Rodney Eade's lookout for this weekends game:
article link: http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=opinion&spg=display&articleid=100935
Eagles in a tight one
3:15:04 PM Wed 25 June, 2003
Rodney Eade
afl.com.au
More people would think this game is a foregone conclusion. West Coast is at home coming off a great win against the premiers, so to play the Eagles at home would be a rough assignment for any team.
The Kangaroos are in good form and will enter this game with great confidence. They can win this game. Only two weeks ago the Bulldogs held the Eagles to a draw at Subiaco and were very unlucky not to win.
The break came at a great time for both sides. The Eagles have a chance to settle from the longest road trip and are in the midst of a tough three week spell- Brisbane (away), Kangaroos (home) and Sydney (away), while the Roos are looking to settle after a big pair of wins against Richmond and Essendon, which were both full of emotion.
This game will be intriguing with its midfield match-ups. Does Dean Laidley go head-to-head with the likes of Cousins, Judd, Ken and Fleken or does he try and curb some of their influence?
This game and their next will tell us a bit more about the Eagles and whether they are genuine premiership contenders.
GAME PLAN: Both teams have the ability to carry the ball. They also prefer to hit targets rather than bomb the ball. The Kangaroos, at times, in their desire to maintain possession have become “too cute”. They begin to play outside the corridor and consequently become very efficient.
The Eagles strength is their ruckmen, Michael Gardiner, and their midfield. The class of Ben Cousins, Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr and Chad Fletcher is the equal of any in the competition and they also have a great deal if pace around the ground in Ashley Sampi, Phillip Matera, David Wirrpunda and Daniel Chick which complements their midfield.
They play very direct football, getting the ball to their forward line very quickly. They also have the most entries inside 50 in the competition. Jakovich has given them a strong target at centre half-forward, and with Troy Wilson returning it gives them another big body who has good pace.
The Roos generate a great deal of run out of defence and will switch play from here as much as possible. Drew Petrie has straightened them up remarkably, giving them a great “go to” target at centre half-forward. With Morrell and Rocca good in the air, the Kangaroos are capable of kicking multiple goals.
KEY MATCH-UPS: As mentioned, the key to this game will be in the midfield. The Roos will be confident they can match the Eagles here although they do-not possess the game breaker like Judd and Cousins.
Brady Rawlings will probably take Judd as he has the pace to go with him and has been the Roos main run-with player, while Adam Simpson will get Cousins. Anthony Stevens could take Kerr, leaving Chad Fletcher with Shannon Grant.
John Worsfold has more options to run through the centre square so if he starts to rotate players like Chick, Braun, Josh Wooden and Drew Banfield he may gain an advantage. With a big ground and warn temperatures, the players will need a break at some stage. Laidley will also be mindful of whether Simpson, Grant and Stevens follow their opponent when they charge off the ball. Daniel Wells gives the Kangaroos extra pace and Daniel Harris is progressing well, which gives Laidley an extra quality midfielder.
Troy Makepeace will take Matera with Jess Sinclair manning up Sampi. How the two Roos players handle this could influence the result greatly. Not only will they have to curb two potential match-winners but they must give their side rebound and set-up. A very difficult assignment.
The Eagles will be concerned with their lack of height in defence, especially if McIntosh is out injured. Can they cover all of Petrie, Rocca and Morrell? Wooden could be assigned to David King. Although King is becoming inconsistent because of his age, he can still turn a game.
THE COACHES: Apart from the midfield make-ups Dean Laidley’s main focus will be how to curb Gardiner’s influence because ‘Spider’ Burton has not got the mobility around the ground to match him. Porter might be able to compete with him aggressively at centre bounces but can he match him aerobically and in ability to win possessions?
Leigh Brown has been doing a good job as a back up big man but he gives away many centimetres. Perhaps Laidley will have to rotate Mark Porter, Brown and Drew Petrie.
Laidley also has a liking for his ruckman to be a kick behind the play, which would allow Gardiner to be free. Perhaps Petrie from centre half-forward will play as ruckman in the forward line and up to the middle, and then the ruckman, Porter or Brown, will pick Gardiner up as the comes through. With this set up Petrie’s opponent, most likely Trent Carroll, will be free. This is certainly not as dangerous as Gardiner being by himself.
Worsfold’s thoughts would mainly centre around his own team and how to keep their feet on the ground. He knows they need to play each week with high intensity. He would also spend some time learning how to curb the Kangaroos rebound and change of direction from down back. Also the lack of height in defence with McIntosh out would also concern him.
THE VERDICT: These are very similar teams with the Eagles having an advantage in the ruck, a slight advantage with pace and obviously playing at home. The Roos will give a good account of themselves. They can make the Eagles run and have the capability of stretching the Eagles defence. Gardiner’s influence in games this year ahs been profound and it is difficult seeing how the Roos can contain him.
The midfield is even although the Eagles midfield kicks goals. The Eagles attack is quite potent with Matera, Sampi the improved Andrew Embley and Chick all capable of kicking many goals. Wilson and Jakovich give the attack size and strength. With a bit more class and more options in the midfield and led by a class ruckman the Eagles will win a tight one at home by 15 points.
