West Coast - Under achievers and proud of it?

[Goldenblue]

McDougall is scared of his own shadow.
Lynch is a lug.
Glass while I believe is a quality defender is very one dimensional, yes he shuts down players but has very little rebound.

Eagles are there midfield...that is it...

And I am sure there is going to be many discussions like this to come over the pre season...no need to start bookmarking just yet.

Eagles will not make the 8 next season.

Bitter and delusional.

Mark my words, if you think your team has more talent, then you really are delusional Sabre.

Your lack of knowledge of other sides outside of Fremantle need a lot of work young fella.

 

[Mr Q]

Eagles will not make the 8 next season.

Pretty sure you were saying that last season.

In fact, most of you purple people were saying that in the middle of this season.

Maybe its time to take off the blinkers sabre. You lot hating us doesn't actually affect our team's abilities or lack thereof.

 

[Goldenblue]

Pretty sure you were saying that last season.

In fact, most of you purple people were saying that in the middle of this season.

Maybe its time to take off the blinkers sabre. You lot hating us doesn't actually affect our team's abilities or lack thereof.

Game, set, match.

 

[jod23]

Couldnt care less what Freo supporters think of us, or what other supporters think of us to be honest. But i do know that we have taken huge steps forward this year with a lot of our young talls taking huge steps forward. We also have small youngsters in Sampi, Waters, B.Jones, Butler, Nicoski who have all been good and continue to develop really well.

With our established stars like Cousins, Gardiner, Fletcher, Kerr, Judd, Embley, Matera, Wirrpunda I am extremely confident of a top 8 finish next season as a bare minimum. Top 4 will be the goal but top 6 and a home final will be a step forward. We will be a very good side in the near future and as long as I know that, I couldnt care less what other people think.

 

[Jabber]

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...

Do you cut and paste this every year? You might want to improve your accuracy first before expecting anyone to care about your opinion.

 

[raffrox]

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

I clearly didn't state that Freo was better than west coast (actually the opposite).

But what I did state is that in a two team town where one has been average and comparisons are made the 'success' of the other team can look better than it is. west coast sees itself as a powerhouse team in the comp. Off field absolutely but on field for the last 10 years has been average. If Freo had been better 'over the journey' (couldn't resist quoting the great man) I think it would have pushed west coast more.

Good to Sabre leading with his chin again.

 

[Milenko]

I clearly didn't state that Freo was better than west coast (actually the opposite).

But what I did state is that in a two team town where one has been average and comparisons are made the 'success' of the other team can look better than it is. west coast sees itself as a powerhouse team in the comp. Off field absolutely but on field for the last 10 years has been average. If Freo had been better 'over the journey' (couldn't resist quoting the great man) I think it would have pushed west coast more.

Fremantle, for all their abundant talent and early draft picks, have clearly underachieved - with talls the quality of Pavlich, Longmuir, McPharlin, Polak, Haddrill, Simmonds and Sandilands, a finish in the 8 should be a given, pushing for top 4.

I'd say West Coast have performed about where the list has been at the past few years with veterans retiring and youngsters being blooded - middle of the pack, but rising in the years to come.

 

[funkyfreo]

I noticed that Mr Package has been a bit quiet this thread - just a few rants. For those WCE fans who think some Freo fans are trolling a bit and laying in the boot, well I think you can point the finger directly at Mr T. Package. It's not cool to stool in the pool, fool.

I for one am happy going into 2005, and so should WCE fans, because win or lose footy is a wonderful game.

But jeepers life is a hell of a lot more relaxed now WCE have gone from the finals equation

Must admit, the whole gameplay from WCE youngsters averawed by Finals pressure was very Freohomefinal2003esque - I do hope they cope a bit better - maybe Woosh and CC can do some brainstorming over the summer...

 

[Eagles4Ever]

I think Freo need to look at the problems they have a little closer to home than worry about what their cross town rivals are doing. I know its hard for you knowing that you are second best team in the state, but you really have to get that chip off your shoulders and focuss more on your own club. Making stupid predictions about West Coast not making the 8, or their players are no good doesnt make your team look or play any better than what they are.
You constantly live in our shaddow of West Coast because you are the ones that put yourselves there.
Get over it!!

 

[BigBoss]

Must admit, the whole gameplay from WCE youngsters averawed by Finals pressure was very Freohomefinal2003esque

So if the game was at Subi, you'd expect the same result?

 

[funkyfreo]

Season over and as far as I'm concerned no point for aggressive posting, unless Mr T shows up.

So if the game was at Subi, you'd expect the same result?

So with that in mind, it is difficult to say, but it wasn't so who knows. West Coast were shellacked, however, and it was not a close game where home town knowledge got Sydney home. Do I need to remind that many WCE fans last week were super excited about the Telstra Stadium's subiaco-style dimensions?

