The AFL Finals series is officially underway after West Coast defeated Essendon at Optus Stadium, knocking them out of the premiership race. Here’s my talking points from the match.
What’s next for Worsfold?
After last night’s 55-point loss saw Essendon’s season come to an end, it seems inevitable that attention will now turn to the issue of John Worsfold’s future at the club.
The AFL hasn’t seen a coach sacked after making finals in fifteen years, but there has been so much smoke about Worsfold not just in recent weeks but over the course of the season as a whole that we can reasonably presume the existence of fire.
Worsfold has led the club for four seasons now, including through arguably the most difficult of its history, in 2016.
He has made finals twice but been comfortably defeated in both displays. Last night’s loss follows on from a 65-point thrashing against Sydney at the SCG two years ago.
A side that has been one of the league’s most active at the trade table over the last two years would expect a lot more than they have gotten. Bar something unexpected, the 2019 draft will mark three consecutive years without taking a first-round pick.
Worsfold is a long way from being the only person to blame for Essendon’s malaise. But, I suspect he has probably coached his last game at Essendon, perhaps fittingly against the club with whom he has so much history.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Will Nic Nat get a whack?
The altercation between Nic Naitanui and Zach Merrett breathed some fire into a third quarter that was struggling to entertain on Thursday night, and probably neither player will sit comfortably watching the footage.
Merrett has nowhere to hide as the instigator of the incident. Naitanui, on the other hand, while acting in his own defense, most would agree was unnecessarily excessive in his response.
Both will be in the sight of the MRO, and Michael Christian faces a difficult decision. Both clearly stepped over the line, but whether it is to the degree of a fine or a week off is debatable.
A ban won’t bother Merrett too much – it’s not ideal, but the frustration of Essendon’s season being over at this early point isn’t going to be made much worse by missing a week or two to start 2020.
However when it comes to Naitanui there’s the obvious dilemma of it being such a significant decision to ban a player from a finals match, especially one of Naitanui’s profile, and for an incident that isn’t clear-cut.
To Christian’s credit, he’s shown a good ability to put those factors aside and make the decision he thinks is right.
The tribunal has been more lenient, and many players have been able to get his decisions overturned this year. Don’t be surprised if this one goes the same way.
Dons’ finals drought rolls on
Although they were never going to enter the match as favourites, some small part of each Essendon fan would have entered Thursday night hoping this might finally be the match where they break their longstanding finals drought.
It was not to be, and really, it was never a serious chance. The style of football that Essendon play – fast, but without a great deal of finesse – can threaten many teams, but West Coast are not one of them.
The Eagles are arguably the best ball movers in the competition. They can struggle when starved of access to it, but that’s not a trick Essendon could pull on them.
The Bombers best hope would have been to dominate the air in defense, but they simply didn’t. Including both Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley in the side while underdone was a roll of the dice Essendon had to take, but it didn’t work out for them.
Instead Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling dominated the game, particularly in the early stages, putting a margin on Essendon in the first quarter – and West Coast’s smalls weren’t bad either.
So, it becomes fifteen seasons without a finals win for this club – with more than a few losses in that time, and many of them by significant margins, as this one was.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Dons must keep Daniher
For mine the biggest takeaway from Essendon’s performance last night was that if this club is seriously considering trying to move on Joe Daniher, they must cancel those plans.
Who stood up for Essendon last night? Who are the club’s A-graders? This is a side that, despite makings finals, not only had no players in the All Australian 22, but none even in the squad of 40.
Andy McGrath put in a good shift in his second crack at finals footy with 30 touches and a goal. Adam Saad and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti both had some good moments.
Dyson Heppell racked up 31 disposals, but couldn’t lay a single tackle for the night. The Bombers managed only one more tackle than their opponents for the match, despite having far less of the ball.
Most worryingly up forward, Essendon’s tall trio of Jake Stringer, Shaun McKernan and Mitch Brown were completely ineffective.
Part of this can be put down to poor delivery, but not all of it. Some players are good enough to have an impact in the home-and-away but not the finals, and McKernan and Brown – with just eight disposals between them – feel like they’re in that category.
Daniher may have his headaches but he’s one of the few genuinely A-grade talents on Essendon’s list, and they’re not going to find a like-for-like replacement. Moving him on would be madness.
Is West Coast’s flag defence alive?
After looking so poor against Hawthorn two weeks ago, West Coast were irresistible on Thursday night, and gave Collingwood or Geelong – whoever loses tonight – something to be worried about.
There’s no doubt in my mind that this West Coast team can beat any other side in the competition. In an era where pundits often bemoan the lack of good skills on show, the Eagles possess them in abundance.
Give them good conditions and their kicking is simply lethal. What’s more, it goes to a forward line that has such a nice mix of types, all of them dangerous.
So, could West Coast beat Geelong? Yes. Collingwood? Yes. Richmond? Yes. Brisbane? Yes. The Bulldogs, the Giants? Absolutely.
But how likely are they to beat three of them in a row, needing to travel each week to do it? That is a far dicier proposition.
My gut feel is that, to put it simply, it’s unlikely. But the last three years being what they have been, you’d be a fool to write them off.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Nah of course not. But it was a beautifully apt decription of what occurred.
Sunshine Tiger
Roar Rookie
So the players coach determines if it’s reportable or not?
