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Eagles need to shove Woosh out the door

Roar Rookie
22nd June, 2010
15

What you are about to read pains me in a very deep way, but it needs to be said. Too long have West Coast Eagles fans grimaced, then smiled and accepted coach John Worsfold’s explanations of loss upon loss.

And not just this year. It is time for our beloved “Woosh” to go.

Think back to the glory days of 2006. And even the gut wrenching conclusion to the 2005 season. We were a team ready to dominate. More than two premierships during periods of ruling the AFL is rare for any club, but the Eagles were capable. To come out of it with just one was a huge disappointment, but that’s footy. However, what has transpired since the horror end to 2007 is nightmarish.

Many people say that the loss of Chris Judd and Ben Cousins would affect any club in such a way, but I do not entirely agree. It was the manner in which they left that has seen the club in ruins ever since. Judd left because he couldn’t handle the actions of Cousins. Cousins’ actions could not be curtailed by the club, so, the club is to blame. And rightly or wrongly, Woosh must harbour the brunt of it all. He is the coach and a dual premiership captain as well. If he doesn’t command respect at the Eagles, then no one does.

From an outsider, it seemed that the Eagles winning ways were enough to mask the fiasco that began with Cousins’ drug problems. A premiership was in the bag, and another one just waiting around the corner. Surely they could deal with it? Well, young Benny had other ideas, and then the club was left with egg so firmly entrenched on its face that even the toughest of scourers has not been able to remove it.

Had Cousins received help for his addictions, even if it meant him missing games during the 05/06 period, maybe he would still be at the club. It might have sacrificed the 2006 premiership, but Judd would also still be there. More importantly, the Eagles could have been pushing the likes of Geelong and St Kilda in recent seasons, rather than enduring a painstaking “rebuilding phase”.

This rebuilding phase seems like never ending. The 2008 season was diabolical, with thrashing after thrashing. 2009 was an improvement, with some respectable wins and losses. Fans were entitled to expect further improvement this season. Finals were thrown up as a possibility. I was one of those that actually thought we may sneak into the top eight, but that is now so absurd that it’s laughable!

Woosh must explain his coaching methods, his game plan, his questionable recruiting of players and assistant coaches, and the horrid footy skills of his entire playing group, young and old. Second and third year players haven’t come on as expected. Think of the terrible skills of Brad Ebert and Eric MacKenzie. “Golden oldies” like Lynch and Embley are dwindling. Daniel Kerr is incessantly injured or uninspired. Nic Naitanui is regarded as being a future star, but will he really deliver? The only positives I have found this year are the brilliance of forwards Lecras and Kennedy, plus the determination and hardness of Adam Selwood.

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Finally, where is the passion? From Woosh all the way down to the rookies. The Eagles have not played with passion since that 2007 semi final loss at Subiaco Oval, and that is unacceptable. Without passion for the game or a leader to inspire them, we cannot and will not improve. That elusive next premiership may never come. Time to shove the Woosh out the door, clean house and bring some respect back to this great club of ours.

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