Game Day Preseason 1, 2025: West Coast v North Melbourne

[jdisc]

I like it that I didn't even see a backwards kick today

this is an actual stat btw, we didn't kick backwards once

we averaged 9 last year

 

[stallon]

Does that mean Jobe may end up swapping positions with him, or could they play alongside each other once Gov is retired.

Probably depends on what Oscar does at the end of the year, and how JWilliams/Edwards/Brock/Barnett/any other tall draftees we get turn out.

 

[jdisc]

archer showed plenty for a tall that played half a season last year and just got through his first uninterrupted pre-season, idk why we're writing him off as a forward already

 

[jdisc]

at least he isn't being named as the sub or being stuck on the gimp wing

 

[Bender_]

Serious air.

 

[WCE777]

The more I watch Archer Reid the more I think he's a defender and not a forward. Couple of years in the gym and a pure focus and he could be a great FB.

He looks like he has immense talent, only started playing WAFL mid last year after his injuries and has progressed rapidly since then.
Someone his size usually doesn't have that agility and be so good below his knees, he looks like he loves a tackle and also loves to apply pressure on his opponent constantly.
Lots of attributes that could make him a great FB!

 

[Fatty rules]

Really hope we can see the best from Brockman this year, there's a talented player there if he can put it all together.

Agree. He’s a natural footballer and looks very fit. I genuinely like and rate Long (who does some things so quickly that it’s easy to miss), Dewar (who has elite potential) et al, but today Brockman showed genuine talent and application. Should be in R1.

 

[Seadog]

The Roo's look like exactly what they are, a bunch of high draft picks who spent their junior years playing for themselves in teams they didn't care about.
Great at racking up 25 - 30 possessions while achieving very little on the scoreboard. Wardlaw is probably the exception that proves the rule but when he's not there it's a merry go round.

 

[ziad]

We were poor in patches and got stronger as the game progressed. Plenty of upside from emerging players as mentioned above. When the game was on the line we fight harder than North. Almost as an aside, Harley is underdone and it showed but we the game was up for grab, he like many was a contested beast.

We all need to learn to judge performances against an emerging style of play. It is very different.
Great to wake up after a win.

 

[PremiershipNo4]

I thought Tim Kelly got better the longer the game went yesterday, hopefully he can get his love for the game back and have a big year.
Actually the entire midfield lifted after getting smashed in contested ball early, it didn’t help with Flynn getting belted in the ruck early and giving away free kicks.
Definitely need another quality mid in there, need Yeo, Hewett or Gross to step up soon.
Backline performed very well, and the forwards did very well from limited opportunities, Edwards contested marking and positioning was very good, Gov was amazing as always, and Hough is an absolute beauty!
Allen will obviously strengthen the forward line considerably again.
A lot to work on, particularly in the midfield, but jeez there was a lot to like about the new style, lot’s of positive attacking play, it was only the 1st quarter that I wanted to put my fist through the TV screen, which makes a change from the last couple of years, where it was just painful to watch most of the time.
The genuine pressure for best 22 positions will instantly make us better too, great work by WC recruiters in the off season, bringing in 3 hard at it experienced AFL players.
Just so nice to get the win, and have that winning feeling.

 

[Obeanie1]

If he's not lining up on the wing at the first CBD Round 1 then we need to sack Simmo and imprison Nizzy.

Dont worry.

Dewar is a lock round 1.

We were just looking after him in the last hit out before the real deal starts.

 

[Elite Pete]

archer showed plenty for a tall that played half a season last year and just got through his first uninterrupted pre-season, idk why we're writing him off as a forward already

100%.

3 shots on goal, yes he has to improve in that area but not great conditions for set shots. Looked decent in the ruck and agile enough to be a force there in the future as a 2nd ruck.

Interesting decision for the coaches as JWill has looked good as the FWD/ruck last year.

