AFLW West Coast Women 2022 - Discussion

[bUCKET__]

For most of this year, the midfield has been second to the ball. We're consistently sucked into the contests and beaten on the spread, and particularly vulnerable on turnover or when exiting our forward 50. When we leave our defensive half there's no one up ground. On the whole, we're outworked and without structure.

A lot of this has to come down to coaching. If we're being fair, this has not been an ideal season for a developing team. So as a result, I reckon Prior gets another year with the hope that we get a bit more of a normal season next year. But he's on thin ice.

Given the difficult season, it's worth remembering that this team has played worse the longer the season has gone on. I think that's worth reflecting on, especially with the younger players like Lewis and Bowen who are (inexplicably) expecting to be leading the team.

I reckon if we look at the strengths that our players provide at their best – instead of the glaringly obvious deficiencies – there's still a lot to work with. But as a collective, hard to imagine a team less on the same page.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

I reckon Port will sign up Ward and Gauci and Essendon will sign Bullas. Add that to the retirement of Guard and probably Caulfield and that’s five list changes straight away.

Bresland probably unlikely to get another deal. Davison might be in the same boat. Plus Gilmore, who’s 33 and not going to get any better. That’s eight, more than a quarter of our list. Don’t think we’d want to cut much deeper than that.

 

[Dark Sharks]

Holy shit Grace Kelly kicked a goal? AND took a mark?

Off the top of my head that'd be about her first for the year. In both categories.

 

[allswell]

At least you get Roberts now. Although it looks like you wil need more than her. I went and watched Peel V East Freo yesterday but she didn’t play (not sure why) but it was a cracking game of footy. More skills across both teams then some of the fringe AFLW girls. Worth a watch.

 

[Biggie]

Ella Roberts fractured her ankle playing basketball sometime back.

I’m told she will play in the 18s tournament coming up.

And yes we need more than her, don’t need that pointed out by an oppo poster on our board.

I watched that game and the 16s State development game yesterday. Some really good positive signs, especially in the 16s game

 

[Dark Sharks]

Roberts is one player, she won't change a single thing with what's wrong with this club.

Needs a full cleanout. From playing list to coaches, to development staff, to management.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

And yes we need more than her, don’t need that pointed out by an oppo poster on our board.

Who are the other top draft prospects this year? (Apart from those sisters playing at West Perth, obviously)

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Ella Roberts fractured her ankle

 

[Monocle]

Who are the other top draft prospects this year? (Apart from those sisters playing at West Perth, obviously)

I think Lauren Wakfer from South Fremantle would be a very good get. ( I would play her as a KPF, rather than in the ruck )

This selection will split opinion but I thing Bartlett deserves another chance, she may not be the quickest but she has an impressive footy IQ, she is a cunning opportunist around goals and knows where to position herself...... and thats something that ,other than Cameron, our forward line is devoid of.

And yeah the West Perth sisters.

 

[Dark Sharks]

I legit think the best WAFLW team would be West Coast. There's plenty of talent at state level.

If you told me we just sacked 8 players and were picking up Roberts, plus 7 more from the state leagues, i'd be stoked.


It's the Bullas, Atkins, Caufield, Gilmore, Grace Kelly, Bresland types who need to follow Guard out the door.

Hell, i wouldn't be against adding Cameron to the list as well. Forever unfit and still riding the hype from her first season.



Bowen, Golden girl Laurie, Mcdonald on next years watch list if they aren't showing improvement. Among others.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

I legit think the best WAFLW team would be West Coast. There's plenty of talent at state level.

If you told me we just sacked 8 players and were picking up Roberts, plus 7 more from the state leagues, i'd be stoked.


It's the Bullas, Atkins, Caufield, Gilmore, Grace Kelly, Bresland types who need to follow Guard out the door.

Hell, i wouldn't be against adding Cameron to the list as well. Forever unfit and still riding the hype from her first season.



Bowen, Golden girl Laurie, Mcdonald on next years watch list if they aren't showing improvement. Among others.

McDonald had had a good season before yesterday.

 

[Monocle]

McDonald had had a good season before yesterday.

I though she had a good season too and yesterday I thought she actually showed something when she was sent forward in the last quarter.
She is only 21 and we don't exactly have an abundance of KPP on our list than can at least hold their own.

The backline have had to work their arses off the season, as the majority of game time, the ball was being spent in their territory, it was insane.
They had a good reason to be tired as the games ran out as they were under siege pretty well ever game.

Cant agree with McDonald being under the pump to keep her spot, as for me she is a keeper.

 

[AsterixTheGaul]

McDonald had had a good season before yesterday.

Agree on McDonald - not seen the Norf game but she had a very good season and showed a heap of improvement. Not unusual for the last line of defence to look poor with the high frequency and quality of delivery to the deep forwards.

Cameron is skilled but until she gets fit, she shouldn’t be playing.

