Strategy Replacing Naitanui

[HoneyBadger35]

With the announcement that Nic Nat is set to miss 6-8 weeks following Achilles surgery, the Eagles find themselves clinging precariously onto eighth position without the services of our most important player.

Scott Lycett has had an exceptional season to date, but will likely need assistance in the ruck going forward. When Slyce was suspended, Simmo brought in Fraser McInnes, who promptly delivered a forgettable/actively detrimental performance. Giles has been playing solid if uninspiring football for East Perth.

The small backline/zone defence that held the club in such great stead last season was born out of necessity due to injuries. Personally, I'd like to see the match committee embrace the chaos, and use this as an opportunity to try Cole in the middle, or to roll the dice with JD up the ground. McGovern as the backup ruckman while enjoying more permanent spells up forward? Maybe they can figure out how to incorporate Jetta, or build the midfield in a less Naitanui-centric way. It won't be easy, and it probably won't be pretty, but this is the chance to see what we have in a few kids and hopefully help us treat Naitanui's dominance as a luxury we can exploit, rather than a necessity, once he's back.

Does Simmo have a similar trick to last year up his sleeve, and where do you think we go from here?

 

[Eaglemaniac]

Could be a chance to play Gov up forward with small chop outs in the ruck as he's been wanting to for ages. Leave Barrass in and either bring in Emac or revert to a smaller running backline.

 

[Quinz]

Might force our midfielders to defend properly if they don't expect to win clean hitouts every contest.

 

[WereFlyingHigh4]

Could be a chance to play Gov up forward with small chop outs in the ruck as he's been wanting to for ages. Leave Barrass in and either bring in Emac or revert to a smaller running backline.

The problem is that Gov is by far our best defender and our defence hasn't exactly been flash this year.

 

[Ok Boomer]

Could be a chance to play Gov up forward with small chop outs in the ruck as he's been wanting to for ages. Leave Barrass in and either bring in Emac or revert to a smaller running backline.

This.

Or bring McInnes in (last chance or gawn) to play the Lycett role but more time forward and Lycett becomes the #1. If Giles ever plays for us I will spew.

 

[Quinz]

This.

Or bring McInnes in (last chance or gawn) to play the Lycett role but more time forward and Lycett becomes the #1. If Giles ever plays for us I will spew.

I'd bring in Gawn out of those options.

 

[Eaglemaniac]

The problem is that Gov is by far our best defender and our defence hasn't exactly been flash this year.

Yeah but we've also played a different backline set up this year too, so is it that the different set up is causing problems? Besides, our mids only know one thing under pressure and thats to bomb the ball long in hope, so why not play the best pack mark in the comp forward to see if we cant take advantage of it? Barrass can intercept mark and is not a bad kick.

 

[Godfather32]

The problem is that Gov is by far our best defender and our defence hasn't exactly been flash this year.

None of our lines have been flash this year

 

[HoneyBadger35]

Keen WAFL watchers - any danger we could see Matt Allen inch his way closer to a debut and perhaps play the McInnes pinch hit role?

 

[Ochre]

Keen WAFL watchers - any danger we could see Matt Allen inch his way closer to a debut and perhaps play the McInnes pinch hit role?

He's 193cm and has been playing WAFL reserves so no.

 

[Ochre]

Look, I'm not saying it's a perfect option, but at 6'7" and with a booming left foot kick, I think I'm the man to do the job. #Ochre2016 #MakeWestCoastGreatAgain

 

[larrikin]

Keen WAFL watchers - any danger we could see Matt Allen inch his way closer to a debut and perhaps play the McInnes pinch hit role?

Isn't he playing WAFL Reserves ATM?

 

[HoneyBadger35]

He's 193cm and has been playing WAFL reserves so no.

He's surely at least 193 and seven eighths.

Knew he'd been playing ressies, but I really thought he'd be significantly taller than that, fair call.

 

[WCErevival]

Keen WAFL watchers - any danger we could see Matt Allen inch his way closer to a debut and perhaps play the McInnes pinch hit role?

No chance in hell

 

[Chris_6678]

Interesting that Lycett and Sinclair will be leading their ruck divisions over the next 6-8 weeks.

 

[avishka5]

really wish we had taken the punt on darcy cameron last year. Cameron would be perfect back up.

 

[Godfather32]

Interesting that Lycett and Sinclair will be leading their ruck divisions over the next 6-8 weeks.

 

[Big_Tony]

With the announcement that Nic Nat is set to miss 6-8 weeks following Achilles surgery, the Eagles find themselves clinging precariously onto eighth position without the services of our most important player.

Scott Lycett has had an exceptional season to date, but will likely need assistance in the ruck going forward. When Slyce was suspended, Simmo brought in Fraser McInnes, who promptly delivered a forgettable/actively detrimental performance. Giles has been playing solid if uninspiring football for East Perth.

The small backline/zone defence that held the club in such great stead last season was born out of necessity due to injuries. Personally, I'd like to see the match committee embrace the chaos, and use this as an opportunity to try Cole in the middle, or to roll the dice with JD up the ground. Maybe they can figure out how to incorporate Jetta, or build the midfield in a less Naitanui-centric way. It won't be easy, an it probably won't be pretty, but this is the chance to see what we have in a kids and hopefully help us treat Naitanui's dominance as a luxury we can exploit, rather than a necessity, once he's back.

Does Simmo have a similar trick up his sleeve, and where do you think we go from here?

Up-vote for the Community reference.

I think we stick with the 2 ruck structure so as not to upset team balance when Nic Nat comes back. When Nic Nat is fit, we are always going to be playing with 2 rucks at the moment so I don't think it would be a good thing to chop and change between the two. I would give Giles first crack at it, but replace him with McInnes if he doesn't perform well over a couple of weeks.

This may actually be a benefit to the team in the medium/long term. Our midfielders will have to spend some time fighting for the ball without getting it slammed down their throats. I'm not too devastated by this after our performance against Adelaide as this now looks like a team development year rather than a flag assault year. And if we do manage to turn things around, Nic Nat should be fresh to hit the finals by the time he comes back.

 

[Godfather32]

really wish we had taken the punt on darcy cameron last year. Cameron would be perfect back up.

It really makes you wonder what our list management team are thinking sometimes, rookie listing him would have cost us nothing

 

[avishka5]

It really makes you wonder what our list management team are thinking sometimes, rookie listing him would have cost us nothing

worth a punt over snadden IMO. Missed the trick there.

 

[Godfather32]

worth a punt over snadden IMO. Missed the trick there.

Screw that, should have just paid out Tunbridge or Colledge's contract and selected Cameron over them.

 

[ziad]

that why you have a back up ruckman

 

[Biggie]

No to Giles.

Yes to McInnes.

Lycett to OWN it like Cox did when Gardiner went down.

 

[Godfather32]

No to Giles.

Yes to McInnes.

Lycett to OWN it like Cox when Gardner went down.

Lycett will hulk up and turn into the best ruckman in the league

 

[Biggie]

Lycett will hulk up and turn into the best ruckman in the league