Seymorebutts
Guest
Well the reality is the Eagles didn't beat any of the sides above them so they are going to have to do it the hard way. They got absolutely flogged by the Cats earlier on this year so hoping for a much improved performance. The Crows won three games on the road to win the flag once.....97 or 98... so its not impossible ;-)
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Cats and Tigers might say the same. Eagles have to play minor premiers on their "home" deck. Win that and they play the "premiership favourites" on their home deck. Win that and they play Brisbane at the MCG
bbq bill
Guest
Yes, if the Eagles continue to bring their A-game they could beat anyone on the day. But it could be a gruelling game against Cats, then another flight and gruelling game against Tigers, then another flight and a gruelling GF game?? Tough gig! Lots of gruel! Yet somehow I remain optimistic - blind faith, helpless hope and dumb loyalty I guess?
Dukey
Roar Rookie
Yeah...But didn't you just love the show of power and strength displayed by Nic Nat?
michael RVC
Roar Pro
It's a relative thing. IE if you do it a lot you get better at it, if you don't have to do it at all you have a distinct advantage.
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
I agree IAP but we also scored 42 points from centre clearances hopefully we don’t have to rely on intercept marking
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I hope you are not complaining.
ChrisH
Roar Rookie
Swans. I just think the Eagles have got on top of the travel thing in the last couple of seasons.
Larrikin
Roar Rookie
Only the tough mighty Eagles can handle the massive plethora of travel, jetlag, disruptions etc.. any vic team would by crying fowl to there sweet buddies at AFL HQ and demand a comfy home bed every night
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Who is your team Chris? Can you really say that if it was any of the Vic teams travelling multiple weeks in a row to play finals footy that you would be so dismissive of this major additional hurdle faced by the Eagles and others?
Jack A
Guest
WC scored 42 points direct from centre bounces last night. The second most points of any side this season. Nic Nat should be better for the run. Anyone underrating his influence on games doesn’t understand football. Simpson repeatedly states that NN is WC’s most important and influential player and he would know. He’s without doubt the best ruckman in the game. Unfortunately he’s been injured for 3 years while the stars of Gawn and Grundy have risen. Let’s hope that he has no more serious injuries for the rest of his career as he is a generational ruckman and a joy to watch.
The real SC
Roar Rookie
Essendon haven’t won a final since Sep 2004. Essendon’s lineup was so poor and they didn’t have any key players like Daniher. On the other hand, Fantasia performed well last night. Last time Essendon won a final - John Howard was Pm - iPhones, iPads and Android phones didn’t come out - instagram, Snapchat, Twitter And WeChat didn’t come out while Facebook commenced. - Channel Nine was telecaster of afl along with 10. - It was a leap year - Kevin sheedy was coach of dons when they played in final - Touch screen TV didn’t arrive - Hd Television didn’t come into Australia
ChrisH
Roar Rookie
I find it funny that the media keep talking about the Eagles having to travel for the next three weeks as a problem. The last two years they've shown travel is no longer a problem. And they have a very good record at the MCG, especially against Collingwood. I think they'd rather play the Pies next week than the Cats.
Seano
Roar Rookie
Oh well we made the finals which is better than 10 other sides. Plenty of work to do. As Is always the case in the first week of sept my wife asks why I do this to myself. 15 long years. I was single, living in a sharehouse in geelong working in a shop and didn’t have a passport the last time we won a final. Now I’m in a relationship, 2 kids in school , home on the Gold Coast, company car and have been over seas 4 times. That’s how bloody long it’s been! We must have to crack a finals win soon???
Josh
Expert
I'll give you the Bontempelli one probably wasn't well handled. I felt earlier in the year he seemed willing to hit players with bans regardless of their profile, though that maybe became less the case as the tribunal consistently overturned him.
Rissole
Roar Rookie
I went to the game last night and was up in the top tier with a great view over the whole ground. It made watching the Eagles a real treat and they played some really really good footy. Their transition and skills are first class. One thing I noticed in particular is their ability to read and crumb the ball off the pack, it was sensational. Naitanui was superb, his ability to bullock through a pack and create space for his midfielders is vastly underrated and he improves the entire team. Onto Essendon, where to start, they made the same mistake they made in the opening rounds by playing underdone players. Hurley was clearly hampered and took the option of spoiling with the strength of a slight-framed 10 year old where he would normally mark and the Eagles were crumbing easily. Heppell really struggled to cover ground and was exploited many times. Don't be fooled by his 31 touches, they were completely ineffective. It was hard to see if Stringer was struggling as he wasn't able to get into space because the Eagle's defenders zone the ground masterfully. A few times he did get into space he couldn't shake his opponent and he and many other Essendon plays kept slipping at crucial moments attempting a tight turning circle in the dewy conditions. Onto the good. Andy McGrath was absolutely sensational, he seems to read the play one or two moves in advance sometimes and his skills are mostly silky. Saad & McKenna were also great to watch and their end to end running goal was a real highlight. Francis looked mostly good as well. Langford lumbers even slower live than he does on TV. Time for him to go. Overall, a disappointing end to the season (again) but a lot to likely for a young team. Still mad at the Eagles for losing so poorly to the Hawks to make us travel here. Would have preferred to play Collingwood.
TomC
Roar Guru
Incidentally, IAP, PD and myself are all in fact making the same point: the impact on the victim is not a particularly good way to determine the severity of an offence.
TomC
Roar Guru
No. He got off because Christian graded the incident low impact. I don't know why you'd bother contradicting that. There's no doubt about it. Christian probably looked at this incident, decided that it wasn't worth a suspension, and then manufactured the grading to ensure that outcome. If he'd waited for the GWS medical report - which was clearly appropriate given how much stock he says he places in it - then he might have been forced into a decision he didn't like. I don't particularly care whether Bontempelli should have been suspended or not. What I care about is Christian not following his own process. If the process produces unacceptable results, change the process. Don't just pick and choose the bits of it you like.