News WCE HAVEN'T IMPROVED IN 2013?

[Prem87]

Although Kerr looks slow and his knee is probably shot, he's still our best, cleanest, and damaging inside mid. It says a lot about the development of our young mids.

 

[Chris_6678]

I think with Kerr i have heard him say that it was going to take him a few months to get fully into it and i can see in the last few games he is starting to get back to his best so give him time and he will no doubt lift during the massive run we have coming up...and the same for Cox i can see him having a big half.

 

[dajesmac]

Although Kerr looks slow and his knee is probably shot, he's still our best, cleanest, and damaging inside mid. It says a lot about the development of our young mids.

Shuey is more damaging than the one legged Kerr.

Kerr really needs to lift his fitness. Barring two performances this year I think he's been a bit of a passenger. As much as I love him.

 

[erbenz]

I'd go as follows, with expectations based on player's form, as well as whether or not they are coming back from injury:

Cox - 7/10 - Solid performances but age is beginning to show as is the tendency to milk a few
Kerr - 5.5/10 - Been OK in patches. Great disposal but pace of the game is beginning to move past him.
Priddis - 5.5/10 - Has been solid as times but has gone missing for significant portions of the past couple of games which is concerning. Lack of defensive work outside of the stoppages (where he is fine) is also concerning.
Shuey - 7.5/10 - Slow start to the season but on the whole has been marked by greater consistency, more hardball gets, greater defensive accountability and work rate. Still the most likely of our midfield group.
Masten - 8.5/10 - Been quieter in terms of impact the past couple of weeks but has slotted in nicely as an accumulator with the added advantage of positional flexibility. Strong defensive mindset as well and can run all day.
S. Selwood - 8/10 - Taken steps forward as a clearance winning player whilst also restricting his opponents to average or sub par possessions. People have misconstrued his tagging duties because of his high possession numbers; he's still tagging, he's just winning a shitload more of the ball. Only worry is disposal has taken a significant backward step from last year's promising signs.
Hurn - 8/10 - Slow start to the season but has really begun to work through the forward tag and be damaging with or without it. Has rotated through the midfield at times with some success.
Mackenzie - 9/10 - Great work from the big guy to start the year. Has occasionally dropped off late against the endurance forwards (Petrie, Brown) but is now our number one KPP. Can go forward and kick a goal too, apparently.
Glass - 8.5/10 - Great season from the skipper as always
LeCras - 5/10 - Subpar kicking form and commitment to the contest, but is moving around the ground well post-knee and has gone into the midfield with mixed effect. Hopefully the week off allows him back to his best, soon.
Gaff - 4/10 - Disappointing start to the year for Gaff but clearly is trying his backside off. No need to drop him, just keep forcing him to work through the tag. He'll be better for it.
Rosa - 5/10 - Just happy to have him on the park, to be honest. Haven't thought much either way so far but is playing significantly more defensively than in the past, which is interesting to note. Would like him to win more ball though.
Hill - 7/10 - Good solid start to the season from Josh. Better defensive workrate just needs to be capped off by more reward. That's less his problem than his teammates.
Kennedy - 9/10 - Great start to the season by JK and has barely put a foot wrong.
Darling - 6.5/10 - Still trending nicely but needs to regain confidence in his goal kicking. Still handles the clutch moments very well.
Embley - 3.5/10 - Aside from the St. Kilda game has done little to justify his place. Done at the end of this year.
A. Selwood - 2.5/10 - Wilson's debut has hopefully marked his cards. Can't defend at the pace the game requires. Great servant of the club, but time to move on.
Naitanui - 8.5/10 - Return has been marked by greater consistency around the ground despite a lower fitness base. Been a game turner on several occasions this year.
Hams - 4/10 - WAFL form doesn't compute with his AFL form. Still a handy depth player
Cripps - 4.5/10 - Plenty to work with, but needs to build a tank, some kicking ability and confidence in the WAFL. May be handy as a sub later in the year.
Waters - 6.5/10 - Disappointing/average start to the year compounded by injuries. Skills have taken a back step but I think that is due to a lack of continuity in his game. He always needs a game or two to get going.
Brown - 8/10 - Aside from Franklin, hasn't really been beaten this season. Showing signs he's ready to play as Glass's replacement.
Schofield - 4.5/10 - Average year for Schofield, not quite running and carrying with the same dash as last year, but needs to improve otherwise Brown will have taken his spot.
Butler - 4.5/10 - Love Butts, but he's been way too quiet in terms of rebound and shown a worrying lack of composure (What he's usually renowned for) coming out of defense. Sad, but he may be marking his cards early as well.
Smith - 5/10 - Improved one-on-one but disposal is still a struggle at AFL level. Needs continuity to build form.
Brennan - 6/10 - If this was based on WAFL form he'd get a 4/10 but he has played alright on the occasions that he's come into the team this year. Still a headless chook on occasion though.
Wellingham - 6/10 - Shown enough in the WB game to indicate he's a needed pick up for us and gives us a utility option across the whole ground.
Hutchings - 7/10 - Handy midfield rotation who tackles hard, wins hardball and isn't a liability outside of stoppage situations. A needed up-grade on Priddis for the long-term who can actually play moderately well in other situations. Sinclair - 6/10 - Promising, but will need to improve significantly to prevent Lycett overtaking him in the next year or two.
Lycett - 6/10 - Disappointing start to the year has been marked by promising WAFL form. Looks more comfortable at East Perth.

