advantage at the break.

As torrential rain hit Subiaco, the last quarter was always going to be scrappy.
In the end it was the Lions who handled it better, though the Eagles were not
without their chances. Once the lead got over three goals (and perhaps even
when it got over two), in the conditions there was no coming back for West
Coast.

Ben Cousins was once again the midfield mainstay for the Eagles, picking up
another 30 possessions. Glen Jakovich and Wirrpunda answered recent
criticism with some of their best football for the year, and Michael Braun was
also solid. Cummings appeared to be getting back into form with three goals in
the first half, but he faded away to finish the game on the bench, and the team
struggled to find a focus up forward in the second half. Playing his first game of
AFL football, Jeremy Humm got a few touches in the second half, but didn't
spend a lot of time of the ground.

Although they didn't pick up the four points, the Eagles can take some
positives from this game. A little more confidence plus a week's rest should
see them well-prepared to take on Collingwood in the split round.


http://westcoast.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1523&p=2&stid=8130782

 

[Mr Eagle]

Well tonight's team effort was a far cry from the one that got us whacked by the John Elliott Fan Club last week. A lot of the effort unfortunately failed to convert to points on the board, but that was partly Brisbane's "fault".

My notes:
- Jakovich's days in defence are over, but he still has real value as a CHF and marking target. His positive body language when he kicked his goal was great to see.

- In the space of one game, Josh Wooden has nearly won back my respect for his abilities. Trent Carroll is also starting to work his way into my good books.

- Scotty was looking pretty good up until his little tantrum in the third (?) quarter. If he stays injury free I reckon Wilson's days are badly numbered. Two FFs is a waste.

- Wirrpunda found his brilliance again, not only in terms of possession but in terms of being a magnificent pain in the arse for his opponents.

- Braun was looking improved early on, but seemed to lose it as the game progressed. Hopefully he will be ready for a full game effort in a few weeks.

- Four tackles to Jeremy Humm on debut. Impressive.

- That umpiring was ummm..."unique" at times.

- A big congrats to the crowd of 25000 or so. Subi has not been that noisy or opinionated for a long time

 

[pauljam]

Much improved effort from the boys tonight! That's the Eagles I want to see!!

The efforts of the great majority of the team were fanatastic. I can handle the boys makng a few stuff ups if at least they try. Brisbane had more talent but we fought out the whole game.

The number of smothers, tackles and 1% ers was very good. Now we just need a little more polish (maybe from improving confidence?), get a few guys back and we can win another game sometime soon!!!

I was disappointed for the team cos they had some chances to pinch the game but Brisbane also wasted a few shots. Humm on debut showed he is a tough little nut with some great hard attacks on the ball, Wirra was good and stuck on his man, Cousins put in - some good tackles and Scotty looked better - he lost it once after a sh$%house umpiring decision. Good to have Taylor back and Trent Carroll actually put in a good game - a few clangers but he stuck at it.

Now we have the weeks break to get Milli, Kempy and Glass back and attack the last half of the season with a bit more confidence. I am certainly a lot happier than after the game last week!!!!

GO EAGLES!!!

 

[jod23]

Well for the first time in a long time i was actually happy after an Eagles game. Disappointed at the loss as i thought the game was there to be won but happy none the less. I really thought it would be another big loss but we showed some endeavour and a little passion and almost pinched it. With the weeks break and hopefully Milli, Tommy and Glass coming back we should hopefully give the Pies a good game.

I thought we started reasonably well after kicking the first goal of the game but then it quickly looked like heading in the direction i thought it would head as Brisbane put on 2 quick ones. But the Eagles responded to my surprise with 2 of there own as we took the lead heading into the second!! From then on it was an enjoyable game to watch but unfortunately the rain fell as did our chances

I thought Cummings was great and whoever said he faded and ended up on the bench to finish the game off was wrong. The reason he sat was because of the rain and we needed smaller guys to come on, so Cummings sat for Merenda. Roo was a little quiet and Cox was absolutely belted in the ruck but Humm was reasonable on debut.

Jakovich continues to come into good form and may be useful forward. Cousins was his usual self picking up another lazy 30 possesions and was supported in the midfield by a good showing from Wooden and Braun. Embly got better as the game went on and it was good to see Wirrpunda getting back to some good form.

Also Carroll is working his way into my good books with a good showing and i thought he was great in defence. Gaspar was very good too and i hope he can really settle into a key position. Almost forgot Gardy who was very good in the ruck but sadly when he went forward for a rest Cox couldnt hold it together in the ruck.

All in all a good showing and for the first time in weeks i was proud of the boys. I think we can beat the pies if we can match them in the middle, hopefully bucks wont play. I dont rate Molloy or Rocca so hopefully we can get a win.

Signing off, a reasonably happy yet a little disappointed Jod.

 

[eagleskickass]

Originally posted by WCE2000
yeah, a much geater effort.

From the sounds of it, we didn't take full advantage in the second quarter, when we were very dominant. Those two late second quarter goals cost us dearly.

They sure did, and also us not capitalising on our great start to the 3rd term by not scoring goals.

 

[Visro]

Well I stopped watching at half time to do study for my exams (which I should be doing now ) and I thought there were a few good signs:

Wooden played well, disposal has improved and provided a target at kick ins.

Cummings got a few goals

Carroll improving again

Munro tried hard but god he is still skinny!

Boys were finally showing some passion.

