TOPIC:

Because it was so wet and miserable I had a good look at a few AFL games this afternoon. The Eagles impressed me with their endeavor and desperation despite the fact that Sydney were in control of the game all day. They just appear to lack a bit of poise and polish and their skills were not quite as good as the Swans in the difficult conditions.

Simpson now has been coach for 15 games so he must be starting to gain a stronger view of what he might need to do to refresh his list for 2015. Given that the Eagles are now all but mathematically out of the finals race, it may be timely for Simpson to give some of the guys who have played predominantly for East Perth this year a bit of a run to see what they can do. Blaine Wilson, Tunbridge,Colledge, Sheed and Mcinnes would fall into that category. What do Eagles fans think?

Also I would be interested in Eagles fans views as to what types of players Simpson needs to go for to improve the team next year. There has been a lot of comment about the teams lack of pace in the midfield, so is this an area or are there the resources already there amongst the younger draftees to fill this need. Would there be a potential for some trading and who would you trade for? I was watching Wellingham this afternoon and thinking how disappointing he has been in his year and a half with the Eagles. I know his 2013 was ruined by injury but he hasnt set the world on fire this year either and he was an elite player at Collingwood.

Completely agree mikeh. I went to the game yesterday (only because I was offered a seat in a box) and whist I think WCE have some good young guys to work with, the thing that stood out for me was how much fitter Sydney seemed to be.

I think Simpson was using this year as a bit of a teething year and I wouldnt be surprised to see some massive changes over the off season. I also think it is a good time to give some younger fringe players a few games to give them experience.

Yea as almost everyone has stated, its our midfield that lacks. We have too many outside players and not enough grunt or pace. Priddis has been fantastic, but he does lack pace and he cant do everything on his own. Wellingham seriously needs to lift his game. He did sweet FA yesterday and he, along with a few others (Shuey!) looked uninterested. Perhaps with Wellingham at the Pies it was a case of an average player looking good in an awesome team?
I'd like to see Selwood being used as a proper midfielder again and not a tagger, just look at the hawks - they dont tag and they have been one of the benchmark teams for the last 7/8 years.

anchorman wrote: Slightly off the post heading,but what happened to Nic Nat yesterday!!!Dropped,rested or injured?
First off I would get rid of Masten he is a dead set loss for them. They need pacey and aggressive midfielders.None of their mids have any aggression.
It would be a bad blow for them as well if they lose Lycett.I would make sure he stays.
To me they have far too many out side receivers and not enough hard and in under players.But I have to say I have been impressed by their last two efforts.But honourable losses don't get four points.

Don't know what you've got against Masten anchor, but he gets it more that the rest of the centres and does a better job delivering it. I would give Sinclair a go and if he is as good as he has showed, they can trade Lycett for a bloody good, strong midfielder. I would be telling Wellingham and Shuey they have the rest of the season to show why they shouldn't be traded. As for Nic Nat, they say he is still carrying an injury, hence the rest. Either way, he doesn't deserve a position in the league team.

refer:

ozfooty.net/joomla16/forum/the-bar/2883-...ruckmen?limitstart=0

mikeh wrote: Because it was so wet and miserable I had a good look at a few AFL games this afternoon. The Eagles impressed me with their endeavor and desperation despite the fact that Sydney were in control of the game all day. They just appear to lack a bit of poise and polish and their skills were not quite as good as the Swans in the difficult conditions.

Simpson now has been coach for 15 games so he must be starting to gain a stronger view of what he might need to do to refresh his list for 2015. Given that the Eagles are now all but mathematically out of the finals race, it may be timely for Simpson to give some of the guys who have played predominantly for East Perth this year a bit of a run to see what they can do. Blaine Wilson, Tunbridge,Colledge, Sheed and Mcinnes would fall into that category. What do Eagles fans think?

Also I would be interested in Eagles fans views as to what types of players Simpson needs to go for to improve the team next year. There has been a lot of comment about the teams lack of pace in the midfield, so is this an area or are there the resources already there amongst the younger draftees to fill this need. Would there be a potential for some trading and who would you trade for? I was watching Wellingham this afternoon and thinking how disappointing he has been in his year and a half with the Eagles. I know his 2013 was ruined by injury but he hasnt set the world on fire this year either and he was an elite player at Collingwood.

They need a small pacy goal kicking forward,2 big bodied mids that can get the hard ball to the outside runners.

The Eagles also need more of Darling and Kennedy firing on the same day on a consistant level.
Darling needs to hit the scoreboard more imo.

Simpson as most new coaches do inherited a list with a few list cloggers on it.
Ash Smith,Josh Hill,Jacob Brennan(tough call but i cant see where he fits in) and a couple of others...delisted or traded out(good luck with that one)

Simpson after a full year as head coach goes into the next draft picking 100% the players he wants.
Hawthorn had a good record of picking up good players from other clubs,i'm hoping Simpson does the same.

I tell you what if Simpson doesn't want to give Tunbridge a senior game then I hope Fremantle speaks to his manager in the off season. The bloke is strong as an ox and kicks like a mule, good over head and got a bit of aggression in him. His left foot is as good an any going around. Surely he gets a gig in front of some of those frauds that get a guernsey every week?

58shark wrote: Don't know what you've got against Masten anchor, but he gets it more that the rest of the centres and does a better job delivering it. I would give Sinclair a go and if he is as good as he has showed, they can trade Lycett for a bloody good, strong midfielder. I would be telling Wellingham and Shuey they have the rest of the season to show why they shouldn't be traded. As for Nic Nat, they say he is still carrying an injury, hence the rest. Either way, he doesn't deserve a position in the league team.

Agree with all of this, although if Cox retires (which I think he should) then Lycett will be required wont he? Teams need 3 rucks on the list these days imo. Wellingham and Shuey need to lift massively, they have both been absolute duds this year. Either way, I think it will be a very interesting and active off season for WCE.
As for nicnat, Simpson came out the other day saying that he hasnt pulled up from the last few games as well as they had hoped so they gave him the weekend off, plus the weather was a contributing factor.

In the short term Eagles need a small forward. There is no-one in the WAFL system that fits that mould at the moment so Simpson would have to look at a trade. I like the look of young Colyer from Essendon. Good pace, solid hands and not getting a great deal of game time at the Bombers. Trade Gaff for him and a decent draft pick.

In the long term they need some big bodied, goal kicking mids. I would think that Swallow and Bennell at the Gold Coast would be on the radar in 2-3 years and they should throw the kitchen sink in to get them. I can't see how the GC would be able to keep all these guns when the next round of contract talks start in 2016-17. Steele Sidebottom would be a good pick up also.

Colyer has another two years at the Bombers ...

Fair enuff anchor, let's agree to disagree.