BigFooty Forum

Whilst it might be absurd to say a home game against the bottom side who haven’t yet won a game is our most important game of the year, today’s game is our most important game of the year

When the fixture was first released the R13 matchup at home against North loomed large as not only a winnable game, but possibly the first game we might win. After 2 years and change of poor results the bar of expectation had been set very low so playing the only side with a comparatively shit record over that time at home provided the one beacon of hope

As it turns out, we’ve managed to exceed that low bar of expectation so far at least when playing at Optus.

Following a semi-admirable loss to a rampaging GWS side in our opening home game we managed a trio of 6 goal wins over Richmond, Freo and Melbourne with a narrow 6 point loss to Essendon amongst those

So whilst our away form has been poor to very poor (but not 2022/23 poor) we’d started rebuilding our home fortress. Construction took a hit last week however when we dropped what could’ve/should’ve been a win against St Kilda

Still three wins from six games is promising especially since we’ve actually played some pretty decent footy across those six games

As for North, well they’ve been North. Zero wins, an average losing margin of 52 points and a lowest losing margin of 26 points at home against Fremantle in round two. And that was after they’d got out to a 5 goal lead half way through the second quarter

So this game has morphed from a winnable game to one we are expected to win. The loss to the Saints on the back of a really bad defeat at the hands of Adelaide the week before has undone some of our earlier good work. A loss today would completely unravel it

Which is why this game is the most important of the year. We can’t afford to lose

But it won’t be easy

Even with full availability our midfield lacked depth but injuries to Kelly and Hunt plus the untimely suspension of Harley leaves it looking rather pedestrian. Yeo will carry a heavy load and we’ll need Flynn in his 2nd game to provide first use

Fortunately our other lines are in decent shape.

The backline is at full strength. McGovern and Barrass have both been in outstanding form along with Hough whilst Duggan, Cole and even Witherden have been playing solid supporting roles

Up forward, Coleman medal contender Jake Waterman returns after missing the saints game. Ryan and Cripps both hit the scoreboard with 3 goals apiece last week and Darling has been scoring more regularly as well lately

We’ll miss the energy that Reid generates when he’s up and about but hopefully a couple of good news stories can fill that void

Firstly, Jack Hutchinson who was playing for Collingwood’s VFL side two weeks ago makes his AFL debut after kicking 5 goals in his WAFL debut last week. He looks an exciting player so it will be intriguing to see what he brings

Then we have the return of Jai Culley for his first AFL game back since rupturing his ACL in R8 of last year. He’s been steadily building in the WAFL and has forced his way back in with a BOG effort against Perth.

I’m not expecting a particularly high quality game and if the rain comes as forecast it could turn into a real slog

But win we must

Danger game

Eagles by 3 jumping jacks

Oh, and this is the team