How good do WE think WCE will be?

[Dr Ralph Dagg]

I thought I'd chuck this up on the Freo board because we know how good the WCE fans think they're team is. And I love their reticence in not telling us.

I reckon teams might have figured them out a bit. In their last nine games, they have lost five. They beat us and Hawthorn at home when Hawthorn were 16th, and Freo was woeful. They beat Sydney at home in the Qualifying final by 4 points which was pretty controversial. In rounds 19, 21 and 22 they were walloped by the Bullies, thrashed by Geelong, and soundly beaten by Adelaide at home. Their only solid win in those nine games was Adelaide in the prelim final.

Prior to those nine games they won a bunch when Matera was averaging 4 goals a game. eg 4 point win over the 'Roos where Matera kicked 5, and 15 point win over Melbourne when he kicked 6, and 2 point win over Richmond when kicked 5. In those last nine games he was injured and there in might lie the tale.

What do the rest of you think?

 

[rgauci]

I'd love you to be right. But i don't think thats the case. Matera isn't key to their success.

They'll probably win most home games this year, i hope the derbies go 2-0 in our favour but probably will go 1-1. Essentially finishing somewhere around 6th-8th.

Probably 8th given their propensity for that position before last year.

I mean thats reality, but a sickening clash between Judd and Kerr in round 1 could leave them finishing last. Injuries play a huge part in where teams finish. Though i wish i had a crystal ball that could predict these things, i don't so we'll have to wait and see.

 

[macca69]

Utter Crap. West Coast had a top 2 spot stitched up by round 17, so there was no need to win the remaining games, of course they would have liked to win, but in the back of their minds they wanted to be fully fit come finals time. We rested Wirra for a couple of weeks when his grandma died i think, we had a few injuries towards the end of the year and blooded a few kids.

Matera kicked 38 goals in the season 20 came in 4 games, only averaged around one goal a game apart from that 4 games. And we coped when he was out of form at the start of the year, sorry mate but your really clutching at straws.

 

[Captain Random]

Everyone's figured us out - stop our midfield and we're stuffed. But that's a bit like saying that all you need to do to be a millionaire is to get hold of a million bucks. One of the ways of beating us is getting lots of guys back quickly while our blokes play kick-to-kick on the boundary line at HF, which is an effective tactic but tends to come unstuck over time when at Subi and the sun's out.

Works a treat on small, circular grounds, though. Unfortunately.

We'll finish in the four. From then on, it's luck.

(Yeah, I know the criteria for the thread, so feel free to ignore this if offended)

 

[Kapow!!!]

Everyone's figured us out - stop our midfield and we're stuffed. But that's a bit like saying that all you need to do to be a millionaire is to get hold of a million bucks. One of the ways of beating us is getting lots of guys back quickly while our blokes play kick-to-kick on the boundary line at HF, which is an effective tactic but tends to come unstuck over time when at Subi and the sun's out.

Works a treat on small, circular grounds, though. Unfortunately.

We'll finish in the four. From then on, it's luck.

(Yeah, I know the criteria for the thread, so feel free to ignore this if offended)

Probably the most level headed view of West Coast really. West Coast should easily make the Top 4. They shouldn't be beaten at Subi, more than likely lose at some of the smaller and wider grounds. Most likely won't have a forward who will kick 40 goals in the season but about 10 who kick 30 including midfielders. Once you make it to the Preliminaries it's anybodys game.

One thing West Coast will need to add is a bit more character and heart to the squad. Just in the tight situations if West Coast couldn't get a win on skill or a mistake they just didn't have the extra heart/balls/belief (call it what you will) and drive to get over the line which came out in the Grand Final. Admittedly it was only 4 points separating in a very low scoring game and both sides had their chances (well West Coast and Michael O'Loughlin had their chances) but just noticeably didn't want it more than Sydney and just didn't have that extra heart to say to themselves "when all else fails go harder" to get the extra goal.

However if a very close Grand Final loss or any finals loss doesn't give a team that extra drive or that extra belief and want then I don't know what will. West Coast should make Top 4 and (much to the dismay of fellow Dockers) should be back on the last Saturday in September again.

 

[purplepavlich_29]

Everyone's figured us out - stop our midfield and we're stuffed. But that's a bit like saying that all you need to do to be a millionaire is to get hold of a million bucks. One of the ways of beating us is getting lots of guys back quickly while our blokes play kick-to-kick on the boundary line at HF, which is an effective tactic but tends to come unstuck over time when at Subi and the sun's out.

Works a treat on small, circular grounds, though. Unfortunately.

We'll finish in the four. From then on, it's luck.

(Yeah, I know the criteria for the thread, so feel free to ignore this if offended)

Haha, the bottom or top four!

 

[Slacker]

Yeah, the level headed eagle guy is on the money IMO, they will be a very competitive side in 2006. Hard to beat that midfield at subi. I also think Hansen(sp?) will come on as a leading CHF, giving them somewhat of a focal point up front for a change.

Maybe the smiling sniper can come up with a better tactic against congested backlines this year?

and I still don't like them, and their supporters even less.

 

[newlander77]

I really couldn't care less, I'm just as concerned about the other 14 teams. They just happen to be based in the same city.

 

[hawkeye23]

I'm just interested to know where you Freo supporters think you'll finish this season? I haven't seen much to indicate what you think your own team will do (mind you, I haven't really looked either ). I believe that if CC can get your list firing, you're a good chance of making the eight. What do you think needs to happen for you guys to make the eight?

