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As the season proper looms on the horizon (22 days to R1 for those keeping count), we have our first competitive hit out against an opposition that isn’t ourselves
For reasons not really explained rather than just have a four quarter scratch match with unlimited interchange players the AFL left it up to clubs to negotiate their own formats for this weekends round of matches. WCE and Port have settled on 4x28 minute “quarters” without time on plus 2 additional 20 minute extra time periods giving this game a 2017 elimination final vibe
GWS and the Bulldogs decided just to ignore each other’s existence and continue to play with themselves instead
As far as I’m aware, the games themselves will be played in accordance with this week’s AFL interpretation of the rules but we can never be too sure
There is no limit on team sizes so the named teams are rather lengthy. FWIW, this is the named team for WCE
Because it’s a shorter list these are the players not suiting up :
Ginbey (sore toe)
Naitanui (sore Achilles)
Shuey (sore managed)
Darling (sore ankle)
Barnett (also sore ankle)
Jones (sore unexplained)
Bazzo (no need to explain)
J Williams (sore spleen)
Baker (sore something)
Dewar (sore foot)
For their part Port have named 29 players with the following considered notable absentees by AFL.com
Notable absentees: Zak Butters, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Francis Evans, Jeremy Finlayson, Josh Sinn, Tom Clurey, Trent Dumont, A Tarp
I’m not going to go through matchups or strategies as the clubs consider this a glorified training drill (kinda like some of our 2022 matches) and I’m not even sure they’re going to keep score (kinda like I wish they didn’t for some of our 2022 matches)
Rather, I’ll go through what I’d like to see from a team POV (other than the obligatory no ******* injuries) and individual players to keep an eye on
Game Plan :
A mere semblance of a game plan would be an improvement from last year but there are three key elements I think most of us would like to see
1) Contested possession/Loose ball gets - we’ve been routinely smashed in this area in recent seasons so getting first hands on the ball to establish field position would be nice to see
2) Transition - coaches from Simpson down have stated this has been a focus all off season. Offensively, I hope to see the ball moved faster and with more dare something that apparently has been evident to those fortunate enough to watch the closed match sims/intraclubs. Defensively, getting back in transition and slowing opposition ball movement/run is vital
3) Tackling - never been a strong point with us but it’s fallen away completely in the last 2-3 years (there was some improvement after the bye last year admittedly). Again, it seems to have been a focus over summer so whilst I don’t expect massive numbers of tackles due to the practice nature of this match and the lower intensity, I do hope there is some noticeable intent to pressure the ball carrier
From a team perspective, if those three elements are there in an identifiable fashion there’ll be cause for optimism
Players to watch :
• Bwilliams/Jamieson - locked in a battle to be Naitanui’s Robin this pair shape as important players for us in n 2023, especially if Nic’s Achilles takes longer to heal than hoped. Both got games last year and for the most part, generally looked out of their depth. Jamieson, in particular, has added some bulk to his frame and whilst the Port combination of Lycett and Teakle aren’t the strongest they’ll face this year it’ll give them an indication of how much they’ve improved over summer
• Hough, Culley, Hewett, Long,Ginbey - players added to our list over the last 2 years who we hope will be a big part of our rebuild. All have had a strong preseason and all are in the mix for round 1. We saw enough of Hough last year to get excited and he’s hit the gym hard to add muscle to his light frame. Culley has been a preseason stand out whilst Long and Hewett have impressed to the point where a round one debut for either or both is in the offing should they perform. We have to wait until next week to get a look at Ginbey
• Chesser - I didn’t forget young Campbell. He just deserves his own paragraph. The most talked about zero gamer we’ve ever had. Something of a surprise pick in the 2021 draft there were concerns over his durability, concerns seemingly justified when he injured his ankle 5 minutes in to his first practice match against Fremantle. He missed all of 2022. The club have nursed him through preseason, prepping his body for the rigours of AFL football and as recently as 2-3 weeks ago the impression was it would be a slow/delayed start to 2023. An impressive match sim performance last week and an unexpected capacity to cope with the increased workload now has the club cautiously talking about round 1. Very few on this board, have seen him in action so it’ll be great to see what he can produce against AFL opposition. A sneaky shout out here to Burgiel as well who we picked up with the bonus 2022 pick from Port for sliding back 2 places in 2021. He’s not receiving the same accolades yet as his other draftees but has also quietly put together a solid preseason
