- Jan 19, 2017
- 1,613
- 4,336
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Welcome to the Official Preview of the Robert Walls Cup.
A battle of Good vs Evil, proudly sponsored by Cola
After months of having the Friday night Blues, we may finally have a Friday night clash worth actually watching with a top 4 battle.
History
We haven’t won at the SCG since 1999, with such elite talent as Laurie Bellotti, Chad Rintoul and Daniel Metropolis, on the list it is no surprise we won that day. I say we are due another win at the home of football or cricket or whatever the SCG is the home of. However, given that we are not playing miniature golf, I do acknowledge that the ground dimensions do pose a strategic challenge.
Teams current Form
West Coast, having faced there toughest month of the season in May, came out with flying colours winning all four. Then finished off limping to the bye relying on the noise of affirmation and superior free kick count against a sharp-shooting Saints team. We also played better football than the Saints, but the media tells me the noise of affirmation is what got us the win.
Sydney on the other hand, have had one of the easy months of footy, playing the bottom 3 sides and the worst team in football (Fremantle) which have allowed them to bank some easy wins.
Key matchups
The Bye vs A 6 day break
Its difficult to get a read on this matchup, Sydney had a bruise free encounter against the Saints, but have a 6 day turn around. West coast had been playing good footy (excluding the Saints game) however looked very sore, with the bye looking to have come at an ideal time. I’m a little nervous we may come out very flat after the week off. I remember Mitch Browns BOG performance from a forward pocket after the team had a week off, which doesn’t instil me with confidence.
Buddy vs No one in particular
Last time we met Buddy found plenty of space and kicked a bag. Putting on a master class and leading his team to victory. Strategically, we organised a hard surface at Optus Stadium to ensure Buddy would still be struggling for fitness in the return bout.
Our back six has an awesome team defence, however both Gov and Barrass have been exposed on key forwards one out, allowing 5 or more goals kicked from key forwards on too many occasions this year.
Lewis Jetta vs Cal Sinclair (who won the trade)
Sinclair is coming off another really good performance for Sydney and was one of their best. He has never been the greatest player, but always appears to get the absolute best out of himself. Jetta was absolute dog shit against the Saints and looked like he was already on holidays. At his best Jetta is awesome to watch, fast, smooth moving and deadly accurate kicking. I’m hoping this is the Jetta we see on Friday
Naitanui vs Rohan
This is the matchup I’m most looking forward to. With Sydney having been playing only one recognised ruckman, I am hoping and praying they stick to this format and we get to see a similar contest in the middle to what happened with Richmond playing Grigg in the ruck. With the size of the SCG, I suspect we may even see Naitanui punch the ball through for a rushed behind from the centre bounce just for a few extra handy points.
Prediction
This is a game I wouldn’t expect a lot out of, at best it would be an admirable loss. However, this year feels very different. We have been physically and mentally tougher than I have seen, since we last won the flag.
Eagles win by 18 points in a tough seesawing affair
A battle of Good vs Evil, proudly sponsored by Cola
After months of having the Friday night Blues, we may finally have a Friday night clash worth actually watching with a top 4 battle.
History
We haven’t won at the SCG since 1999, with such elite talent as Laurie Bellotti, Chad Rintoul and Daniel Metropolis, on the list it is no surprise we won that day. I say we are due another win at the home of football or cricket or whatever the SCG is the home of. However, given that we are not playing miniature golf, I do acknowledge that the ground dimensions do pose a strategic challenge.
Teams current Form
West Coast, having faced there toughest month of the season in May, came out with flying colours winning all four. Then finished off limping to the bye relying on the noise of affirmation and superior free kick count against a sharp-shooting Saints team. We also played better football than the Saints, but the media tells me the noise of affirmation is what got us the win.
Sydney on the other hand, have had one of the easy months of footy, playing the bottom 3 sides and the worst team in football (Fremantle) which have allowed them to bank some easy wins.
Key matchups
The Bye vs A 6 day break
Its difficult to get a read on this matchup, Sydney had a bruise free encounter against the Saints, but have a 6 day turn around. West coast had been playing good footy (excluding the Saints game) however looked very sore, with the bye looking to have come at an ideal time. I’m a little nervous we may come out very flat after the week off. I remember Mitch Browns BOG performance from a forward pocket after the team had a week off, which doesn’t instil me with confidence.
Buddy vs No one in particular
Last time we met Buddy found plenty of space and kicked a bag. Putting on a master class and leading his team to victory. Strategically, we organised a hard surface at Optus Stadium to ensure Buddy would still be struggling for fitness in the return bout.
Our back six has an awesome team defence, however both Gov and Barrass have been exposed on key forwards one out, allowing 5 or more goals kicked from key forwards on too many occasions this year.
Lewis Jetta vs Cal Sinclair (who won the trade)
Sinclair is coming off another really good performance for Sydney and was one of their best. He has never been the greatest player, but always appears to get the absolute best out of himself. Jetta was absolute dog shit against the Saints and looked like he was already on holidays. At his best Jetta is awesome to watch, fast, smooth moving and deadly accurate kicking. I’m hoping this is the Jetta we see on Friday
Naitanui vs Rohan
This is the matchup I’m most looking forward to. With Sydney having been playing only one recognised ruckman, I am hoping and praying they stick to this format and we get to see a similar contest in the middle to what happened with Richmond playing Grigg in the ruck. With the size of the SCG, I suspect we may even see Naitanui punch the ball through for a rushed behind from the centre bounce just for a few extra handy points.
Prediction
This is a game I wouldn’t expect a lot out of, at best it would be an admirable loss. However, this year feels very different. We have been physically and mentally tougher than I have seen, since we last won the flag.
Eagles win by 18 points in a tough seesawing affair
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