Strategy Changes: Round 3 West Coast Eagles vs. Fremantle Dockers

[Vintage]

Voss was chosen as relief ruck. He sucked at that to the point his 5min go at it in the second quarter was enough for it never to be repeated.

He also consistently got in the way of Amiss. That kick forward that he marked (I think from Ras) and had the chance seal the game was marked just in front of Amiss who was on the lead.

There were two times he marked on or just outside 50 and Amiss made a good lead with separation that he ignored. He then proceeded to put his hand up and point at the goals. Then kicked one that scraped through for a behind and another out on the full so badly it was about 15metres to the left of the behind post.

I’m not sure he was really chosen as relief ruck. He took 1 centre bounce contest. 1!

Pretty sure the coaches didn’t decide he sucked at it after a single contest (or perhaps 3 total). Obviously the plan was for Jackson to play as close to 100% ruck as possible, so very little need for back up ruck. And he was a damn sight better than reidy.

Anyway, whatever. We’ll see what this week brings as I fully expect him to play again. And not because the club likes to lose, or wants mediocrity.

 

[Freomaniac]

I only just finished watching the game and watching Voss go back for a set shot from 35 out on an angle was just hilarious. He had an opportunity to just step inside and kick on the run. The Guy doesn’t even consider other options thinking his goal kicking is Pavlich like.

If Frederick can’t kick a goal from 30 out right in front why is he in the team?

People think that our list is great. We’ve got a good best 10 then it really drops away.

We miss Hayden Young immensely.

I am gonna defend Frederick here.

You know why he is in the side? Because he is a semi decent small forward.

Did he kick 30 goals last season?

 

[Superkoops]

I’m not sure he was really chosen as relief ruck. He took 1 centre bounce contest. 1!

Pretty sure the coaches didn’t decide he sucked at it after a single contest (or perhaps 3 total). Obviously the plan was for Jackson to play as close to 100% ruck as possible, so very little need for back up ruck. And he was a damn sight better than reidy.

Anyway, whatever. We’ll see what this week brings as I fully expect him to play again. And not because the club likes to lose, or wants mediocrity.

I don’t know how many centre ruck contests he had - he got 1 hit out I think. Treacy had 5 hit outs. But he definitely had a run around as the ruck for a bit there and it didn’t go well. I guess I’m being harsh as that turnover he did late was a coach killer. He had an opportunity to make up for a terrible shot at goal and burnt a kick that should have been going i50.

 

[CaseySibosadoHOF]

Please tell me people don't actually think Erasmus should get dropped? The one criticism that's been prevalent is he doesn't get a consistent run of AFL games yet the moment he has a pretty decent game with a couple of mistakes you have people already calling for his head?

Ras' game makes me think "What the hell were we doing wasting 13 games on Tom Emmett?" It was clear by at latest game 3 that he was the player he showed to be in the WAFL in 2023, and not what he showed in his 2 AFL games in 2023.

Ras applied good pressure, competed decently in the air, was game, and mixed the good with the bad ball use wise (DE% doesn't tell the full story coz he doesn't have the penetration to statpad that). Would want to have back that shot, a harsh HTB call and letting Bice off the chain for the goal. But almost anything good we saw from Ras fwd wise was just from his draft year, coz he's had little development time there. Banfield became serviceable there, and Ras at least has more talent wise than Banfield.

The ship has sailed on the prospects of Ras being the right top 10 pick. But there's a big gap btwn "the right pick" and "Marcus Drum". Coaching goes a long way to which extreme he ends up closer to.

 

[CaseySibosadoHOF]

I don’t know how many centre ruck contests he had - he got 1 hit out I think. Treacy had 5 hit outs. But he definitely had a run around as the ruck for a bit there and it didn’t go well. I guess I’m being harsh as that turnover he did late was a coach killer. He had an opportunity to make up for a terrible shot at goal and burnt a kick that should have been going i50.

Voss and Treacy each had 5 ruck contests. All of Treacy's were in the 4th, Voss' were 3 in the 1st and 2 in the 2nd.

 

[barreness]

do we have anyone who can kick it well? some of the worst footskills I have seen in an AFL side today

Was thinking this at the game, really missing that Mundy/Hill type that can open up an opposition defence

Young's about the only one I can think of and he's weeks off

Brayshaw is mid across the board, Serong decent but lacks penetration, Bolton more known for his dash than kicking precision. Half back line is Ryan and Wagner, both good kicks but 90% is bombing 50m to a contest, Sharp/Driz similar. Reid is smart but can only kick 40. Treacy is an underrated field kick but he needs to be on the other end of that equation

It's a bit of a hole in our recruiting strategy, they aren't easy to find I guess

 

[WilloTree]

Cooper Simpson or Murphy Reid need to go behind the ball.
There is opportunity to try it now with Walker down.

Out Walker Banfield
in. Fyfe, Simpson.

Fyfe won't be available this week.

 

[jinxd]

My two cents:

• We have the right talent, and team selection has mostly been accurate (according to availability and form). Watching Brodie, Aish, Simpson, etc. in preseason games - they simply weren't as good as those picked the last two weeks. Not saying they aren't good players, but based on form, you can understand the team selection.
• Erasmus has improved considerably from last year. He's less of a liability now. Less turnovers. He still needs more games to adapt to the pace of AFL - like a lot of other guys.
• Wagner and Johnson have improved as well. This tells me the coaches are doing something right. Some responsibility or credit needs to be given to the players for this as well. Some listen to feedback, some don't.
• Preseason may have been challenging, but there's obviously no substitute for proper games. Quite a few were cramping/cooked on the weekend. Give them time, they'll get there. They're still inexperienced. If it's still an issue in a couple of weeks time, then we need a review.
• People keep saying that JL has had 5-6 years etc. This ignores the fact that we rebuilt completely during this time, and these core players needed to get game time. Now is when we should be seeing results. We have the team, it's just that important players are on sidelines. (i.e. Darcy, Young, Walters) The ones replacing them are still learning (or aren't up to it).
• Having said all that... I do get continually frustrated at certain players being lazy (or afraid of contact). The amount of times I yell "FFS tackle him.. it's not soccer!!" during games is wayyy too often. I also got annoyed at watching the Indigenous game or Hawthorn, and think they're so quick and fluid with their game style. We pause, hesitate, and stand off the opposition. It's kinda crap to watch.