Liked the look of Bo but I think he is the one who falls out of the back line, especially if Duggan is moving back there. Bo missed a few tackles and I think we need to see how Maric works. Need someone who can kick back there even if he misses a couple from time to time.

Good to get through injury free and now some competition for spots is on. Assuming a bit of match sim on Friday this week as the last audition and I think yesterday threw up more questions then answers.

 

[Jukes]

My guess is that Maric still needs to work on his defensive side. I’m reading it that he’s nearly there but not quite yet. Maybe a solid run in the WAFL at this new role is what the strategy is.

As supporters, we love the sexy low darts coming out of defence but no doubt as a coaching group they put more value on less sexy defensive positioning, sticking to the task etc. That’s why they’ve gone with Bo this preseason.

 

[Wooshaaaa]

The take away for me....

I think we might just have some depth and competition for spots.

No one looked out of place today.

There's a host of players likely best 23 that didn't play, maric, allen, Williams, Hewett, yeo, petch

And the kids Greco, gross knocking on the door.

On Pixel 6 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[squashface]

View attachment 2238267

Serious air.

Baker to ruck?

 

[Get_The_Gaff]

I swear if they go with bailey williams as the 2nd ruck /forward over jack Williams who is a far superior forward and towelled bailey in the ruck in the intra club .

 

[wirra44]

View attachment 2238267

Serious air.

This picture basically epitomises why we got this bloke, passion and grunt. Doesn’t give a **** that it’s just a pre season he’s gonna put his all in every time he pulls on the jumper.

 

[ausbacker]

My guess is that Maric still needs to work on his defensive side. I’m reading it that he’s nearly there but not quite yet. Maybe a solid run in the WAFL at this new role is what the strategy is.

As supporters, we love the sexy low darts coming out of defence but no doubt as a coaching group they put more value on less sexy defensive positioning, sticking to the task etc. That’s why they’ve gone with Bo this preseason.

Call me old fashioned, but I like my defenders, first and foremost, able to defend.

 

[wirra44]

Finally got to watch the rest of the game after a busy arvo.

Interesting contrast of styles between us and North - jeez they rack the stats up - Sheezel is does a power of work but is he ultimately a link man when played in the middle?

Anyway, onto the good guys.

Enjoyed:

The 3 experienced new guys (Owies, Baker and Graham) are all hard workers that are willing to hit the contest - they will be handy.

Waterman doesn’t look to have missed a beat.

Liam Ryan covered a lot of ground, had some good moments.

McGovern just business as usual.

Hunt’s great snap.

Hough’s gutsy mark early in the game.

Jack missing gettable goals early in the game that would have given his side a real leg up. Ha! Won’t miss that.

Didn’t enjoy as much:

Conceded way too many inside 50s.

I hate listening to Pavlich and Schofield. Pair of miserable pricks.

Yeah geez there a terrible combo, I love how Pav always has to say 3 times a game that Kelly’s kicking let’s him down at times. Has proper hate for the bloke.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Yeah geez there a terrible combo, I love how Pav always has to say 3 times a game that Kelly’s kicking let’s him down at times. Has proper hate for the bloke.

Sounds like he posts on this board.

 

[Get_The_Gaff]

Yeah geez there a terrible combo, I love how Pav always has to say 3 times a game that Kelly’s kicking let’s him down at times. Has proper hate for the bloke.

Pav is right on the money Kelly is a terrible kick .

 

[Goroyals22]

Flynn actually had 8 hitouts to advantage to Xerris 5…. Be along time since we were a winner in that stat

 

[wirra44]

Pav is right on the money Kelly is a terrible kick .

Yeah but he doesn’t need to say it 3 times a game.

Kelly will do something superb and he will go “that was brilliant by Kelly but his kicking lets him down some times”.

 

[The Gtrain]

Anyone else watching on Kayo and getting this weird Singapore commercial? wtf is that about?

That was strange!! Couldn't understand what they were advertising or who, definitely had us scratching our heads.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Sounds like he posts on this board.

Pav is right on the money Kelly is a terrible kick .