TOPIC:

So, where do we sit moving into season 2015.

A new coach - but not the one we wanted. That's the past, and there's been plenty of examples of where not getting the "right" man was the best thing. I salute Earl's appointment. (One thing I do know is the club went after most of the obvious names and where thwarted in regards to one or two because of AFL appointments). There should be a fair amount of optimism around the club because of his appointment. Nice continuity with most of the assistants sticking around. Heard good things about our new reserves coach, too. Earl said he wasn't rushing with naming another new assistant. I think that's right, since assistants seem to come and go depending on work commitments etc.

Recruits. I personally welcome back Ransted. Also, glad to welcome back Jacobs. Fingers crossed on Teddy and Ali (though I suspect that Ali wouldn't be able to commit to training, which was the original reason he left and not because of the coach; otherwise he would've played somewhere else). Pretty sure Teddy went overseas last year (and was known to have a strong relationship with the previous coach - so once again he didn't leave because of any disagreement with the coach). Good to see Billings back, too. If I was Earl, I'd take a risk and put him in the leadership group. That might just have the effect of helping some of his onfield issues. I've only heard one solid rumour re: recruiting. Of course, we've been talking to lots of players as every club is at this time of year. However, I know of one who is fairly interested in joining PFC. A Victorian, a mid-fielder, experienced, and has a fairly-famous AFL playing brother. Surely, our best recruit this year will be Hodges.

Our losses are a bit of worry. Kane was a good back-up and handy at times, but he and Fry are the least of our losses. Risol is a big loss, since we have so few tall defenders. Bevan and Moody kicked goals, and we will find them hard to replace, especially in the experience stakes.

Other things moving. Gandhini could be good on the board. I've heard he's identified onfield performance as his main aim. I know little about Beattie (although didn't he play WAFL footy for Subi?)

Hopefully, we will be fitter come March than last year, more united too, and with the players taking on more responsibility for what happens on the field. I think this should be Earl's first mission - beyond structure and ball movement.

Where do we sit moving into 2015?

Well imho right at the foot of the ladder unless we do some serious recruiting.

We lack genuine consistant goal kickers,talls at both ends of the ground midfield strength/dominance and a mature-aged ruckman.

Ransted coming back doest help us at all imo.
My opinions on Billings are not as high as others on here and no way would i put him in the leadership group.
Of the past players who are possible comebacks only Ali Smith and Tedesco are worth chasing.

I agree re-losses,Risol and Bevan are huge outs at this point.

I have my own thoughts on the assistants of last season staying on and i wont bother going over it again.

I,like others see fitness as a real issue for this club.
Whether the players dont work hard enough off season or the wrong people have been taking pre-season or maybe a bit of both,whatever the reason the club needs to get it right.

As for the Spalding appointment he like others before him will be judged on results bearing in mind hes no rookie at coaching so no excuses.

PD, I agree with you that Len Gandini will be a good get for the Board if members agree and vote accordingly.
You have alluded to two critical matters that I am concerned about...

1. Risol gone and no height in backline. Surely we must be pursuing tall defenders. If we don't get at least one who,if anyone,on the current squad can step up immediately IYO.
2. We must be doing everything possible to get Teddy and Ali back to the club. For me, Ali is the key to our midfield. Add him to Whitey, Tropo and Hodge and we don't look too shabby. Having said that, an experienced midfield recruit with pace would top us up nicely in that area.

My other concern is Bush. There have been suggestions that he might follow Broadbridge and McMahon to Claremont. Despite his fitness problems he should be a key player for us as a tall with the versatility to play KP up forward or down back. Any news on him?

From your comments, can we take it as confirmed that Jacobs is back?

As alluded to by others here fitness must be improved. In recent seasons, particularly last season, we have been no where near WAFL fitness standards. Hopefully the new Strength and Fitness regime will correct this deficiency ASAP.

I will confirm if Jacobs is back. I heard that he was spotted at training, but I didn't see him with my own eyes so won't say for sure until I do. I, too, wouldn't like to see Busher go (once again, I'll let you know what I find out regarding Busher - but think someone else on here said he was training). But, this is his year. Lots of potential, lots of injury... In a different way, ditto for Houghton. I see Busher and Houghton as the two players within the existing set-up who could play regularly as key defenders. I prefer Billings up forward, but he could act as swing-man down back, too. But, obviously, we need to recruit one tall forward, and one tall back. BUT, we've only got 30 or so points, so with one or two midfielders that doesn't leave much for a tall forward/back. I think, should we get him, that the midfielder I identified would be 10 points. Pretty much straight replacement for Bevan.

It's obviously time for Morton boys to stand-up - mean, here, mostly Cale. Can he assume a more prominent role up forward? I've got some confidence in Earl being good for our existing talls. I know Cale is hardly a tall, but he could develop into a forward-marking option.

Sorry, I can't relate more than opinion. Not yet able to give name of recruit, but surely others must know who I'm talking about. Actually, his brother recently retired from AFL.

