Round 12 Preview: Eagles v Brisbane

Mr Q

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http://eagles.newman-knights.com/news.php?newsid=57

On the back of a couple of indifferent weeks, a game against Brisbane at the Gabba is not really what you need to get back on track. However Brisbane haven't been quite as scary recently as in the last couple of years, and with a few players out there probably isn't a better time to come up against the Lions.

Changes
The Eagles have added a number of players to the team for this week with Andrew McDougall named in the main 18, and almost certain to play and Damien Adkins, Chad Morrison, Trent Carroll, full forward Troy Wilson, Josh Wooden and rookie Adam Selwood all named on the extended bench, although only four of these will actually play.

Kane Munro and Adam Hunter are the initial casualties of the last two week's indifferent performances, while Travis Gaspar and Phil Matera are out injured already, meaning a minimum of four changes will be made to the side for the game against the Lions.

Notably neither ruckman Dean Cox nor defender Phil Read have been named for this match.

Click here for the Eagles squad

Lead up
Since the round nine Tiger-skinning the Eagles form has dropped off quite a bit, with a loss to Essendon away and a draw at home over the undermanned Bulldogs. There seemed to be a bit of complacency leaking into the team's output, and overall our performances have been quite flat. However one would hope that scraping an after the siren draw against the bottom side would have cleared that.

Brisbane have also not been in the most red hot of form, unexpectedly dropping a game to the Saints last weekend. Mostly however the Lions have been dispatching teams with little fuss such as a recent 60 point over the Demons at the Gabba, and a 77 point win over Carlton.

In recent weeks then the line would have to favour the Lions on form, but they haven't looked quite as invincible when playing other strong sides as they did over 2001 and 2002.

Injuries and Suspensions
The Eagles have lost a lot of forward power leading into this match with the unavailablity of Phil Matera due to a knee injury and Travis Gaspar with yet another injury - this time to his foot.

Brisbane have quite a long injury list at the moment with Michael Voss, Clarke Keating, Jonathon Brown and Tim Notting all missing from the Lions top 22 players. Blake Caracella, Beau McDonald and Chris Scott will all have to face tests after sustaining minor injuries at the Injury Dome aka Docklands last week, while Shaun Hart and Mal Michael are likely to be able to resume.

Match Ups
The Eagles have looked their best this year when they have managed to play well to Michael Gardiner's taps, and the Lions do not have a strong ruckman to challenge Gardiner at the moment. However the Lions midfield don't have the reputation they do for no reason, and keeping them from sharking the ruck will be a big challenge.

Talking of midfields, this week the Eagles are clearly facing a side that are better in that area, albeit without Voss they are down on their norm. How the likes of Nigel Lappin, Simon Black and Jason Akermanis are managed by the Eagles runners could be important, and the Eagles midfield of Ben Cousins, Chad Fletcher, Daniel Kerr and Chris Judd will have to play a much more accountable game than has been the Eagles standard in 2003.

Up forward for the Lions is the genius of Alastair Lynch, and who the Eagles man up on him will be a big question. Ashley McIntosh and Darren Glass have been in indifferent form in the last couple of weeks, and covering Lynch will be important.

Similarly, who the Eagles put up forward could be critical, as without the ever-dangerous Phil Matera up forward the Eagles will need to find a crumber to take his place and allow Sampi to run free.

2002
There were two games between the Eagles and the Lions last year, with almost opposing results, the Eagles winning by 46 at Subiaco, and the Lions by 47 at home.

Round 5, Subiaco
West Coast 4.1 7.7 12.11 18.13 (121)
Brisbane 3.4 5.11 8.12 10.15 ( 75)

Round 21, Gabba
Brisbane 6.4 11.10 14.12 20.16 (136)
West Coast 4.2 7.4 9.8 13.11 ( 89)

Head to Head (not including Brisbane Bears matches)
Overall: Played 9; Brisbane Lions 4, West Coast 5, Draws 0.
At Gabba: Played 5; Brisbane Lions 3, West Coast 2, Draws 0.
Biggest Margin - West Coast: West Coast 21.13 (139) d Brisbane Lions 8.12 (60) - 79 points, Gabba, R7 1997.
Biggest Margin - Brisbane Lions: Brisbane Lions 25.16 (166) d West Coast 9.12 (66) - 100 points, Gabba, R17 1999.

