WAFL Round 7, 2009

[swannies]

An outline of the games from the weekend. Disregard the first one, I couldn't have been more wrong.

Falcons V Swans - Throughout their 5 meetings last year, there was no more than 3 goals between these 2 teams, culminating in that magnificent Prelim Final. However, no Naita this time and Seaby has been in imposing form the past 2 weeks, which will stretch Spaanders, with no backup. The runnning divisions of both sides are fairly even but the Falcons have Campbell - who I am sure won't forget his last game against Swans at Joondalup and his premature celebrations to the Swans faithfull . However, he never seems to kick less than 5 against Swans and with LeCras, Keunen and Tsalikis they have the edge in the forwards. Hopefully we can stay close but certainly not positive about this game.

Claremont v Peel - history shows, beware of the team that have had a coach dismissed and whilst deBoer has gone up to Freo's side, this should be no different. Peel have Schofield, O'Brien, Ebert, Morabito, Bloxsidge, Arrowsmith and Ware. The Tiges have no shortage of quality either, with Crabb, Matson, Jones, Swift, Jarvis, Wilkes and Warren, to name a few. Should be a very good game at Claremont.

East Freo v Perth - I know it's early in the season to call this a decisive game, but I reckon it is for the Dees. They were playing like Millionaires a few weeks ago, came back to earth with a thud the past 2 and now front the league leaders at the damp, spongy, dingy Shark Park. Many teams don't have a great record here, and the Demons are among that group. The Sharks have a fairly formidable running division, with a lot of new blood mixed in and have a good defensive unit as well. However, watch Ferguson for the Dees, who tried to do it all himself last time, and nearly pulled it off. Very difficult to match up on. Hoping this is a corker and Jars can weave his magic for the Perth faithfull.

EP v Sowfs - match of the round this appears. EP coming of a magnificent couple of weeks where they have been disciplined, well drilled and committed. They don't have the motivating force of Ago from last week, but they are starting to play Micale football. Sowfs are without Farmer for this week, but I am sure Dell'olio will step up, perhaps with Phillips? If EP get Humm, Merrington and Travers back, they may start as slight favourites. Also, I've hammered EP in the early 00's for not promoting their youngsters and relying on bringing in players, but they deserve credit for the youngsters they have blooded in the last year. Hutchings, Duncan, Keath, Eastwell, B Noakes and now the latest Kyle Anderson. Some very good young talent there.

 

[swannies]

From the Falcons v Swans game a brief take on the Eagles players:

Notte - he's back - BOG. OK, BOG in my mind only but a very good return game. As Underdog said on the WAFL page, he provides a lot more structure up forward. Playing FF and HF kicked 3 goals, all in the first half when the game was up for grabs, missed 2 relatively easy shots in the third. His marking on the lead is superb and his kicking to position is spot on. Had a fairly big impact in the first half but then cruised in the last half. Important to note Swans kicked their highest score of the season 17.15, after our forward struggled for the past month. Good game.

Davis - was much more effective when put around the ball to bulldoze forward at all costs. Had 20 possessions for the night and 4 or 5 tackles. Started taking the game on more after the first part of the game. He's so much better when he's taking the game on. Good game.

Seaby - well you'll note in my write up I said Seaby and Campbell to dominate. In fact, Spaanders was the dominant big man on the ground, even after giving away 7 cm to Seaby. Still had 20 hit outs, kicked a goal and did some nice stuff, but not the domination I expected. Average game.

Others to watch:

Lewis Jetta, another horrible, horrible game. 18 possies, 1 goal and wait for it, remember from the 65Kg kid.....8 tackles.

 

[bigburger]

You taking stats now Swannies?

 

[mitchzz]

Lewis Jetta, another horrible, horrible game. 18 possies, 1 goal and wait for it, remember from the 65Kg kid.....8 tackles.

What a shit player.

Cheers for the write-up chrsco.

 

[swannies]

You taking stats now Swannies?

Edging my way closer to that coaches box.

No, listening after the match to SportFM.

 

[larrikin]

From the Falcons v Swans game a brief take on the Eagles players:

Notte - he's back - BOG. OK, BOG in my mind only but a very good return game. As Underdog said on the WAFL page, he provides a lot more structure up forward. Playing FF and HF kicked 3 goals, all in the first half when the game was up for grabs, missed 2 relatively easy shots in the third. His marking on the lead is superb and his kicking to position is spot on. Had a fairly big impact in the first half but then cruised in the last half. Important to note Swans kicked their highest score of the season 17.15, after our forward struggled for the past month. Good game.

Is he good enough that the club will be patient enough to persist with him?

