What do we have to do to win?

ozzult

Premiership Player
Joined
Feb 2, 2002
Posts
4,649
Likes
11
Location
P-Town
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
West Coast Eagles
Thread starter #1
As a great coach once said, our defence has to play better than their forwards, our midfield needs to out run their midfield, and if our forwards are better than their defence, we should win.

But more to the point, what do we really have to do to win?

I think we can win the midfield battle, but will our defence be able to stand up to the well balanced forward line of Collingwood?

I think our forwards can kick a winning score for us, but personally I think the game will be won with our match ups in defence, and whether or not we can hold Collingwood.

Last year we were able to hold their talls, but Holland, a small forward killed us, this year I think that we have a few options to play on any small forward that is blazing, such as Sampi, Adkins, Read, Wooden and Banfield.

How are we gonna win it? Because we know we will.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

carlyp

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Posts
7,968
Likes
4
Location
In sin............. ;-)
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
The West Coast Eagles
#2
If we can convincingly win the midfield then I dont see our defence has being much of a problem. I think were capable of giving the pies midfielders a caining imo! Our forward line should beable to fire...it usually goes ok.
If it gets tight though i do agree that our defence has to really stand up. I say we play Jako down there if it gets really tough. Although there may not be a matchup for him we could play him down there as a spare man in defence. He'd be able to organize the defenders and tell them how to set themselves up. I think if we get collica back though it should be alright- with Hunter, Macintosh, Collica and Jako, Read, Morrison and Kasey Green down back we could go great guns.
 

carlyp

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Posts
7,968
Likes
4
Location
In sin............. ;-)
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
The West Coast Eagles
#3
Re: Re: What do we have to do to win?

STOP THE PRESS! CALL WOOSHA AND THE PANEL.... I JUST HAD A BRAIN WAVE:

Why not play Collingwood like we would have played them under MM ( f he was still coaching). Why not play really tight and tough, dont give an inch. If we only kick 13 goals it doesnt matter as long as we restrict the Pies to under 12. Lets not worry about kicking goals and playing a free flowing game. Lets play it mean and nasty and tight!
 

iceman

Premiership Player
Joined
Apr 1, 2001
Posts
3,563
Likes
2
Location
Sydney, NSW
AFL Club
West Coast
#5
Midfield battles gonna be harder than what everyone thinks... we have Cousins who hasnt run out a game in a fortnight, Judd is getting the oppositions best tagger every week and with Kerr out it doesnt leave us with many options

For the past 2 weeks our bench has been full of injured players by the end of the game. We should start bringing in players like Chambers, Wooden etc who arent injured and can run out a full match!!

It does the team no good having half fit players out on the ground, if that means giving Cousins and Co a week or two out of the side then so be it
 

Mead

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Mar 2, 2002
Posts
6,795
Likes
1,080
Location
Perth
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Eagles
#6
Time for me to wheel out my industrial sized mozzing capabilities, and say that I'm feeling oddly confident about this one.

If we can put 6 fit midfielders on the park, I think we'll win.
The key is Gardiner- Mckee is, in my mind, an okay player who can't ruck to save his life. Against Geelong, our rovers weren't getting the sort of usage they'd expect simply because Gardie was rucking against the (second?) best ruckman in the business. There inability to adapt to the reality that weren't getting the sort of ball usage they did against Freo or St Kilda. was what led to us getting burnt out of the centre. If Gardiner does unto McKee what he did unto Capuano, I'm confident we can beat the pies.

In a perfect world, Kerr and Wirrpunda will be back, but we've been expecting that for a fortnight. I'd really like to Kerr back into the midfield, and Cousins fit again- (i'm not sure Wirra will be up after some more fun with his troublesome hammy) but really it all starts with Gardiner- if he dominates McKee (and you'd have to assume he will) we should get quick clearances, and clean entry into our 50. Its hard to lose when thats happening.

As for the midfielders, its frustrating, because we really don't know who is going to be fit. Hopefully Cousins will be over the corky by now- if he is not, we SHOULD NOT play him. Courageous captaincy aside, it simply isn't worth it. If you knew that a one week rest would guarantee Cousins would be completely fit, free of niggles, and set to play out the rest of his season in his standard stellar form, would you take it?

Anyway, assuming we have our best lineup available- Chick should get the job on Buckley, maybe with a bit of help from Rowan Jones (or Josh Wooden?) down the stretch. The standard Cousins/Fletcher/Judd on ball combination applies, although if Chick follows Buckley into the centre, Judd could have the freedom of playing on the wing again. Embley v Williams should make for an intriguing upsized wingman duel, and given their limited fitness, we should probably start Kerr and Read on the bench.