Did his brother in the AFL wear number 12 PD?

I have read the posts on this site for a while now, but can't hold my tongue anymore. If you believe, as most of you write, that Tedecho and Smith are "worth chasing" and "must gets", then Perth will become demonised!! It's time for the new coach to go and get what he needs - not players who have been at the club previously. Oh and Jacobs is coaching Quarading, so you won't see him unless he's doing laps to keep fit!! It certainly doesn't fill me with confidence when I read these posts and the small number of you who have views but, to my knowledge anyway,aren't prepared to put your hands up for the Board elections - but you sledge some of those who have. If you can't say anything positive - don't say it. The years have been harsh on the mighty D's and we need to take positive steps to get back in amongst it - rant over.

Hey there Pitchfork. I agree with your sentiments (about not needing to sledge), but not sure why you choose this thread to air them. I don't see much sledging going on on this thread. I do think Tedesco and Smith are worth chasing, but I'm pretty sure that Smith won't be available, unless he can come to some arrangement with Earl regarding training. Tedesco is a very good WAFL performer, and should be sounded out. I'm sorry I got things wrong about Jacobs, but I would like to see him back at the club, too. I remember the year 1999 - one of our better years since 1997. That year saw a raft of players coming back after taking 1998 off, including Bertram and Cable. Not sure I would have shown them the door just because they didn't appear in the red and black in 1998. Apart from anything else former players don't cost points.

We have to be realistic here. Things don't change overnight. The most we can hope for is 3 or 4 new guys, I mean guys either from other clubs or from interstate. That's all we can fit into the points system. I alerted people to one midfielder who should be joining us before Xmas. I've also suggested that we are talking to others - many others. I'm sure Earl will bring some guys from amateurs. This is no bad thing if they can take the next step. I'm sure Earl won't be bothering with those who haven't got a chance of making that step up.

I said I would welcome back Ransted. I remember, too, how people "welcomed" back Dene White. He shut those guys up pretty quickly, though they're loathe to admit where they got it wrong. I'm hoping that Ransted will prove some people wrong, too. He did kick goals one year, and maybe he can do it again. I wish him the best, and since he's out on the track, everyone else should too.

Further to "state of the demons". Here's our list, divided-up into positions:

Forwards: Mitch Morton, Stack, Billings, Cale Morton, Collard.

Mids: O'Sullivan, Leeson, Bateman, Hodge, White, Lynch, Tropiano, Keast, Hug, Ugle, Florio, Manuel, Kalajzic.

Backs: Boyle, Sinclair, Busher, Houghton, Holland, J. Morton, Hunt.

Rucks: Leyendekkers, Eyres, Power.

Others: Brookes, Browne, Cox, Edmonds, Leggett, Deaves, Sandilands, Garstone, Chrimes, Borrett, Moreno, McGillivray, Arangio, Busher, Gray, Jones, Bell, Fleay, Wellburn, Murray, Moore, Tanner, F. Jones, A. Ryan, Chester, Donocon, Mercer.

Others here represent those guys who haven't played league or much league. I think we can look to Edmonds to step up from this list. Others? Be interested to know whether any colts guys from last year can progress.

I was thinking Myles Sewell but it looks like he has just signed with a VFL club.


Personaldemon,
When you (or anybody else) lists a team like that with all forwards,all backs,all mids etc...it really does hit home how weak our overall squad is,imo.
The "amateur" thing just doesnt work unless they are an outstanding talent,if they dont play league by round 4 they generally pull the pin and go back playing amateurs.

Really does highlight the urgent need of at least 5 quality recruits!!

By the way everyone and i mean everyone me included gave White the credit he deserved but lets be honest that form was well overdue and the comments fired his way previously were warrented.
Not every returning player is going to have the same outcome plus White
has to back that form up this season.


Why do we struggle to sign players this time of the season,it seems most other wafl clubs have no problems announcing a couple of signatures to there members and supporters and the best we can come up with is,"we should announce 1 by xmas",1?,and i bet thats no certainty.

Welcome to the forum Darryle.
30+ in all fairness to Dene White he has now had 2 good seasons.
He has turned the corner IMHO and is now a quality WAFL player.
Teddy and Ali are quality WAFL players and are still very much priorities IMHO, not Ransteds.
IMHO Ransted has never been a quality WAFL player.
To continually name Deaves in a list of players tells you where we are as a Club.
Certain Board members have been "sledged" on this forum and rightly so.
Their performance has been abysmal, evidenced by the results of the last 4 years.
Had the Club given the same support to Jarman results would have been far different.
Others are seemingly there for the wrong reason.
The only way forward for this Club is a clean out from the top down.
Unfortunately there are not the number of quality candidates capable of doing the job needed for the overhaul to occur.
I expect some of the same over the next few years.
And that's coming from a long time supporter who has been too positive over the years.