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You're obviously blind. But look on the upside, you'll never get prostate cancer.
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You're obviously blind. But look on the upside, you'll never get prostate cancer.
Jeez. Sorry.
Yeah I can agree with some of that (I don't mind ya saying your piece, your blunt but honest mate and I like that.)
But hey, Gaspar and McDougall have shown promise so if they can stay fit, they would fill forward roles. The defense is shakey but Glass was improving as the year went on (fullbacks are never built in a day) and guys like Hunter and Green are solid and could improve. Wirra is a class defender, but needs to work on his consistency. Players like Jakovich (would make a great loose man, but you need good players or a short forward line around him for that), Banners, Collica, Humm etc can contribute defensivly and hopefully Staker (who is rumoured to move back, but is also an exciting forward option too) Nicowski and Waters can step up and take defensive roles. I know it ain't perfect or pretty, but hey, I'm not trying to tell you it is. Still a developing side (I'm sure you can relate back pocket) - hopefully it can come together. A lot changes in 12 months, so maybe by then we will have a defense that is considered solid. That's what I'm hoping anyway.
All comes down to a few blokes stepping up and taking their opportunities, Woosha seems to think we have the cattle to do it, so good on him for showing faith and giving it a crack i guess.
Trying to be optimistic (while being realistic) obviously because it's my team, but that my stance on the team at the moment.
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I'd have to say you're close to right on the backline - based upon past performance. However I don't really agree that there's no forward line; a team doesn't top the points for tally if there's not something right up front.
I will concede that the Eagles are taking a big punt on the talls already at the club, but given they're all mostly unproven its a big gamble. If it pays off the Eagles will be a force in 2004, if it doesn't we could struggle. I do think we need either Glass or Carroll to surprise us next year as they are our most experienced KPPs after Jakovich (well there is Gardiner) and we need experience among the big men until some of the youngsters can get some games under their belt.
Realistically I think we should be able to make the eight next year, the question is how far we can go and there are too many unknowns to make a reasonable judgement on that.
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With an outstanding midfield like the eagles have, it's no surprise they topped the points scored, the forwards weren't exactly starved of oppurtunity last season. They could have gone further with a decent key forward. Gaspar and MacDougall are outstanding prospects, but then again I thought Lynch had the goods, but something went amiss with him last season. He may yet become a top player, but there's also Hansen, Johnson, Seaby, Beeck?, Cox and Gardiner. There's not room for all these big guys, some will not progress, others may go OK and one or two will probably become great players. At the moment, I see a top heavy list of players with none of the talls standing out, other than potentially, which you can label all of them with.
Credit to the eagles for pinning their faith in these young players, it's the only way to develop a strong team, but I'm guessing 2004 may not be a great year, 2005 onwards - who knows?
The backline is a different story. Carroll is never going to be a top defender, Glass is pretty good and seems to be improving all the time, he reminds me of Shane Parker, who went from ordinary to very reliable over a few years, without anybody really noticing, which is why he is under rated by everyone except his opponents. Glass is following a similar path and he's the one the defence should be built around, unless someone else steps up.
I don't see a balanced list of players or great depth in the squad, but I do see 2004 as being a developing season with a fair bit of hoping in attack and defence. Should still make the eight, though, the midfield is all quality, and should get you over the line in enough games.
I might add that every year someone surprises the hell out of me, and 2004 will be no different. I'm taking a leaf out of Jako's book (the one with lots of pitchers in it) and tipping the big improver will be MacDougall, with Gaspar right behind him, and Lynch making a name for himself in a defensive role which he will be forced into by lack of any other options after Carroll stuffs up - For The Last Time.
Relax, my next post on this board should be back to bagging all my favourite eagles.
Credit to the eagles for pinning their faith in these young players, it's the only way to develop a strong team, but I'm guessing 2004 may not be a great year, 2005 onwards - who knows?
The backline is a different story. Carroll is never going to be a top defender, Glass is pretty good and seems to be improving all the time, he reminds me of Shane Parker, who went from ordinary to very reliable over a few years, without anybody really noticing, which is why he is under rated by everyone except his opponents. Glass is following a similar path and he's the one the defence should be built around, unless someone else steps up.
I don't see a balanced list of players or great depth in the squad, but I do see 2004 as being a developing season with a fair bit of hoping in attack and defence. Should still make the eight, though, the midfield is all quality, and should get you over the line in enough games.