I know they meant Kerr and Fletcher, but how the hell did they get Ken and Fleken? That isn't even close
article link: http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=opinion&spg=display&articleid=100935
Eagles in a tight one
3:15:04 PM Wed 25 June, 2003
Rodney Eade
afl.com.au
More people would think this game is a foregone conclusion. West Coast is at home coming off a great win against the premiers, so to play the Eagles at home would be a rough assignment for any team.
The Kangaroos are in good form and will enter this game with great confidence. They can win this game. Only two weeks ago the Bulldogs held the Eagles to a draw at Subiaco and were very unlucky not to win.
The break came at a great time for both sides. The Eagles have a chance to settle from the longest road trip and are in the midst of a tough three week spell- Brisbane (away), Kangaroos (home) and Sydney (away), while the Roos are looking to settle after a big pair of wins against Richmond and Essendon, which were both full of emotion.
This game will be intriguing with its midfield match-ups. Does Dean Laidley go head-to-head with the likes of Cousins, Judd, Ken and Fleken or does he try and curb some of their influence?
This game and their next will tell us a bit more about the Eagles and whether they are genuine premiership contenders.
GAME PLAN: Both teams have the ability to carry the ball. They also prefer to hit targets rather than bomb the ball. The Kangaroos, at times, in their desire to maintain possession have become “too cute”. They begin to play outside the corridor and consequently become very efficient.
The Eagles strength is their ruckmen, Michael Gardiner, and their midfield. The class of Ben Cousins, Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr and Chad Fletcher is the equal of any in the competition and they also have a great deal if pace around the ground in Ashley Sampi, Phillip Matera, David Wirrpunda and Daniel Chick which complements their midfield.
They play very direct football, getting the ball to their forward line very quickly. They also have the most entries inside 50 in the competition. Jakovich has given them a strong target at centre half-forward, and with Troy Wilson returning it gives them another big body who has good pace.
The Roos generate a great deal of run out of defence and will switch play from here as much as possible. Drew Petrie has straightened them up remarkably, giving them a great “go to” target at centre half-forward. With Morrell and Rocca good in the air, the Kangaroos are capable of kicking multiple goals.
KEY MATCH-UPS: As mentioned, the key to this game will be in the midfield. The Roos will be confident they can match the Eagles here although they do-not possess the game breaker like Judd and Cousins.
Brady Rawlings will probably take Judd as he has the pace to go with him and has been the Roos main run-with player, while Adam Simpson will get Cousins. Anthony Stevens could take Kerr, leaving Chad Fletcher with Shannon Grant.
John Worsfold has more options to run through the centre square so if he starts to rotate players like Chick, Braun, Josh Wooden and Drew Banfield he may gain an advantage. With a big ground and warn temperatures, the players will need a break at some stage. Laidley will also be mindful of whether Simpson, Grant and Stevens follow their opponent when they charge off the ball. Daniel Wells gives the Kangaroos extra pace and Daniel Harris is progressing well, which gives Laidley an extra quality midfielder.
Troy Makepeace will take Matera with Jess Sinclair manning up Sampi. How the two Roos players handle this could influence the result greatly. Not only will they have to curb two potential match-winners but they must give their side rebound and set-up. A very difficult assignment.
The Eagles will be concerned with their lack of height in defence, especially if McIntosh is out injured. Can they cover all of Petrie, Rocca and Morrell? Wooden could be assigned to David King. Although King is becoming inconsistent because of his age, he can still turn a game.
THE COACHES: Apart from the midfield make-ups Dean Laidley’s main focus will be how to curb Gardiner’s influence because ‘Spider’ Burton has not got the mobility around the ground to match him. Porter might be able to compete with him aggressively at centre bounces but can he match him aerobically and in ability to win possessions?
Leigh Brown has been doing a good job as a back up big man but he gives away many centimetres. Perhaps Laidley will have to rotate Mark Porter, Brown and Drew Petrie.
Laidley also has a liking for his ruckman to be a kick behind the play, which would allow Gardiner to be free. Perhaps Petrie from centre half-forward will play as ruckman in the forward line and up to the middle, and then the ruckman, Porter or Brown, will pick Gardiner up as the comes through. With this set up Petrie’s opponent, most likely Trent Carroll, will be free. This is certainly not as dangerous as Gardiner being by himself.
Worsfold’s thoughts would mainly centre around his own team and how to keep their feet on the ground. He knows they need to play each week with high intensity. He would also spend some time learning how to curb the Kangaroos rebound and change of direction from down back. Also the lack of height in defence with McIntosh out would also concern him.
THE VERDICT: These are very similar teams with the Eagles having an advantage in the ruck, a slight advantage with pace and obviously playing at home. The Roos will give a good account of themselves. They can make the Eagles run and have the capability of stretching the Eagles defence. Gardiner’s influence in games this year ahs been profound and it is difficult seeing how the Roos can contain him.
The midfield is even although the Eagles midfield kicks goals. The Eagles attack is quite potent with Matera, Sampi the improved Andrew Embley and Chick all capable of kicking many goals. Wilson and Jakovich give the attack size and strength. With a bit more class and more options in the midfield and led by a class ruckman the Eagles will win a tight one at home by 15 points.
I know they meant Kerr and Fletcher, but how the hell did they get Ken and Fleken? That isn't even close
. I think they should stick to the tried and true excuse that they are crap.
