Prediction Changes v Whoever The **** It Is After The Bye

[flyinghi64]

You would have to think the inclusion of Barrass and retaining Emac equals Gov forward.
I like the idea and hope that we use this to our advantage.
Start Barrass on the Bench with Gov CHB and Darling CHF. within 5 mins bring Barrass on, Gov CHF Darling HFF.
Throw a little chaos out there.
Jetta on a HBF streaming through the middle on centre bounces.
Something, something, something just a little bit different.
Let's try and win the contested ball and lay some tackles, you know, something different.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Really? I recall being quite happy about the benching of Priddis.

He was named in the center on the Thursday night. Named bench was Sheed Shep EMac Hutch.

You might be remembering the announcement 90mins out from bouncedown.

 

[The Dodger]

Maybe. To be fair to Simpson he has commented a few times that we are an 'average side' that is fighting for a spot in the eight, so I probably need to give him more credit for at least realising that. Perhaps it is the board's wish to continue to fight for as high a finish as possible which may be influencing Simpson's selection tactics - but that is still speculation. It's also a little bit different to Simpson not having the final say on who plays in his team.

Its all speculation. Just applying Occams to this scenario where team selections haven't been right for some time and the coaches open admission that the team is average. He is either very much out of his depth as a coach (I personally doubt this) or there are other pressures /considerations not related to match day performance that are influencing these decisions. Be they "we are in premiership mode" or "this guys a champ he cant play at East Perth", neither coming from Simpson IMO.

And on the last bit I dont think that is different at all. Thats the kind of pressure that would have a final say on the team selection. If he has had meetings with higher ups and they are for a premiership push if you then go and name a young side that has teething issues how quick will he be asked by the board as to what is actually going on here.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Really? I recall being quite happy about the benching of Priddis.

Here you go, it was the 90min announcement: http://m.westcoasteagles.com.au/news/2017-06-03/final-teams

 

[larrikin]

Have just read through the thread - tough going.

My impressions on selection

• I think there will be a late change - one of McKenzie/Schofield (probably McKenzie) goes out and one of Masten/Wellingham in (probably Masten based on fitness - not that that will help the mood around here )
• Partington clearly has some internal KPI's/development targets that he is not yet hitting. It's easy for us to sit back and see he played well but without knowing the specific instructions it's hard to see what that is from outside. Its the only thing I can see as to why he's not getting picked.
  
• One of Lecca/Hill had to go and one did -I personally prefer Lecras as I think he has a higher upside so personally not too upset about that change. Think some on Hill are over-rating his game last week - one of his 2 late goals was an over the top in the goalsquare, and I can't even remember the other one but seem to recall it wasn't any personal outstanding effort.
• Priddis was never going to get dropped - that contract extension tells you where Simpson sees him.

Overall, I'm not stoked at the side but I'm not as upset as some others, assuming that late change happens.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

My thoughts exactly Larri.

 

[Keys]

The most important change and the one we all want to see is an improvement on the level of intent/effort. No more going through the motions but a real desire to hunt the footy and apply genuine physical pressure to the opposition

If that happens the lack of personnel changes can be forgiven. If it doesn't then the loyalty shown to several players over recent weeks will be proven to be as misplaced as many supporters feel

It's up to the playing group to repay the faith because a lot of them have used up their credits. Some have gone into deficit and need to pay back the debt they owe

 

[jesterwester]

• Partington clearly has some internal KPI's/development targets that he is not yet hitting. It's easy for us to sit back and see he played well but without knowing the specific instructions it's hard to see what that is from outside. Its the only thing I can see as to why he's not getting picked.

I just hope the conversation didn't go something like this:

Rounds 1-10: "yeah you're getting lots of the ball, but we'd like you to hit the scoreboard more"
Round 11: 3 goals, 23 odd touches.
"Good work on hitting the scoreboard. But we'd really like to see you getting the ball more"

Youd think he wouldn't be all that far away. Just got to keep plugging away, I guess.

 

[Agent93]

Overall, I'm not stoked at the side but I'm not as upset as some others, assuming that late change happens.

From the blue... McInnes in for Mitchell, Lamb in for Gaff, and Giles in for Hutchings making us the tallest team for the round. Jetta, Shuey, and Cripps shaking in their boots pending the availability of Kennedy, Lycett, and Venables.

 

[eaglesnutcase]

Dont forget Geelong are a big side and they like to bully teams.You have to stand up to bullies!!

 

[Jiggyman]

The most important change and the one we all want to see is an improvement on the level of intent/effort. No more going through the motions but a real desire to hunt the footy and apply genuine physical pressure to the opposition

Yeah this is all well and good, but I reckon the term 'intent' signifies more than just attack on the ball; it's knowing when it's your turn to go in, but it's also knowing when you need to help set up field position/structures. Simpson talked about 'bees to the honeypot' On The Couch after our Essendon loss, seemingly describing our tendency to drop our gameplan and specified roles in favour of playing 'individual footy' to drag us back into it. We all know it as our coaches at junior level reminding us not to crowd the ball-up with 20 players (ironically this happens at AFL nowadays, but there are specific roles to temper the congestion).

The best midfields don't necessarily all throw themselves in at once, but they're where they need to be at the right time, and if not, working to ensure they get there.

If you look from that standpoint, it's easier to rationalise our revolving door of the same midfielders, because our coaches want consistency in not just players' games, but their knowledge of each others' games.

