WAFL - Round 23, 2010

[swannies]

Well, there's now 5 that can make the final 4, possibly a 6th, Subi, if there are upsets galore.

The Tigers, Swans and Sharks are all through and the Falcons are odds on to join them, unless the Royals do the simple, just beat Claremont.

Royals v Tigers - For the Royals the equation is simple, beat the Tigers and they are in the finals. Simple enough? This is a game where they are a chance because the Tigers have nothing else to prove, until the finals.

The Royals will need to be at their running, chasing, tackling, harrassing best. They will need to keep the pressure on the Tigers from start to finish and probably have the desperation to do so. Wulff, Pickering, Sweet, Glancy, Swan, JON, Macauley, Eastwell et al will need to be on thier mettle from start to finish. McKinley and Prior should provide reasonable avenues to goal, whilst Webster, Hancock, Sampey, Keath should provide a stern enough defence to at least test the Tigers' forwards.

The Tigers have enormous run, as we all know, with the likes of Blackwell, Brabazon, Foster, Swift, Neates, McGinnity, Chidgzey, Browne, Schammer. Their forward line still has Richardson, Ninyette, Crawford - looking potent enough even without Chad Jones. Defence has been well led by Laurie, Franz, Derrickx, since Thomson was injured. They have depth all over the park, but they do like to attack and run off their man and are prone to the old counter attack. But can the Royals carry this out? That is the question.
The tigers in a hard fought win.

 

[swannies]

Bulldogs v Lions - Probably the last outing for both of last year's grand finalists, unless Perth can do the unthinkable and upset the Falcons. More than likely a few players playing for their WAFL lives in this game, as I expect Subi might act savagely to missing the finals.

The Bulldogs will simply be out there playing for the jumper, with nothing else to gain this year. Injuries really derailed their season early and they simply couldn't get enough quality back on the park. However, they have unearthed a number of very promising youngsters with Gugliamana, Collica, Carter, Parry, Amato, Motlop and Nathan Phillips was probably the biggest improver before disaster struck. Miller, McGrath, North, Bossong, White, Mugambwa, McCarrey, Graham are all nearing or past 30, so interesting times ahead for the Bulldogs.

The Lions have been in the finals for the past decade, being in the last 5 grand finals, so they won't take lightly to not being there in September. Whilst they have an aging core group of players, there has been some promise unearthed with the likes of Blechynden, Kerr, Re, Muller and Sheahan (hasn't been given enough league games IMO), whilst Horlsey is still relatively young, along with Broadhurst, who's reached 100 already. Who retires and who plays on will be interesting with the Lions next year and whether they think they have got enough out of some of their big signings, like Campbell?
Lions may just win this one.

 

[swannies]

Swans v Peel - Really just a tune up game for the Swans, especially as Dawson has announced he won't coach next season, due to work commitments, and Peel are not playing for anything. Anything less than 100 and I'll be disappointed.

Swans, whilst the reserves having not won a game this season, have players pushing for spots come finals time. Robinson made a successful return, along with Hansen, last week and the team looked much better for it. Stephen Coniglio, 16yo, had a dream debut with 26 possies and 2 goals, whilst Luke Adams did a great job in the ruck. Potente has now played 2-3 games in reserves, Pullman continues to play well, James Embley must have been on the periphery of the league all year, not many go harder than him, Garlett is due to return, hopefully Davis, another hard nut, is not far away.

Peel have only the colts in the finals, so for the rest they are not playing for much. Will Harley Bennell turn it on in this game, at some point? Can Wilson, Butcher, Luff, Mason, Filo continue to impress and for those that are not guaranteed to be picked up in the AFL's ND, can they sufficiently put their name under the nose of scouts? Peel's mission for next year will be to get more quality around Battye, Holmes, Jones, O'Brien etc.
Peel shouldn't get close in this one, but stranger things have happened.

 

[swannies]

Falcons v Demons - It's Jarman's farewell game from Perth and he joins the long list of coaches that has not been able to get Perth to overcome their 30 year premiership drought. Who's next in line? The Falcons simply need to win and they should appear in the finals, unless the Royals beat the Tigers, so the incentive is there for WP.

The Falcons have a fairly even side and when the chips are down there are not many better than Salecic and Bartholomew. Up forward there is Darling, Tsalikis, Bewick, LeCras (or down back), midfield the first two are supported by Guadagnin, Rice, Crossland, Pearce, Black, Chambers. Defence has been, IMO, the Falcons most solid and underrated strength this season, with Lasscock, Zenetti, Tedesco all providing solid options there throughout the year.

The Demons have once again won the wooden spoon and rather disappointedly, IMO. They have a decent side, on paper, with recruits like Moody, Thornton, Ferguson, coupled with Armstrong, McDougall, Cook, there was a solid looking team. They have blooded a heap of youngsters that they hope will take the club to the next step, ie finals. Elari, Sneeuwjagt, Houghton, Conca, Florio, Busher, Fiegert, so if not too many get selected in the AFL's ND, they look good for the future.
Falcons should win comfortably.

 

[Hu$tler]

Going to my first WAFL game in ages this Saturday with a good mate from Uni whose a Royals member.

Part of it is for a Uni assignment where we have to write a match report and get interviews of players.

Which Claremont/East Perth players are ********s and which aren't?

COME ON THE ROYALS!

 

[pacemaker]

Like to see you get an interview from Zac Beeck. He will more than likely tell you to get ****ed, but tell him that he is shit.

 

[andana]

Having the bye in the last round has worked out well for East Fremantle.
With 3 teams in the finals they will enjoy having a week off to prepare.

Looks like Peel does have some use.

 

[swannies]

Going to my first WAFL game in ages this Saturday with a good mate from Uni whose a Royals member.

Part of it is for a Uni assignment where we have to write a match report and get interviews of players.

Which Claremont/East Perth players are ********s and which aren't?

COME ON THE ROYALS!

McKinley would be a good interview, Clarke (the big 'fro), Aaron Sweet and Jamie Birrell (for me), Adam Prior (also for me) please?

I'm particularly interested in those 'older' (19-22) guys that might think they're a chance of being drafted, how much work they've had to do, what motivated them, etc.

 

[Moo]

You forgot 'cheating best' for the Royals description

 

[JDC!]

Wow, the Subiaco v. South Fremantle game was high scoring. 207-144 wasn't it?

Andy Krakouer - 51 dispoals v. Peel.