Sounds like he's at least another 12 months away on size...

 

[Eastern Rangers]

You talking about Notte or Jetta or Both?

 

[swannies]

Is he good enough that the club will be patient enough to persist with him?

Sounds like he's at least another 12 months away on size...

Hell yeah, IMVHO, of course. He's more than the goals you see next to his name. He provides a focal point, very athletic, has a great football brain. Kicks to position where it actually favours his forward, ask Geappen. The bonus I see with Notte, not that we need defenders, but he played a couple of games in defence last year and was great for someone who hadn't played there, he played from a wing, and he exerts an influence on a game.

At present we have big forwards who the ball hits the chest of and bounces outside 50. Notte normally makes the most of the teams chances, great mark, but kicking was a little off tonight.

If they didn't persist they'd be mad IMHO, but I know Suma rates this kid.

 

[Quinz]

Going to Jthe game turned out not to be worth it at all.

Swans played excellent. Jetta is an excitement machine Swannies, first time I have seen him. Still a dud and not worth picking up by any club though

Tony Notte was good as well, Seaby was quite disappointing, didn't impose himself on the game.

 

[Underdog]

I was very happy with Notte's return game. It's also worth noting that he didn't come on until about 10 minutes into the 3rd and 4th quarters. It's clear they were just nursing him back.

As good as Notte plays, I don't think his stats are ever going to do him justice. Whilst it's great having an exciting midfield that loves to run the ball at Swans, I can't help but feel that they constantly hold onto the ball just that little bit too long. It happens constantly with Notte, happened often with Hunter and even a few times with Geappen tonight - the midfield break a line and run it down a wing, the forward works well and finds some space only for the midfielder to continue running making the forward double back towards goals. The amount of times this happens is amazing.

On another note, I was also happy with Son Son's game tonight, he did some wonderful things. That play on the flank on the hill side where he side stepped a few players, dished of the hands, laid a big shepherd, got it back then wheeled around to snap a goal was fantastic.

And Ames, Spencer and Pratt were rock solid down back. Quite a few terrific and courageous marks between them.

Swannies, I know you're not really a Pratt fan but I reckon he has been pretty decent this year.

I think you can tell that win pleased me very much

 

[swannies]

I was very happy with Notte's return game. It's also worth noting that he didn't come on until about 10 minutes into the 3rd and 4th quarters. It's clear they were just nursing him back.

As good as Notte plays, I don't think his stats are ever going to do him justice. Whilst it's great having an exciting midfield that loves to run the ball at Swans, I can't help but feel that they constantly hold onto the ball just that little bit too long. It happens constantly with Notte, happened often with Hunter and even a few times with Geappen tonight - the midfield break a line and run it down a wing, the forward works well and finds some space only for the midfielder to continue running making the forward double back towards goals. The amount of times this happens is amazing.

On another note, I was also happy with Son Son's game tonight, he did some wonderful things. That play on the flank on the hill side where he side stepped a few players, dished of the hands, laid a big shepherd, got it back then wheeled around to snap a goal was fantastic.

And Ames, Spencer and Pratt were rock solid down back. Quite a few terrific and courageous marks between them.

Swannies, I know you're not really a Pratt fan but I reckon he has been pretty decent this year.

I think you can tell that win pleased me very much

Completely agree with the first bolded statement Underdog, his stats will never tell the full story.

On Pratty, au contrare, I have long been a Pratt fan, from when I first saw him in the colts. Liken his style to David Hart. You must be getting me mixed up with FJ from FG. Son Son, I was pleased with the improvements he's making each week. He will turn out to be a very decent player, just the wrong WA AFL side got him, unfortunately.

Yes, went to sleep with a big smile. It makes the weekend so much sweeter!

 

[swannies]

Going to Jthe game turned out not to be worth it at all.

Swans played excellent. Jetta is an excitement machine Swannies, first time I have seen him. Still a dud and not worth picking up by any club though

Tony Notte was good as well, Seaby was quite disappointing, didn't impose himself on the game.

That's what I thought as well. I never thought Spaanders would be the dominant ruckman, Perhaps we cut the wrong ruckman off our list 2 years ago? Spaanders is just more aggressive and Seaby has to find that aggression, if he can.

Jetta, well we just need to start a smear campaign to keep 15 other clubs disinterested. I'm sure we can start rumours about police troubles, questionable character and work ethic etc. You know it makes sense, go to work PR dept.

 

[larrikin]

That's what I thought as well. I never thought Spaanders would be the dominant ruckman, Perhaps we cut the wrong ruckman off our list 2 years ago? Spaanders is just more aggressive and Seaby has to find that aggression, if he can.