Having said that, I look forward to experimenting with our midfield combination, and we need to be blooding youth throughout the year. I'm ok with not dropping 6 players every week, because that just creates instability.

 

[dajesmac]

I just hope the conversation didn't go something like this:

Rounds 1-10: "yeah you're getting lots of the ball, but we'd like you to hit the scoreboard more"
Round 11: 3 goals, 23 odd touches.
"Good work on hitting the scoreboard. But we'd really like to see you getting the ball more"

Youd think he wouldn't be all that far away. Just got to keep plugging away, I guess.

Partington's been told to develop his defensive game. It was in an article a few weeks back posted by the club.

 

[Agent93]

Dont forget Geelong are a big side and they like to bully teams.You have to stand up to bullies!!

And the best way to stand up is to be taller than them!

 

[larrikin]

Partington's been told to develop his defensive game. It was in an article a few weeks back posted by the club.

That makes sense

 

[jesterwester]

Partington's been told to develop his defensive game. It was in an article a few weeks back posted by the club.

Fair enough. That does make sense.

 

[Agent93]

That makes sense

Depends on the comparables. There's a fair few mid types in our 22 that run one way, including a soft selection target like Duggan.

 

[SloppyJoe]

That's because he was fat and lazy.

He is no longer lazy, and is now AA

 

[larrikin]

Depends on the comparables. There's a fair few mid types in our 22 that run one way, including a soft selection target like Duggan.

I meant it makes sense in that if he has been told to work on something and he's not quite there yet on that particular thing it sends the wrong message if you reward that player before they reach the outlined standard. I'm not commenting specifically on his two way running, haven't seen enough of it to comment, more the selection process.

 

[RookiePick]

I think that is part of the current problem at selection though. Too much focus on having to push your way in from WAFL level and not enough focus on being dropped if you don't perform at AFL level.

 

[Feeling Groovy]

And the best way to stand up is to be taller than them!

Actually, the best way to be taller than them is to stand up

 

[BlueandGoldforever]

Have just read through the thread - tough going.

My impressions on selection

• I think there will be a late change - one of McKenzie/Schofield (probably McKenzie) goes out and one of Masten/Wellingham in (probably Masten based on fitness - not that that will help the mood around here )
• Partington clearly has some internal KPI's/development targets that he is not yet hitting. It's easy for us to sit back and see he played well but without knowing the specific instructions it's hard to see what that is from outside. Its the only thing I can see as to why he's not getting picked.
  
• One of Lecca/Hill had to go and one did -I personally prefer Lecras as I think he has a higher upside so personally not too upset about that change. Think some on Hill are over-rating his game last week - one of his 2 late goals was an over the top in the goalsquare, and I can't even remember the other one but seem to recall it wasn't any personal outstanding effort.
• Priddis was never going to get dropped - that contract extension tells you where Simpson sees him.

Overall, I'm not stoked at the side but I'm not as upset as some others, assuming that late change happens.

If you watch West Coast live at the ground - not on the TV - you will see a very big difference between Hill and LeCras.

Hill continually chases and puts pressure on opponents trying to tackle wherever possible. LeCras does not.

Hill will float down to the backline, including being actually being on the goal line trying to stop an opposition goal, LeCras is too lazy to run past the centre circle.

Hill is also quicker than LeCras, is a stronger overhead mark and has a better weighted kick.

LeCras looks very disinterested to me and should have either been dropped to East Perth or rested. Hill has been used as the scapegoat because Cripps and LeCras are out of form with the latter's best playing days well and truly behind him - like Priddis.

 

[Agent93]

it sends the wrong message if you reward that player before they reach the outlined standard

Too much focus on having to push your way in from WAFL level and not enough focus on being dropped if you don't perform at AFL level.

Exactly. What if the outlined standard is greater than that of currently selected players?

If we're talking positioning as part of team defence, what about those 4 or 5 mids in this week's team who are too slow to make an impact on team defence? This is all conjecture at best, but it seems like the club makes a lot of noise about not giving draftees games.

 

[Shmiddy15]

Partington's been told to develop his defensive game. It was in an article a few weeks back posted by the club.

I think this would be one thing that is keeping Karpany out of the side too. I was upset when he was dropped, but his direct opponent killed us off the back of the square against gws. Hopefully he works on it and is able to force his way into the side by the end of the year. Happy to let Lecca hit the 400 goal mark, and then I think it's time for him to step aside.

 

[squashface]

I think this would be one thing that is keeping Karpany out of the side too. I was upset when he was dropped, but his direct opponent killed us off the back of the square against gws. Hopefully he works on it and is able to force his way into the side by the end of the year. Happy to let Lecca hit the 400 goal mark, and then I think it's time for him to step aside.

What does LeCras man do because he does jack shit defensively.

 

[larrikin]

If you watch West Coast live at the ground - not on the TV - you will see a very big difference between Hill and LeCras.

Hill continually chases and puts pressure on opponents trying to tackle wherever possible. LeCras does not.

Hill will float down to the backline, including being actually being on the goal line trying to stop an opposition goal, LeCras is too lazy to run past the centre circle.

Hill is also quicker than LeCras, is a stronger overhead mark and has a better weighted kick.

LeCras looks very disinterested to me and should have either been dropped to East Perth or rested. Hill has been used as the scapegoat because Cripps and LeCras are out of form with the latter's best playing days well and truly behind him - like Priddis.

I do go to the games and understand your point - Hill does work hard. But if we were rewarding for effort Masten wouldn't be East Perth.