Also, bring back Porno!! For all his promising form, Haynes has managed to kick 1 goal in the last fortnight. This is exactly the sort of match to bring back Willow in- If its played in a closed dome the weather he'll have perfect kicking conditions, he had days out against the Pies last year, and if Gardiner dominates McKee the way we have every right to expect him to, he'll get the sort of delivery which makes him irresistible. Furthermore, this is a game where Jako should play in defence, because he's one of the few defenders going around with the raw size and strength to handle Rocca. Is there any reason why we couldn't play a spine of McIntosh/Carroll at FB, Jako CHB, Haynes CHF and Wilson FF?
 

Thrawn666

Club Legend
Joined
Feb 15, 2002
Posts
1,768
Likes
0
Location
Perth
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
West Coast
#8
Originally posted by ozzult


Last year we were able to hold their talls, but Holland, a small forward killed us, this year I think that we have a few options to play on any small forward that is blazing, such as Sampi, Adkins, Read, Wooden and Banfield.
I think the Collingwood coaching staff will be more concerned with our small forwards, with Matera and Sampi in such good form. Holland has been playing down back for the Pies and did OK against the Crows back there. Wouldnt surprise me to see him take on Sampi while Clement took on Phil Matera.

In terms of their small forwards Didak is the one who could do the Brodie Holland on us this year. Wouldnt surprise me to see Davis come back into their side this week either. Im just hoping that Wirra will be fit this week.
 

Cyclops

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 25, 2001
Posts
8,589
Likes
4,048
Location
Northern Suburbs
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
IOM Gyms, Preston Nth End
#9
Mind if I add my thoughts?

Malthouse and Worsfold are well matched as coaches-both have disciplined, spirited well organised units.

We have been struggling in the small man dept. Our small backs and small forwards haven't been great. Lokan, Shaw and Johnson all found a bit vs Adelaide but Burns is our only consistently good small backman, and he's slow. If you had a firing small forward (I dunno, someone like Matera?) he could do a Brodie Holland and kick 8 goals.

Likewise our small forward have been poor. Didak is still kicking a few goals but not hurting the opposition much, and who else is there?

Our tall forwards should give you lots of trouble, and our tall defenders have been very good recently, so we should win in the air, but when the ball hits the deck the Eagles will be more deadly.

Our midfield is slowly regaining cohesion. Buckley's excellence has been augmented by a slowly returning Licuria, and guest spots from Burns and the erratic Woewodin. Waht we do have in te midfield is a lot of hard tackling and rotations. You will need to run hard and dispose well to beat us. Gardiner is a good enough ruckman to give you the edge there. I dunno if it will be enough to overcome the home ground advantage.
 

Mead

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Mar 2, 2002
Posts
6,795
Likes
1,080
Location
Perth
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Eagles
#10
Originally posted by Cyclops
Mind if I add my thoughts?

Malthouse and Worsfold are well matched as coaches-both have disciplined, spirited well organised units.

We have been struggling in the small man dept. Our small backs and small forwards haven't been great. Lokan, Shaw and Johnson all found a bit vs Adelaide but Burns is our only consistently good small backman, and he's slow. If you had a firing small forward (I dunno, someone like Matera?) he could do a Brodie Holland and kick 8 goals.

Likewise our small forward have been poor. Didak is still kicking a few goals but not hurting the opposition much, and who else is there?

Our tall forwards should give you lots of trouble, and our tall defenders have been very good recently, so we should win in the air, but when the ball hits the deck the Eagles will be more deadly.

Our midfield is slowly regaining cohesion. Buckley's excellence has been augmented by a slowly returning Licuria, and guest spots from Burns and the erratic Woewodin. Waht we do have in te midfield is a lot of hard tackling and rotations. You will need to run hard and dispose well to beat us. Gardiner is a good enough ruckman to give you the edge there. I dunno if it will be enough to overcome the home ground advantage.
Small forwards? I think we had a few of those lying around somewhere :) Malthouse is going to have to make a tough decision in playing the better small defender on either Matera or Sampi- chances are, at least one of them should have a good day.

Didak, I rate, and I have a sneaky suspicion that if anyone is going to kick a big score against us, it might be him. Read or Wirrpunda would be best for him, but both are under injury clouds.

On the tall forwards issue, the McIntosh/Tarrant battle should be enthralling- Tarrant will have a clear edge when on the lead or doubling back, but if they body up, Milli will be better- a lot could depend on the delivery Tarrant gets- laces out on the chest, and we'll be in trouble, if he's forced to camp out for it then McIntosh should win most of it. Jakovich will probably get a recall to the backline, because he probably matches up on Rocca better than anyone else in the league.