The only difference is that because the game was not at Subi, there is less likely to be the long term effects on the WCE players I guess, and less pressure on the staff and players next year.

 

[Karbassiyoon]

Mr T

I pity the fool who doesn't like he!

 

[Undertaker]

Well here is my two bobs worth on Freo & Eagles in 2004, I believe they both had their moments of glory but overall both probably under achieved.
But all is not lost both teams have the players on their lists to be top 4 finishers in 2005 with a couple of additions.
WCE need a KP Backman (Hay) and a negating midfielder (Stenglein) their remaining KPP will develop and fill the remaining voids.
Freo need in and under midfielders (Carr & Dunn) and a KP Forward which is more difficult. Murphy will play a lot of football next year at full forward Center Half forward is a problem either Pavlich / Polac or MacPharlin will have to fill the breech.
The 2004 season is now over for both teams so how about all you trolls forget about Bigfooty and go back to your computor games where you can keep your selves gainfully amused and leave us alone.

 

[BigBoss]

... it is difficult to say, but it wasn't so who knows. West Coast were shellacked, however, and it was not a close game where home town knowledge got Sydney home. Do I need to remind that many WCE fans last week were super excited about the Telstra Stadium's subiaco-style dimensions?

Dimensions don't mean as much as weather conditions. Add that to Sydney's anti-football gameplan and the result was fair enough.
Sure its an excuse, but most football is played in dry conditions and is better for seeing a team's full potential.
Eg. Collingwood beats Brisbane in a wet final last year, then gets smashed in a dry one on the same ground.

This is hardly the same as choking against Essendon last year at Subi.
Choke=Favourites Losing.

 

[funkyfreo]

Add that to Sydney's anti-football gameplan and the result was fair enough.

This is hardly the same as choking against Essendon last year at Subi.
Choke=Favourites Losing.

Point ii) - there is NO WAY you could call Sydney anti-football on St night. They played great footy and their running I thought was absulutely standout. Ok they know when to slow it down , and when they do they do it well, but Sydney played a great brand of footy no questions asked.

Point ii) - ok must still be to close to Saturday so you are a bit sore at losing and think I'm trolling for points.

 

[ThePope]

Trying to avoid the whole "One WA team rules/ the other sucks" approach, and on this season, yes Freo under achieved, WC probably over achieved (but in the end it was WC 8th, Freo 9th), but I reckon that WC is at a similar point to Freo last year.

They blooded a lot of youngsters, dumped the older fringe players (from Rd 13 onwards Carroll, Jako, Humm, Green, Munro, Chambers & Collica didn't get a single game) and got on a nice roll. They still struggle out of WA (OK, other than in Brisbane!), and after a big lead up to a finals game, got thrashed. Despite what you think of Freo's "easy away draw", we did win away this year. The Eagles must do likewise next year. Freo have to match the Eagles in not dropping the home games, the Eagles have to match Freo in not losing the winnable away games. Each game must be considered on it merits, not on it's location.

The key to their long term success will be how well at least 2 or 3 out of Seaby, Hansen, McDougall, Lynch, Beeck or Johnson can develop, similar to Freo's long term success is linked very much to the development of Polak, McPharlin, Sandilands and Murphy, with JLo/Simmonds staying around and maintaining/improving as well. We are probably have a year up on the talls development, but need to see the improvement next year. If the Eagles talls don't improve next year, then you could see a similar thing happen to WC as what happened this year to Freo.

 

[Mead]

Trying to avoid the whole "One WA team rules/ the other sucks" approach, and on this season, yes Freo under achieved, WC probably over achieved (but in the end it was WC 8th, Freo 9th), but I reckon that WC is at a similar point to Freo last year.

They blooded a lot of youngsters, dumped the older fringe players (from Rd 13 onwards Carroll, Jako, Humm, Green, Munro, Chambers & Collica didn't get a single game) and got on a nice roll. They still struggle out of WA (OK, other than in Brisbane!), and after a big lead up to a finals game, got thrashed. Despite what you think of Freo's "easy away draw", we did win away this year. The Eagles must do likewise next year. Freo have to match the Eagles in not dropping the home games, the Eagles have to match Freo in not losing the winnable away games. Each game must be considered on it merits, not on it's location.

The key to their long term success will be how well at least 2 or 3 out of Seaby, Hansen, McDougall, Lynch, Beeck or Johnson can develop, similar to Freo's long term success is linked very much to the development of Polak, McPharlin, Sandilands and Murphy, with JLo/Simmonds staying around and maintaining/improving as well. We are probably have a year up on the talls development, but need to see the improvement next year. If the Eagles talls don't improve next year, then you could see a similar thing happen to WC as what happened this year to Freo.

Totally agree with all of that, this thread ends here.

 

[Ripper]

Totally agree with all of that, this thread ends here.

