2nds WAFL Watch - 2025 Edition

[HoneyBadger35]

How did ____ go on the weekend?

Why not consult the Alesana Player Video Database.

Resource - Player Video Database

Putting this into a spreadsheet for convenience. 2024 is still there in a tab on the bottom of the sheet. I'll update this as much as I can throughout the year. The All Stars game and our match sim against Richmond are now up.

www.bigfooty.com

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Looks like Charlie Banfield will be making another Beagles appearance this week.

 

[wadistance]

Ok.
I'm still mad at how that match ended. However, i'll try to look at it holistically.

Positives:

• Barnett finding a spine for a Qtr at least and kicking 3.
• Grego, Johnson and Dewar the best of the AFL listed boys playing.
• Livingstone was solid in the Ruck, not sure he has a tank for AFL level but should develop into a very very good WAFL ruck/fwd.

Negatives:

• Letting the oppo kick 6 goals in a Qtr.
• Absolutely ZERO sense of the game in the final minutes.
• Jamiesons kick that turned it over in the final 30 seconds.
• Jilliams missing absolute sodas all night, should have had a bag and ended up with 3.
• No one dragging Sparks off the ground and telling him to grow up and stop taking the bait from Jesse Turner who ended up with 34 touches, 5 Free kicks, 10 i50s and a goal.
• Champion needs to get some selfishness to his game, too often he looks to give it off when he can run and carry or have the shot himself. I like that he's looking but often he burns the team because he turns it over when he didn't need to.

The Umpiring at WAFL level is beyond garbage, it's corrupt. The club should absolutely call it out (they wont) we're bottom of the ladder who cares if they fine the club over it. Everyone knows it, just say it.

Having umpired myself at WAFL level for 3-4 years I can categorically say it’s not corrupt - but I get you’re angry and that’s a buzzword.

What is true is that there’s a drain on talent due to

A) AFL needing more umpires each week - best umps taken out
B) the pay not being worth the abuse copped

 

[Kegs15]

He's also got a nice step in traffic, kid just seems to have time when making decisions.
I agree he's not quick pace wise but he buys himself time with the way he moves.
Usually a good decision maker as well. Probably starts at HB but ends up as a Mid.

He was second in the Vic draft combine for the agility test (would have placed 5th at the national combine, a spot below Bo Allan and a few spots ahead of Finn O'Sullivan).

As long as you're not slow slow, I kind of rate agility higher than straight line speed for a midfielder. Just feel it translates better. Want to see both him and Allan as permanent mids at WAFL level next year if not playing AFL.

 

[FKASC]

Dare I say, that last 30 seconds also doesn't happen if Mini does the right thing and relegates, say, an Owies to the WAFL.

Have the right mix of senior players down there and they'll actually have people to arrange structures and communicate effectively with the top ups.

Yeah really really annoying this. Need to almost have a quota of senior players in the Beagles for development’s sake.

 

[JackOutback]

B) the pay not being worth the abuse copped

Need to take ownership of the word maggot, wear it like a badge. Umpires should begin every game by asking ‘what’s up, my maggot’. But you can not say it back to them.

 

[Kegs15]

Yeah really really annoying this. Need to almost have a quota of senior players in the Beagles for development’s sake.

Absolutely agree with this.

I know age profiles are different and all but (couldn't be bothered going past this) - the top 6 sides all had 2ish players in at least their mid 20s playing in the seconds on the weekend.

Adelaide - Lachie Sholl, Chayce Jones (both 25), Kieran Strachan (29)
Brisbane - Dev Robertson (24), Oscar McInerney (31)
Collingwood - Tom Mitchell (32), Will Hoskin-Elliot (31), Mason Cox (34)
Geelong - Cam Guthrie (33), Jake Kolodjashnij (30)
GWS - Jacob Wehr (27), Lachie Keeffe (35)
Hawthorn - Sam Frost (31), Ned Reeves (26)

Then for sides down the bottom like us,

North - Aidan Corr (31), Brynn Teakle (25)
Richmond could only field 6 AFL listed players so just had Jacob Koschitzke (25).
Essendon are decimated
Melbourne had Tom Campbell (33), Jack Billings (30), Tom Fullarton (26), Charlie Spargo (25),

We had Petch (26 and not a leader's arseh*le) and then a pack of 18-21 year olds. With topups who, even without commenting on talent, wouldn't be as across our system and able to provide leadership as nonlisted players from aligned/established 2nds clubs.