Lakay will be a better ruck option and needs to now build her endurance as she is good at stoppages but unable to impact around the ground

I was disappointed to read that Prior will be continuing as senior coach. Without a proper GM of Football Operations, WTF is going to tell him his game plan and ball movement are flawed?

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

I was disappointed to read that Prior will be continuing as senior coach. Without a proper GM of Football Operations, WTF us going to tell him his game plan and ball movement are flawed?

I read a headline that he wanted to continue, was there an update from the club?

If we’re done with hubs, I’d like to see Pratt take back over. We definitely looked to be developing best in his year in charge.

 

[AsterixTheGaul]

I read a headline that he wanted to continue, was there an update from the club?

If we’re done with hubs, I’d like to see Pratt take back over. We definitely looked to be developing best in his year in charge.

On the Eagles website

AFLW: Eagles will learn from tough season: Prior

The West Coast Eagles will review their year after closing out a challenging campaign with a loss to North Melbourne at Arden St

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I don’t see any justification for him getting a second season. We were going places last season. Basically every player went backwards under Prior.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Booooo.

 

[DanWCE]

I don’t see any justification for him getting a second season. We were going places last season. Basically every player went backwards under Prior.

Coaching continuity. That is literally it. Said it part way through the season that we'd stick with him for continuities sake despite the poor results. It is disappointing but we're negatively affected regardless of what move we make now.

Chopping and changing coaches every year is a bad look and very difficult for the players as well. I'm sure if they were given the option they'd want Pratty back, though. And technically that's less of a "new" coach.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Coaching continuity. That is literally it. Said it part way through the season that we'd stick with him for continuities sake despite the poor results. It is disappointing but we're negatively affected regardless of what move we make now.

Chopping and changing coaches every year is a bad look and very difficult for the players as well. I'm sure if they were given the option they'd want Pratty back, though. And technically that's less of a "new" coach.

I’d rather a bad night with gastro, followed by a period of good health, than two years of low level diarrhoea.

The longer we let guys like Prior and Webster stay in jobs, the lower our standards and expectations get.

 

[DanWCE]

I’d rather a bad night with gastro, followed by a period of good health, than two years of low level diarrhoea.

The longer we let guys like Prior and Webster stay in jobs, the lower our standards and expectations get.

I get your point of view, and in isolation I reckon they'd move him on. But when the decision is considered with the previous seasons coaching changes I can see them staying the course.

 

[DanWCE]

So jelly of this Brisbane side's ball movement

 

[Monocle]

So jelly of this Brisbane side's ball movement

And what about their pace all over the ground, their run - spread and carry is a treat to watch.

 

[jatz14]

I reckon Port will sign up Ward and Gauci and Essendon will sign Bullas. Add that to the retirement of Guard and probably Caulfield and that’s five list changes straight away.

Bresland probably unlikely to get another deal. Davison might be in the same boat. Plus Gilmore, who’s 33 and not going to get any better. That’s eight, more than a quarter of our list. Don’t think we’d want to cut much deeper than that.

I think even 8 is pushing it. If Freo take 4, your looking at drafting the 10- 12 th most promising in the state, and at that point, your looking at players that are arguably no better, or worse than, the players you delist.

And the reality is, a bunch of the players on the delist list, were drafted in the last 2 years.

I keep thinking of players in other clubs that looked pretty ordinary, that I had thought were delist options, that really took of after 3 or 4 years in the system. Ruby Schleicher from Collingwood averaged 3 possessions a game in her first season, and in her third, still only averaged 6. Currently on 18 a game as a key back. 2 or 3 years in, I was thinking, shame, decent size, athletic, just cannot find the ball or impact the game, but thats probably her done. Likely all Australian, again, this year.

My nightmare scenario.

We delist players that still have little actual AFLW level experience, and only 2 or 3 years in the system, like McDonald, Davidson, and replace them with players that have no experience and zero years in the system. McDonald and Davidson then put it together elsewhere, and we are looking at delisting their replacements 2 or 3 years in, because they are getting single digit possessions.

An example, I think we made a mistake delisting Bartlett, and if we are shown we made that mistake after Fremantle draft her, I will be pissed.

In the mens, it is not remarkable when a new draftee goes 2 - 4 years before debuting. We have to accept womens is heading in that direction. Our issue is, we need to throw them straight in, in a team that sucks.

 

[Biggie]

Roberts, Wakfer, Georgi Cleaver are top 3. Ash Reidy is also good but I wonder if she can go on next level.

The rest of the 18s - Jamie Henry is a Emily Bennett type. Tara Stribley is a good fast winger (26 touches today)

WA contingent isn’t as strong as last year tbh

Watching the 16s yesterday however, there’s some real talent inbound

My two are a bit off AFLW tbh, they aren’t in the state squads so they have to go the hard way - appreciate the kind words (My two are 18 and 16 this year). They will, if they want it, be bloody good WAFLW players imo but may not quite be good enough for that next step

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Looks like Cleaver isn’t eligible this year.