With the Essendon saga remaining front and square in most of the news relating to the AFL in 2013, many of the on-field issues have been pushed into the background.
These would be topics constantly discussed and often in the headlines in any normal AFL season, but as we know 2013 hasn’t been that sort of year.
One of those matters would have to be the demise of the West Coast Eagles as a genuine premiership contender, which was touted at the start of the season.
Although Melbourne has been dreadfully embarrassing, they were not seen as a chance to play finals this year, the Eagles however were seen as certainties to make the eight and in fact this columnist among many tipped them to win their fourth flag.
They had risen from wooden spooners in 2010 to preliminary finalists in 2011 and then last year made the semi final stage, but this was seen as an excellent effort as they were stricken by long term injuries to key players, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras and Andrew Embley.
With those stars back and another year of development under their belt for emerging trio, Jack Darling, Andrew Gaff and Nick Natianui, West Coast looked hard to beat especially at their fortress Subiaco Oval.
However, the home ground has become a graveyard as the Eagles have defeated two bottom six teams, the Bulldogs and Gold Coast and thanks to a Naitanui goal after the siren just pipped North Melbourne, who had dominated John Worsfold’s team for most of the game.
West Coast has again had a bad run with injury. Naitanui has missed half the season, Daniel Kerr’s ageing body keeps letting him down, reliable defender, Shannon Hurn suffered a season ending ankle injury and Mark LeCras and Luke Shuey have also missed several matches.
It appeared West Coast had the depth to cover these absences, but that hasn’t been the case and their midfield has been exposed as lacking pace and outside run, with their best player in that area, Andrew Gaff actually not improving in 2013.
After an excellent 2012, opposition teams have been tagging him and he has struggled to cope with that.
They had high hopes for Sharrod Wellingham, who was recruited from Collingwood to help fill that role with Gaff, but a trampoline accident in the pre season, which damaged his ankle, saw him sidelined until the last third of the season.
He has been good since coming in, but too late to make a significant difference and get them into the finals.
The Eagles game plan seems to be one dimensional and easy to close down with a lack of a plan B, C or D if they get into trouble. Obviously the buck stops with the coach, John Worsfold.
He is the favourite of favourite sons with this footy club. He is a dual premiership captain, but he’s had 12 years at the helm and to me the Eagles’ performances have had a feeling of staleness about them, yet the club in recent times has been close to re-signing Woosha for another two years.
However, West Coast have been nothing short of embarrassing over the past fortnight and those efforts could justify the need to change the coach and make a fresh start and begin a new era at this proud football team.
Looking at Worsforld’s body language in Friday night’s drubbing at the hands of Collingwood and his cryptic post match comments, maybe he has finally had enough.
For someone revered so much at West Coast, it would be best if he made the decision himself, unlike Kevin Sheedy back in 2007 at Essendon.
Worsfold may have thought after the win over the Bombers that the Eagles could end the season well as players started to come back, but that was a false dawn as they kicked their lowest ever scores at Subiaco and then the MCG.
There is talent on this list, way too much actually not to be in the finals, but injuries aside, the players look like they need a fresh voice and it would be a good job to take considering the resources that football club has at it’s disposal.
Worsfold has managed to get his team into the finals nine times in 12 years and won the 2006 flag, which is an excellent record.
He should walk away very proud of what he’s done and can walk away knowing he’s been a major contributor to another successful era like the 90s when he was a player and walking away now looks like a good option.
Steve J
Roar Guru
There's a kid called Dayle Garlett out there who might fit that role perfectly
TW
Guest
Wow the fans are talking up Suma to return. He is a South Fremantle footy club boy from a long way back and I think that is where his heart and business interests are - In the Fremantle area. Our family group think that the Eagles are too slow in the midfield. We lack the speedy breakaway style players. Wellingham is showing promise. They have a speedy player in Brennan but he does not get the license to take the game on. He has to be given a trial in the centre and start using his pace. Woosha does look very tired and strained these days. Perhaps his 2 or 3 Chemist shops would be a better bet for the future if he still owns them.
Lroy
Guest
Recruiting has been a big problem... we have recruited a heap of guys who are honest toilers. run hard, etc (Masten, Rosa, Priddis, McGinnity, Cripps, Dalziel) .. but do not have the flair of guys like Cyril Rioli.. in essence.. Woosh has created a side that plays the game just like he did, simple, direct, but not much flair or sparkle. He seems to have overlooked that its the Peter Matera's, the Chris Judds etc that win you flags, guys with a bit of X factor, who can do things that no coach can teach... We picked Masten over Cyril Rioli, have missed out on the Hill boys and Jettas, seriously, there needs to be an overhaul of the clubs recruiting procceses as well.
