At the start of the season, comedian Mick Molloy suggested – with the sort of irreverence that has earned his acclaim – that West Coast coach Adam Simpson was among the most likely coaches to be sacked this season.
It was a moment of levity befitting of the Friday Front Bar’s gambit as Molloy reassured Simpson was on his chopping block for the reason only that he didn’t really know much about him.
Cue the laughter.
For West Coast fans the joke is, however, starting to become a little too close to reality.
The howls of derision for Simpson among Eagles fans after Sunday’s calamitous 32-point defeat to Port Adelaide became apparent for the first time. Perhaps unfairly.
It was the Eagles’ second-biggest defeat at Domain Stadium during the home-and-away season under Simpson – only ‘bettered’ by a 38-point defeat to North Melbourne three years ago.
At this point Eagles fans on the east coast might have fair grounds to suggest such a run is dream like – fairly glowing in endorsement of Simpson’s tenure.
But if Eagles fans in Perth have been spoiled by home results under the 42-year-old then three defeats in their past four homes games suggests the times are changing.
Indeed, West Coast’s only two home wins since the Western Derby earlier this season were by eight and 13 points against the Western Bulldogs and Geelong respectively.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Throw in the home hammering the Doggies dished out in last season’s finals series and the figurative demolition of the Eagles’ Subiaco fortress appears far in advance of any more physical plans scheduled for the end of the season.
Restoring the Eagles’ proud home record is the minimum standard for Simpson between now and the end of the season if there is any hope Subiaco’s decaying old stage will host a final one last time.
It is well within his capabilities – the Eagles have been ahead or level in the final quarter of all of those recent home defeats – however there is a growing sense that the best of this Eagles team is behind them. The squad carved callow by a lack of faith in youth.
The stats suggest such expectations are correct and make for uncomfortable reading if you are a West Coast fan.
The Eagles have had just two Rising Star nominees – Dom Sheed and Tom Barrass – since Andrew Gaff was handed the award way back in 2011.
There’s more. This season only two clubs have failed to hand out a single senior game to one of their draftees from last summer. West Coast is one. The other is Hawthorn who virtually didn’t participate in it after their much-debated post-season action left them with a ‘highest’ pick at 74.
In fact of the nine players drafted by the Eagles across all avenues – National, Rookie and Pre-Rookie selections – last season only one has made his debut for the club this season – and that was a 34-year-old Drew Petrie.
The Eagles’ draft class of 2015 is hardly much better with only Tom Cole and Kurt Mutimer having tasted first-team action.
In two years of going to the National Draft the Eagles have just nine games of experience to show for it. It’s hardly the stuff of regeneration.
Before the opening Western Derby of the season I wrote on this website that the Eagles’ season would be defined by the progression of their young players, should they get the chance.
At that point no club had handed out fewer AFL debuts than Simpson during his time in charge of the Eagles.
(AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
While the former Kangaroos gun has since repeatedly stated infusing youth into the line-up was a priority, Mutimer’s debut against the Dockers that round remains the only first-game experience he has handed out.
That is not to say there has not been progression among the youthful Eagles.
Sheed has been entrusted in key midfield role after rising the challenge from the coaching staff to improve the defensive side of his game while Liam Duggan’s move to half-back has benefitted his straight-line attack at the ball.
Faith has also been show in Barrass, whose possesses an aerial ability that allows forgiveness for a young man still learning how to use his body in the contest and when the ball hits the ground.
Cole too has shown composure in the heat of battle – his axing for the Port defeat a frustration among Eagles fans.
But the cupboard is otherwise bare save for a flash of Malcolm Karpany potential and the hectic run-before-you-think dash off half-back that has become Jackson Nelson’s trademark between hamstring injuries.
Whether that is the fault of the Eagles’ recruiting staff, or Simpson’s desire to stick with his tried and trusted, is now the most significant question hanging over this Eagles team.
Either answer is bad news.
The demotion of the likes of Chris Masten and Josh Hill – Simpson foot-soldiers of the past but with a clear ceiling – have pointed to a focus towards youth.
The problem is they have been dumped from the team in the midst of a poor run, with finals on the horizon and Simpson with the headache of whether he should trust the young players who don’t quite have enough games in them, or go back to the players who got him to a grand final two years ago.
His answer against Port Adelaide was to go back to the past.
It failed. West Coast were cut to ribbons in the midfield after half-time once Port Adelaide realised that bombing the ball back to the Eagles’ army of intercept markers was an exercise in futility.
That it took them six quarters to figure it out – after falling foul to the same issue in a strange defeat earlier this season – was of little consolation to Eagles fans as they saw Port routinely run and gun past a languid midfield and set the blueprint of how to beat them.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
It was encapsulated in one phase of play when Andrew Gaff – a player whose ball-winning ability is increasingly being offset by his treacle motor when running into defence or flailing at a tackle – was caught holding the ball as he was about to kick on goal by Jarman Impey.
Moments later Impey took on the Eagles’ massed ranks across half-back, racing beyond a midfield that readily surrendered to his speed, before he set up one of Port’s 12 second-half goals.
In the passing fuss that was Ryan Nyhuis’ dream debut for the Dockers, Ross Lyon will be sure to have spotted a weakness expertly exposed.
Covering it will be Simpson’s greatest challenge this week.
Jolly Roger
Guest
Partington, a promising midfielder, is close to a first game.. and theres Francis Watson, said to have the silky skills of Wirrapunda. theres a whole bunch of players, mids, ruck, forwards and backs coming through..writer needs to do some research. murtimer, karpenny, cole, have been given a run. barrass, sheed, duggan, jetta have cemented a spot. redden improving. a possibility Nic Nat returns for finals. It could all fall into place at the 11th hour, but Simpson needs to re-jig the midfield, remove Priddis for a start, insert pace. It is a concern that we cant seem to play our best footy, or score as well, without Kennedy. Not sure which Eagles team will turn up today? But last derby at Domain, promises to be a big game-bragging rights! Eagles lose this it could be said the writing is on the wall? however footy is a funny game, anything can happen, and often does from one week to another. its not over till its over.