Obviously top sides are going to have senior players being squeezed out but I dunno, think other clubs compared to us just make sure to have more senior leadership in their 2s and it shows. Our injury list (while talented) isn't that much longer than others either.

Having one/two of Owies, Cripps, Cole, one of Flynn/Bailey, even Graham if our midfield is added to, rotating through next year needs to be a must. Posted this in the coach thread but if Duncan comes to us as a coach would love to get him playing also.

(not sure of the rules but wonder if we could have played Shuey/Hurn for a game or two when it was really dire this year)

 

[PremiershipNo4]

Having umpired myself at WAFL level for 3-4 years I can categorically say it’s not corrupt - but I get you’re angry and that’s a buzzword.

What is true is that there’s a drain on talent due to

A) AFL needing more umpires each week - best umps taken out
B) the pay not being worth the abuse copped

I umpired one game of football in my life, I paid a free kick against my own son that gave the opposition a shot on goal which they got and they won the game by a point, it was a push in the back very clearly from my view, he literally didn’t speak to me for a week.
I decided after that experience that umpiring wasn’t for me, it’s a tough gig and you are always hated on by someone.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

WAFL Recap: Round 19

WAFL Eagles coach Kyal Horsley recaps Saturday’s round 19 narrow loss to Swan Districts

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

Coach’s best were Jilliams, TEB and Jamieson.

 

[B3B3]

Otis Harvey has been quiet tonight. But I think he'll be a genuine MSD candidate soon. 19 years old, good in clinches, tackles a lot, hits the scoreboard. Slotted that goal from 50 with ease.

One goal on the scoreboard, assisted with two however, and there were another two that were disallowed (the first was brought back to allow the previous goal, the other was called back because it was apparently thrown to him). Needs more time on the ground, and needs more time in his position—midfield. He is, however, becoming a very useful switch forward, which is a good string to his bow.

 

[BeeTee]

I work with 2 AFL umpires (both really great guys) and regularly discuss all things AFL. Takes a unique person and a lot of dedication and a very thick skin.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Hunt, Banfield and bunch of top ups in, Dewar and Grego out. No Gross or Hutchinson so it’s season over for those guys.

 

[Mulldogg]

Hunt, Banfield and bunch of top ups in, Dewar and Grego out. No Gross or Hutchinson so it’s season over for those guys.

I’d rather Banfield not play for the Beagles in what is going to be an annihilation at the hands of the top of the table Bulldogs.

Don’t want that losing culture, which is pervasive in the WAFL team and wider men’s program this year, getting ingrained into a potential new recruit.

 

[Ljp86]

Reminder that the WAFL Eagles play their final match of the season on Saturday against South Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park (Lathlain Park) in an early fixture at 11:10am AWST. Coverage is available via 7+.

The weather forecast for Saturday is reasonable with partly cloudy conditions and 20 degrees predicted at this stage during the day, although there is a possible chance of showers in the afternoon and early evening.

The free to air game sees Claremont take on East Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium (Claremont Oval) with bouncedown at 2:10pm AWST. Visual coverage is courtesy of Seven and 7+ from 2pm AWST with radio coverage thanks to Sport FM 91.3.

 

[Keys]

The West Coast Beagles are the only side to defeat South Fremantle this year

True story

 

[Bender_]

Been really happy with being able to watch these games year via streaming - think I have only missed one or 2. Has been a welcome relief of pressure from watching the AFL team struggle.

Not to mention the Santa Marias, right side for a left-footer, they've left the chocolate cake out and the mice are feasting, Mark Readings weird obsession with neighbouring netball courts, Rawlinson kicking it to Rawlinson who handballs to Rawlinson for a goal, and my personal favourite - bringing back "lairising". Bet Paul Persic throws something special out today that I'll miss.

Now I have to miss the final game for my son's footy wind-up and instead make small talk with his teammate's parent whilst checking my watch every 5 minutes.


