GWS impressed in their officially sanctioned training run against West Coast on Saturday night.
The first indication that it was a training session was the size of the crowd. The second was the blue and yellow witches hats parked in various positions around the oval.
To be fair to the Eagles, they weren’t generally considered to be a top-eight side for most of the year, and only snuck into the finals based on a patented Melbourne Football Club fail, and by beating a travelling Adelaide Crows outfit resting stars and with nothing to play for.
West Coast will hit Mad Monday at least knowing they have provided the highlight of the finals series so far, with their after-the-extra-time-siren victory in week one, but the toll of such an emotional high is usually seen the next week. Add in the back-to-back travel factor, and the fact that GWS were comfortably a better team over the course of the season, and the result wasn’t a surprising one.
The Eagles will make a fascinating study for footy nerds during the off-season after two years in a row where they have made the finals, but been a long way from premiership contention.
There have been four confirmed retirees already, in Sam Mitchell, Matt Priddis, Drew Petrie and Sam Butler, and they have a number of players that are adding nothing to the AFL landscape. Think of Lewis Jetta, Jamie Cripps, Sharrod Wellingham and Mark LeCras.
West Coast have to work out whether they need to make the courageous decision of taking a few steps back and embarking on a mini-rebuild, cutting dead wood and trading some players of value to attack the draft, or do they press ahead with what they’ve got, keep their depth players and try and add some more mature talent to their squad?
These are questions for the Eagles coaching staff to decide, and fans to debate about in the forums.
GWS still have a week or two of finals still to come, but will be running into more resistance than they found against West Coast.
When there was at least some heat in the game, in the first half, the Giants were good inside the contest, winning clearances and contested possession, but also applying physical pressure that was causing the Eagles to fumble and turn the ball over.
They are regarded as a quick side, but they look a lot quicker when using that speed to lay tackles and hit bodies.
Steve Johnson of the Giants (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Once the inside battle was won, GWS were able to show the best of their outside game, running hard, linking cleanly, and putting their skills to good use.
The Giants lost two talls, Jeremy Cameron and Shane Mumford, coming into this match, and replaced them with two mediums in Steve Johnson and Tim Taranto. Johnson kicked six goals, but didn’t do anything to inspire confidence that he can survive a game played at a more frenetic pace. Taranto showed his usual quality, with moments that make it hard to believe he’s a first year player.
There is no doubt GWS went into this game with a smaller side, with one eye on Richmond at the MCG next week. The Tigers have the smallest 22 in the league, and run the larger dimensions of their home ground better than any team in the competition.
The Giants did look too top-heavy against Adelaide in week one of the finals, but look more balanced this time around. It’s hard to see any changes to that 22.
GWS made the preliminary final last year and has that experience to draw on, which Richmond do not. To offset that, the Tigers are used to playing in front of enormous crowds at the MCG, while the Giants have minimal experience on that kind of stage. Advantage Richmond, in that regard.
West Coast are gone, with more questions than answers in front of them.
GWS are in the final four again, as expected. Now to see if they can go one better than 2016.
Mark
Guest
Imagine not winning a final for 16? Oops, you don't even have to imagine.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Did you just cal me a try hard big al?If so I haven't heard that insult since I was a school boy a few decades ago know. Leave the men to discuss stuff and go back to your sand pit and imaginary girlfriends mate, you bleat like a newborn lamb and as your post suggest you probably have the IQ of a beast of burden at best. Have a nice day.
Matto
Guest
A lend of what. Who do you have since cox/sandi? Anyone close to nic nat at his age from an earlier generation and im happy to hear about it. Was winning games in his first couple yrs. Was all australian at an age most ruckman are still trying to debut. Imagibe if nic nat peaks at the same age as cruzer which he probably will.
Matto
Guest
Agree. Next yr is a big unknown. I think top 8 is simmos pass mark tho.
Matto
Guest
Shouldnt be hard. All australian winger and consistently top 5 in club champion vs a 1 year wonder defensive forward.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
The mob of WC supporters in front of us looked like they started at about 1100 hours.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
That's what I was thinking last night Kanga. Hope so. Great place for footy.
Jon boy
Guest
You are right Matt i should have ignored it to.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Paul trying to get me to react to that makes about as much sense as when you tried to introduce lord john Forrest era wa political views into a discussion about football ;)
Jon boy
Guest
Very poor analyste of Priddis no respect at all.Really does reflect your knowledge of the game.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Maybe he could come to west coast and win a brownlow for shovelling footy like Priddis did
rusty
Roar Rookie
Best ruckman of his generation!!! Your having a lend.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Didn't he get delisted because of pace issues amongst other things, seeing as pace is our biggest issue I don't understand it either.
Birdman
Guest
yeah, can't see Hallahan doing a Menagola
Paul D
Roar Guru
Why would you want Hallahan if he can't get a game at the Suns he's not going to be much chop I would have thought Jack Redden was proof enough
Paul D
Roar Guru
Spot on with the generational change comment, they will put a broom through this list in the off season. Simpson might be able to put his foot down more with some new blood too, guys he didn't play against and aren't a few years younger than him, but a full generation younger. Masten is a lower profile Jack Watts. Gone. If anyone rates Gaff get what you can. Actually agree broadly with everything you've said. Good run this season, played a couple of finals but this generation is spent. Rebuild for a few years and come back. At least your battle against the Dockers should be an epic contest in the new digs, next season you'll be almost as bad as they are
Lroy
Guest
+ 10 ;-)
Jon boy
Guest
Gee, that does bring back memories, keep Rioli away from the turtles.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Get rioli fit, draft Ryan and it may end up like the Claremont greats the krackeours at the feet of Warren Ralph hey Jon boy
Cat
Roar Guru
Salary and length of contract. Would have to be bigger/longer than the 4 year $2m Chris Mayne signed with Collingwood last year that netted Freo a 2nd round compo pick.