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

 

[Cuzz09]

Chess looked instantly more confident.

Almost like he thought this is my last shot

take your chance Chess and become an AFL regular

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

Ironically he was actually playing on the wing in the WAFL.. so that's quite ominous for his potential AFL gig.

Needs to be behind the ball.

But he wasn't playing gimp role.

At the stoppage you saw him on the defensive side playing more a sweeper role 5-10m outside stoppage. Gimp wing role sits 50m away from the stoppage guarding the corridor.

There's wing which is what Chesser looked to be playing today, and then there is gimp wing role which is what Chesser had been playing at AFL level, and I'm not sure if it exists now with mini.

 

[eaglevision]

I disagree where we currently stand. 1-6 yes. 7-10 not so east imo and hopefully gets even harder with Chesser and Bazzo getting taken off that question mark list.

Think he’s referring to our win-loss, not the 1st-10th players cut. In saying that I agree with your thoughts in relation to players cut.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Think he’s referring to our win-loss, not the 1st-10th players cut. In saying that I agree with your thoughts in relation to players cut.

Yep win-loss

 

[Kegs15]

That would last only a year though and then they would bail

That's true but I'd argue that given our list spots a 19 year old small taken in the second round of the MSD is unlikely to last longer.

Perhaps pessimistic and I in some ways like I said respect the club for going for it - but with our WAFL list the way it is there's at least an argument for one of our list spots being worth spending on a state-level dominant mid who is a last resort for the AFL team but contributes to the development of everyone else at WAFL level.

Hopefully we go hammer and tongs at a 'marquee' WAFL signing after this season - we have the allocations for it but as discussed on here can't see it being an attractive offer for anyone genuinely decent. Hungry Jacks franchises, coaching pathways, however we want to do it I think it's a necessity.

But for the next 6 months we'll likely have more games like today where our young guys show part of their wares in their roles but could really use a proper mid leader lifting them up. This free swing from the MSD was an opportunity to automatically fill that role. For me at least that was more of a need for us than a swing at a 19 year old small forward who wasn't a shock non-draft in the ND and passed on by a full round of MSD picks. Like I said though, don't want to put any dislike or disrespect Newton's way personally, hope he proves me wrong.

 

[Cuzz09]

how far off is Newton

 

[Kegs15]

Nup I'm all aboard Hall.

The bloke just lacks polish, he needs to be surrounded by some quality players so it's not left up to him to make the ball movement decisions. Unfortunately he gets the total opposite of that in the WAFL and is surrounded by potatoes, which I reckon makes him look worse.

See ball, get ball and he's fine. He's still only in his 3rd year as an AFL footballer, against rock hard seasoned men.

29, 5 tackles and 2 goals is all you can ask a bloke to do. That's quality numbers at this level.



Unfortunately I see a fair bit of #whatsthepoint with him now as McQualter seems quite keen on only having one of him or Graham in the side.

Definitely gets the numbers up and was happy enough with his game offensively. It's the defensive running that is still holding him back IMO.

I'm possibly generating my own confirmation bias cause it's something I've been watching closely in the WAFL streams but there just seems to be too many instances where if he can't definitively lay a tackle, he'll just slow to a trot and let play go around him unimpeded.

Graham is probably slower than Hall but he busts his gut even when he can't make the tackle, just to slightly get in the road of the opposition, make their handpass 20% trickier or their kick 10% more rushed. There's not really a stat for this but almost 'pre-pressure acts' or 'semi-pressure acts' if that makes sense.

Which would be fine on its own since he does win it when he can but our midfield at AFL level with Harley, Hewett, the Brockman/Ryan rotation etc is so forward-running that there's not really a spot for someone who doesn't defensively chase really well.

Do agree with you though on the spuds around him, if he had one or two (rock hard) seasoned mids around him he'd probably have more energy in the tank to chase instead of have to be the primary contested player at his age. Still really like him but can see why he's not getting games.

 

[jdisc]

Chess looked instantly more confident.

Almost like he thought this is my last shot

take your chance Chess and become an AFL regular

Glad someone mentioned this, although he didnt have a big impact he looked clean with his disposal and strong, I still retain some hope for him especially under a new coach

 

[Bender_]

Definitely gets the numbers up and was happy enough with his game offensively. It's the defensive running that is still holding him back IMO.

I'm possibly generating my own confirmation bias cause it's something I've been watching closely in the WAFL streams but there just seems to be too many instances where if he can't definitively lay a tackle, he'll just slow to a trot and let play go around him unimpeded.

Graham is probably slower than Hall but he busts his gut even when he can't make the tackle, just to slightly get in the road of the opposition, make their handpass 20% trickier or their kick 10% more rushed. There's not really a stat for this but almost 'pre-pressure acts' or 'semi-pressure acts' if that makes sense.

Which would be fine on its own since he does win it when he can but our midfield at AFL level with Harley, Hewett, the Brockman/Ryan rotation etc is so forward-running that there's not really a spot for someone who doesn't defensively chase really well.

Do agree with you though on the spuds around him, if he had one or two (rock hard) seasoned mids around him he'd probably have more energy in the tank to chase instead of have to be the primary contested player at his age. Still really like him but can see why he's not getting games.

Indeed, it appears that when he's decided he can't have any meaningful effect on the contest or player with the ball he slows to trot and meanders in the general direct he should be sprinting.

