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.
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.
Sfinkerton
Roar Rookie
vee14, you are right, I forgot about the ultimate hard man, the general Beau Waters. Maybe because I didn't take a punt on him in my dream team, that clouded my memory. I love Ashton Hams too, best name in the business!
vee14
Guest
there are still 12 games to go and a lot can happen during that time, just look at Richmond,i believe in woosha but if we don't improve this year and finish higher than last year than im afraid he might get the boot, he still has a contract until 2011 anyways, oh and Sfinkerton, you mentioned leCras, kennedy and adam selwood but what about beau waters, you cant forget him.
Tom Dimanis
Roar Pro
He's been a great servant of the club, but I agree it may be time for Worsfold to leave. Sometimes things get stale and a change is required. From Worsfold's and the Eagles current hardship, a solid case can be made NOT to hire former club champions as coaches - if they can't do the business then it makes it that much harder to give them the boot. So who do you replace him with then? There are no real obvious candidates. Paul Roos won't be going to Perth, and the only other person that comes to mind is Dean Laidley. If current assistants Suma or Burns take over, even as caretakers, it's time for West Coast to relocate to Tasmania because they won't be welcome in Perth!
BigAl
Guest
I'm afraid I don't understand this comment ? - do you mean by '...not allow himself to be sacked..' he will resign before the end of his contract in 2011 ??
Westcoast929406
Guest
Woosha will walk at the end of his contract at the conclusion of the 2011 season - He will not allow himself to be sacked that is for sure if the downturn continues. Woosha has a special status at the club because of past deeds and always will have.
BigAl
Guest
Sometimes the connection between a coach and a playing group just . . . dies ! It happened with Eade at the Swans who had done a good job there - and went on to the Dogs to do another good job. I don't know what's happening with Neil Craig at the Crows - I know he had a great reputation amongst officianados including other AFL coaches, as a great coach and thinker on the game - maybe it's time for him to move on to another club??. HOWEVER WITH WORSFOLD !! - he should just revert to his original profession of pharmacist - dispensing drugs !
Lazza
Guest
I love Australian Football Beaver and I love my Aussie Rules as well. You're just not used to real sports fans who can follow more than one sport. Sfinkerton, they're saying the same thing here about lack of passion and skills and everyone wants a new coach and players. I was just making the point that under the current AFL system it's not that simple. Neil Craig got us into the top 4 or 5 every season and as a result we couldn't get any decent draft picks. So how are you supposed to freshen up the squad if your hands are tied? Beaver, Port Powers crowds are going down week by week and they're losing a heap of money. I think I was making a valid point not just being negative.
Beaver fever
Guest
Don't worry about lazza, he just posts anything negative about Australian football he can think of, most of it is incorrect info.
Sfinkerton
Roar Rookie
Lazza, my article is more about the lack of passion and skills in the Eagles squad, rather than the debacle that is the AFL competition. The Eagles have gone seriously backwards this year and there is no excuse for it. I agree that the AFL will be in a terrible way in years to come, but what can you do as a fan? Absolutely nothing. What has happened to Adelaide this year is somewhat more acceptable, because your team is tired and old. And Neil Craig should cop the blame for that too. I don't expect premierships at the Eagles, but I am entitled to expect competitiveness on a regular basis and some consistency.
Lazza
Guest
Well, the same thing is happening here in Adelaide. Neil Craig used to be considered to be a great coach but now everyone wants him sacked and a total cleanout of players. It seems many AFL fans just don't understand how the competition works and what the implications are when two new teams are entering the competition. The AFL is not, as many people think, an 'even' competition. The NRL and the A league are even and fair because they just use a salary cap and then distribute revenue to all the clubs equally. Under those rules clubs are free to recruit any players they want as long as they can keep them all under the salary cap. The AFL, on the other hand, is not even because it uses the American draft system. The top teams are penalised and can't recruit the best young talent and the bottom sides get a helping hand and first pick of the new talent that comes through. You may think that's alright but don't pretend that the league is even and everyone plays by the same rules. Now with two new teams coming on board and getting all the concessions and early draft picks, finishing at the bottom won't give you any advantages or let you recruit any decent talent. So sack the coach and then what? No team will trade away a good player and you have no way of picking up new talent because of the draft and the new teams so how do you improve? With 18 teams in the league the rebuilding process will stretch out even longer. A new coach comes in and unless he's a genius who can turn mediocre players into good ones then nothing is going to happen. Will AFL fans in Adelaide and Perth be content to see their teams struggle for a decade or longer? It would be ironic if the AFL's mad push for expansion into the Rugby League states ends with 4 weak clubs in NSW/QLD (look at the TV ratings) and support for the game in two of it's traditional centres falls away.
Michael C
Roar Guru
Only if there's a valid plan B. It might just be - - - I look at Bomber THompson at Geelong and now Harvey at Freo and there's examples of coaches who might've been regarded as being on the way out - - who have been retained and the turn around in fortunes is there for all to see. Woosha has some coaching runs on the board as well.
Tony
Guest
Give Woosh the push!
Beaver fever
Guest
Premiership captain, Premiership coach, he does not have the cattle and they have had many injuries, however the media is quick to write players/coaches off. Any ideas on replacements ??. Love Le Cras, great goalkicking sense. Worsfold is still a protected species ATM.
BigAl
Guest
Wordfold's exit from the Eagles is well overdue - should have gone at the same time as Cousins.
Forgetmenot
Guest
People are too quick to judge coaches when they are in the dumps. It takes time to rebuild a team, and Worsfold is doing brillantly. He is a premiership coach, and so the Eagles should give him time. Although i dont think the fans would mind if Worsfold was made to explain his plan for future success to the board.