I think I've covered every AFL player bar Wilson, who just debuted.

 

[Chris_6678]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-06-13/west-coasts-mini-preseason

Nic Nat explain that several players are still playing catch up with a limited or no pre-season and that they think of next week as round 1 as the last 5-6 weeks have been a pre-season for them. I am very interested to see if he is right and that we might see an increase of the taxing game plan of the last 2 years witch requires the team to be fully fit.

My player ratings for the year:

1. Mitch Brown (8 Games) - After stringing some games together he is now starting to get back to his 2009 form and show why he is needed and i hope he stays in the team.

2. Mark Lecra (9) - After a year out of the game and breaking his arm in round 1 he has been very average but that is mainly through injury and a year out of the game. Has still managed to kick 17 goals with some very inaccurate kicking but as the year wares on i think he should get a healthy return of 35-40 goals. 6.5/10

3. Andrew Gaff (11) - Poor Gaff is suffering from the 3rd year blues and has attracted a lot of attention from opposition taggers but this will be a massive learning curb and next year will be a better player for it. 4/10

4. Daniel Kerr ( 8) - A slow start to the year but is showing glimpses of his extreme talent and as the year goes on i expect him to be back to 100%. 5/10

5. Brad Sheppard (7) - Is showing some good talent when he is playing up forward or in the midfield. 5/10

7. Chris Masten (11) - Has improved again from last year and is playing in the centre and racking up big numbers with well above average disposal. 9/10

8.Beau Waters ( 4) - Poor guy cant stay on the field and hope he gets his body right. 5/10

9. Nic Nat (6) - Wow people said he would a shadow of his former self untill he got fit and well i can not wait to see when he is 100% again! 8/10

10. Scott Selwood - (11) - Disposal efficiency is slightly down but he is back to his 2011 best regarding his defensive play and racking up 2012 numbers in the midfield, if he tightens it up he could be a gun player. 8/10

11. Mathew Priddis - (11) - Same old Priddis doing his thing. 7/10

12. Sharrod Wellingham - (3) - Unlucky with injury. 5/10

13. Luke Shuey ( 11) - Has improved his ability to handle a tag and getting decent numbers but needs to get better kicking for goal. 8/10

14. Jacob Brennan (8) - Brennan has been average and if he can get a it more of the ball should be a decent player for the year. 4/10

15. Jamie Cripps (6) - Still developing and is good around goals. 4/10

16. EMAC - (9) - Wow he has upped his game and has only conceded 10.5 goals for the year! 9.5/10

17. JK - (10) - Was not sure he would get back to his best after that nasty ankle injury but he has improved his overall game and is on track to kick 65-70 and his first AA. 9.5/10

