Has Eagleton earned his spot

[farlacious]

I'll tell you who reminds of Eagleton at the moment, Gram. Very good kick, gut runs out of packs to get loose and is a pretty good finisher although they never get contested possies.

Which is why they struggle in games where it is alot tighter, with a greater proportion of contested possessions.

Was pleased with what I saw of his game, but if Eagle's anything, he's predictable. As another poster said, he's a one-trick pony. If he doesn't get it in space, he doesn't get it at all.

 

[chef]

Which is why they struggle in games where it is alot tighter, with a greater proportion of contested possessions.

Was pleased with what I saw of his game, but if Eagle's anything, he's predictable. As another poster said, he's a one-trick pony. If he doesn't get it in space, he doesn't get it at all.

He's an outside running player. I don't get why some posters think he should be something he has never been.

 

[_Mike_]

Eagleton's performance on Saturday night was ok, but the main problem with him is he is too hot and cold. It looks like he's slowling down, but still manages to put in a few good games. He will be tested next Friday night against the Cats, and I hope he has a really good 6 weeks to come.

If not, it might be the end of his career at the dogs. He has been a loyal contributor, but the younger guys will be pushing for a place.

 

[The Boy From Brasil]

He's an outside running player. I don't get why some posters think he should be something he has never been.

I agree. And we don't have a heap of players that can fulfil his role. Which is probably why he gets picked each week.

We have an abundance of high quality inside players, but not as many outside running players.

 

[always right]

TBH...Saturday night's game was the ideal game for Eagleton, and typical of the style of game we normally have against Brisbane. Open and free running with different players able to drop out of traffic to run into dangerous positions.

Eagleton did that particularly well and finished his work beautifully. This is obviously his strength and he really isn't going to silence the knockers until he can produce the goods in a pressure game. He shouldn't be criticised for the goals Drummond kicked as I'me certain he was only on him after much of the damage was done.

 

[chef]

I agree. And we don't have a heap of players that can fulfil his role. Which is probably why he gets picked each week.

We have an abundance of high quality inside players, but not as many outside running players.

Exactly, hopefully on the open spaces of the MCG he can have a september to remember.

 

[Harry Crumb]

The bottom line is Eagleton is in the team because he can do things that no one down at Williamstown could offer. How many Williamstown players could came in and kick 3 goals from outside 50? Zero...
Although his form is flakey he is still a better option IMO.

 

[Sween54]

I'm glad to see the Eagle radar back, with 3 goals, that been his recent woe, he's been off target, don't think he can take all the blame for drummonds fine game, as I think the Ward kiddie was on him most the time. Let hope this a start of a rich vein of form for the bald one. Then we can give the arse at the end of the season

 

[MrBulldog09]

I think Eagleton was brilliant against Brisbane and I expect him to carry on this form for the rest of the season.
He had a pretty good game against Geelong and also Essendon but I think he was very poor against Freo and the Eagles but i think he had hamstring tightness as he had no kicking penetration or burst speed which he usually has and he had got that back against the Lions.
That goal on the run from 60 metres was a gem on his left and it sailed through,
GO DOGGIES!!!!!

 

[always right]

Eagleton was given far too much space by Brisbane. Why do they always turn the game into a free-flowing affair when they play us? You'd think they'd have learnt by now. Allowing Eagleton to run to the 50m mark unchallenged is always going to end in tears.

Eagleton's recent form has been poor apart from last week. With a number of players coming back, he'll need to maintain last week's form against Geelong and Collingwood. He earned his spot but can't afford to drop off. He's been fortunate that his form lapse has coincided with injuries to team-mates.

 

[INSIGHT]

I am with the general opinion here that he struggles against better opposition and seems to be the scapegaot when we are getting beaten this includes myself. For some some reason in games like St kilda a few weeks ago he seemed to be the the go to man when coming out of defence and he got beaten in most one on one contests.

The one act that I cannot get out of mind was last years prem. final against cats when we realy need a goal in the third qaurter he could not even make the distance from 40 metres. Yet he can bomb goals for outside 50 metres at other times just adds to the frustration.

Whether we have anyone better for this year I not sure but to redeem himself in my mind he needs to kick a crucial goal ala aker in the finals this season.

 

[Sedat!]

I think Eagleton was brilliant against Brisbane and I expect him to carry on this form for the rest of the season.

On the back of 6 consecutive sub-par matches, and considering he has never had a break-out performance in a final throughout his career, I admire your optimism. I really 'hope' he can string some quality football together for the rest of the season - big difference between 'hope' and 'expect'.

With Griffen out for an extended period, we are in very short supply for run and carry line-breakers, so Eagle has assumed even more importance to our current structure. Which worries me...

But well done to him on Saturday night for an excellent game - that is precisely what he is in the team for. Nothing would please me more than to see this sort of performance from him next month.