Incidentally, Cyclops, is the answer to the riddle in your sig 'Dean Rioli'?
 

Deepthroat

All Australian
Joined
Mar 12, 2002
Posts
972
Likes
192
Location
Keilor East
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
West Coast
#11
To me the key is injecting fresh legs into the side for this week.

Both WCE and Collingwood had hard sglog type matches last week that pretty much went all the way to the final bell.

A recent trend in regard to Subiaco is that no "visiting" team has won the week after making the trip. I expect this to be the case with Geelong this week for those in footy tip comps. The trend is also evident in the up and down performances by the two Perth sides when having to travel after decent home wins to questionable losses away.

Subiaco is a very bid ground by AFL standards and I believe it zaps a bit of the run out of players for the week after. Looking at the guys trudge off on Saturday I said to a Collingwood supporter I was with "You guys are looking good for next week". Just based on the fact that WCE have put in 3 tough weeks for excellent results and it looked like a few would lack some zip this week.

Players like Wooden, Collica, Chambers, Kerr, Wirrpunda present a chance to inject that zip back in the side without losing valuable experience. Let Cuz have a rest before he does some serious damage to an ankle.

Collingwood will still not be at 100% confidence even after such a good win. The key will be to start hard and fast in the middle, hold Tarrant and Didak up forward and expose their lack of pace in the backline.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Lockyer24

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Posts
20,673
Likes
5,834
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Heat, Victory, Man Utd, Redskins
#12
The Eagles look to be carrying quite a few players with niggles, added to the fact you already have a few guys missing with injury. In Cousins shape I'll expect Judd to be tagged if anyone, he has the pace and the ability to really break the game open. Licuria may get him, or Lokan (going on last weeks effort).
You're spot on with the ruck - you can expect to thrash us there but when we are on our game and the intensity is at the required level, we can nullify this with our excellent tackling and hard ball gets. To win I think you would need Sampi and Matera to cut us up, aswell as the aformentioned Judd as they all have the slickness to really trouble us.

Looking forward to the Tarrant/McIntosh matchup, he's usually one who gets the better of Chris - but in Tazs current form he can beat anyone. Great test.

Should be a cracker of a game.
 

noodle

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Mar 14, 2002
Posts
5,271
Likes
723
Location
allyourbasearebelongtous
AFL Club
West Coast
#13
i believe we have the edge over collingwood in a few areas given both teams current form. gardiner, matera and sampi will be a danger to the pies.

unfortunately the traveling will be the true leveler. sure we beat Melbourne but they are all over the place. if we can beat collingwood on the road i will be impressed.

nick davis will be a problem. i just can't see a player that we've got to match up on him.
 

eagleskickass

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Sep 10, 2000
Posts
6,722
Likes
239
Location
Perth, WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
WEST COAST
#15
Originally posted by noodle


nick davis will be a problem. i just can't see a player that we've got to match up on him.
as there is no smileys here i certaintly hope you are being sarcastic:D:D:D but i believe you are just being smart.;)
 

noodle

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Mar 14, 2002
Posts
5,271
Likes
723
Location
allyourbasearebelongtous
AFL Club
West Coast
#17
Originally posted by eagleskickass
as there is no smileys here i certaintly hope you are being sarcastic:D:D:D but i believe you are just being smart.;)
nah. not me.

Originally posted by Lockyer24
Yeah we gotta watch out for that Andrew Williams guy - always kicks a bag against us ;)
williams always starts to fade after about round 6 so you guys shouldn't have to worry about him. :D (just added that for you EKA)
 

Cyclops

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 25, 2001
Posts
8,589
Likes
4,048
Location
Northern Suburbs
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
IOM Gyms, Preston Nth End
#18
Originally posted by Mead
Small forwards? I think we had a few of those lying around somewhere :) Malthouse is going to have to make a tough decision in playing the better small defender on either Matera or Sampi- chances are, at least one of them should have a good day.
We don't have a better small backman. We have Johnson, Lokan or Shaw. If we can generate the loose man (eg free up Clemo or Lonie), we may clog things up enough, but Worsfold is a hard man to out-coach in that way.

Originally posted by Mead
Didak, I rate, and I have a sneaky suspicion that if anyone is going to kick a big score against us, it might be him. Read or Wirrpunda would be best for him, but both are under injury clouds.
He will kick his 2 no doubt. Whether he's best on ground or flogged, he seems to make the same impact-when he's playing well he just baulks more opponents.