18. Brad D - (6) - Decent backup and nothing more and was crucial in the Lions win. 5/10

20. Dean Cox - (11) - Not the same Dean Cox of the last few years but he is still playing decent footy and expect him to bounce back soon. 7/10

22. Callum Sinclair - (5) - Very good mature ruckman and will a handy backup for Nic Nat/Lycett. 5/10

23. Darren Glass - (10) - Has been a rock in defense and couldn't ask any more from the captain. 8/10

24. Matt Rosa - (5) - Coming back from a nasty thigh injury but should bounce back. 4/10

25.Shannon Hurn - (11) - Has improved from last year and is starting to shake the tag. 9/10

26. Sam Butler - (7) - Not good and not bad but he is now a depth player. 6/10

27. Jack Darling - (11) - Copping more attention but getting slightly better numbers and is on track to reach his goal target from last year. 8/10

28. Ash Smith - (3) - Been very poor and is capable of way more but has been playing really well in the WAFL so a call up should be on the card. 3/10

29. Scott Lycett - (1) - Poor guy looked way out of his depth in round 1 but has been very good in the WAFL. 2/10

30. Blayne Wilson - (1) - Excellent first game and hope he continues for the year. 7/10 ( score for his game since it was his first)

31. Will Schofield - (7) - Poor start to the year with injury and out of form but we know when he is in form he can be a gun player. 4/10

32. Andrew Embly - (5) - In and out with injury and he showed some of his flair last week, but it looks like he is slowing down. 4/10

33. Josh Hill - (11) - Hasn't kicked as many goals as we would like but his defensive game has been A grade. 8.5/10

34. Mark Hutchings - (3) - Solid debut and looks a keeper. 5/10

37. Adam Selwood - (7) - Had a good round 1..but since then been very poor with other players ahead of him. 3/10

 

[Reminiscence]

Oh ho ho Remi looking like a boss now after all you fools passed on Mitch Brown in sponsorship draft.
Just as you looked like fools when you passed on Embley in 2011.
Just feel like gloating after my excellent draft sponsorship history .

Masten has really improved I feel, consistent and an excellent kick.
Brown, don't need to say much more other than he's been very solid and consistent in how he's played.
Hill has really cranked it up a notch in terms of defensive presence and his tackling, excellent to see.
Shuey has impressed me with how hard he works to break a tag. Clint Jones is a tough assignment to handle, but he beat Jones through sheer work rate.

 

[Gods_Son23]

Brown
Mackenzie
Sheppard
Brennan...

 

[Mighty Eagles]

I agree with the title of this thread.

Kennedy and Hurn have had sensational years though.

 

[Dark Sharks]

Seems like the most popular picks for are Hill, Mckenzie, Masten, Brown and Hurn

 

[Pottering]

22. Callum Sinclair - (5) - Very good mature ruckman and will a handy backup for Nic Nat/Lycett. 5/10

29. Scott Lycett - (1) - Poor guy looked way out of his depth in round 1 but has been very good in the WAFL. 2/10

I think it will turn out more like Lycett being back up to Naitanui/Sinclair. Lycett hasn't looked within cooee of it at AFL level this year or last, while Sinclair hit the ground running.

 

[jdisc]

Josh Kennedy is the other candidate after an excellent 34 goals from 10 games, but he is only returning to the form that saw him kick 59 goals in 2011 before injury last season." http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/the-buzz-jon-ralph-nominates-your-clubs-big-improvers/story-e6frg1x3-1226662041102

well there's your problem....

 

[jdisc]

I think it will turn out more like Lycett being back up to Naitanui/Sinclair. Lycett hasn't looked within cooee of it at AFL level this year or last, while Sinclair hit the ground running.

Sinclair has had more senior ruck experience and Lycett did very well in the NAB cup.

don't give up hope just yet

 

[Plugger_87]

only due to injuries

 

[eagles rule]

do ppl really think Darling has improved? I`ve been frustrated with him and I noticed that Darling wasn`t in the +pos or - neg lists ,he appears just placed in limbo and forgotten ..

 

[Natho]

Just been a frustrating year so far..

