Strengths and weaknesses, positions wise

[Frodo]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky


I wholeheartedly agree about champion clubs BUT it a bit rich to proclaim yourselves as a champion club after just 15 years and 2 premierships.

When you see a shining jewel it doesn't take long to realise how precious it is.

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"The Ox may be slow but the tail makes good soup"

 

[jod23]

We are a champion club. 15 years of existence, 10 years in Finals, 3 GF's, 2 Premierships and we have never finished last...and we are respected.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Now feel free to correct me but the impression we get of here is that football in Perth is at an all-time low,

People do say that but I don't think it's really true. I watch the WAFL and really enjoy the games, although the host club arrangement spoils the evenness of the competition. There's good players there too. We are only an isolated one and a bit million people with 2 AFL clubs, a national draft and thriving country leagues, which dilutes the talent pool somewhat. Overall it's hard to say, but I reckon in the 7 years I was away from the WAFL, I haven't noticed a great deterioration in standard.

The administration and specifically the WAFC is a mess, but was brought into existence at a point in time to save the WAFL clubs financially.

As often, a lot of it comes down to money. The SANFL has three times the salary cap of the WAFL for the same number of teams, largely because it owns Footy Park.

It's easy to call yourself a "Champion club" when your history extends to only 15 years, hell Geelong, Fitzroy and Melbourne were champion clubs in their first 15 years as well.

I'm with Jod & Frodo on this - it's a big call, but I believe that we will re-establish the dynasty that Mick preached and built now that we have Woosha and the others back in the fold.

The one and a half million people for 2 AFL teams compares favourably in market terms to the Victorian situation (9 for 3 and a half ish), which certainly helps. In the long run in the national competition, you can pretty much guess which clubs are going to be there or thereabouts - and we'll be the one from the West.

I agree we're a young club and we have to keep it up, but despite the occasional ill-informed comment from various sources, the Eagles board, management and supporters are absolutely committed to being a champion club. I challenge the players to do the same, as I'm sure Woosha is, because you don't get that many chances to be successful in life.