Lroy
Guest
Ebert had pace?? How about we hypothesize that you don't ever reply to my comments again...?? cause I'm getting ocular hypertension rolling my eyelids every time I read something you write... LOL.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Anon take that pretty head of yours to wce site and read the info on there and suck it up.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Agree with your comments especially too many questions without solid answers. Poor ol Pridda has to step on Channel 9 each week and repeat the same old mantra....we know we are a good team we just have to play 4 quarters of football if we want to play finals. As a supporter I would rather see the club face the music and realize they are not good enough this year to go deep into the finals. They should bite the bullet and start playing the young kids and give them game time at AFL level in readiness for next year.
anon
Roar Pro
A pass was at least top 4. That's the only reason you sign up a couple of players in their mid-30's that will serve you for 1-2 seasons rather than go with young players that will serve you for the next 10-15. Simpson living for today, coaching for his contract
Mattician6x6
Guest
I await for your next well formed and complex comment to try and draw a reaction but as you seem to only manage to reword the same thing over and over i fear i wil be sadly dissapointed. If you are gaining some child like glee from being annoying then hold your horses as you don't irritate me i just enjoy the fact you are wasting your time.
Mattician6x6
Guest
I dont seek approval from someone who creates fake accounts to roughly repeat what you have said so as to try and validate your opinion. But for what its worth i dont ever make predictiions i take a week by week approach and this season was always going to be a pass if we competed for a finals position when all information available is taken into account. now scamper off and wait patiently to post about fremantle, ross lyon or last years premiership team western bulldogs as your unimaginative ramblings and cut/paste self promotion is quite embaressing especially when i consider that this is how a adult is getting their daily kicks.
rusty
Roar Rookie
Yeah big ask. Am hoping Kennedy doesn't play- he has been the difference in recent years. I would play Taberner over Kersten unless it is wet, Mundy for Sheridan, and try to find a spot for Balic. Maybe for Grey as I think his shoulder may be injured from the north game. Probably our best opportunity for a couple of years but wouldn't be putting money on it.
Mattician6x6
Guest
And again you brought zero anon.
Mattician6x6
Guest
And rotham is a project player who the club have been open in saying at 190cm and 77kg needs more than 1pre season to perform at afl level. Good news that waterman will play first game at easts after rehab of fracture in foot(a significant long term injury for a footballer), rioli is conditioning and will be in frame at easts shortly, Venables unfortunately needs a few more weeks to rehab his injured toe. Playing young guys just for sake of it is not intelligent player management.
Matt Somerford
Roar Rookie
Excellent counter argument. All as relevant as what I wrote in the story.
anon
Roar Pro
In that case it seems like it's a big problem if the list managers are off topping up with geriatric castoffs, and the match committee are selecting these slow geriatrics for games, and the coach, match committee and selection committee aren't on the same page. Again, seems like a weak-willed coach who would allow the match committee and list management to make decisions that conflict with the goals of the coach.
Jon boy
Guest
That is 100% correct Rusty, Freo midfield can easily get on top but if the forward half do not kick goals they could get punished big time You would think they would have to kick 90-100 points to win ,,,,Big ask ?
anon
Roar Pro
We'll see who is right. What's your prediction for next year? Premiership chance?
rusty
Roar Rookie
Fremantle will be praying that Mcgovern plays forward this weekend. The template to beating west coast is there- get on top in the midfield and do not under any circumstance bomb it into the forward line. If there is no one on offer then kick a low and hard chaos ball so the small forwards at least have a chance. The last few derbies have been depressingly similar for Fremantle. West coast on top early, Kennedy destroying us and game over at quarter time. We then slowly get on top in the middle and kick it to Mcgovern or Yeo all game. The last derby was some of the stupidest footy I have ever seen.
Don Freo
Guest
King Bob, are you aware of the unavailability through injury of these young blokes? Anyone can go through a team list. Go through the injury list. Some are still inavailable. Some have never warranted selection because have have not played well at WAFL level. As mentioned on this thread, WC has a very strong and long 22 to 28 yo list. Ideal. When the older ones go, the younger ones are there. The birth certificate argument is really strange. Talk footy.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Scott we also got 2 x 300 game players who both will move into off field roles after this season, people like anon don't get fact that bringing those 2 in was more than just about playing.
Scott
Guest
Anon, they got Mitchell and Petrie for nothing. Literally nothing. A draft pick that would not have been used and a rookie pick. If they both retire this year then they have spots to draft someone higher up the order. They will likely wind up with higher picks this year then they could have used last year, hence getting Better players than what they could've.
Mattician6x6
Guest
If semantics is the basis of that retort and that makes you feel secure in your vacuous opinion then so be it. You have no real knowledge of west coast hence why you take aim at the most easiest targets. Stop using capitals, exclamation marks and inciting statements and return with a well rounded point of view that can be debated. Till then I'm sure you can amuse yourself by spruiking your invalid statements about freo, western bulldogs or whoever else you have decided to have a simpletons opinion of.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Do you have anything bar Mitchell and Petrie? who I will remind you were a trade for our lowest draft pick and a rookie list elevation. Any one who is familiar with wce knows Petrie has been brought over as insurance for 1 season and with injuries to Lycett and then Kennedy he has been an astute pick up but if either of the 2 players mentioned had remained injury free he would not be getting a game. Your simple view that the coach decides the vision etc and all other parties fall into line to accommodate shows your naivety to how clubs function behind the scenes.