• Gaff - had a really bad 2022, partly due to an ankle issue which he’s recovered from reportedly, to the point where if we were picking a R1 side on last years form he misses selection. He is always a good trainer but hasn’t stood out this preseason although like most on the list he looks leaner than previous years. What intrigues me about Gaff is how he fits in to the new game style. Of all the veterans he seems the least likely to adapt to a faster style and at least one match sim report I’ve read made comment on his inability to move the ball on quickly. Make no mistake, a fully fit Gaff running up and down a wing providing an option can still be damaging but he shapes as the most likely test of the credits in the bank selection issues we’ve had. A poor game or two in these lead up games will see his spot come under pressure from fans at least
• Yeo - a lot of positive signs that the old Yeo is back in place of the broken one we’ve had since the start of 2020. He’s dominated intraclubs, so time to see it against an outside opponent. Whilst Kelly didn’t miss much footy last year, he’s also returned in great shape and hopefully can find the extra gear he showed at Geelong that he’s only sporadically reached at the Eagles
• Witherden/Rotham - a couple of players that found themselves well down the pecking order by the end of 2022 and had they both not been contracted for 2023 may not still be at the club. However, both have had strong preseasons with Witherden featuring regularly in the probables side in match sim and Rotham being said to be more aggressive with his ball use out of defence. Add Petrevski-Seton in here as well who’s been showing good form as a half forward after an unsettled 2022
• Allen - hasn’t played a game of footy since August 2021 and has the daunting task of replacing the greatest goal kicker the club has ever had. Looks in terrific physical condition but it’ll be a good test of his capability to lead our forwardline against what is usually a pretty competent Port defence
Plenty of others I’ll be looking forward to seeing especially those like Sheed and Cole who missed virtually all of 2022. Plus Ryan. And McGovern and his mate Barrass. And…..
Overall, it’s our first look at the group in a competitive hit out and whilst the scoreboard result is largely irrelevant a strong showing is important if only to give the players confidence that they’re on the right path
Eagles by a McGovern flour bag after the siren
The game will be televised on Foxtel and Kayo, however tickets to attend the game in person have sold out*
* I have a spare ticket into the ground for anyone that wanted to go but missed out on getting one. Message me if you’re interested
For reasons not really explained rather than just have a four quarter scratch match with unlimited interchange players the AFL left it up to clubs to negotiate their own formats for this weekends round of matches. WCE and Port have settled on 4x28 minute “quarters” without time on plus 2 additional 20 minute extra time periods giving this game a 2017 elimination final vibe
GWS and the Bulldogs decided just to ignore each other’s existence and continue to play with themselves instead
As far as I’m aware, the games themselves will be played in accordance with this week’s AFL interpretation of the rules but we can never be too sure
There is no limit on team sizes so the named teams are rather lengthy. FWIW, this is the named team for WCE
Because it’s a shorter list these are the players not suiting up :
Ginbey (sore toe)
Naitanui (sore Achilles)
Shuey (sore managed)
Darling (sore ankle)
Barnett (also sore ankle)
Jones (sore unexplained)
Bazzo (no need to explain)
J Williams (sore spleen)
Baker (sore something)
Dewar (sore foot)
For their part Port have named 29 players with the following considered notable absentees by AFL.com
Notable absentees: Zak Butters, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Francis Evans, Jeremy Finlayson, Josh Sinn, Tom Clurey, Trent Dumont, A Tarp
I’m not going to go through matchups or strategies as the clubs consider this a glorified training drill (kinda like some of our 2022 matches) and I’m not even sure they’re going to keep score (kinda like I wish they didn’t for some of our 2022 matches)
Rather, I’ll go through what I’d like to see from a team POV (other than the obligatory no ******* injuries) and individual players to keep an eye on
Game Plan :
A mere semblance of a game plan would be an improvement from last year but there are three key elements I think most of us would like to see
1) Contested possession/Loose ball gets - we’ve been routinely smashed in this area in recent seasons so getting first hands on the ball to establish field position would be nice to see