Originally posted by Mead
On the tall forwards issue, the McIntosh/Tarrant battle should be enthralling- Tarrant will have a clear edge when on the lead or doubling back, but if they body up, Milli will be better- a lot could depend on the delivery Tarrant gets- laces out on the chest, and we'll be in trouble, if he's forced to camp out for it then McIntosh should win most of it. Jakovich will probably get a recall to the backline, because he probably matches up on Rocca better than anyone else in the league.
Very true. Your big backman (one a recognized champ and the other a proven veteran) are too strong for their opponents, but mobility is on our side, and fast delivery would be deadly.

Worsfold is a worrying coach for us: he seems to get the best out of a middling squad (I know the Eagles have some great older blokes and fine young prospects, but who doesn't these days?), and he knows Malthouse's style backwards. The way he adjusted and recovered from our onslaught in the MCG game last year was very impressive, and youse despatched us in Perth. I hope the Sensei can still surprise his acolyte.

Originally posted by Mead
Incidentally, Cyclops, is the answer to the riddle in your sig 'Dean Rioli'?
No, Scott Cummings actually.
 

jod23

TheBrownDog
Joined
Apr 2, 2000
Posts
61,486
Likes
17,879
Location
Perth, Australia
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Liverpool, Chicago Bulls.
#19
I think we matchup on Collingwood extremely well and whether we win or lose, I think it will be close. Tarrant is a worry as is Didak but we can also worry them with the form of Matera, Gardiner and Sampi.

The key is Gardiner, he should and hopefully will put the smack down on McKee and give us complete control of the midfield. Once we have that we really should win the game. If Collingwood can nullify Gardy's influence then they could run away with it.

We have won 3 in a row so I just get the feeling we are due for a loss. I hope not. Oh and does anyone know if Rocca will play?
 

Lockyer24

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Posts
20,673
Likes
5,834
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Heat, Victory, Man Utd, Redskins
#20
Originally posted by jod23
I think we matchup on Collingwood extremely well and whether we win or lose, I think it will be close. Tarrant is a worry as is Didak but we can also worry them with the form of Matera, Gardiner and Sampi.

The key is Gardiner, he should and hopefully will put the smack down on McKee and give us complete control of the midfield. Once we have that we really should win the game. If Collingwood can nullify Gardy's influence then they could run away with it.

We have won 3 in a row so I just get the feeling we are due for a loss. I hope not. Oh and does anyone know if Rocca will play?
Has something happened since the game? He played last week and missed a training session late last week for personal reasons..but that was all
 

jod23

TheBrownDog
Joined
Apr 2, 2000
Posts
61,486
Likes
17,879
Location
Perth, Australia
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Liverpool, Chicago Bulls.
#21
Originally posted by Lockyer24
Has something happened since the game? He played last week and missed a training session late last week for personal reasons..but that was all
Ahh ok...I didnt see the Collingwood game last weekend so I didnt know if Rocca played or not. Believe it or not Lockyer but not everybody cares about Collingwood ;)

Im glad he is playing, will give Jako someone to match up on. Jakovich of course will take him to the cleaners.
 

Joel

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Mar 19, 2000
Posts
5,214
Likes
23
Location
Mornington Peninsula, Vic
AFL Club
Collingwood
#22
Originally posted by jod23
Ahh ok...I didnt see the Collingwood game last weekend so I didnt know if Rocca played or not. Believe it or not Lockyer but not everybody cares about Collingwood ;)

Im glad he is playing, will give Jako someone to match up on. Jakovich of course will take him to the cleaners.
Why wouldn't Jacko play down forward?
 

jod23

TheBrownDog
Joined
Apr 2, 2000
Posts
61,486
Likes
17,879
Location
Perth, Australia
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Liverpool, Chicago Bulls.
#24
Originally posted by carlyp
He only plays forward when theres not a clear matchup for him down back!
Yeah pretty much but with the inclusion of Glass I think we may see Jakovich at CHF again. He has been playing very well up forward and with McIntosh, Carroll and Glass down back, Jako may only go back if really needed.

No McDougall, Lynch, Gaspar (inj) etc selected so that all points to Jakovich staying at CHF.
 

carlyp

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Posts
7,968
Likes
4
Location
In sin............. ;-)
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
The West Coast Eagles
#25
Originally posted by jod23
Yeah pretty much but with the inclusion of Glass I think we may see Jakovich at CHF again. He has been playing very well up forward and with McIntosh, Carroll and Glass down back, Jako may only go back if really needed.

No McDougall, Lynch, Gaspar (inj) etc selected so that all points to Jakovich staying at CHF.
Thats if he plays....theres some doubt apparently!
 
Top Bottom