West Coast Press

[Kennel Master]

The biggest factor in this weeks game against the Wet Toast is how we handle their press.
Their press has troubled all opponents, so what approach do we take.
Hopefully the MC have a plan. My thoughts are we have to break lines and kick the ball well. Important players will be Murphy, Ward, Gilbee, Cooney and Griffin.
I'm not sure Stack can stand up under this pressure so I hope he is out for Williams.

What are others thoughts? A good start will be handy too!

KM

 

[gs17]

The biggest factor in this weeks game against the Wet Toast is how we handle their press.
Their press has troubled all opponents, so what approach do we take.
Hopefully the MC have a plan. My thoughts are we have to break lines and kick the ball well. Important players will be Murphy, Ward, Gilbee, Cooney and Griffin.
I'm not sure Stack can stand up under this pressure so I hope he is out for Williams.

What are others thoughts? A good start will be handy too!

KM

We are the two best starting teams in the comp this year so that will be important. Must win the midfield and deliver well into the forward line (hopefully unlike last time in Perth we will have someone in the forward line). You can beat the press by taking risks through the middle of the ground so you are right that our best kickers will be very important.

 

[stefoid]

We have sucked at handling the press.

Our tactic is to kick he ball 90m to the boundary, win a contested mark or contested possession, or force the ball over the line.

But always, always, always doing this is super predictable. You have to give the kicker an option to go up the guts on a reasonable chance to keep them guessing.

 

[Max zero]

We have sucked at handling the press.

Our tactic is to kick he ball 90m to the boundary, win a contested mark or contested possession, or force the ball over the line.

But always, always, always doing this is super predictable. You have to give the kicker an option to go up the guts on a reasonable chance to keep them guessing.

Hope you are planning something new because in 2011 WC average more tackles, contested marks and contested possessions then the WB. We also have the one of the best (if not the best) ruck combination in the league.

WC have won the contested possessions count in every game this year.

If you are planning on a free running shoot out like you had with Richmond your going to be in for a shock.

 

[TempleKelvington]

I doubt the Wet Toast press is much different to any other. It's an issue every game.

But without doubt we need to be hard at the footy and take the game on like we did against Richmond. That style will be hard to beat no matter who we play. We were back to some of our best footy in some time on the weekend against a team that was up and about....and to be honest Ricmond play good footy and teams will have to play well to beat them this year. The Wet Toast are the same, maybe not as attacking as the Tigers from what I have seen anyway.

WC have the home advantage, other than that I would have expected to win this game. It makes it a 50/50 contest now.

 

[gs17]

Hope you are planning something new because in 2011 WC average more tackles, contested marks and contested possessions then the WB. We also have the one of the best (if not the best) ruck combination in the league.

WC have won the contested possessions count in every game this year.

If you are planning on a free running shoot out like you had with Richmond your going to be in for a shock.

Might as well save the money from airfare and not turn up then?

So West Coast average more and then we are next? Who's after that?

 

[Unnamed1]

WC have the home advantage, other than that I would have expected to win this game. It makes it a 50/50 contest now.

For me, West Coke's fortunes and results this year really highlight the degree of tanking that goes on in the AFL. This is a team that has been completely useless towards to back end of the last few seasons. Their supporters will argue they were missing Kerr/Cox, but I think that's merely window dressing. They are running proof that tanking is alive and kicking.

They're clearly a decent team, and I would put our chances around 25/75.. not 50/50. I won't be picking us in my footy tipping comp (but that makes me happy each way if we do win!)

 

[Curly5]

Hope you are planning something new because in 2011 WC average more tackles, contested marks and contested possessions then the WB. We also have the one of the best (if not the best) ruck combination in the league.

WC have won the contested possessions count in every game this year.

If you are planning on a free running shoot out like you had with Richmond your going to be in for a shock.

Than.
You're.

We will win.

 

[Bulldog Brent]

They're clearly a decent team, and I would put our chances around 25/75.. not 50/50. I won't be picking us in my footy tipping comp (but that makes me happy each way if we do win!)

I am quite confident of a win - it's a 50/50 game in my eyes. We never fear Subiaco, and our most recent experience there will spur us.

 

[Dazb86]

Where we lost against Freo?

Even when they were traveling badly West coast seemed to match up well on us. If you combine that with the way they are applying the press (which troubles us) and we are looking at a tough game.

Having Hargrave back in the team is a god send.

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

For me, West Coke's fortunes and results this year really highlight the degree of tanking that goes on in the AFL. This is a team that has been completely useless towards to back end of the last few seasons. Their supporters will argue they were missing Kerr/Cox, but I think that's merely window dressing.

It's not really the place to get into this but towards the end of last year we were playing teams with about 1100 games experience.

These days it's usually about 1900 games.

