Physical Presence

[AdamG03]

U may say it is not always needed, but people in the media have pointed out Brisbane used it to their advantage and so did Port Adelaide. These led to premierships. Besides firing forwards and the normal being our weakness, i thought we really didn't have too many hardheads (sensible ones, not like Read, who got traded for his hotheadedness lol).

I know we have midfielders capable of handling themselves, but just proving to people we are not pushovers has been something which Woosha really has helped with in the last few years. On the news, he was smiling even when the newsreaders asked him about the incidents with the players who were gonna get charged etc. He loved it, it just shows the commitment of players at times, the hardsmanship and yeh, just everything. It cannot be misused as the Brisbane Lions showed earlier this season ey lol.

If people like Lynch, Gardiner and Embley can harness this physical presence, no1 will mess with us. Every team needs their physical players and i'm sorry to all those people who think some actions are stupid (Kerr and Matera were pretty dumb on the weekend ey), however when Lynch pushed over that player like he was nothing, it was very exciting to watch. When a player has a big body, they need to know how to use it, always within the rules tho, even outside em sumtimes as long as they arent suspended lol.

Adam G

 

[jod23]

We have certainly become a much tougher team under Woosh and that is what we need to really win a premiership. I think Cousins leads from the front very well too. He isnt reknowned for his toughness but he has a very good blend of mental and physical toughness.

Two recent examples of this was his little encounter with Akermanis in the middle of the field against Brisbane. He didnt take a step back, dealt with Aka and then went after the footy. Another was on the weekend against the Hawks, everybody thought he would play poorly yet with the bumps and all the abuse he probably copped from Hawthorn. It didnt bother him and he was again one of our best on the day.

Physically though we have come on in leaps and bounds with guys like Hunter, Gardiner, Kerr, Chick, Cox etc all not afraid to get into it. Thats another plus with our midfield too, none of them are soft. Cuz, Judd, Kerr, Braun, Embley, Stinger and Fletch all are not afraid to go after the hardball.

We are really maturing into a very good side and physical toughness is a big part of that. Woosha is the one responsible for it!

 

[Ruddiger]

One thing I've noticed is that West Coast don't seem to cop as much of the initmidation and abuse from Brisbane compared to other teams.

Compare the Lions against the Saints in Round 1, then when we went up there - quite different in terms of the amount of abuse.

 

[bernardblack]

lynch=poor mans jonathon brown. absolute meathead. i would rather see him harness his gigantic body in a more troy wilson like fashion than getting reported (though wilson was also a meathead)

 

[94_Eagles]

lynch=poor mans jonathon brown. absolute meathead. i would rather see him harness his gigantic body in a more troy wilson like fashion than getting reported (though wilson was also a meathead)

Lynch isn't attempting to be our CHF. He's more like our spare parts enforcer. Becoming very important to the team.

 

[bernardblack]

i meant poor mans jonathon brown not in regards to playing or positional ability, but in tendency to commit senseless, reckless acts. plus along with jonathon brown he looks like a big hulking meathead.

 

[Belnakor]

With the way the reports system is working now, Wilson would have gotten rubbed out every week.

 

[Debaser]

lynch=poor mans jonathon brown. absolute meathead. i would rather see him harness his gigantic body in a more troy wilson like fashion than getting reported (though wilson was also a meathead)

I think the report on the weekend was his first. At least he's not getting rubbed out every 5-8 games like Brown.

 

[Eagles4Ever]

What i noticed and found pleasing was all the players that ran to help after the the Lynch bump. Sampi, Embley and Judd were right in there, and most pleasing of all was seeing Stinger get stuck in there too, which is a good sign showing he has bonded with the team.

 

[West Coast Fan 123]

Agreed Adam good post. When Lynchy took Osborne and Brown down, I said finally hes throwing his weight around. Imagine backing into the Big Q you would absolutley ******** yourself. I think he needs to continue to push guys around and knock them up, but within the rules where possible. Heres what Woosha said about Physciall Toughness in Ask Woosha:

From Chris: Hi Woosha, I would like to ask you if you think the Eagles have the physical toughness to compete with the likes of Brisbane or what Geelong/St Kilda have shown this year, and do you think it has an important role in today's football?

JW: Thanks for your question, Chris. Physical toughness is a pre-requisite in a successful team and it is evident in top four sides such as St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Brisbane. It often comes with confidence, however, all teams require that physicality for endurance, intimidating opposition and working to win the football.


Our team does have a lot of younger players and the physical component comes with maturity. We have been able to stand up to the physical requirements and will only get stronger as this group spends time playing together and evolving naturally.


From Jesse: Hi John, I was just wondering about what you thought about the physical toughness that the Eagles have shown so far this year, and how far do you think the Eagles can go this year?

JW: I’m pretty pleased with what we’ve shown so far this year, Jesse. The physical side of our game is something that we’ve worked hard on and it is being translated on the field. It was pretty obvious in the second half of last season, too, but it is more noticeable this year because a lot of our younger players are a little further developed physically. They have more confidence in their bodies. As for how far we can go this year, our primary aim is finals success, which is something we’ve fallen short of in the last three years. We also believe we are strong enough to earn a top four finish in 2005.