Carbine Chaos
TK Defender
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2009
- Posts
- 68,812
- Reaction score
- 109,317
- AFL Club
- West Coast
- Other Teams
- Perth FC, Everton, Delhi
Apologies for the late venue change, it was the best that I could do under the circumstances.
So it is that we venture east in the hope of keeping our flag chances alive. Fortunately, things are finally starting to fall our way. Willie Rioli is back on the track and looks set for an enjoyable September watching the Top 4 teams battle it out for a flag. Mark Hutchings is in rampaging form in the WAFL, putting his hands up for an imminent recall. We have managed to have the game shifted from a bogey ground against a troubling opponent to…a bogey ground against a troubling opponent. We’ve escaped the clutches of an anti-Vax dictator to the safety of Victoria, and hopefully our travels will see us safely returning home to kick off the 2025 season against the Launceston Lampreys. Yes, my friends. Everything is finally coming up Simpson.
Key Match-Ups
West Coast vs. West Coast
What to make of these Jekyll and Hyde performers? While we were all excited to welcome back the big names last week, it quickly became apparent that their underdone natures didn’t help the cause. Or maybe the Dogs are just that good? We’ll know a bit more about these players after this weekend either way. Questions have been raised about their hunger in the shadow of 2018, and they will not get a better chance to prove the doubters wrong than this weekend.
West Coast vs. Franklin
Franklin has played against West Coast 19 times in his career, for 13 wins and only 6 losses. Fair to say he’s played a fair part in that statistic, as well. Often, he has popped up with crucial goals or a timely bag to send us on our way. However, he has only played 3 times at GMHBA Stadium for a grand total of 3 goals. It is comfortably his worst regular venue statistically.
Not only this, but his stats against us are more mixed than you may think. His disposal average against us is his 2nd lowest overall, at just a shade under 14. He contributes few inside 50s, with his count of 51 the 4th lowest of any opponent. While we concede the 3rd most free kicks his way, at 27, he has conceded a total of 43 our way, the 4th highest count overall. His contested marking struggles against us, 3rd lowest overall at 23, while his marking inside 50 is a mediocre 7th lowest, with a career total of 53. His average goal tally of 2.94 goals against us is lower than his career average of 3.14.
Bodes well.
Or, he’s rested. And you can ignore all of the above.
West Coast vs. Demons of the Past
Fair to say we've been blessed in the ruck stonks in the past few decades. I mean, not since that one time I walked into my parents' room unannounced have I ever seen such depth in one position. One of the highlights of the game will no doubt see ex-third choice struggler Nic Naitanui finally make his mark on the competition against his old mentor Tom Hickey, and potentially Callum Sinclair if he wins a recall. If he keeps his spot over Nathan Vardy, that is.
In all seriousness, if Hickey can repeat his Eagle-Geelong heroics against us this week Naitanui will have a good fight on his hands. He just had those looks in his eyes that night.
West Coast vs. GMHBA Stadium
Not since the DK variety has this board been so afraid of the potential dangers of an Alphabet. The 15-year hoodoo continued earlier this year with the 97-point humiliation at the hands of the Cats, and that should surely be playing on the minds of the boys as they run out this week. The narrow ground will feel like a throwback to the Subiaco days, and I’m sure the boys will be relishing the chance to play against a non-Geelong side there. With one hoodoo already out of the way this year, surely, it’s time to add another to the pile against a non-home opponent.
Final Thoughts/Tip
Hard one, this one. On the one hand, we look the better side on paper. On the other hand, we'll be hungry and ready to go after last week. Yeah, stuff it.
West Coast def. West Coast/Franklin/GMHBA Stadium by 17
So it is that we venture east in the hope of keeping our flag chances alive. Fortunately, things are finally starting to fall our way. Willie Rioli is back on the track and looks set for an enjoyable September watching the Top 4 teams battle it out for a flag. Mark Hutchings is in rampaging form in the WAFL, putting his hands up for an imminent recall. We have managed to have the game shifted from a bogey ground against a troubling opponent to…a bogey ground against a troubling opponent. We’ve escaped the clutches of an anti-Vax dictator to the safety of Victoria, and hopefully our travels will see us safely returning home to kick off the 2025 season against the Launceston Lampreys. Yes, my friends. Everything is finally coming up Simpson.
Key Match-Ups
West Coast vs. West Coast
What to make of these Jekyll and Hyde performers? While we were all excited to welcome back the big names last week, it quickly became apparent that their underdone natures didn’t help the cause. Or maybe the Dogs are just that good? We’ll know a bit more about these players after this weekend either way. Questions have been raised about their hunger in the shadow of 2018, and they will not get a better chance to prove the doubters wrong than this weekend.
West Coast vs. Franklin
Franklin has played against West Coast 19 times in his career, for 13 wins and only 6 losses. Fair to say he’s played a fair part in that statistic, as well. Often, he has popped up with crucial goals or a timely bag to send us on our way. However, he has only played 3 times at GMHBA Stadium for a grand total of 3 goals. It is comfortably his worst regular venue statistically.
Not only this, but his stats against us are more mixed than you may think. His disposal average against us is his 2nd lowest overall, at just a shade under 14. He contributes few inside 50s, with his count of 51 the 4th lowest of any opponent. While we concede the 3rd most free kicks his way, at 27, he has conceded a total of 43 our way, the 4th highest count overall. His contested marking struggles against us, 3rd lowest overall at 23, while his marking inside 50 is a mediocre 7th lowest, with a career total of 53. His average goal tally of 2.94 goals against us is lower than his career average of 3.14.
Bodes well.
Or, he’s rested. And you can ignore all of the above.
West Coast vs. Demons of the Past
Fair to say we've been blessed in the ruck stonks in the past few decades. I mean, not since that one time I walked into my parents' room unannounced have I ever seen such depth in one position. One of the highlights of the game will no doubt see ex-third choice struggler Nic Naitanui finally make his mark on the competition against his old mentor Tom Hickey, and potentially Callum Sinclair if he wins a recall. If he keeps his spot over Nathan Vardy, that is.
In all seriousness, if Hickey can repeat his Eagle-Geelong heroics against us this week Naitanui will have a good fight on his hands. He just had those looks in his eyes that night.
West Coast vs. GMHBA Stadium
Not since the DK variety has this board been so afraid of the potential dangers of an Alphabet. The 15-year hoodoo continued earlier this year with the 97-point humiliation at the hands of the Cats, and that should surely be playing on the minds of the boys as they run out this week. The narrow ground will feel like a throwback to the Subiaco days, and I’m sure the boys will be relishing the chance to play against a non-Geelong side there. With one hoodoo already out of the way this year, surely, it’s time to add another to the pile against a non-home opponent.
Final Thoughts/Tip
Hard one, this one. On the one hand, we look the better side on paper. On the other hand, we'll be hungry and ready to go after last week. Yeah, stuff it.
West Coast def. West Coast/Franklin/GMHBA Stadium by 17
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