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Tough gig this Saturday. We haven't lost 2 in a row for a few years so I am hanging my hat on that stat. Lose Saturday and we go 2 games behind EF and top spot pretty much gone. We haven't been horrible but we are back to the pack with Black, Knott, Kurnett, Hammo, Munns & Hutchings on the side lines, Black, Knott and Hammo are a chance to return this week.

Kudos to WP for doing what they needed to do to secure the 4 pts.....Dobson definitely a more then handy pick up from EP for WP.....EF for once keep tabs on the two K's....and still lose....seemed to be one scoring end till 3/4 time....then WP put that assumption to the sword by kicking 4 in the last....same as EF.

A tough game yesterday.Firstly,conditions weren't conducive to fast open play - the wind was a bit tricky and the surface a little greasy.I posted earlier that EF guys like Murdock,Baskerville and Bennett would be influential in the result but their impact ended up less significant because of the conditions.Both sides played it hard and in the end this suited WP more.That was the hardest they have been for their attack on the ball all season.Harris mentioned in an article this morning that they concentrated all week at training on what they did best last year - maximum effort.The spirit was definitely there.I don't think EF should lose any friends on that performance.It was a tough finals like game.Some of the EF posters were a bit critical of their big forwards but it was one of those games where the forwards were never going to get silver service.Even ours struggled although Dobson did well but he is just in good form.Has WP turned the corner?Probably too early to tell but if we continue that spirit and determination from yesterday we will get there.

TheFeds wrote:

A tough game yesterday.Firstly,conditions weren't conducive to fast open play - the wind was a bit tricky and the surface a little greasy.I posted earlier that EF guys like Murdock,Baskerville and Bennett would be influential in the result but their impact ended up less significant because of the conditions.Both sides played it hard and in the end this suited WP more.That was the hardest they have been for their attack on the ball all season.Harris mentioned in an article this morning that they concentrated all week at training on what they did best last year - maximum effort.The spirit was definitely there.I don't think EF should lose any friends on that performance.It was a tough finals like game.Some of the EF posters were a bit critical of their big forwards but it was one of those games where the forwards were never going to get silver service.Even ours struggled although Dobson did well but he is just in good form.Has WP turned the corner?Probably too early to tell but if we continue that spirit and determination from yesterday we will get there.

Great assessment Fed, its the best effort we have put in with 6 out too. I think we have turned a corner and should become more consistent going forward. EF are a pretty good side and really its all "on the day" type stuff. Murray and Meadows were brilliant, Dobbo is getting better, Sprigg looks a likely type and will stay as #1 ruck until form decides opposite for mine.

Good comment on Sprigg Whinnen.He certainly looks the type and has filled out a little from the colts last season.Still got a lot of upper body development to go but if you get 44 ruck knocks in your first game you've got something to work with.Long term investment there along with quite a few kids in the ressies.

The loss of Hamp changed the WP structure, the inclusion of O’Donnell who can play back or front freed up Rotham who also can play back or front, this is a better structure than what we have presented from the start of the season. Sprigg crashed into all three opponents, 44 hit outs against some very good opposition gave WP that ruck edge that we have desperately needed. Nelson and Meadows again just burrowed in and dug the ball out. Our back line was superb, without that champion Dean Munns and the rock of Gibraltar Mark Hamilton WPs backline stood up. If Gordy has a bad day , Moulton picks up and pegs is the glue at centre half back. Same with the forward line, if Knotty has a bad day Kernutt lifts or if Keitel has a bad day Dobbo lifts. Ben Johnson has been a mop, he mops it up and belts the ball back into our forward line. Anyway, I liked Saturdays team structure, a good win against an honest old east team.