Steve J
Roar Guru
We're Inspired is not that far from the reality - We're Insipid I'll stick the boot in while I can - Go Freo ;)
Steve J
Roar Guru
Unfortunately that may be his downfall. Too cosy with the current group of players
Steve J
Roar Guru
Matera was not eligible as Father Son anyway being Wally's kid
Jax
Guest
Sumich is definitely one of the most underated coaches in the AFL aka Hinkley. He was midfield coach during the Cousins, Judd, Kerr glory years and then he gave the gig to Burns and to become the forward coach with Kennedy, LeCras, Nicoski, Lynch, Darling etc before moving across to Freo and Lyon. The midfield and forward line under his tutelage was powerful and feared and both groups have gone backwards since he left. He is now the forward coach at Freo and they are the most potent forward line in the comp based on opportunities to scores. Most people can't see past the way he talks but he's a great coach in waiting and now with 2 years under Lyon on his resume he has to be in the mix and it could be a masterstroke, the club and players know him well and he knows them.
Jax
Guest
the assistant coaches are a big part of the problem. Sumich was a big loss and Burns isn't good enough to cover him as head asst coach never mind head coach - Burns is the midfield coach at WC remember and that's where the biggest problem is according to the experts on this post
Jax
Guest
WC have an incredible record when it comes to retaining players not from WA. The only two that WC wanted to keep but lost were Judd & Ebert, not a bad record in 25 years. Other players have gone home but none of them did anything of note. Ebert was always going to be difficult to keep I agree
Jax
Guest
Sumich
Jax
Guest
WC have initiated an independent investigation into the football dept before making any decision and that's a wise move ie get all the facts before making a call http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/west-coast-eagles-set-up-independent-football-department-review/story-fni5faul-1226703394703
Jax
Guest
Matera could not be taken by WC because GCS drafted him one year before he was eligible for the draft as part of AFL concessions granted to them.
GazzaW
Guest
They get the ball ok but don't seem to be able to break away when they get it. For whatever reason they don't seem to be able to break the tackles or get that bit of space to work the clearance to advantage.
Black Jack
Guest
its been bitterly disappointing after the promise of last season..and having to put up with that club propaganda slogan "We're Inspired"? maybe Mastens recent caption "We're Disgusted" is more appropriate...its just been a very weird season,other clubs had their injuries..Nicnat and Kerr,and Hurn were big outs..we had much the same mids last year,which shows how much we rely on Nicnat..anyway sooner or later it comes back to the coach or coaching..and wooshas had his own personal family problems to deal with on top of all else apparently,so that wouldve been a very difficult time to cope with..then shuey came out and said the players lost faith in the gameplan!!?? thats a huge thing to say publicly about your coach during the season!? makes me feel theres stuff brewing within the club,and yes,there will be some big changes ahead..including a new gameplan,and draft picks..weve got the talent,depth,and the team i feel, just need another 1-2 bigbodied running mids (with good disposal skills)..weve got depth all over the field now...oh,and maybe,just maybe we need one coach?
Gecko
Guest
The Eagles' intensity at clearances has actually been fine in 2013. They rank near the top for clearances. It's their forward press and their running of the ball that have let them down in 2013. With Embley and Kerr ageing and Gaff well-covered each week, they have very little ball carrying capacity.
Smithy
Guest
Well that's just ridiculous. Sumich is one of the best candidates for the job. I guarantee the board have him in the top three and have already reached out to him. Worsfold is gorn. Any self-respecting board knows that footy is all business and change must start at the top. No change sends a poor message to players, members, coaches, the whole organisation. It wouldn't surprise me if it happens in the next few days. The board have backed themselves into a corner with their comments during the year - I'd be very disappointed in them if I was a member. They can't give him a one-year deal as he won't take it, and a two-year deal risks the worst-case scenario - the entirely reasonable proposition that the club don't make the finals next year. Then it will get very messy and it's another lost year, without a refresh. Worth keeping in mind too, given his decade-plus in the job and a premiership, that he is probably the highest paid coach in the AFL.
Black Francis
Guest
There's just no one else around to take over. You have to ask why the Eagles have lost their intensity? On paper they have a great side, I think they'll do alright next year regardless of who coaches them. As an Eagles fan, I just hope it isn't Peter Sumich. I'll never forget that Tip Top ad! Shocking.
GazzaW
Guest
Worsfold has not been at his best this season for whatever reasons and I think it has rubbed off on the players. As you say he may be able to rejuvenate himself but the body language hasn't been good. Injuries haven't helped and Kerr has just disappeared into the twilight zone It's just been one of those years some older players finally couldn't keep up, younger players injured and lot of the depth players also injured. Still things can turn around but whoever the coach is has got to get on top of things quickly
Franko
Guest
To be fair taking Ebert was a silly choice, he was always going to come home. They could have taken local lad Harry Taylor. That is not really wooshers fault, that is the recruiters. A bit like GC taking the Matera boy.
Jermayn
Guest
WCE used to be on the hardest teams to deal with in the trade period but we were weak when dealing with Port with Ebert especially when they traded a higher pick for Renouf who is a spud and surpless.