West Coast - Under achievers and proud of it?

[raffrox]

Now I know I'm gonna get the f off newbie crap (couldn't get my old log in to work so got a new one) and eagles people are gonna accuse me of trolling them or creating another Freo v West coast thread but hey here it goes. And yes... Freo are soft, Freo blew this year and Connolly needs a wake up call.

Since their premiership in '94 the eagles have played 12 finals games and lost 10! of them. West Coast runs a professional but pretty conservate team. No risks with their trading or anything like that. Half way through the season west coast was going to be aggressive on the trade table... another 9th finish and Woosha is in todays paper down playing such a thought. No risks taken and really no real progress into being an elite team.

Do you think that west coast is hiding behind their mediocracy? They are always around the mark in making the finals. Compared to Freo they have been superstars over the last 10 years but this year not much really seperated them yet one team got rubbished and one didn't.

Both teams had slumps and both teams had hot streaks. Both won a derby. One finished 9th, one finished 8th. Both were touted pre-season to improve and both had the top four in their sights (Woosha definitely said that on more than a few occassions). Both performed under expectations. Both teams have glaring weaknesses (Eagles with quality KPP and Freo with hard at it midfielders). Both lists are abouth the same with youngsters and veterans.

Now in a two team town the eagles can hide a bit especially when the other team in the town has been consistently crap but really... a 10 year history of folding in pressure games (2-10 record) against any half decent competition (ie. a top eight team) isn't a recent history worth any real respect either.

 

[Milenko]

Probably shouldn't even respond to this but...

We didn't linger at the bottom of the ladder for long enough (ie. when we bottomed out in the Judge era, we didn't bottom out for long enough).

Woosha came in probably a year too early and got the most out of ageing veterans Pe Matera, Jakovich, McIntosh, but overall kept them on the list too long. Persisted with a few duds along the way (hello Sierakowski, Prior, Merenda, Wilson, etc).

Now we are stuck with a GUN midfield (forget about last night ) and developing KPPs, nowhere near sound enough a structure to win finals AWAY from home.

Our inherent problem is the consistency we lack during the H&A season, primarily attributable to developing young KPPs, comes back to haunt us in finals time when we finish in 6th or 7th place, and then are forced to play away from home first week and promptly get bundled out.

We are then left with indifferent draft picks (12-15ish) after all the priorities have been distributed, and then the cycle begins again.

Our only hope to capitalise on our talent-laden midfield, is to hope a gun CHF exists among Travis Gaspar / Ashley Hansen / Andrew McDougall, and we can get Michael Gardiner fit and back to his AA form. Failing that, watch out for the navy blue and gold exiting the finals week one - put your house on it.....

 

[skywalk750]

Considering their KPP have just started to develope I dont see the purpose of this post

 

[Altum Volantes]

Well going back to the late 90's is pretty pointless seen as how that is ancient history now but at this point in time we're in better nick and have a right to feel more optimistic about the future than at the end of 02 and 03.

We made more progress this year than we have in many years. Sure the Eagles have their weaknesses, just like all the other mid table teams but the good out weighs the bad and the club will continue to push forward. Proud of the fact we've struggled to win away finals since 1994? Nope, don't know what would give you that idea.

 

[The Magenius]

Well at least we know what achieving is!

Why don't you go and actually win a final before you start bagging a team that can spend the summer polishing either one of their two cups!

Just put a magazine in front of your face and shut up!

 

[Mead]

Oddly enough, I think this has been by far the most positive season for a West Coast team since the late 90s, mainly because a lot of things haven't gone our way and we've been forced to deal with them.

Last year we were entirely reliant on Michael Gardiner to the point where an injury to him saw us spiral from being a top 4 side to winning just 2 of our last 8 and falling to pieces. The fact that we've been able to build a successful team this year minus our best player is an extremely good thing- we're a lot more honest now and a lot less reliant on any one player. Gardiner coming back next season is a bonus rather than something we desperately need.

As for the contrast between the two west australian teams, it couldn't be more glaring- West Coast had a hellish run with injuries and a tough draw, Fremantle had precisely the opposite, and still finished 2 games behind us.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Well at least we know what achieving is!

Why don't you go and actually win a final before you start bagging a team that can spend the summer polishing either one of their two cups!

Just put a magazine in front of your face and shut up!

Must you?

The guy clarified his eagerness for it not to turn into the usual crap.

With typical crap like this it will do just that.

 

[Ruddiger]

Considering their KPP have just started to develope I dont see the purpose of this post

Very true. The forward line just isn't there yet.

 

[Effes]

Would WC take Whitnall.........and if so what would you give up?

 

[The Magenius]

Must you?

The guy clarified his eagerness for it not to turn into the usual crap.

With typical crap like this it will do just that.

Well what else did he hope to achieve. Don't believe everything you read.

 

[The Magenius]

Would WC take Whitnall.........and if so what would you give up?

Probably a lot of the food supplies at subiaco oval.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Well what else did he hope to achieve. Don't believe everything you read.

You know people, this is why this board has gone to such crap.

Nobody wants to talk footy, it's all one big ******** measuring contest.

Too many crap posters.

 

[The Magenius]

You know people, this is why this board has gone to such crap.

Nobody wants to talk footy, it's all one big ******** measuring contest.

Too many crap posters.

Well he has achieved what he set out to, stir up trouble. Please don't play into his hands. I am not the enemy.

 

[bunsen burner]

And yes... Freo are soft, Freo blew this year and Connolly needs a wake up call.

At least you got something right.

