What's happening out West

[WCE2000]

I picked you guys as my premiership bolters, but so far you have let me down.

It seems to me like yous are a little inconsistent.

How can a side lose to St Kilda, then beat Richmond by 60 points, then lose to Collingwood by 80, and follow up with a win over Brisbane.

What's been the problem ??

 

[Bulldogsroar]

inability to convert inside 50 , they get it down there as much as the opposition.
Lack of young quick legs , due to poor drafting 96/97/98
and of course the tribunal

 

[Westy Boy]

A variety of things have contributed to our inconsistency, WCE2000.

But I wouldn't have a clue as to what they are!

The 'psychology' of the bigger/cut throat games- or as many people refer to it- the 'backs to the wall' mentality plays a role. When we're up against gun sides, or have slipped away by 6-7 odd goals by half time, we lift. We step up a gear when we need to..... but we shouldn't need to... if you get what I mean.

I think Sam Newman summed it up welleek: )- the best sides shouldn't need their backs to the wall to perform at their best.

Until we find a 'cure' towards defeating teams which appear to be inferior on paper, we wont take the next step. But the main thing to be taken out of this inconsistency is that we do infact have the ability to match it with the top quality sides. If we find the right 'mix' to perform like that on a weekly basis, we would be right up there vying for a spot in the granny, like 97 and 98.

I wouldn't have us as the premiership bolters this year though, WCE2000. It looks as if it may see the dreaded 'rebuild'- but thankfully, the way things seem to be panning out, we will be able to inject some much needed youth, keep our brilliant () core there, and go through the process relatively smoothly, with us close to finals action once again. If we do make it, who knows?

But the look is certainly towards the next couple of years with the likes of Grant, West, Darcy, Johnson and Brown still in their prime, to have a couple of kids stepping up to be solid 22 gamers, possibly unearthing a gun or two out of that bunch, for our next window of opportunity. Hopefully it wont be too far away!