Roar Rookie
Joined August 2019
21.6k
Views
17
Published
87
Comments
Appeared on the Footy Show as some obnoixious kid who knew a bit about the Dockers, since then my journalism career has followed the same trajectory as the show that first spotlighted me. Youngest WAFL commentator at league level (16 years), who just wants one of his teams to win a trophy.
Published
Comments
Season 2024 is now one third of the way complete, and it’s fair to say that Western Australian-based fans will be enjoying what they’ve…
Arguably the biggest problem Fremantle faced in 2023 was their inability to be productive with forward play, with key metrics for offensive elements of the game reflective of their ladder position.
Carnival time out West comes to a close with day five of The Pinnacles upon us, with the inaugural (kind of) running of The…
The greatest horse Western Australia has ever produced (sorry, Eurythmic) finally gets his name attached to a Group 1. The 1800-metre weight-for-age classic has…
Meeting three of the revamped Pinnacles carnival in Western Australia has arrived, and for many it’s their highlight of the Ascot racing season. The…
Since 1887, the Railway Stakes has been an integral part of the West Australian racing calendar. Run over a mile, the race has alternated…
Phar Lap. Carbine. Makybe Diva. These are just three of the icons of the turf that have ascended to the top of the racing…
Cast your mind back to season 2021, and ask yourself one simple question: who was the most frustrating team to watch throughout the year?…
Being a Fremantle fan out West, there’s three certainties. Death, taxes and the constant reminder of four premierships to zero by our neighbours. It’s…
Being a Fremantle supporter for my entire life was essentially signing up to a yearly subscription package of disappointment. Over the years the club…
Ask any Manchester United fan about the post-Fergie era and chances are they’ll either attack you or start crying on your shoulder. It’s been…
Australia were the Test team to beat for the majority of the 2000s. Iconic names such as Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne and…
Perth's media has an unrelenting obsession with the turmoil and tribulation of one of the state's finest footballing products. It seems each week there’s…
Steve Smith’s heroics at Edgbaston will no doubt go down as one of the greatest individual efforts by an Australian in an Ashes test.…
When Champion Data released their elite players list for 2019, I smiled from ear to ear. One of the most underrated, understated and infinitely…
Last night, I heard something I’ve been waiting to hear for a very long time: genuine praise of Hawthorn’s new midfield machine, James Worpel.…
Imagine if history left Steven Gerrard behind because he never lifted a Premier League trophy or Patrick Ewing because he could never quite drag…
Totally agree Col, Simpson has enough juice in those legs to sustain a wing role, if his kicking has lost its zest a little bit playing an overlap type role would be a fantastic way to extend his productivity. Carlton certainly have the cattle next year to cause more than their fair share of headaches, especially if the Coniglio rumours are true!
Kade Simpson is Carlton's underrated gem
I’ve not seen every Carlton game over the last 6 years or so, but I’ve always thought Murphy was a better player when he wasn’t captain. I mean, he did absolutely break my heart a few weeks ago, but I remember Murphy as a dominant player but slowly after captaincy that seemed to diminish more and more. I’d like to hear some Carlton opinions on this, but to me Murphy is a player that ideally should be left to do his own thing as a ball winner without the additional responsibility of leading the side.
Kade Simpson is Carlton's underrated gem
Thanks mate, always appreciate feedback.
You’d have to think Carlton would offer him a contract, I still rate him in Carlton’s top ten players, similar to how Brent Harvey remained in North’s best before they inexplicably made him walk. I’m really interested to see how well he polls in the Nicholls Medal this year given his second place finish last year.
Kade Simpson is Carlton's underrated gem
I must admit I’m eyeing up Hawthorn as my sleeper for the top four next season, which is annoying in that it would’ve been nice to see you guys closer to the bottom than the top for a change. In all seriousness though, there’s a lot to like about the playing group and I feel like a good free agency period (maybe an extra hand down back?) and you guys will be set.
Is James Worpel Hawthorn's next big thing?
Hi Dean
Thanks for your additional insight, I’ve only managed to catch a few Hawks games this year so it’s great having a supporters perspective as well.
As a Fremantle fan I have nothing but envy for your draft record and Worpel once again proves that your recruiting team knows how to get value for their picks. Everybody (rightfully) talks about Tim Kelly as the steal of the 2017 draft, but for me Worpel is very quickly establishing himself as second in that race.
I agree with you on Mitch Lewis, to me he looks far more of a threat than Gunston and I expect him to really take the mantle as a 40 goal a season forward as early as next season.
Is James Worpel Hawthorn's next big thing?
I suppose I am getting a bit nitpicky, as for Tredrea I absolutely agree, in his prime he was phenomenal.
I’ll keep this going with Matthew Boyd, another Doggies midfielder that doesn’t seem to get a lot of love.
Why Scott West is best
You raise an excellent point and having watched a rerun of the match semi recently (never got to see the match sadly, I was too busy not being born) I agree that loss seemed pretty shocking even without the context of the full season.
My issue with naming that Bulldogs side serious flag contenders is similar to the issues I have with the Port Adelaide side before their 2004 flag. They did as they pleased during the home and away season, but come finals time they didn’t cut the mustard. It’s not like Brisbane were tripping them up each time, their exits came at the hands of Hawthorn (granted they did lose to Brisbane in the qualifying final), then Brisbane and lastly Collingwood in 2003. Finals football is a different beast, which is why (as much as I don’t enjoy saying this) I believe Richmond or West Coast will win the flag this season. When a team riding high comes up against a proven finals side they often stumble to a “shock” loss. That didn’t happen to this Bulldogs side, Adelaide were far from proven, but it does further highlight the fact that you can be fantastic for 22 weeks but still not be a serious contender. Ironically the only side off the top of my head to exempt themselves from this rule is the Bulldogs in 2016, so swings and roundabouts I suppose.
Why Scott West is best
As a Fremantle supporter who sees about 30 atrocious handballs on a weekly basis, I’d love him in the team to do it properly.
Why Scott West is best
Writing this piece about an underrated 2000s midfielder was down to Harvey, who’s lack of credit is a crime, and West, but I went with the latter because at least Harvey has two Charlies.
For me the legacy West leaves has also been hampered by his lack of post playing interaction in the AFL sphere. Using the three you’ve mentioned; Hird coached Essendon and although what went on should have tarnished his reputation more, he’s still thought of as a great. Buckley has done a good job coaching the Pies, while Judd spends his retirement complaining about things and taking potshots at David Teague. We just don’t hear from West enough for him to build his legacy and remind people how good he was.
Why Scott West is best
They were but there are plenty of teams that are one year contention wonders that don’t really warrant being out and out contenders.
Fremantle & Adelaide in 2006
North Melbourne in 2007
Port Adelaide in 2014
Melbourne in 2018
Those are just the sides off the top of head, I’m sure there’s plenty more I’m missing. None of those teams except maybe at a stretch Adelaide were a serious flag contender and none of them went onto anything. Freo finished 14th the following year and sacked their coach, Port have been hovering but never serious and Melbourne this year have been a disaster. Making a Prelim and losing it, no matter how well you may have played in it, doesn’t make you a serious flag contender, it makes you a contender at best.
Why Scott West is best
Outside of maybe Cousins he’d have to be one of the first picks year in year out.
Why Scott West is best
Glad to hear you enjoyed it mate.
While I agree that every club has one (ours at Freo is probably Darcy Tucker), I think Simpson would rank up the top of the ‘quiet achievers’ list. He really is a consistency freak.
Kade Simpson is Carlton's underrated gem