Just one last thing.

http://www.allthestats.com/records/lowestscores.asp?yrfm=1960&misc=Fin&tof=4q





OK I am nearly over it.

 

[theferrett]

but they are still proud of it though - under acheiving that is

 

[Jabber]

but they are still proud of it though - under acheiving that is

Make your minds up

Did we overachieve (Pope & Sabre) or underachieve (raffrox & theferrett)?
When you get your collective brain cells together and make a decision we can all live happier.

 

[Total Package]

Make your minds up

Did we overachieve (Pope & Sabre) or underachieve (raffrox & theferrett)?
When you get your collective brain cells together and make a decision we can all live happier.

Regardless of what we did or didn't do........ what we definately didnt do today was sack our fitness coach because 6 players went behind his back and to the Dockers management and complained that the fitness coach was the reason for them running out of steam at the end of the year and contributed to them getting Ostetis Pubis.... and that he was given way too much reign at Fremantle with the interchange because Connolly basically lets him run the team. Just keeps getting better down Freo way doesn't it... can't stay out of the news

 

[Crow-mosone]

Jeezus FBF, you're gone a bit overboard here. Those 4 will all be guns? Glass has had a great season, Lynch will only ever be a good ordinary player, Hansen we haven't seen anywhere near enough of to make a call and McDougall is, to be perfectly honest, a deadset crab. Butler and Waters are in the same pot as Hansen and Jones is very much a a fringe player at best.

Best or 2nd best midfield in the league, but most of the rest are either unknown or simply ordinary. The improvement will come from the unknown, and there's nothing there to suggest any superstars amongst them. Next year the media will pump them up to be top 4 material, and they'll end up middle of the road again.

The big question: When will Worsfold come under pressure? His record: 8th, 8th, 8th. What's it going to take next year for the supporters to stay happy?

Good post, sometimes - 'one and done' isn't worth a lot.
Maybe WCE are on the bring of another glory period or false dawn. Given recent years, I am surprised at the level of certainty expressed by some of WC supporters.

 

[Freo Big Fella]

Jeezus FBF, you're gone a bit overboard here. Those 4 will all be guns? Glass has had a great season, Lynch will only ever be a good ordinary player, Hansen we haven't seen anywhere near enough of to make a call and McDougall is, to be perfectly honest, a deadset crab. Butler and Waters are in the same pot as Hansen and Jones is very much a a fringe player at best.

Best or 2nd best midfield in the league, but most of the rest are either unknown or simply ordinary. The improvement will come from the unknown, and there's nothing there to suggest any superstars amongst them. Next year the media will pump them up to be top 4 material, and they'll end up middle of the road again.

The big question: When will Worsfold come under pressure? His record: 8th, 8th, 8th. What's it going to take next year for the supporters to stay happy?

Meh, I was depressed and in a defeatist mood, what are you going to do?

Now that I think about it, I have overrated Lynch and McDougall. What was I thinking .

I still like the look of the others though, especially Hansen. Only time will tell though I suppose. Good point about the repeated 8ths though. No pressure from the west either .

 

[Jabber]

Good post, sometimes - 'one and done' isn't worth a lot.
Maybe WCE are on the bring of another glory period or false dawn. Given recent years, I am surprised at the level of certainty expressed by some of WC supporters.

brink even. I think we have the right to be confident, when under Worsfold we apparently only have a midfield and nothing else yet still seem to make the finals every year. Now that we are starting to develop key position players everyone still wants to find fault with us. One thing is certain, we long ago stopped caring what everyone else thinks.

 

[ThePope]

Onya TP... time to rake some more mud.


Do yourself a favour and buy a copy of "Behind the Play... A History of Football in Western Australia".

then read the sections on the early days of the Eagles.

• At the 1987 Fairest and Best night, Ron Alexander was talking with the club directors about his future plans were with the club and what ideas he had to improve from an OK first year. The next day, he was sacked.
• John Todd read about his sacking in the West.
• Burswood and Hungry Jacks signed sponsorship deals that DIDN'T NEED ANY PAYMENT until the END of the deal! Burswood also expected that the team would be renamed the Burswood Eagles!
• "We understood West Coast were in trouble" Ross Oakley
• The famous late picks of Heady and Kemp were only late because the Victorian clubs COULDN'T PICK WEST AUSTRALIANS AFTER PICK 26!
• In 1988 the additional predraft picks were agreed to last until 1991 - and despite the Eagles making the Grand Final (their first choke?) in that year they still managed to get the priority pick the following year!

Then read the chapter titled "Unwanted Little Brother, The Birth of the Fremantle Dockers" and you'll see that unlike how the VFL/AFL and WA footy went out of their way to help the Eagles survive and propser, they did no such thing with Freo.
"The WAFC never really wanted a second team but was under pressure from Victoria to have one".