West Coast have had a solid season, boasting the same win-loss record as Geelong in third spot, but it was only good enough for sixth this season as their percentage wasn’t good enough.
All in all, 16-5 was only one less win than last season with a harder draw. Not too shabby.
However, now they have to figure out how to win the premiership from sixth.
First off they have to beat the Bulldogs in Perth. Then Geelong/Hawthorn in Melbourne. Then a Sydney team on some postage stamp ground up in Sydney, before returning for the big one at the MCG.
I believe they are unlikely to be able to win three games interstate in a row while pointlessly training on Subiaco oval in-between. I doubt anyone ever has from WA.
What would a major association football team do in these circumstances? They would move their team and all other support staff to a base either in or just outside of Melbourne.
A location that had the right training facilities and was a relaxed team bonding location where the players could train and hang out. No families, no fans, no media.
This is how big tournaments such as the Euro Finals and FIFA Word Cups are done by all teams, not just the top teams.
Being born and still having family in WA, I can say that the flight to and from Perth to Melbourne and Sydney are long, tedious, and tiring.
The Eagles should move to Melbourne, or somewhere more secluded near Melbourne, and do a deal with a local team not in the Finals that had the right facilities.
I think that with their normal approach – after the Bulldogs – they may beat the loser of Geelong/Hawthorne, but would have little hope against the Sydney team and would be completely cooked come any grand final.
Conversely a flight to Melbourne from Perth and a short one hour flight to and from Sydney from Melbourne would remove over 13 hrs of high altitude flight time with the potential for valuable extra training sessions on the MCG pending AFL/MCG approval.
The Eagles show should be moved to Melbourne. It’s in their best interest.
JohnDee
Guest
Well that just wouldn't work. By top team do you mean the team that finished on top at the end of the H & A season? So for example, last year, we would have held it in Perth, but Freo didn't even make it to the GF. WCE would have been extremely fortunate then to get a home final; however what if Brisbane had have finished on top? (for arguments sake). You've then got Hawthorn vs WCE playing off in the GF in Brisbane, which defeats the purpose of having the GF in the town of the team that finished first as no one gets a home final. Or by top team, you mean the highest ranking team of the 2 teams playing off in the GF? Let's say Adelaide, WCE, Sydney and Geelong make it to the prelims this year. You would have to tentatively book Adelaide Oval, ANZ Stadium, and the MCG, not to mention the 100s of event staff required to run the biggest day on the AFL calendar. The logistics involved in such a thing simply isn't viable. The only viable option that I can think of, is the "superbowl" model, where they rotate the Final from city to city, say on a regular rotation - Melbourne -- Adelaide --Perth -- Brisbane -- Sydney. Not only does this allow for equality, it gives each of the teams that little bit more motivation should the GF be held in their state. It also allows the AFL and fans plenty of time to plan ahead logistically.
Tony G
Guest
Spot on mate even with the "dream" run last year they couldn't cope with it ......not that I'm complaining being a Freo man . I have thought for a while the only chance of anther WA flag ( dockers mind you ) is if we take a leaf out of the yanks - NBA schedule - and have three week interstate road swings I know it's not crowd friendly and attendance would suffer at home ....BUT
mattyb
Guest
Have to agree sadly. 24 years since the old VFL yet we are still playing a VFL premiership. While it's completely mind boggling that Victorian teams get a home grand final,despite any circumstances (amazingly if a non Victorian side were to go through the season undefeated they would still play away to a Victorian side in a Grand Final) we can at least expect change shortly. It wasn't long ago that the Victorians demanded that they have all home finals,then all home preliminaries and now we only have one step to go to making our game national.
Kev c
Guest
Spot on rick ,until the grand final is held in the top teams state it will still be the VFL after all it is an Australian competition
Joe B
Guest
It would be interesting to see the economic difference between staying in Melbourne and chartering a flight (low altitude flying). Also, what would be the impact of changing player routines leading into critical matches? I am not sure if staying in Melbourne, in this scenario, where they still have to travel to sydney, is worthwhile. Ideally, you want to finish top 4 to try and avoid all the travel.
Lroy
Guest
That is a brilliant idea, I have wondered in the past why interstate teams who won a final in Melbourne didnt stay in Melbourne given their next game was also scheduled in.. .Melbourne. Treat the finals series like a mini world cup, great thinking!! A three week camp in Melbourne would be great for the boys, it really means an extra day of rest each week given travel is so tiring. I used to fly a lot for work , and I was exhausted even after a short flight, never knew why, so two flights a week for a bunch of footballers must really catch up with them. I love the idea, good article.
Rick
Guest
West Coast wouldn't do it simply for pride, They are a very proud club and will want to win the cup from 6th position with the hands they were dealt. conversely if they moved to Melbourne as suggested and we won the cup you'd get all the negative idiots saying we only won the cup because we moved to Melbourne especially the vic losers,
dbjm
Guest
Actually not a bad idea. At their best they have the potential to beat the top teams, as evident from their last three weeks. But the travel will definitely take a major toll on the team. Would love to know if its being seriously considered by the brains trust of the club
Howie
Roar Pro
Yes, I realised the error about 2 mins after posting.
New York Hawk
Guest
West Coast had an inferior win-loss record to Geelong. WCE went 16-6 vs Geelong who went 17-5. Other than that minor error, a great idea.