PS: Is the stream working for everyone else?

 

[JackOutback]

Been really happy with being able to watch these games year via streaming - think I have only missed one or 2. Has been a welcome relief of pressure from watching the AFL team struggle.

Not to mention the Santa Marias, right side for a left-footer, they've left the chocolate cake out and the mice are feasting, Mark Readings weird obsession with neighbouring netball courts, Rawlinson kicking it to Rawlinson who handballs to Rawlinson for a goal, and my personal favourite - bringing back "lairising". Bet Paul Persic throws something special out today that I'll miss.

Now I have to miss the final game for my son's footy wind-up and instead make small talk with his teammate's parent whilst checking my watch every 5 minutes.


PS: Is the stream working for everyone else?

Watching the WAFL team struggle has been a welcome relief to watching the AFL team struggle?

 

[Bender_]

Watching the WAFL team struggle has been a welcome relief to watching the AFL team struggle?

That's what I said. Our WAFL is currently on a hiding to nothing due to the way it is set-up and as such losing is generally standard - just by how much, so it's easy to watch without any pressure. Seeing the development of some of the kids has been the relief; Shanahan, Gross, Grego, Allan, McCarthy and even some of Bailey Williams's performance have been worth tuning in for.

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

Only 9 AFL players. We're gonna get pumped.

 

[WCErevival]

Winder against the team that didn't want him..

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

3 former Eagles players playing for SF.

 

[UseR2006]

That's what I said. Our WAFL is currently on a hiding to nothing due to the way it is set-up and as such losing is generally standard - just by how much, so it's easy to watch without any pressure. Seeing the development of some of the kids has been the relief; Shanahan, Gross, Grego, Allan, McCarthy and even some of Bailey Williams's performance have been worth tuning in for.

Also the WAFL crew actually have been for the most part reasonably competitive for large chunks of the games this year, only really badly blown out maybe twice?, usually it's one qtr or so the oppo get a run on and put it to bed but then we're usually quite OK for the other 3 qtrs.

Another season of development and new guys coming in and i'm cautiously optimistic for next season.

 

[LittleFires]

Also the WAFL crew actually have been for the most part reasonably competitive for large chunks of the games this year, only really badly blown out maybe twice?, usually it's one qtr or so the oppo get a run on and put it to bed but then we're usually quite OK for the other 3 qtrs.

Another season of development and new guys coming in and i'm cautiously optimistic for next season.

I may be in the minority here but I've been fairly comfortable with how the WAFL set up has gone this year.

Sure the Beagles are sitting last, but so is the AFL side - so are we really surprised? In fact, the Beagles have more wins and a better percentage than the senior side. It's a low bar for sure, but my point is that I don't think we should be shocked that the wooden spoon winning AFL side also has its reserves side sitting on the bottom.

For the most part I think our performances have been fairly competitive - we've only had two losses by 60+ points at WAFL level. The AFL side has had six.

And competitiveness is really all we're asking for with the Beagles. Give the youth an environment where they can actually develop. The next step after that will be turning those into wins and starting to build a winning culture again.

 

[LittleFires]

And on that note, this has been a very uncompetitive start today. 30-1 halfway through the first quarter.

Jamieson also a late out which doesn't help.

 

[Bender_]

I may be in the minority here but I've been fairly comfortable with how the WAFL set up has gone this year.

Sure the Beagles are sitting last, but so is the AFL side - so are we really surprised? In fact, the Beagles have more wins and a better percentage than the senior side. It's a low bar for sure, but my point is that I don't think we should be shocked that the wooden spoon winning AFL side also has its reserves side sitting on the bottom.

For the most part I think our performances have been fairly competitive - we've only had two losses by 60+ points at WAFL level. The AFL side has had six.

And competitiveness is really all we're asking for with the Beagles. Give the youth an environment where they can actually develop. The next step after that will be turning those into wins and starting to build a winning culture again.

It feels like it hasn't been a complete waste of the year, but I'm unsure it's coz I've watched so much more of it instead of just reading the scoreline and stats - so I've seen patches of promising stuff from the individuals too.

 

[Bender_]

There's just such a gulf between the disposal and decision making of our non-AFL players and opposition WAFL players. It's massive.