- Banned
- #1
I rate that win. I rate Geelong. I believe they're a forward structure away from being a genuine contender and with Brad ottens in your forward line, although hit and miss, a successful structure could be a few games away.
Although interstate wins are very important for the Eagles and probably the final part of the jigsaw puzzle before being bona fide contenders, development of young players is equally important. If we could define three groups of players from tonight's game, we can pinpoint some real positives:
group 1.
Chick
Wirrpunda
Jones
Glass
Hunter
No frills backline was very good tonight. No frills backlines are good enough to win a flag as long as they are consistent week in, week out. A star FB and CHB to shape the rest of the BL is preferable, but six to 8 guys who can do the job week in, week out is good enough. Glass is consumate, Chick has proven he can nullify some of the best, Jones is hard at it, Hunter has proven consistency without being a star, and Wirra is as good as Joel Smith, Rohan Jones, or Mathew Lappin.
group 2.
Hansen
B Jones
Staker
These guys either stepped up or maintained consistency. All of them showed that if the Eagles can be a true force then they can not only go with them but help them there. Very pleasing.
Group 3.
Cousins
Kerr
Matera
Gardiner
For whatever reason, these players were ineffective tonight. Good to see the Eagles can do it when some stars are missing. Sort of like how the Windies play without Lara as opposed to how they used to play when Greenidge, Haynes, Richardson, and Richards scored low scores. Good teams have depth.
Best positive:
1. Hansen. Class performance in his 8th game. Provided an option and contest all night. It's hard to be an unknown and be a focal point. If his name was Wayne Carey or Jonathon Brown people would be raving about it. The only thing he lacked was the reputation and extra presence that reputation and good performance brings.
2. Embley. Not only a super talent but starting to show some consistency and leadership. great game.
Now we just need to replicate away from home in at least four more matches.
Although interstate wins are very important for the Eagles and probably the final part of the jigsaw puzzle before being bona fide contenders, development of young players is equally important. If we could define three groups of players from tonight's game, we can pinpoint some real positives:
group 1.
Chick
Wirrpunda
Jones
Glass
Hunter
No frills backline was very good tonight. No frills backlines are good enough to win a flag as long as they are consistent week in, week out. A star FB and CHB to shape the rest of the BL is preferable, but six to 8 guys who can do the job week in, week out is good enough. Glass is consumate, Chick has proven he can nullify some of the best, Jones is hard at it, Hunter has proven consistency without being a star, and Wirra is as good as Joel Smith, Rohan Jones, or Mathew Lappin.
group 2.
Hansen
B Jones
Staker
These guys either stepped up or maintained consistency. All of them showed that if the Eagles can be a true force then they can not only go with them but help them there. Very pleasing.
Group 3.
Cousins
Kerr
Matera
Gardiner
For whatever reason, these players were ineffective tonight. Good to see the Eagles can do it when some stars are missing. Sort of like how the Windies play without Lara as opposed to how they used to play when Greenidge, Haynes, Richardson, and Richards scored low scores. Good teams have depth.
Best positive:
1. Hansen. Class performance in his 8th game. Provided an option and contest all night. It's hard to be an unknown and be a focal point. If his name was Wayne Carey or Jonathon Brown people would be raving about it. The only thing he lacked was the reputation and extra presence that reputation and good performance brings.
2. Embley. Not only a super talent but starting to show some consistency and leadership. great game.
Now we just need to replicate away from home in at least four more matches.