 

[TempleKelvington]

It's not really the place to get into this but towards the end of last year we were playing teams with about 1100 games experience.

These days it's usually about 1900 games.

Yep you are spot on this is not the place, but it seems to me that side's like yours always like to have that as the fall back position for when they might lose. Melbourne and Richmond do the same. But there comes a time when you can't use that anymore. Collingwood is young too but they don't use it as an excuse.

All sides have young players. We have two 21 year olds with less than 40 games between playing CHF and FF....we have a guy in his 7th game holding his own at FB. Important positions for young guys. From my reckoning, you have 16 players that have played 50 or more games on your list we have 19.
So having some good kids is not the domain solely of the tankers. It’s time you stop using your youth as an excuse or as a convenient fall back position.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

For me, West Coke's fortunes and results this year really highlight the degree of tanking that goes on in the AFL. This is a team that has been completely useless towards to back end of the last few seasons.

Last year, sure but we were useless all season.

The year before, despite the fact that we were out of finals contention we actually won four of our last five games including a surprise victory over a top 4 side at Docklands (you might remember that game). It's hard to reconcile that with your allegations of tanking.

 

[_Mike_]

I see this more as a 45/55 chance slightly in favour with WCE due to the hoeme ground advantage.

Rain shouldnt be an issue (when is it ever an issue in Perth?) and it will come down to whether or not the Dogs can effectively control the middle and hold the line. Playing an injured/unfit/out of form Cooney is another risk/factor into the equation.

 

[September_Glory]

Ignoring unnamed1's needless jab. I think the idea of 'going through the middle' is super risky and I don't see it working on a narrower Subiaco. Eade is renowned as a good tactician so it will be interesting to see his planning now that everyone knows about West Coast's defensive improvement. Does he have any answers?

The press is about closing off the ground and winning the territorial battle. Teams have been killed with slow ball movement wiltering under the tackling pressure. As an Eagles fan, I'ld much rather see your HBF hesistate and kick short than wheel around and go to a 50/50 down the line because that essentially breaks the press.

When the possession count in your back half gets up to 5,6 and 7, the chances of a critical error increase (big win for us) or the zone closes in and you have to kick to a 50/50 down the line anyway (small win).

I know Bulldogs are coming off a high scoring win and some of you feel it's a 50/50 game but Eagles should be clear favourites going in.

 

[Royale]

It doesn't matter where we rate our teams chances of winning this weekend.

What matters to me as a doggies supporter is the application. West Coast have vastly improved from last year. No question. Doggies are performing well below par. No question there either.

The key is curtailing West Coast's dangerous forward line. Will one of Lake or Williams be back? This is critical as by my reckoning we are one tall short down back with our injuries/out of form players.

Hargrave/Marko/Morris and if fit Williams on Darling/Lecras/Lynch/Kennedy.

Midfield battle i'd put our boys ahead even with an injured Coons going through the middle. Granted, Cox is about as good as he's ever been, but his full value comes from the way he gets around the ground. I'd rate the tap work of Hudson and Cox about the same. Hudson will provide a strong contest at the very least for first use of the ball.

Loved seeing Gilbee forward. Would love to keep him there all game. Murphy too looked dangerous when allowed to go forward. Kicked a crucial goal against Richmond to steady the ship but more importantly the inside 50’s were much more measured going in.

We can only go by what we’ve seen. Had Williams played that game against Richmond the difference in scoring would’ve been far greater I feel. We saw Stack square off against Vickery and Riewoldt a few times, and too his credit was able to spoil well and ground the ball despite some of his poor disposals.

Our on ballers are definitely good enough to break the West Coast press. Just don’t leave it to Cooney to kick it inside 50!

Hopefully Hall and Higgins are back. With those two we’re looking at Minson/Hall/Higgins/Gilbee/Grant as well as Sherman and Griffin as bit players in a different but much more lethal looking front half than previous weeks.

 

[TempleKelvington]

Ignoring unnamed1's needless jab. I think the idea of 'going through the middle' is super risky and I don't see it working on a narrower Subiaco. Eade is renowned as a good tactician so it will be interesting to see his planning now that everyone knows about West Coast's defensive improvement. Does he have any answers?

The press is about closing off the ground and winning the territorial battle. Teams have been killed with slow ball movement wiltering under the tackling pressure. As an Eagles fan, I'ld much rather see your HBF hesistate and kick short than wheel around and go to a 50/50 down the line because that essentially breaks the press.

When the possession count in your back half gets up to 5,6 and 7, the chances of a critical error increase (big win for us) or the zone closes in and you have to kick to a 50/50 down the line anyway (small win).

I know Bulldogs are coming off a high scoring win and some of you feel it's a 50/50 game but Eagles should be clear favourites going in.

