AFL quarantine hub life has got off to a poor start for West Coast, with the Eagles copping a shock 44-point belting by Gold Coast on Saturday.
The Eagles’ first match in their Queensland quarantine stay couldn’t have gone much worse.
Played off the park by a Gold Coast team without a win in over a year, it could be a long four weeks at least for the Eagles if they can’t turn around their performance quickly.
The second leg of their Queensland road trip will be a visit to the Gabba next Saturday to face Brisbane, who claimed a narrow victory over the Eagles’ Western Australian rivals Fremantle in the Dockers’ first hub match.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson admits it will be a challenge to ensure his team doesn’t dwell on the defeat in isolation at Royal Pines Resort throughout the week.
“There’s plenty of time together this week. We’ve just got to be careful,” Simpson said.
“After a loss sometimes it’s good to get away with your families and detach a little bit so we need to give them some space.
“We’re going to review and we need to get better. Whether it’s our system or whether it’s ability to hunt, that needs to improve, we’ll look at that.”
Simpson refused to use the hub and the unusual preparation for Saturday’s game as an excuse for the performance, saying his team simply hadn’t been good enough against their opponents.
He said finding the correct routine for their hub program was a work in progress and one he’d be analysing further in the build-up to the Lions game.
“We’ve played here before. I suppose we’re not used to it but we trained at night the other night. Handled that pretty well. Tonight we didn’t,” he said.
“They looked a lot cleaner with the conditions and we got beaten in all areas in terms of the contest. That’s where we need to start.”
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
It was predicted that the Eagles would slide, hub is not a excuse Freo did well against Lions last week. As quoted by some fans it was the pathetic effort that would concern. They can only improve but there but there better days are long gone.
Mark
Roar Rookie
So I see things have gone from bad to worse for the Eagles....McLovin to miss the game against the Lions. He's obviously not the sharpest tool in the shed. This could be season over for West Coast with tough games against Port and the Tigers to come.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Geelong will blow it come finals time as per usual.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
A lot of them blaming McGowan today...
Blitz
Guest
The hub should not be used an excuse but it isn’t anything like a “normal away game” either. WC flew out 5 days before the game, they normally fly out 2 days early. Players stay in the same hotels, possibly even the same rooms, same hotel restaurants, play golf, go for a walk, coffee, movie etc at their regular hangouts ie they have away routines that they like and develop.
DTM
Guest
If the hub is an excuse, it is too early to use it. Last night's game was nothing more than a normal away game. Bottom line is, Gold Coast outplayed WCE and deserved the win. Credit should go to the Gold Coast coaching staff and their players - some of their kids look really good. This win will be great for their club.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
Lets hope so Peter the Scribe.
Blitz
Guest
Simmo is trying to fit Brander into the side as a wingman because the kid is talented and performing at training. I don’t think the wing is his natural position. He is 196cm, same height as Kennedy and he just turned 21 - some talls take longer to develop. WC have good key position talls waiting in the wings with Allen, Brander and Williams the likely heir apparent for JK’s role. Darling, Gov and Barrass still have many years in them so fitting all three of these guys is a huge challenge. It’s a problem but it’s better than not having anyone to fill KPP these roles.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Early days Klompy. Class will win out.
Gary
Roar Rookie
I think Jimmy the guest, is just popping his head out from under the bridge... it is probably WASS in disguise.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Tragic
Gerard Klomp
Guest
You maybe right yattuzzi. I have said all on the last post about last night game.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
Still Peter the Eagles were pretty poor last night. what disappointed me about the game was that our senior players showed no leadership for the younger players.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
Yes what excuse WASS. Yes the Eagles were poor and Pathetic. That is the only Excuse from me.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
Yes WCE It was a terrible Team effort. I like Brander I think he will be good for the Eagles. I do not think you should blame him for a very poor leadership from the our Senior players. I hope Brander stay in the side he will get Better.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
I have said it all in the last post about the game. The Eagles were very poor. Only two can hold their heads high Luke Shuey and Tim Kelly. The rest a very weak effort.
WCE
Roar Rookie
Brander and Ah Chee had a horror night and dont think ah chee touch the ball? How many chances does brander have? No excuses, we looked very flat and disinterested. I am stunned we played so badly.
sven
Roar Rookie
mate pretty early to be calling it, im still pretty confident theres a few twists along the way. certainly the shorter quarters dont help the tiges or weagles but towards seasons end with shorter breaks between games be interesting to see what effect that has .. plenty sides have finished top & then not been able to go on with it too (as tiges found out in ’18), main thing is finish high enough to get a good crack at it … or be like the bullies & win it from 7th
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Next year we'll hopefully get that wce v rich grandy, Geelong should have their year set up over next three rds it's a pretty sweet draw will get a hundy on them for the cup quickly now.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
But we only hear about umpires from the "fans" after a win :-*