2) Transition - coaches from Simpson down have stated this has been a focus all off season. Offensively, I hope to see the ball moved faster and with more dare something that apparently has been evident to those fortunate enough to watch the closed match sims/intraclubs. Defensively, getting back in transition and slowing opposition ball movement/run is vital
3) Tackling - never been a strong point with us but it’s fallen away completely in the last 2-3 years (there was some improvement after the bye last year admittedly). Again, it seems to have been a focus over summer so whilst I don’t expect massive numbers of tackles due to the practice nature of this match and the lower intensity, I do hope there is some noticeable intent to pressure the ball carrier
From a team perspective, if those three elements are there in an identifiable fashion there’ll be cause for optimism
Players to watch :
• Bwilliams/Jamieson - locked in a battle to be Naitanui’s Robin this pair shape as important players for us in n 2023, especially if Nic’s Achilles takes longer to heal than hoped. Both got games last year and for the most part, generally looked out of their depth. Jamieson, in particular, has added some bulk to his frame and whilst the Port combination of Lycett and Teakle aren’t the strongest they’ll face this year it’ll give them an indication of how much they’ve improved over summer
• Hough, Culley, Hewett, Long,
• Chesser - I didn’t forget young Campbell. He just deserves his own paragraph. The most talked about zero gamer we’ve ever had. Something of a surprise pick in the 2021 draft there were concerns over his durability, concerns seemingly justified when he injured his ankle 5 minutes in to his first practice match against Fremantle. He missed all of 2022. The club have nursed him through preseason, prepping his body for the rigours of AFL football and as recently as 2-3 weeks ago the impression was it would be a slow/delayed start to 2023. An impressive match sim performance last week and an unexpected capacity to cope with the increased workload now has the club cautiously talking about round 1. Very few on this board, have seen him in action so it’ll be great to see what he can produce against AFL opposition. A sneaky shout out here to Burgiel as well who we picked up with the bonus 2022 pick from Port for sliding back 2 places in 2021. He’s not receiving the same accolades yet as his other draftees but has also quietly put together a solid preseason
• Gaff - had a really bad 2022, partly due to an ankle issue which he’s recovered from reportedly, to the point where if we were picking a R1 side on last years form he misses selection. He is always a good trainer but hasn’t stood out this preseason although like most on the list he looks leaner than previous years. What intrigues me about Gaff is how he fits in to the new game style. Of all the veterans he seems the least likely to adapt to a faster style and at least one match sim report I’ve read made comment on his inability to move the ball on quickly. Make no mistake, a fully fit Gaff running up and down a wing providing an option can still be damaging but he shapes as the most likely test of the credits in the bank selection issues we’ve had. A poor game or two in these lead up games will see his spot come under pressure from fans at least
• Yeo - a lot of positive signs that the old Yeo is back in place of the broken one we’ve had since the start of 2020. He’s dominated intraclubs, so time to see it against an outside opponent. Whilst Kelly didn’t miss much footy last year, he’s also returned in great shape and hopefully can find the extra gear he showed at Geelong that he’s only sporadically reached at the Eagles
• Witherden/Rotham - a couple of players that found themselves well down the pecking order by the end of 2022 and had they both not been contracted for 2023 may not still be at the club. However, both have had strong preseasons with Witherden featuring regularly in the probables side in match sim and Rotham being said to be more aggressive with his ball use out of defence. Add Petrevski-Seton in here as well who’s been showing good form as a half forward after an unsettled 2022
• Allen - hasn’t played a game of footy since August 2021 and has the daunting task of replacing the greatest goal kicker the club has ever had. Looks in terrific physical condition but it’ll be a good test of his capability to lead our forwardline against what is usually a pretty competent Port defence
Plenty of others I’ll be looking forward to seeing especially those like Sheed and Cole who missed virtually all of 2022. Plus Ryan. And McGovern and his mate Barrass. And…..
Overall, it’s our first look at the group in a competitive hit out and whilst the scoreboard result is largely irrelevant a strong showing is important if only to give the players confidence that they’re on the right path
Eagles by a McGovern flour bag after the siren
The game will be televised on Foxtel and Kayo, however tickets to attend the game in person have sold out*
* I have a spare ticket into the ground for anyone that wanted to go but missed out on getting one. Message me if you’re interested