 

[RedWhite&Blue]

Other people have said it here but no-one with the exception of Gilbee could have done what Eagle did against Brisbane. Eagle was the difference in the end. That game has to have changed people's views on Eagle - his value to the team has never been so obvious.
I suppose the question is 'has he cost us games when he has been ordinary. Was he bad in the close games against Geelong, Pies and West Coast?? if so then he might have cost us those games.

 

[always right]

Other people have said it here but no-one with the exception of Gilbee could have done what Eagle did against Brisbane. Eagle was the difference in the end. That game has to have changed people's views on Eagle - his value to the team has never been so obvious.
I suppose the question is 'has he cost us games when he has been ordinary. Was he bad in the close games against Geelong, Pies and West Coast?? if so then he might have cost us those games.

To be fair...I don't think there is any doubt over his ability to produce a performance like he did on Saturday night....when he is given time and space. The challenge for him is to produce this in a pressure game. Will Geelong allow him to run unchallenged to the 50m line?

 

[beyondthevalley ofthedogs]

To be fair...I don't think there is any doubt over his ability to produce a performance like he did on Saturday night....when he is given time and space. The challenge for him is to produce this in a pressure game. Will Geelong allow him to run unchallenged to the 50m line?

I guess it wasn't really a "pressure game" last night then. I mean he's no good, (always) right? Must have been some other little bald bloke taking contested marks, smothering, tackling, running into space etc. Not that soft bastard Eagleton.

 

[always right]

I guess it wasn't really a "pressure game" last night then. I mean he's no good, (always) right? Must have been some other little bald bloke taking contested marks, smothering, tackling, running into space etc. Not that soft bastard Eagleton.

Don't be a tool. If you read my previous posts you would realise I've defended Eagleton all season. His form of late has however been poor and it is only injuries to key players that has prevented him being dropped.

Many posters on this board reckon he doesn't produce in pressure games against quality opposition. The point I was making is that his good game against Brisbane was typical of the type of game he excels in....when the opposition allow him to run unchecked. He needed to produce a strong game against a top side in a pressure game. To his credit that's exactly what he did last night.

 

[beyondthevalley ofthedogs]

Don't be a tool. If you read my previous posts you would realise I've defended Eagleton all season. His form of late has however been poor and it is only injuries to key players that has prevented him being dropped.

Many posters on this board reckon he doesn't produce in pressure games against quality opposition. The point I was making is that his good game against Brisbane was typical of the type of game he excels in....when the opposition allow him to run unchecked. He needed to produce a strong game against a top side in a pressure game. To his credit that's exactly what he did last night.

Sorry for not going back to the archives to check your Eagle-ometer. My comments were directed at the garbage that's been put up by many others that have shitecanned him for not being Daniel Cross the second. Or Guy O'Keefe.

I'd say that he's not exactly closely checked in any match but he's been poor in the matches where he hasn't worked hard enough to get into space to use his long kicking. Top game by him on Friday night and I hope it continues in September. I'm still a bit scarred by him not making the distance from 30 out in the Prelim, but I have faith in the little bald bloke for some reason.

 

[greatman]

Answer to thread question.....YES.
Another question though, Does he warrant getting a new contract?

 

[The Big Woofer]

I will put my hand up & say i've been critical of Eagleton several times this year (with reason i feel) however there's no question the last 2 games v bris & geel have suggested he offers the kicking ability we need--being able to goal from outside 50m is the best way to beat huge numbers flooding back so on current form he will stay & credit where credit is due he should stay (for now).

 

[Ghost of '85]

We have a few player who can wheel onto their preferred and slot them from outside 50 and one of them is Eagleton. His ability to kick the ball over the lines is why we got him. He's now a better player these days in that he competes more for his own ball and tackles better. Like most players he has his down days, but i think apart from that recent 4 week period he's been great all year. In the finals who better do you want on his left running towards goal 60 out?

 

[Mutt]

We have a few player who can wheel onto their preferred and slot them from outside 50 and one of them is Eagleton. His ability to kick the ball over the lines is why we got him. He's now a better player these days in that he competes more for his own ball and tackles better. Like most players he has his down days, but i think apart from that recent 4 week period he's been great all year. In the finals who better do you want on his left running towards goal 60 out?

Aker and Gilbee!

 

[always right]

Aker and Gilbee!

Aker....agree
Gilbee....not on his left from 60m

 

[Mutt]

Aker....agree
Gilbee....not on his left from 60m

Agree that Gilbee can't make the distance from 60 on the left - I was picturing Gilbee's ability to swing around on either side and straighten up quickly, kicking on his right. Gilbee rarely if ever kicks across his body or kicks a banana.

OK, ok - I was wrong with Gilbee!