As I write this, the Eagles are seven points down against St Kilda with 19 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Yes, today’s game has triggered this piece, but it’s not a knee-jerk reaction.
I just have a few questions and concerns, on behalf of myself and I hope a lot of West Coast Eagles fans.
First, why is Adam Selwood getting a game? What positive effect does he have for us?
If it is his defending and his negating, then I’m sorry that’s not enough. The game for me has involved past picking players purely on this, especially when we have quality in the WAFL.
What quality? How about Blayne Wilson. Has taken half a season to give this guy a gig and he’s been our best player.
Runs, goes down the centre and takes it on. More importantly though he has the polish to finish it all, something most of our side lacks.
I would also like to ask if there’s any point in you being in the box during games.
Not there with you obviously and only go off camera shots and my own viewing but it doesn’t seem like anything is done.
Nine goals in a row at home conceded to Richmond last week and we did nothing it seemed to stop it. Flood, slow the game down, match-up changes. Nothing.
I have loved your work as a player and coach but all signs seem to point to what was a popular belief a few years ago in that maybe it’s time for a new coach.
I would be delighted to be proved wrong. The fact is though that we have a top four list (the best in my opinion in terms of depth and talent) yet still can’t win big games in Melbourne and struggle against average sides.
Those reading this, what is the issue? Our skills seem to receive a lot of negativity but this has been an issue even when we were up the top of the ladder. Our press and work rate got us over the line.
The bye comes at a great time. Hawks at the ‘G sounds scary at the moment, but I don’t think we are far off the best sides. Just low on confidence and lacking something.
One more thing that I don’t get is why isn’t Andrew Gaff playing in the WAFL? Has had more chances at finding form than actual disposals, and I don’t buy the hard tag excuse because his gut running was outstanding last year and he’s lost that will to get the ball.
Shannon Hurn is the best kick in the comp, and he doesn’t know it. Built like an absolute machine and doesn’t play like it.
NicNat’s taps still aren’t made use of. 80-29 I believe the hit outs were last week yet we lost the clearances? This isn’t right.
All this issues just seem to be coaching issues and just not using our best assets.
Please make the most of the last years of Glass, Kerr and Cox guys.
Nine mins left now and it’s all square.
Come on, Eagles!
Editor’s Note: The Eagles went on to record a four-point victory over the Saints.
Jax
Guest
@Markus - you've haven't been watching WC play enough and have a very short sighted view of what's been going on. You want the players to, and I quote - 'be a wrecking ball and play with careless abandon' - fat lot of good that will do other than get them suspended. You also want the coach to be, and I quote - 'a crazy man'. Did you ever see Woosh play footy Markus? He was as crazy as they got but he played with controlled aggression and that's exactly how he coaches. Just because he isn't media friendly and doesn't play 'the game' and tell them what you and the media wants to hear does not mean he's not a great coach, he's just a cool headed coach and his players continue to play for him, even after 12 years for some of the veterans. What does that tell you? I can see that your passionate Markus and that's great but you need to channel it in the right direction. Don't believe the hype that the media has been feeding you about how good WC is (or anyone else for that matter) because it's always inflated to sell stories - they have never been as good as the media say they are and on the flipside they have never been as bad either. Only criticism that I have of Woosh is his game day coaching - he does lack creativity at times but besides that he's right up there with the best coaches of the last 30 years.
Markus
Guest
My humble opinion from an avid west coast fan: They lack desire, passion and aggression. When all else fails they should be aggressive. At the man, at the ball and at themselves. Be proud to be a man. Be proud to be agressive and hit blokes square in the chest. Be a wrecking ball and play with careless abandon. I dont want them to win, i just want to see pride, aggression and passion. I dont think they care to win a premiership. They just turn up, play and collect a pay cheque. Someone needs to instill that kind of feeling in the club, and that starts with the coach. We dont need an iceman, we need a maverick. A crazy man. A guy who makes people feel inspired to play because he wants to win so bad he will do anything to get it. If you play without passion you cant hope to win. Come on woosh, give them a rocket up their arse, be passionate mate...dont hold back...
darcytrainor
Roar Rookie
Hindsight is of course a wonderful thing, and thinking over it perhaps the article was slightly over the top. This business is cut throat and for a successful side and in the nature and cut throat reality of today's top level sport these issues must be raised. Worsfold has been doubted before and proved wrong to an extent, so Eagles fans should trust him again. My word the pressure is on however in this second half of the season.