 

[Dr Ralph Dagg]

I'm just interested to know where you Freo supporters think you'll finish this season? I haven't seen much to indicate what you think your own team will do (mind you, I haven't really looked either ). I believe that if CC can get your list firing, you're a good chance of making the eight. What do you think needs to happen for you guys to make the eight?

9th but start a different thread.

 

[hawkeye23]

9th but start a different thread.

Consider it done, Dr Ralph! Thread to follow.

 

[Dr Ralph Dagg]

Utter Crap. etc etc <snip> ... sorry mate but your really clutching at straws.

Yawn. Refer the point where I said we know what WCE fans think of their team. I'm not clutching at straws but giving an interpretation of the facts that is a bit contradictory 'cause I thought it might be an interesting discussion.

 

[Dr Ralph Dagg]

Everyone's figured us out - stop our midfield and we're stuffed. But that's a bit like saying that all you need to do to be a millionaire is to get hold of a million bucks. One of the ways of beating us is getting lots of guys back quickly while our blokes play kick-to-kick on the boundary line at HF, which is an effective tactic but tends to come unstuck over time when at Subi and the sun's out.

Works a treat on small, circular grounds, though. Unfortunately.

We'll finish in the four. From then on, it's luck.

(Yeah, I know the criteria for the thread, so feel free to ignore this if offended)

Very much like the Brisbane of 2000-2004. Easy to see what they do, nigh on impossible to stop.

 

[sabre_ac]

Everytime I say or think the E-Girls will take a dive they do well so I am going to refrain from commenting...

To eagle supporters that continue to hover around this board, remeber this is a thread for freo supporters and their opinions. If you must post make sure you have something decent to contribute and under no circumstance may you bash freo or have a swing at them in any way.

PS
If you want to see how to post check out Carneagles post; stuck up for the eagles without the need to say "Yer well freo suck".

 

[Freo Shark]

If you want to see how to post check out Carneagles post; stuck up for the eagles without the need to say "Yer well freo suck".

Yea he's had that edited outta him at Dockerland.

 

[Borry]

Top four again.

 

[wehavethepassion]

racking up injuries in pre season. Have not solved Key forwards problem. I think they hoped Smith would be good for 40 goals.

The Slime do what the Dockers haven't been able to do in 2004 & 2005 that is to win at home.

Their forward set up is the problem also their back half relies on the midfield dominating. if they only break even then Broken Glass and Co look very ordinary.

 

[Borry]

Thja main concern AFAIC is that the Eagles dont have that focal point up forward which they needed in that grand final and round 22 game etc. The jury is still out of them in terms of how they will learn from the grand final loss in terms of up forward.

 

[Bestbird]

Thja main concern AFAIC is that the Eagles dont have that focal point up forward which they needed in that grand final and round 22 game etc. The jury is still out of them in terms of how they will learn from the grand final loss in terms of up forward.

What i do find amazing is that Docker supporters are quick to acknowledge the poor injury run in regards to there defence when taking into account the performances last year but seem totally oblivious to the fact that West Coast had similar problems in attack

 

[surfsup]

Even though they finished 2nd I think they will be looked at by many teams as being more beatable next season. Why?....
Their leading goalkicker retired.
Preseason injury to Gaspar may indicate he may not yet be over his foot/ankle injury concerns. ( could stop Hunter going forward. )
Banfield turned 33 a few days ago, will he be as effective?.
Gardiner is not the man he used to be due to foot injuries.
Will they find the right players for their key positions?
Smith, their great white hope was gone before he even got started.
They'll be good but maybe not a grand final in 06. Probably still top 4.

 

[hawkeye23]

Even though they finished 2nd I think they will be looked at by many teams as being more beatable next season. Why?....
Their leading goalkicker retired.
Preseason injury to Gaspar may indicate he may not yet be over his foot/ankle injury concerns. ( could stop Hunter going forward. )
Banfield turned 33 a few days ago, will he be as effective?.
Gardiner is not the man he used to be due to foot injuries.
Will they find the right players for their key positions?
Smith, their great white hope was gone before he even got started.
They'll be good but maybe not a grand final in 06. Probably still top 4.

Geez, Banners had more than one birthday in 1 day? Bugger me! I'm bloody sure he only just turned 32.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Banners turned 32.

Christ he's an old bastard...

 

[Big Kahuna]

Preseason injury to Gaspar may indicate he may not yet be over his foot/ankle injury concerns. ( could stop Hunter going forward. )

Yes Gasper helped us immensely throughout the 05 season good call

Hunter will also be a big miss from our forward line in 06 just as he was in 05, yet another good call.

Banfield turned 33 a few days ago, will he be as effective?.

Not as effective as he'll be at 32.

Gardiner is not the man he used to be due to foot injuries.

Another big contributor in the 05 season, and without Gardiner maybe we can utilize that other guy I think his name is Cox he made all Australian or something. Yet another surprisingly good call.

Will they find the right players for their key positions?

Full Forward???? Hard hitting stuff this Yana

Smith, their great white hope was gone before he even got started.

Another one to help us get to the premiership in 05. And quite the proven player in the AFL.

They'll be good but maybe not a grand final in 06. Probably still top 4.

And where were they tipped to finish in 05 ??????

What will the Eagles do in 06 without all these players who didn't contribute in 05, yet we got to a GF. My god I feel sick just thinking about it.

Keep up the good work guys.

 

[synista]

What will the Eagles do in 06 without all these players who didn't contribute in 05, yet we got to a premiership. My god I feel sick just thinking about it.

Keep up the good work guys.

That's not how I seem to remember it.

 

[Ripper]

That's not how I seem to remember it.

New one on me too. I will have to pull out the tape again.