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Senior Seagull wrote:

DG, thats exactly what EF did to us, their pressure from the first bounce was intense, we had no time at all to execute, hence the really poor disposal which made our forwards life really tough. But when we did get it forward our conversion was hopeless. How long since we've been held to 1 goal in a half of footy. We looked slow again, we got away with it last week due to Swans lack of fitness but EF are big, strong and fit, their disposal was very good and they maintained possession very well. Teakle is all class and will be a massive loss for them as he's guaranteed to go in the the mid-season WAFL rape festival.

Kitch tried his guts out all day as usual but had little support, losing Walters was critical as our mid-field ranks are tissue thin, so it's easy for the opposition to run a heavy tag on Kitch and close down our clearances. And heavy was the tag on Kitch, he took a beating all day, nothing much out of order but he would have been sore at the end. Dela was ok but is making uncharacteristic errors along with his good play, put that down to EF great pressure and the fact he has little support. The backs worked hard but were overwhelmed by the number of inside 50's by EF. 

2 and 4 so far, Peelmantle next week who beat Cl and will again be heavily loaded with listed players and very likely to have Fyfe as no need for Freo to rush him back into the AFL. If we play like yesterday they will win very comfortably. Then Perth who almost rolled top of the table Joondy with a heap of players out and then a winnable game v WCER. We could be looking at hitting mid season at 3 & 6 or at best 4 & 5 if we can get over Perth. If 3 & 6 I think thats the finals gone, 4 & 5 gives us a faint sniff only due to it being an even season but we would need to finish with 6 from 9 as our % is poor.

We need to find that old style quickly SS, or we are gone. Looking back at last years premiership side to Saturday's team, a heap of good players missing and only really Giro in and I thought we were pretty lucky to win it in 2021

Agree DG, if Souths were anywhere near full strength, they would have rolled us. We went in a few injured players, Dela had a broken foot,  no idea how he managed to suit up and :Locks was no where near fit, so we dodge a bullet for sure.

Almost certain we will be without Dela next year, they had to convince him to go again for this season, If Locks had done an ACL then I expect he will hang up the boots, the rest I think will go around again, but we need some more quality in the mids and we definitely need to find a good solid ruckman to mentor the young rucks coming through, someone around 200cm and 100kegs to stand up against guys like Goddard, Jones and Co. We'll likely have to come up against Freo's Meek this week who dominated against Cl and possibly Fyfe in the mids, it could get ugly.

We've never been a quick team as far as individual pace goes, but we have been able to move the ball quickly and precisely, something we haven't done this year and we dont work hard enough on the spread. The only 2 guys that have real genuine pace are Giro, who we may lose in the mid season rape and Stergiou who I think could become a good mid. 

If we can somehow get over Peelmantle, then we have 2 winnable games v Perth and WCER which would have us 5 & 4 and in the mix, but that maybe wishful thinking. After WCER we start up the 2nd half against SF, CL & WP

Fyfe to play.  Hopefully a decent  crowd. 

Any word on Lockyer?? Limped of with what looked like a serious ankle or knee injury

Heard nothing yet KCEF, hopefully it's an ankle rather than a knee and on the minor side.

WC said Fyfe will aim to play 90mins which is pretty much a full game given normal interchange breaks. He must have been very close to going straight to AFL and would have done if Freo were struggling, so he will be plenty fit enough to cause some real havoc at WAFL level. Wondering who would go to him, probably Gus is the best bet, he has some pace and strength and is disciplined enough to try and lock him down, but we are talking about Fyfe at around 194cm and 95+ kegs, he's as big or bigger than Dela. We are already struggling with clearances and Fyfe is a clearance monster so his impact could be decisive.

We saw last year how a champion player can lift a team when an inspirational Schoey dragged the WCER over the line. against us

KCEF wrote:

Any word on Lockyer?? Limped of with what looked like a serious ankle or knee injury

Subi CEO said this morning that he's done for the season with a knee.

Cheers Roman. Not unexpected as the players got around him at 3/4 time last week and he walked away from the huddle in deep conversation with his old man. At 28 he can still make a come back but will he have the appetite to go through rehab then get back up to fitness? Time will tell I guess.

This season goes from bad to worse with Brandon Matera out for several weeks with a knee, Mayo and Lockyer gone for the year and others struggling to get back on the park after long term injuries. 

Yeah it's a bit like how we started in the 2020 exhibition lightning carnival comp.  Still a chance to blood plenty of the youngsters at the club and identify what gaps need to be filled with recruits for next season. Obviously a decent ruckman to cover for Dela who is almost certain to pull the pin and a tall backman to cover for Locks are the major priorities.

It just goes to show SS how we have missed a top class ruckman since Zac Clarke. As you correctly pointed out earlier, Dela at 194cm is the same height as Nat Fyfe and you won't see him in any ruck contests on Saturday.

Sad news there.  A chance for Clinchy to make his mark. 
last year there was a promising half back flank in the 2s. Fantastic Mark. What happened to him?