West Coast Eagles - Premiers '09,'10, '11

[The Maestro]

West Coast Eagles

Club History

Premiers 2009 (Captain: Brent Harvey)
Premiers 2010 (Captain: Brent Harvey)
Premiers 2011 (Captain: Brent Harvey)


Club Champions

2009: Bryce Gibbs (Brent Harvey Runner-up)
2010: Daniel Cross (Kade Simpson Runner-up)
2011: Tom Rockliff (Bryce Gibbs Runner-up)

Team List


Joe Anderson - $147,000 (2)
Liam Anthony - $320,000 (1)
Leigh Brown - $155,000 (1)
Domenic Cassisi - $367,000 (1)
Travis Cloke - $700,000 (4)
Daniel Cross - $650,000 (2)
Charlie Dixon - $122,000 (1)
Brendan Fevola - $341,000 (1)
Bryce Gibbs - $342,000 (2)
Sam Gilbert - $264,000 (1)
Adam Goodes - $312,000 (2)
Matthew Leuenberger - $110,000 (2)
Patrick McGinnity - $113,000 (2)
Jarrad McVeigh - $286,000 (2)
John Meesen - $115,000 (1)
Brett Meredith - $127,000 (3)
Leigh Montagna - $500,000 (4)
Thomas Murphy - $177,000 (2)
Chris Newman - $331,000 (1)
Harry O'Brien - $210,000 (2)
Dion Prestia - $449,000 (4)
Mitch Robinson - $136,000 (1)
Tom Rockliff - $360,000 (4)
Jordan Russell - $177,000 (3)
Sam Sheldon - $107,000 (2)
Benjamin Speight - $99,000 (1)
Paul Stewart - $132,000 (1)
Josh Thomas - $98,000 (4)
Ben Warren - $104,000 (3)
Cameron Wood - $107,000 (1)

Veterans List: Brent Harvey, Brad Ottens

Draft Picks: 25, 45, 62

 

[The Maestro]

West Coast Make It Three In a-row

West Coast Eagles have done it again, overcoming a gallant Melbourne outfit to take out the 2011 Premiership Cup. Kade Simpson won the Norm Smith medal for best afield.

West Coast were on cloud nine after winning their third successive premiership. The side has come a long way after a coaching shake up in 2009 when Maestro took over Kerrby as coach after he failed to take the side to finals in 2008. Eagles coach Maestro thinks it was their best season yet.

"The boys have been fantastic again this year and we proved our dominance on the big day. A couple of the boys played the game of their lives and we managed to break the highest score record. It's a credit to them and all their hard work. They definately deserve this. For me personally it is surreal, absolutely unbelievable."

Coach Maestro also wished the Melbourne Demons all the best of luck in their 2012 season endeavours.

 

[The Maestro]

Tom Rockliff Named Club Champion

Tom Rockliff has capped off an amazing season by being name the club champion for 2011. Tom held off fellow Eagles Bryce Gibbs, Adam Goodes and Matthew Leuenberger vying for the coveted prize.

Rockliff has shone to stardom after being picked up in the 2009 draft, after being overlooked by all 16 clubs several times the Eagles decided to take a punt on him, citing his "football brain" as a major reason to picking him up.

"Tom had a lot of criticism over his fitness and athletic ability before being drafted. To his credit he has worked unbelievably hard on that and now is one of the fittest blokes at the club. The great thing is, Tom's going to be with us for another 4 years." said coach Maestro

Other award winners were;

Most improved player: Mitch Robinson
Rising Star: Pearce Hanley
Coach's award: Matthew Leuenberger

 

[The Maestro]

Coach's Outlook for 2012

Coach Maestro believes his side can make it an unprecedented 4 premierships in a row with the off-season commencing only days ago. Maestro has attributed their on-field success to their excellent list management off the field.

"We've managed to replace big name players every season and finding a few gems here and there along the way. We made some big calls in my first year and we brought in players who are now starting to pay off. Matthew Leuenberger, Mitch Robinson, Thomas Murphy, Brendan Whitecross and Dion Prestia have been amazing this season and have stepped up another level. We face a battle in keeping these guys now because the league now knows who they are but we are confident we can keep most of them and find some more gems for 2012" said coach Maestro

The Eagles can't wait for the challenge and have gotten right back into the swing of things. Coach Maestro says that the premiership wins have made the team even hungrier for success.

 

[The Maestro]

Maestro's Last Hurrah?

The 2011 off-season has been a quiet one compared to previous seasons for West Coast. Historically the Eagles are one of the most active sides amongst trade period, but we've only seen one trade done so far with a little over 2 weeks remaining in the transfer window.

When asked about the inactivity of the side's involvement this off-season coach Maestro may have hinted on more than we all knew.

"I think it's very important to invest in the future. We've been up there for the last 3 seasons and it's vital that I leave this side in a healthy state, I will not walk out of here knowing the club will not be successful in the years to come. We have held off trade talks and we're looking towards the National draft where we will pick the best youngsters with the picks we have."

When asked further about 2012 being The Maestro's last season, he was very diplomatic

"It all depends on a variety of things. Where we finish, the shape of our list and of course my will to keep going. I have been very fortunate to have been involved in 3 premierships but for now, the fire burns strong and I'm as hungry as ever to succeed. I will know when the time is right to hand the side over to the next coach, but I promise I will leave this side in a good shape."

The Maestro took over the side in the 2008 offseason from coach kerrby. In a side who failed to make finals in 2008, The Maestro took the Eagles to a premiership in his first season and again in 2010 and 2011.

AFLTM has seen coaches come and go of late and The Maestro could be the biggest name departure yet.

 

[Marklar_33]

Don't leave before I knock you off your perch...which will be this season anyway

 

[The Maestro]

Haha yeah I reckon yourself and Melbourne are my biggest threats this season. Unbelievably good side you've put together in its first year. Melbourne have strengthened since last season so they'll be right up there again.

We'll see how it goes this year, might stick around for a 5th season