Vis

 

[Frodo]

Well said Mr Eagle, I agree with your comments entirely. I really enjoyed the game. I thought Wooden was exceptional and Gaspar improves every game. Chambers and Humm are going to be great players.
Ihave to say that although we battled well the final score could have been a 40-50 point loss.. Brisbane missed some sitters. However, Carroll is not a spine player and the return of Milli and Glass will greatly increas our defence and rebound.
Haynes was terrific along with Buszan at East Perth so there is quite a lot to be excited about for the future.

 

[GoEagles]

I was quite happy with the Eagles performance also, they were a completely different team to the dismal performance showed last week. Still, I was a little upset that we blew the lead we had build earlier on in the game which kept Brisbane in the game and eventually won it. No matter how well we play in the first half/3 quarters of the game - they have to keep that consistancy up for 4 quarters of play.

Back to the positives:

* Carroll did some good things down back, but in the last quarter he got a bit lazy - especially when he could of jumped to touch a goal that went through.

* Jako's leadership when Humm came onto the ground and got 'roughed up' a little. To me, that was very inspiring.

* The return of Cummings & Phil Matera show. These two really compliment each other, and if one of them is firing, the other one most often gets into the game.

* Excellence of Cousins in the middle - showed his true 'never say die' qualities.

* The rebirth of Wooden & impressive Chambers.

The only 2 players who IMO looked a little flat were Merenda and Williams. I think Merenda needs to take more action with his disposal and I'd love to see Williams go into the play much harder.

 

[Frodo]

* Jako's leadership when Humm came onto the ground and got 'roughed up' a little. To me, that was very inspiring.


I think you bring up a very good point here. I know that the choice of Cousins and Wirra as captain and vice captain are investments for the future but at the moment neither seem vocal enough or passionate enough to justify their selection. I thought Jack was inspirational after kicking his goal and you could see the team and supporters lift with his body language. Scotty Cummings and Gardy have pumped the players over the last few weeks along with Roo. I'm not taking anything away from Cuz or Wirra, both are brilliant players, but I do wonder if they are captaincy material.

 

[GoEagles]

Frodo mate, I don't know who was more pumped up when Jako kicked that goal - I was screaming from my seat and he was really reved up punching the turf and the air!

I thought Jakovich was very unlucky when he missed out on the top job (captain, not coach... although I'm sure he'd be able to pull some better moves than Judge!) but he showed us that he doesn't need the title of 'captain' to bring out his leadership qualities in the side.

 

[jod23]

Frodo, i dont know what you were watching but on numerous occasions and at each break i saw Cousins talking to everyone and revving them up. Particularly at half time after a few guys dropped there heads after letting 2 goals in late. I saw Cuz revving them up shouting and clapping his hands while walking towards the players race.

I agree with Wirr though, he's very quiet but it is only his first year.

 

[Frodo]

Jod, are you at the game or watching on TV? At the game I sit on the opposite side to the quarter/three quarter time huddle so don't see much, only a group. But during the game I can see acts of inspiration and feel the crowd lift. This was so with Jako twice and a brilliant run from defence by Wooden.

 

[Frodo]

ps

ps. Surely at the breaks the coach and assistants are the motivators. The Captains job comes during play, when the coaches aren't allowed to be on.

 

[Captain Random]

Originally posted by Mr Eagle
- That umpiring was ummm..."unique" at times.

You mis-spelled "crap" On the umpiring, notice how the Brisbane players were constantly able to get away with holding? You give an umpire lip and bang, it's 50 metres, you grip onto your opponent for three minutes after the mark and it's all okay

Josh Wooden played like a footballer who desperately wants to keep his jumper. And Jako again showed us that he is a man who would take a bullet for West Coast

I thought the crowd was great too. We've lost the passengers and we're down to the true-blue supporters now - they'll be able to look back to these days when the Eagles are back on top and say "I was there in the dark days of '01"

 

[jod23]

Frodo, no i wasnt at the game so you wouldnt have seen it at half time. They showed the group of Eagles heading towards the race and Cuz was pumping everyone up. I think Cousins will make a great captain but personally i think Jako should be captain. When Jako goes in 2 or 3 years then Cuz should have taken over. But the WCE are going on this huge youth policy thing so what can you do.

 

[Mr Eagle]

Originally posted by carneagles


You mis-spelled "crap"

Nah, Fitzbane are just more adept at playing for frees. Our players do not stoop to such levels

Nice to see an umpy get run over right near the contest and no one penalised for it. A little bit of sense prevailed.

 

[kuepper]

weird

Don't you guys find it kind of odd that after losing 7 games in a row, finalising with Brisbane beating you at home DOUBLING the number of scoring shots (just think if they kicked straight!) that a topic is posted saying 'Great Effort'

I think perhaps you have lowered your standards just a touch - just because you didnt get belted by more than 10 goals - does not maketh a good effort - ask Frodo who seems to giggle at the concept of 'honourable losses' on other boards on bigfooty!

 

[EaglesFlyingHigh.com]

Brisbane NEVER kick straight, so you know before you start that they'll probably have more scoring shots.

 

[Visro]

Well we were leading till mid way through the 3rd quarter. I think great effort was in reference to the boys putting a really good go at the game and were unlucky that they tired out in the last quarter.

 

[jod23]

Well when you are belted 6 games in a row and you dont win 1 quarter of football then yes losing by 22 points to Brisbane after the Lions have just beaten the SuperDons is a bloody good effort.

Im glad we just looked interested.