 

[lmach]

only due to injuries

Who are you?

 

[WCErevival]

do ppl really think Darling has improved? I`ve been frustrated with him and I noticed that Darling wasn`t in the +pos or - neg lists ,he appears just placed in limbo and forgotten ..

Its weird there has been some games where he has not done much at all and been frustrating but on goal output he is actually ahead on last years effort. I think Kennedy has taken the shine off him a bit. Will need to step it up in the second half of the year against better opposition.

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

Scooters disposal was never any good, he should be a tagger and a tagger only. If he is to be used as a genuine midfielder then he is another Priddis who the opposition could not care less how many touches he gets.

Bullshit you are just a very very poor judge of players, maybe its because your so old and your eyes don't pick up the game that well,
that combined with your natural inclination to exaggerate the negatives, is probably the reason so many people think you are clueless.
That and the fact when we are having a down time you are the first to pop up his head and start making negative comments, I swear you prefer
WCE is this situation so you can feel relevant again.

 

[eaglespremiers]

Mackenzie - 9/10 - Great work from the big guy to start the year. Has occasionally dropped off late against the endurance forwards (Petrie, Brown) but is now our number one KPP. Can go forward and kick a goal too, apparently.

In fairness though dropping off equates to one, maybe two, opportunities for scores.

 

[erbenz]

In fairness though dropping off equates to one, maybe two, opportunities for scores.

Absolutely, and it's just as much that the way the ball has entered the forward line (Read: Low and Clean), makes it hard to defend. Was really just nitpicking.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

E-Mac and Joshy Hill have improved, everyone else has either stagnated or gone backwards, should change when a new coach in there next season

 

[Eastern Rangers]

I think it will turn out more like Lycett being back up to Naitanui/Sinclair. Lycett hasn't looked within cooee of it at AFL level this year or last, while Sinclair hit the ground running.

Sinclair was running at around 30% in his ruck contests he competed in.

Naitanui is the unconventional ruckmen, burdening him with high ruck loads when Cox retires isn't a good idea. No way we'll want a 70/30 ruck mix, well need someone taller, heavier and more preferably more explosive than Sinclair.

There is a reason why we're going to great lengths to develop Lycett as a forward.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Bullshit you are just a very very poor judge of players, maybe its because your so old and your eyes don't pick up the game that well,
that combined with your natural inclination to exaggerate the negatives, is probably the reason so many people think you are clueless.
That and the fact when we are having a down time you are the first to pop up his head and start making negative comments, I swear you prefer
WCE is this situation so you can feel relevant again.

Do you really think I care what people on big footy who for the vast majority have never played or coached the game think? There is no need to exaggerate the negatives, they are there for all to see. Well most can see it except for the blind faithful.
If Scooters disposal was good what has happened? You don't forget how to kick. All his kicks are under pressure now are they? I am sure there will be an excuse. Always is here. No wonder we are regarded as the supporters who have the least idea about football in the country.

As for your stupid personal comments, being relevant on the WCE big footy board is actually not something I aspire to, I call it as I see it and unfortunately that offends some of the blind faithful. Most people don't like hearing the truth, especially about their own side yet love commenting and bagging every other side and their players.

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

Do you really think I care what people on big footy who for the vast majority have never played or coached the game think? There is no need to exaggerate the negatives, they are there for all to see. Well most can see it except for the blind faithful.
If Scooters disposal was good what has happened? You don't forget how to kick. All his kicks are under pressure now are they? I am sure there will be an excuse. Always is here. No wonder we are regarded as the supporters who have the least idea about football in the country.

As for your stupid personal comments, being relevant on the WCE big footy board is actually not something I aspire to, I call it as I see it and unfortunately that offends some of the blind faithful. Most people don't like hearing the truth, especially about their own side yet love commenting and bagging every other side and their players.

Thanks for acknowledging your clueless.
I look foward to your next post demonstrating those considerable abilities.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Thanks for acknowledging your clueless.
I look foward to your next post demonstrating those considerable abilities.

Haha you are so big footy, you are perfectly at home on here.