Was that Needleless jab, or a needless jab? Sorry...I just can't help myself when it comes to drug related Eagles puns.......

That aside....you should be favorites, you are one of about 6 teams with a massive real home advantage. If this game was anywhere else I'd be very confident.....

Just on what you said.....I think you'll find that last weekend we moved the ball quicker and longer than we have in a while. We stopped the over possession and played with our balistic style of footy....it was the Rock Ages day at the Dome and in keeping with the retro theme we went back to the way we used to play at our best. But more impressive was our fearsome attack on the footy in the contest, something not seen in tandem with us often enough. That combination was something else for us Doggy fans to see....if we play like that against the Eagles....the only thing the Eagles will have flying high might be some of their players at the end of year trip.

 

[INSIGHT]

I knew they were a wealthy club but I did not know they owned there own media outlet

 

[Quinz]

I knew they were a wealthy club but I did not know they owned there own media outlet

It's the West Australian if you listen to Fremantle fans...

 

[Max zero]

Might as well save the money from airfare and not turn up then?

So West Coast average more and then we are next? Who's after that?

No I was referring specifically the post I was replying too.

Our tactic is to kick he ball 90m to the boundary, win a contested mark or contested possession, or force the ball over the line.

That kind of tactic will play right into WC's hands. We a great at contested marks and contested possessions. Going to the boundary line won't worry us either due to our ruck strength.

Can we lose? Of course we can. But I feel at the moment we play the exact kind of game that causes you the most amount of difficulty and we match up on you very well.

If we play like we have this year the game will be very tight and congested. It won't be a big open shootout (which you are very good at) like you had against Richmond.

 

[dajesmac]

Last year, sure but we were useless all season.

The year before, despite the fact that we were out of finals contention we actually won four of our last five games including a surprise victory over a top 4 side at Docklands (you might remember that game). It's hard to reconcile that with your allegations of tanking.

This, I wonder if people who accuse us of tanking actually look at the results.

We sucked ass throughout all of 2010, and we saw just how important a fit Cox was (was underdone the entire season), not to mention our crazy injury list. In 2009, as fivey has pointed out we did the exact opposite of tanking. And in 2008, when we were gutted with the loss of Cuz and Judd we also sustained significant injuries to other key players and were forced into playing the youth. Rebuilding and blooding kids is not tanking.

With that aside, it will be a really interesting game. Both teams will consider themselves top eight contenders and it will be an important game for both sides. Can't wait to see how it unfolds, think it'll be close.

 

[SBI]

No I was referring specifically the post I was replying too.


That kind of tactic will play right into WC's hands. We a great at contested marks and contested possessions. Going to the boundary line won't worry us either due to our ruck strength.

Can we lose? Of course we can. But I feel at the moment we play the exact kind of game that causes you the most amount of difficulty and we match up on you very well.

If we play like we have this year the game will be very tight and congested. It won't be a big open shootout (which you are very good at) like you had against Richmond.

I think you'll find he was being a smartarse and not suggesting it is a good tactic.

 

[TempleKelvington]

Gee the cokers are getting cocky.......they have inked in two wins against us this year, pretty clear they don't rate us at all. I guess rightly so, we have been off our game this year. We have not deserved respect as yet....we certainly aint getting any from them this week.

As I have said, the only reason they have the edge on us this week is the home ground advantage. Otherwise I'd be very confident if the game was at Docklands. I don't think they'd know how to handle the Hyde St Band.

Wouldn't it be great if when they came to Melbourne to play us it was at the Whitten Oval....now that would be a distinct advantage akin to theirs.

Now seriously how a team with a 11 fortress homes games can't make the 8 has me buggered. In the meantime....keep inking in the wins boys......

PS.....any if they do lose, they always have the trump card to play..."oh but we are such a young side, but gee our kids are good" yeah that old chestnut. (see similiar response from Melbourne, Richmond and North)

 

[Marlin01]

As I have said, the only reason they have the edge on us this week is the home ground advantage.

Sounds like you're the one getting your excuses ready.

 

[Citizen Erazed]

Gee the cokers are getting cocky.......they have inked in two wins against us this year, pretty clear they don't rate us at all. I guess rightly so, we have been off our game this year. We have not deserved respect as yet....we certainly aint getting any from them this week.

It's the week after a derby... sometimes it takes a while for the banter to stop

This should be an awesome, tight game this week. Eagles v Bulldogs games always seem to be entertaining, no matter what the teams recent form is like. I think you guys are well suited to Subi (Paterson's) as evidenced by your unlucky loss to Freo a few weeks ago and i can see a similar sort of margin this time around. Good luck guys (but not too much).

From a purely selfish DT point of view, here's hoping Higgins and Wallis are back this week