irel
Norm Smith Medallist
Will Eagles soar
Or Lions roar
Clash of greats
Optus Stadium awaits
West Coast:16th
Brisbane Lions: 7th
History: West Coast Rivalry By The Numbers (lions.com.au)
And who can forget the last time we met our champion legend Gunners kicking half a dozen majors: https://www.afl.com.au/news/965558/match-report-brisbane-lions-v-west-coast-eagles
From West Coast Perspective.
What can you say about The Eagles. For those not living in Western Australia it would be difficult to comprehend that The Eagles are really one player team. Ever since Harley Reid was drafted to the Eagles the west has endured Harley mania not seen since the Beatles visited Auzieland. Harley is everywhere. Stalking has become legal because Harley cannot fart without it being reported. Every move he makes The West Australian newspaper would be reporting it, back page, daily. It would not surprise if Harley had his personal “Groom of the Stool “appointed to him.
In fact, you bustard Easterners keep you grubby little hands away from our Harley with your multi-million dollar offers. You know if we lose Harley we will secede, close our borders, build a ****ing wall and have you Mexicans shot on sight if you try entering our glorious new country.
When Harley extends, Western Australia will appoint him King, declare us as a Monarchy, line up prospective lasses to ensure lineage is preserved and henceforth WA will be known as Harleynia.
Thanks to FreoGirl
Oh, other West Coast key players for this game: Well, I can list them, but they don’t really matter, suffice to say we gave them two champions of the game in Elliot Yeo and Witherden. Our discards generally give as some heartache, exhibit A: Keays on the weekend. So, expect Witho to kick a bag now that Starcevich is not available to man him up.
Brisbane Lions.
We have been rather inconsistent running hot and cold during games. Period of excellence that should have put other teams to the sword, followed by mediocrity, keeping teams in the game with poor goal kicking accuracy.
Yes, we are winning ugly and that is a good thing. At this stage accumulating points and keeping in touch with the leading pack. Unbelievably we are 4 points, a win away from top four.
Currently our defence is way too easy to score against. Fagan alluded to this in his pressers, and they are working on solutions. I would just like us to be comfortable at Optus this Sunday.
Obviously, we will be missing Starcevich, and a replacement will come from one of: Prior, Brain or a debut for Beeken. Other option may be to re-shaffle, such as moving Ah Che back and bringing in one of Tunstill, Robertson or Sharp.
A concern for me has been what appears the decline of Lester and the out of form McKenna. They are huge reason for us leaking goals like a siv. It is not entirely on the defence as well, as our midfield’s two way running, and defensive work also needs to step up. Lester is looking and playing like he is mentally exhausted and tired. The Eagles have Darling, Allen and Waterman. It’s a worry Lester going to any of them. Does he need a rest? However, our options now are limited, with Joyce the only tall option available. Oscar Allen has hit form; Waterman has been a revelation and Darling always a possibility of breaking out. West Coast will get the media slap this week and be fired up for one last salvage job for Simpson.
Goalkicking has been very inconsistent all season. We have lost winnable games because of our goal kicking inefficiencies. We have been able to survive the last few weeks but at some stage a better team will make us pay dearly.
Our midfield/forward connection also needs to improve. Too often we bomb it in to give us territory or hoping one of our talls will compete for a mark or bring it to ground. This is unsustainable especially come finals pressure games. So many burnt leads. This part of our game is all over the field.
Prediction and Expectations:
We are a contender and a top four side, so there should be no qualms about us winning comfortably. However, taking any opposition for granted is fraught with danger.
The defence is strongly dependant on Andrews who is in AA form. Payne has established himself as a critical cog and Zorko’s slotting into the distributor role has elevated his game to new highs. I expect our defence to capably deal with whatever comes their way, however a whole of team defence approach needs to be in operation to ensure no banana slip ups at Optus.
Our Midfield quartet of Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage, Berry is at the top of their game and should receive good service from BigO. Our midfield should get on top of the Eagles mids. However, others such as Rayner, Bailey, need to lift around them. Wash will take some time to reach peak levels, however this should be a game where he can build upon a positive return from his ACL.
Our forwards so far this year have been hit and miss. Periods where they looked unstoppable and periods where you wonder what is going on in their heads. The game against Adelaide our forwards reverted to playing selfishly and just about all had a go at goal or mark of the year, when a simpler team approach should have sent Adelaide packing home with 30 points plus defeat. To say that our forward’s connection with the offensive play is horrendous is a bit generous. After six years competing in finals and relatively unchanged and consistent line up to still be struggling with connection is unbelievable. If we are to maintain our run and go deep in finals this part of our game must be addressed and soon.
A win this week will set us up for a huge clash v Sydney.
In Conclusion I expect only one forced change.
Starcevich – Out
Prior – In