Milestones
None this week

Summary
Brisbane, despite their shock loss last week at the Blunderdome are still the competition yardstick, and are on top of the ladder, and playing at home. The Eagles are not in great form, and while sitting third would not really be considered challengers to the Lions at the Gabba just yet. Hopefully the Eagles listlessness and apparent complacency will be beaten out of them by Woosha (with a big stick) at training, and Brisbane are probably as vulnerable as they have been in recent times, but I cannot see the Eagles getting up in this match. Fortunately after this there is a week off for the Eagles to get their act together again for the rest of the season.

My prediction: Brisbane by 19 points
 

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cjwalkley

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#2
Very good preview there. Without Matera up forward the Eagles are extremely thin for goalkicking options, one would think playing Wilson would be a must. Jakovich up front doesn't really strike any fear into most teams, and he could be in danger of being run off by Leppitsch a fair bit. How would he go at Full Back on Lynch?
 

noodle

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#3
Originally posted by cjwalkley
Very good preview there. Without Matera up forward the Eagles are extremely thin for goalkicking options, one would think playing Wilson would be a must. Jakovich up front doesn't really strike any fear into most teams, and he could be in danger of being run off by Leppitsch a fair bit. How would he go at Full Back on Lynch?
I would think that McIntosh would play on lynch. Both are very strong guys who can't run for ****. A perfect match up.
 

Goldenblue

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#6
I heard or read that Munroe has a dodgy shoulder. Can anyone confirm?

I think there is a bit of complacency, but the skill levels shown since the Essendon game are a lot poorer than those standards we showed early on. Judd seems to be tackled a lot more than in recent times and it may have affected some of his confidence, though Cuz and Kerr are in great form.

Even with injuries, I still see the Lions too strong for the WC on current form.

Brisbane by 27 points.
 

Mr Q

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Thread starter #10
Re: Re: Round 12 Preview: Eagles v Brisbane

Originally posted by Sera
Pike plays his 200th.
Fair enough, I'd heard that, but I haven't normally got the time to do full on research on the opposition so for that section and the changes I only list the Eagles stuff.

FWIW - Congratulations to Martin Pike. May he have a crap 200th :D.
 

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Hamburger

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#12
Hi folks,
IMO the eagles are a real chance. The ground is big, the weather forecast is good, the lions are missing some key players....notably Voss and Scott.
Matera is missing for the eagles....but I think the eagles can win through a combination of ruck dominance and midfield pressure.
My prediction.....WCE by 14 points in a tough, hard encounter.;)
 

eagleskickass

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#13
Backs: D. Wirrpunda A. McIntosh M. Braun
Half Backs: D. Banfield D. Glass K. Green
Centre: A. Embley B. Cousins R. Jones
Half Forwards: D. Kerr G. Jakovich D. Chick
Forwards: A. McDougall D. Haynes A. Sampi
Followers: C. Judd, M. Gardiner, C. Fletcher
Interchange: D. Adkins, C. Morrison, T. Wilson, J. Wooden

Great to See Wooden, Morrison, Wilson and...AND ...CHIPPER:D:D getting a game.!

My actual tip was Brisbane by 28 points...but im going to be bold and change that here to West Coast by 15! Reason? Brisbane have key players out BUT are still a very good side. We have been playing lack lustre but i believe that was due to complacency. Coming up against the Lions they cant possible get complacent(even WITH the players who will be missing for the Lions) so HOPEFULYL will step up and meet the task. We have the team to do it, but do we have the will and can be beat the travel factor? Lets See, its been a while since we have travelled to Brisbane...with an ACTUAL chance of winning and boy does it feel good:D

GO EAGLES!
 

carlyp

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#15
Originally posted by noodle
go wilson!

this is your big chance to get back in the team. kick a bag full.
Yeah! He's my adopted player is our Willow! Cmon Troy Boy...lets see you kick 4 or 5 and win the game for us! Lets show Woosha why you gotta be in the team! Lets show him what your capable of! Lets go Willow!!! YEAH!!!!!
 

jod23

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#16
Im picking Brisbane by 10 points. Even with their injuries, they are still a very good side and they are at home. Will be tough to beat. Hope Wilson and Doogs combine to kick 10 goals and we win by 100 points! :D
 

eagleskickass

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#19
Originally posted by eagleskickassWill our boys do it? You betcha Im remarkebly confident...and i have no idea why, but one thing i do is trust the team to not let me down
WCE by 14 points!
Ok so i was off on the margin but BOY it feels good to tip this right:D
 

Mr Q

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Thread starter #20
Re: Re: Round 12 Preview: Eagles v Brisbane

Originally posted by ozzult
How good does it feel to say that you were COMPLETELY WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Abso-****ing-lutely brilliant. My most inaccurate preview of the year!
 
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