This week:
In: Draper, Fyfe/Simpson (if fit)
Out: Walker, ??

 

[Righteo]

Other than the fact that he missed multiple simple shots on goal, including one which would probably have sealed the game.

Other than the fact he completely ignored a great lead from Amiss when he was 55 metres out and decided to take the hail Mary shot.

Other than the fact he was brought in to play second ruck but couldn't manage that.

Other than the fact when the game was in the balance he hit a ridiculous cross which was "at best" going to a one on one, but missed it anyway and ked to a goal.

Yeah, otherwise he was OK.

And I'd STILL play him over Reidy.

The absolute state of Freo rucks in current year.

 

[Rhufus]

How is Rick not under heat for not laying a single tackle?

Cox is also in the gun for me. I think guys who don't put competitive efforts in should be dropped. None of these guys have really proven themselves as far as I am concerned.

Because no one is convinced hes even been told to go man up, instead we are 99% sure hes been told to just guard space and run around flapping his arms and buying candy.

 

[Cayman Docker]

When was the last time Freddy or Amiss had a good game?

You mean which year?

 

[GingerDocker]

I'd love to see the coaching group endeavour to get Amiss isolated on Edwards this weekend and give instructions for his leads to be honoured consistently.

Edwards is as quick and maneuverable as a battleship and Nev should be able to run rings around him...he just needs reasonable supply.

 

[Joao]

I'd love to see the coaching group endeavour to get Amiss isolated on Edwards this weekend and give instructions for his leads to be honoured consistently.

Edwards is as quick and maneuverable as a battleship and Nev should be able to run rings around him...he just needs reasonable supply.

If we played a ball movement style that encouraged and rewarded leading, Amiss would kick 50 goals without breaking a sweat.

 

[GingerDocker]

If we played a ball movement style that encouraged and rewarded leading, Amiss would kick 50 goals without breaking a sweat.

Agreed...watching him wrestle blokes in the goal square is a bit deflating.

In this era of elite backs zoning off and being loathe to defend one on one, he would carve most full backs up on the lead if given reasonable supply.

 

[Footskill]

Maybe need play Voss in the goal square and both Treacy and amiss leading out. They can also move up the ground more. Voss is strong like an px, so hopefully he mark it 5 metres out and not miss, which would be a bonus

 

[summerthebat]

I really don't know what direction team selection should go this week.

It's not often you can clearly identify a player that was mostly responsible in a team losing, but Voss really came through in that game. However he was getting near the ball and getting shots, but you can only carry so many players in your best 22 that make critical errors. Voss has consistently proven he struggles to take simple marks and he's now kicked eight goals 14. Like Banfield, he is a momentum killer and if you're on the end of well worked play for a scoring opportunity, then someone like Jye Amiss is better having two shots per game than Voss's four.

Unfortunately it's going to be a revolving door of Voss, Banfield, Worner, Narkle, Erasmus, Reidy etc all season long covering for inevitable injuries and suspensions, with only Erasmus a possible improver to being best 22.

 

[Achin joints]

Where does Longmire have to go? Shopping? To the dentist?

To Freo?

 

[gungho]

Fyfe won't be available this week.

He might be as a sub.

 

[A Mantle Full]

He might be as a sub.

or he might be subbed out.

 

[Achin joints]

I wouldn't drop Ras, he's cracking in and his kicking (remarkably off both sides) seems to have improved. His handballing may be the worst at AFL level I've ever seen though. He should just throw it every time and hope he gets away with it, probably less turnovers...

The Paddy Cripps special

 

[Wizard]

Voss was chosen as relief ruck. He sucked at that to the point his 5min go at it in the second quarter was enough for it never to be repeated.

He also consistently got in the way of Amiss. That kick forward that he marked (I think from Ras) and had the chance seal the game was marked just in front of Amiss who was on the lead.

There were two times he marked on or just outside 50 and Amiss made a good lead with separation that he ignored. He then proceeded to put his hand up and point at the goals. Then kicked one that scraped through for a behind and another out on the full so badly it was about 15metres to the left of the behind post.

One thing i noticed about Voss again on the weekend and it isnt the first time is that he seems like an absolute w***er.

He kicked an easy goal, which mind you he nearly stuffed up and instead of turning around and celebrating with Ras who created his goals he went straight to the crowd with his arms out.

 

[A Mantle Full]

In: Fyfe, Narkle (Sub)
Out: Walker, Banfield

 

[malpaso]

One thing i noticed about Voss again on the weekend and it isnt the first time is that he seems like an absolute w***er.

He kicked an easy goal, which mind you he nearly stuffed up and instead of turning around and celebrating with Ras who created his goals he went straight to the crowd with his arms out.

We need some w**kers in the side.. Did you see Chad being a w**ker?

 

[Wizard]

We need some w**kers in the side.. Did you see Chad being a w**ker?

He's at least got the output to justify his w***er-ness, Voss not so much.

 

[Cam Payne]

Play the kids during this rebuild year.