Since their premiership in '94 the eagles have played 12 finals games and lost 10! of them.

Because we weren't good enough. If we were favourites going into most of these finals then you would have a point, but we weren't so you don't.

Do you think that west coast is hiding behind their mediocracy?

Certainly not now, but they may have been between 95 and 99.

The Eagles underachieved in the first half of the season, but came home strong with the development of many younger players. Losing in Sydney was always going to be on the cards so the final ladder position (8th) doesn't show the full story.

Although the Eagles only finished 8th, it has been a very good year. Eagles fans finished the year with a team that has the potential to really go on with it. If they don't make top four next year, feel free to come back and accuse them of being under achievers - I'll most likely agree with you.

They are always around the mark in making the finals. Compared to Freo they have been superstars over the last 10 years but this year not much really seperated them yet one team got rubbished and one didn't.

Welcome to a two team town where there are more Eagles supporters than Docker supporters.

Both teams had slumps and both teams had hot streaks. Both won a derby. One finished 9th, one finished 8th. Both were touted pre-season to improve and both had the top four in their sights (Woosha definitely said that on more than a few occassions). Both performed under expectations. Both teams have glaring weaknesses (Eagles with quality KPP and Freo with hard at it midfielders). Both lists are abouth the same with youngsters and veterans.

Freo are ahead in development and has the team on paper. IMO they should have been top 4 this year. Freo clearly underachieved with the list they have. They have no excuses such as lack of experienced KPPs. The Eagles coming home strong along with the continued development of Glass, Waters, McDougall etc has been somewhat of a plausible excuse.

 

[Cat_flying_high]

I just don't understand why this thread was started at all. ok, so we're not good at playing away games under pressure (when's the last time we had a home final?). Most teams aren't, if you haven't noticed. At least we've come 8th AND blooded a whole heap of youngsters of which a good proportion will be stars. Bring on 2005!

 

[Altum Volantes]

Well he has achieved what he set out to, stir up trouble. Please don't play into his hands. I am not the enemy.

What are you talking about?

3 decent Eagles posters replied TO THE TOPIC with their opinion without resorting to trolling.

 

[sabre_ac]

Eagles if anything overachieved.
They WILL not be a top 8 side next season.
I realise allot of there players have allot of development ahead of them but they played above themselves this season and were lucky enough to come up against sides in form slumps.
Teams cannot just rely on midfielders,eagles will realise this 2005

 

[The Magenius]

I just don't understand why this thread was started at all. ok, so we're not good at playing away games under pressure (when's the last time we had a home final?). Most teams aren't, if you haven't noticed. At least we've come 8th AND blooded a whole heap of youngsters of which a good proportion will be stars. Bring on 2005!

It was started to cause trouble, mission accomplished?

 

[The Magenius]

What are you talking about?

3 decent Eagles posters replied TO THE TOPIC with their opinion without resorting to trolling.

You mean one of the few that didn't state that this thread had no purpose, or that they should not even respond to it, such was its insipidly malicious hidden agenda.

 

[Mr Q]

Since their premiership in '94 the eagles have played 12 finals games and lost 10! of them.

And in case you also hadn't noticed, since 1994 the Eagles have played 12 finals and exactly ONE has been in Perth - in week one 1996 (three should have been, but only one was). West Coast have historically only played five total finals at home from 31 total finals games. Probably the lowest ratio of any team in the competition since 1987.

The Eagles finals record in recent years looks worse than it is because the Eagles haven't managed to get a home final. If we make a reasonable assumption that the Eagles might have won the finals in '96 and '99 had they been played in Perth, the record would be 4-8 with only three played in Perth.

 

[Total Package]

HA HA HA people.... I dunno why I am bothering...he is just a frustrated Dockers supporter still burning over the fact our youngsters got to play in a final and get some experience while their so called squad of young stars sat on their couches wondering what its like to play a final. If this is his what they have to resort to.. to get one back over us then it does make me smile

PS:Raffrox... I know u think we are underachievers.... or trying to make out you think that.... but of all those finals how many have we lost at Subiaco? 0. How many have Freo lost at Subiaco? 1. The simple fact is its tough to win finals away from home.... if that was at Subi we would go close to winning... if Port played Geelong in Melb it would be a diff game... etc etc. The fact is we havent been good enough to win home finals for 5 years and we need to get home finals to go anywhere. Losses in sudden death finals the other side of the country is not underachieving. Not even making the finals with the squad Fremantle has is.

Oh and for what its worth.. I am proud of the boys.. to win 8 of our last 9 to make the finals including having to win games in Brisbane was a great effort considering how young the side was and the start to the year we have had. We at least showed some heart and ticker to get to the finals when all looked lost. Pity the Dockers couldnt do the same huh? That is all

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Their team is on the rise, with plenty of good youngsters. Hardly underachievers.

The arrogance from some of their supporters was a bit weird, but every club has that type.

 

[utility]

They are on the rise and with Gardiner and Cousins fit, and their young KPPs developing should easily make the finals next year... don't forget what they've done the last two times they've travelled to the Gabba.

 

[Ten Ton Hammer]

Wait until they pull their sh#t together then the rest of the comp will be in trouble!

 

[The Magenius]

They are on the rise and with Gardiner and Cousins fit, and their young KPPs developing should easily make the finals next year... don't forget what they've done the last two times they've travelled to the Gabba.

Yeah thats the problem for some reason people don't seem to care that we are the only team to beat brisbane at home this year.
Apparently it counts for little to some, well there is nothing i can do for others ignorance.