Jetta, well we just need to start a smear campaign to keep 15 other clubs disinterested. I'm sure we can start rumours about police troubles, questionable character and work ethic etc. You know it makes sense, go to work PR dept.

What has happened to Seaby? There was all those rumours last year that he was going to quit the game. Maybe he's just lost the passion for it.....

 

[Double the Fist]

Gee, Seabs is really on thin ice ATM! If he cant pull some REALLY good games together he will be out of the AFL system. Shame. For a big bloke I thought he was OK, but hes in reverse ATM.
Can anyone see him at WC next year or him being traded??? I cant

 

[swannies]

Gee, Seabs is really on thin ice ATM! If he cant pull some REALLY good games together he will be out of the AFL system. Shame. For a big bloke I thought he was OK, but hes in reverse ATM.
Can anyone see him at WC next year or him being traded??? I cant

His previous 2 games were very good, probably dominant against Perth (Sullivan). I made the call a few weeks ago that Spaanders could well win the Sandover with the form he's been in. Taken it up a notch or two this year. Of course my proviso was that he didn't get suspended and he hasn't so far but he was reported last night.

 

[Eagle87]

What has happened to Seaby? There was all those rumours last year that he was going to quit the game. Maybe he's just lost the passion for it.....

Seaby is not an idiot and clearly he saw the writing on the wall last year - he had/has lost the faith of the coaches and he asked out (he requested a trade). The club, in its own interests, was only going to trade him for a high pick as it saw some value in him being around for Naita's first year as back up to Cox until Naita was ready.

Seabs did all the right things, worked hard in the pre-season, changed his disgraceful girly hair style D) and so on.... but then he played - he dropped marks and his poor decision making and skill execution are much more costly in the modern game (where turnovers hurt twice as much) - his form was shocking and he got dropped. So now he is an unwanted player, in the last year of a contract, has lost all the faith of his coaches and is simply playing out that year - his motivation would have to be very low - a BOG or 3 will make zero difference as the coaches (and the fans) have decided he is only of use if Cox gets hurt.

Given that, his lack of enthusiasm for Friday night games in front of 2,000 is probably understandable.

 

[Underdog]

Completely agree with the first bolded statement Underdog, his stats will never tell the full story.

Having said that, in a game where he played between 2-3 quarters and is coming back off a 4 week injury layoff. He gathered 13 touches, kicked 3.2, 2 inside 50's, 6 marks and set up a few goals.

People had already begun the "get Kennedy into the side" with stats no better then that.

It kinda puts things into perspective.

 

[thesmallprint]

Having said that, in a game where he played between 2-3 quarters and is coming back off a 4 week injury layoff. He gathered 13 touches, kicked 3.2, 2 inside 50's, 6 marks and set up a few goals.

People had already begun the "get Kennedy into the side" with stats no better then that.

It kinda puts things into perspective.

Kennedy was getting over 10 marks a game but yeh good point. Seriously get this bloke in the gym though! He might be able to manage at 80kg playing on the flank for us and then build up to 90kg after that. He's certainly got the skills.

 

[Sico 17]

Kennedy was getting over 10 marks a game but yeh good point.

Kennedy had one game with over 10 marks, in the others he was getting half that. He has only had 10 marks or more twice in the 8 WAFL games over two years.

Nottes figures from last night is around the Kennedy average, around 15 dispsoals, 5 marks, 1-2 goals.

 

[thesmallprint]

Kennedy had one game with over 10 marks, in the others he was getting half that. He has only had 10 marks or more twice in the 8 WAFL games over two years.

Nottes figures from last night is around the Kennedy average, around 15 dispsoals, 5 marks, 1-2 goals.

Fair enough.

If Kennedy brought a chair out and sat in the goalsquare for a game people would still be demanding he be in the team. Actually that's probably more impact than Hansen anyway.

 

[Sico 17]

Fair enough.

If Kennedy brought a chair out and sat in the goalsquare for a game people would still be demanding he be in the team. Actually that's probably more impact than Hansen anyway.

When Hansen plays in the WAFL he averages 5 more touches, 3 more marks and 2-3 more goals. If Kennedy was getting those 20 disposal, 9 marks, 4 goals games like Hasnen does when he goes down, Kennedy would be playing AFL already.

 

[Mighty Eagles]

Go the MIGHTY Royals!

 

[lewigie]

Swift not playing for claremont.

 

[mitchzz]

Swift not playing for claremont.

Shit... hopefully just a niggle.

 

[groga]

Hopefully just giving him a rest or maybe the eagles are resting him for a debut next week lol