Sorry if I am butting in here and I'll see my self out if I am over stepping the line
But I think you just came up against a really good side yesterday. I wouldn't be too disheartened about the result. That's what the reserves side is there for.
I think the big issue is just the KPP depth. It's looking pretty meh if I am being honest. Lamb was playing as a KPF when I feel he should be playing on the wing. Beyond that there really wasn't anything there. Down back McKenzie looked okish but hes getting on. You need to start bringing through some depth there via the draft or trade.
The other issue I saw is that whilst the stats sheet shows the midfield did well and collected a lot of the ball it really was completely ineffectual. The possessions were not damaging at all.
Hutchings was underwhelming. Sheed is going to be a long burn and I think he will be very good. Jetta looks absolutely cooked he looks to be carrying weight and looks half interested.
I think you might need to look at your small defender depth as well. Subi fwd line isn't exactly tall yet they dominated.
The tackle count tells the story IMO
I just think you need be a bit pro active with the list and start recycling it a little
Hitting the problem well Saint, thanks for the feedback and it's good it can be recognised by non Eagles fans as well.
Lot of experience lot at East Perth over the off season and they're not easily replaceable when you largely have guys coming straight out of the under age comps replacing them. There restrictions in terms of player turnover and list regeneration are hurting them.
In an ideal situation Petrie would have played a lot of footy with East Perth in 2017 and there wouldn't be as much of a reliance on Lamb as McIness would be largely a KPF as well. KPP depth is brittle which made it very hard to replace someone like Darling for example against the Swans.
Guys like Vardy and Giles would have been at East Perth more regularly as well and there wouldn't be such a reliance on the big fella Simon Jones and McInnes in the ruck.
Totally agree with your thoughts on the midfield. Jetta's numbers were good but his touches were ineffectual. Showed his desire to take the game on by foot a bit but not with run and carry. Was very flat footed.
Made the point last week that we need to look at getting a genuine smaller defender in. Haven't had a smaller defender really since earlier this decade with Adam Carter, were trying to turn mid sized defenders into smaller defenders like Nelson and Cole.