 

[WCEswift]

how far off is Newton

next week if he trains durign the week

 

[UseR2006]

 

[UseR2006]

The Match Report:

WAFL Match Report: Swans fly home to hold off Eagles

The Eagles couldn’t match a late Swans surge, falling by 27 points on Saturday

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

 

[jdisc]

how far off is Newton

depends on his velocity

 

[Cuzz09]

depends on his velocity

haha yeah E=mc2

 

[rebel23]

McCarthy was infinitely better than any other eagle out there today... Play him instead of Maric...or Ginbey (change role)

Midfield was torched and hall and Gross were shit...

Chesser and bazzo tried... But Swans are like the worst WAFL team atm and they were losing contests.

Others no mention because they were invisible.

 

[Hook461123]

Went to the game. Still waiting to watch them win from about 10 games. at least it lets me focus on the players.

Shanahan has a real presence. Just seems calm out there, both in the air and with the ball. Reminded me a bit of Gov.
Don’t mind him back.

Good stuff happens when Grego gets the ball. Rarely takes the wrong option.

Love watching Gross play, he puts everything into it and just goes 100% the whole time. Was disappointed to see him in the fwd pocket a lot in the second half.

McCarthy was very good. Fast and with a good kick. Not afraid of a contest either. Maric was at the game, probably feeling a little uncomfortable.

Chesser and Barnett were pleasant surprises. First time I’ve seen Barnett play with an actual presence in the game. Some good contested marking. Chesser was clean and hard at it.

Bazzo was really good in the air but did lose his man a bit. Obviously got a license to try to intercept.

Had a chuckle to myself when I went out to listen to the huddle at 3qtr time and heard Hurn talking to the backline about running the crazy subtle angles.

Good to see most of the AFL boys there watching.

 

[Cuzz09]

Yeah Shanahan and McCarthy look smooth

the rest look jittery

 

[Woobla Stainz]

Harley rubbing off on the young fella

 

[stallon]

After what I saw today I wouldnt be against potentially something like Maric + Cole out for McCarthy + Bazzo.
Would free up Ginbey from being the 3rd tall too.

Probably means we are 1 small lockdown player short though, if we want McCarthy to attack.

 

[Obeanie1]

Nup I'm all aboard Hall.

The bloke just lacks polish, he needs to be surrounded by some quality players so it's not left up to him to make the ball movement decisions. Unfortunately he gets the total opposite of that in the WAFL and is surrounded by potatoes, which I reckon makes him look worse.

See ball, get ball and he's fine. He's still only in his 3rd year as an AFL footballer, against rock hard seasoned men.

29, 5 tackles and 2 goals is all you can ask a bloke to do. That's quality numbers at this level.



Unfortunately I see a fair bit of #whatsthepoint with him now as McQualter seems quite keen on only having one of him or Graham in the side.

Whats the point?

Graham is 27 brought in as a mature mid to support the kids.

This is Hall's 2nd season as a 19 year old.

 

[Obeanie1]

McQualter a big fan of Chesser , Chesser very impressive today.

Glad to hear the coach is a fan.

Chessers career was stalled in his first hit out against Freo in that preseason practice game when an opponent shoved him in a marking contest and he did the ankle. That was along time ago.

Fingers crossed he has finally fixed it.

 

[Obeanie1]

Went to the game. Still waiting to watch them win from about 10 games. at least it lets me focus on the players.

Shanahan has a real presence. Just seems calm out there, both in the air and with the ball. Reminded me a bit of Gov.
Don’t mind him back.

Good stuff happens when Grego gets the ball. Rarely takes the wrong option.

Love watching Gross play, he puts everything into it and just goes 100% the whole time. Was disappointed to see him in the fwd pocket a lot in the second half.

McCarthy was very good. Fast and with a good kick. Not afraid of a contest either. Maric was at the game, probably feeling a little uncomfortable.

Chesser and Barnett were pleasant surprises. First time I’ve seen Barnett play with an actual presence in the game. Some good contested marking. Chesser was clean and hard at it.

Bazzo was really good in the air but did lose his man a bit. Obviously got a license to try to intercept.

Had a chuckle to myself when I went out to listen to the huddle at 3qtr time and heard Hurn talking to the backline about running the crazy subtle angles.

Good to see most of the AFL boys there watching.

Maric shouldnt be uncomfortable.

Duggan and Cole are who should be.

Shanahan updates sound very promicing.

 

[Grahame]

depends on his velocity

Sponsored by Apple.

 

[Dark Sharks]

Whats the point?

Graham is 27 brought in as a mature mid to support the kids.

This is Hall's 2nd season as a 19 year old.

Yes, meaning Graham still has a good 4 years left and is clearly McQualters mate from Richmond.

Hall isn't going to sit in the WAFL for 4 years. By rights he should be straight back into the side with the numbers he's put up over the past month. However, due to this ongoing potential "imbalance" with the 2 of them playing in the senior side, I don't see him getting a gig.

Which sucks.

 

[bzparkes]

Yes, meaning Graham still has a good 4 years left and is clearly McQualters mate from Richmond.

Hall isn't going to sit in the WAFL for 4 years. By rights he should be straight back into the side with the numbers he's put up over the past month. However, due to this ongoing potential "imbalance" with the 2 of them playing in the senior side, I don't see him getting a gig.

Which sucks.

Or he could, you know, improve his defensive ability and tidy up his disposal so he's not being compared with Graham?