Keen Observer
Guest
This is an online forum, if you cant criticize behind a keyboard here where can you?
Jax
Guest
I'm prepared to give Rosa a bit more time. He was a star in 2011 and early 2012 before he got injured. He has played 4-5 games in the last 12 months and I think this was only his 2nd-3rd game back. Masten has lost form agreed.
Lroy
Guest
While we are on Gaff.. does anyone question Rosa? Seems to me we get very little drive from his wing.. his disposals are poor, he kicks it straight up in the air, meaning the forwards have to wait for it. He rarely wins a one on one contest.. he is up there with A.Selwood as being in line to be cut. Masten is another one who is hit or miss with disposal... couple of times he had space, time room, failed to hit a teamate. Surely by now this is not acceptable at this level? The thing about Wilson was that he just did the basics well. Whe he kicked, he hit a teamate, same for his handballs... he looked like an old school West Coast player, nothing spectacular, just good at everything. he has to stay in the side. Shannon Hurn should move onto the ball..we have a small midfield.. Shuey, Priddis S.Selwood.. we need a blocker in there to take out some of the opposition bodies... We murder the opposition with ruck taps..but dont win the clearances?? Gotta work on that.. maybe NicNat should just slam it as far as he can forward, everyone just runs forward of the contest??
darcytrainor
Roar Rookie
The return of Mark Nicoski will be huge. Very underrated part of the side.
Jax
Guest
they haven't gelled for some reason. Last year they did well with lots of injuries, this year they haven't. 2013 may be about continuity ie 1 best of 22 comes back after 5-6 weeks and 2 more go out. Its been a revolving door since pre-season. The new ins aren't match conditioned and it takes them 4 weeks to get match touch. 34 players have played for WC this year, 4 more than the next team in the comp and when you get that deep, it does make a difference. A Selwood should not be playing and Blayne Wilson had a great debut and should play against the Hawks, even with Glass, Waters and Schofield coming back, make room for him if you have to. Brennan should not be playing either, poor decision making and skill execution, just like A Selwood. Welli has been a huge loss. Richmond - agree, not enough moves from the box. How about Darling on the ball or as a rebounding defender just to mix it up and get him into the game? He's got great defensive skills and loves the argy bargy. I'm on the fence with Gaff, one side of me says give him a run in the WAFL, the other says he is still taking away a good player. He has to learn to play through that and he will. Hartlett from Port is in the same boat. Nic Nat is not 100%. Uninspiring win against the Saints and they'll need an incredible turn around after the bye to have any chance of making the 8. If not it will be 2014. WC have been overrated by most people and that's part of the problem ie expectations were too high and unrealistic. How could they have been rated above the Swans or Hawks pre-season? Top 4 was realistic but there's no chance of that happenng now, will be lucky to make the 8 unless they find form fast.
darcytrainor
Roar Rookie
Trust me Jim I criticise in other places than behind a keyboard. Gaff is tired and needs a rest or some confidence in the WAFL.
Jim
Guest
Very wrong on your call on Andrew Gaff. If you have been to the games this season and watched how much he gets hit and bumped off the ball you will realise how hard it is for an outside midfielder to get the ball. He is getting no help from his team mates who don't block for him or even go up to his opponent and help him out. The opposition players are the ones that are helping out their man standing on him. West Coast haven't been using the wings like they have been in previous years, they are getting it and bombing it forward, purely relying on their talls to take a mark. He runs tirelessly all day but they're just not looking for him because they know he'll have no space to work with. And when he finally gets a bit of space he is burnt by his team mates as they don't lower their eyes or look laterally as they used to do in previous seasons when they weren't so happy to just bomb the ball aimlessly forward. It would be so demoralising. People underestimate how important he is to the side. When his influence is reduced the side looks slow and their free-flowing running game is non-existent. There's a reason why he is being tagged - and opposition teams have caught onto it because they know it works and it really hurts West Coasts' game. Opposition teams are bringing players into their sides who are runners to tag Gaff. They are not necessarily the best footballers but they will mostly be able to run with him all day. Very easy to criticise and exaggerate behind a keyboard...