I might add that every year someone surprises the hell out of me, and 2004 will be no different. I'm taking a leaf out of Jako's book (the one with lots of pitchers in it) and tipping the big improver will be MacDougall, with Gaspar right behind him, and Lynch making a name for himself in a defensive role which he will be forced into by lack of any other options after Carroll stuffs up - For The Last Time.
Relax, my next post on this board should be back to bagging all my favourite eagles.
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Good post BP, very unbiased.
On a more biased side, I think people exaggerate our KPP deficiencies. Gardiner and Cox are proven, McDougall and Staker look like quality in the making, Gaspar only needs to overcome injuries, whilst Seaby comes with huge wraps. Those guys all should make it. Only thing they lack is AFL experience, though one could argue Woosha let them develop in the WAFL rather than throw them into the deep end at AFL level.
On a more biased side, I think people exaggerate our KPP deficiencies. Gardiner and Cox are proven, McDougall and Staker look like quality in the making, Gaspar only needs to overcome injuries, whilst Seaby comes with huge wraps. Those guys all should make it. Only thing they lack is AFL experience, though one could argue Woosha let them develop in the WAFL rather than throw them into the deep end at AFL level.
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"We don't have a backline?"
Thanks very much, now every team in the comp will know.
I thought that was still subject to the 30 year official secrets act.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, the Dockers didn't have a backline either - neither for that matter did Brisbane funnily enough.
The Eagles have turned over effectively their entire squad and just as the Dockers "no name" backline emerged apparently out of thin air, so to will the Eagles develop over the next 2 seasons. I'm not saying they'll be of the same standard as the 90s but they will come on.
As regard to a forward line - that too is in rebuild mode and I fully expect a different look to emerge over the next season or two - We have very good prospects in this area, but that's largely what they are at this stage - prospects. Some will work, some won't and some will exceed expectations.
The common consensus amongst Dockers fans appears to be that the Eagles have got nothing, their prospects are grim and they will inevitably slide as Fremantle surge on to greater glory.
Just a tip here, they're not connected. Freo is on the rise but don't kid yourselves that the Eagles are shot. By all means talk your team up - but you'd do well to bear in mind that we have the solid nucleus of a serious finals contender and I'm very confident that some of those players that a minority of Dockers fans deride as no talent or no name hacks will emerge as stand out players over the next 1 - 5 years.
Thanks very much, now every team in the comp will know.
I thought that was still subject to the 30 year official secrets act.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, the Dockers didn't have a backline either - neither for that matter did Brisbane funnily enough.
The Eagles have turned over effectively their entire squad and just as the Dockers "no name" backline emerged apparently out of thin air, so to will the Eagles develop over the next 2 seasons. I'm not saying they'll be of the same standard as the 90s but they will come on.
As regard to a forward line - that too is in rebuild mode and I fully expect a different look to emerge over the next season or two - We have very good prospects in this area, but that's largely what they are at this stage - prospects. Some will work, some won't and some will exceed expectations.
The common consensus amongst Dockers fans appears to be that the Eagles have got nothing, their prospects are grim and they will inevitably slide as Fremantle surge on to greater glory.
Just a tip here, they're not connected. Freo is on the rise but don't kid yourselves that the Eagles are shot. By all means talk your team up - but you'd do well to bear in mind that we have the solid nucleus of a serious finals contender and I'm very confident that some of those players that a minority of Dockers fans deride as no talent or no name hacks will emerge as stand out players over the next 1 - 5 years.
What has Fremantle got to do with the eagles backline?
Now that you mention it, I'm glad that the so called "no name backline" can consider themselves a source of inspiration for the eagles future defensive stragedies. But No Names don't grow on trees.
Former rookies feature heavily in the no names. There could well be a Hadrill or a Hayden in your rookie list. I can't see any in your main list, just yet, but like I said, every year is full of surprises, and you may unearth another Jako, or MacIntosh. I'm betting it's not Carroll.
Now that you mention it, I'm glad that the so called "no name backline" can consider themselves a source of inspiration for the eagles future defensive stragedies. But No Names don't grow on trees.
Former rookies feature heavily in the no names. There could well be a Hadrill or a Hayden in your rookie list. I can't see any in your main list, just yet, but like I said, every year is full of surprises, and you may unearth another Jako, or MacIntosh. I'm betting it's not Carroll.
