HoneyBadger35
They're not going to pick him, Mitch.
- Aug 11, 2011
- 27,025
- 74,116
- AFL Club
- West Coast
- Moderator
- #1
It’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, and Waalitj Marawar (the Eagles of the West) take on Narrm in a clash of two teams with decidedly different outlooks.
Despite that, it’s a fitting matchup in a lot of ways, given some of the biggest highlights in the fixture’s history.
The Eagles aren’t quite soaring those same heights these days, and the Dees are building back to their ominous best.
A tough day at the office looks likely but, having been thoroughly outclassed by the reigning premiers last week, the boys have a chance to bounce back by showing what we’ve learned, and how we’ll grow against the top sides.
It starts in the midfield
Narrm no doubt have the midfield advantage, particularly against a Yeo-less Eagles.
We’ve seen Bailey Williams plug away at most ruck matchups this year, doing his best to keep them honest at the tap and having decent impact around the ground. With the development of his marking at both ends and an unreliable set shot, his Gawn-lite style is beginning to take shape. But he’s facing the OG this week, and it will take a monster effort to keep things respectable.
The Dees rank fifth in hitout differential (+8.1 per game), while the Eagles sit dead last (-20.9, over eight hitouts per game below the next worst side).
So where to from there? Assuming we get pantsed at the hitouts, how do we prevent the clearances, one of our surprisingly legitimate strengths this year, from turning into a game defining weakness (see: Suns, Magpies)?
A big effort from Ginbey (run with role tonight king?) and TK required, with Reid to supply the polish and some highlights to keep the crowd up.
Hough vs Pickett
It has to be, right?
While the Gov/TB pairing has enjoyed strong spells this year, the development of Brady Hough into a genuine shutdown defender has been the big revelation of the backline.
One for the sickos. Sheer volume of supply might tell the tale, but can Hough claim another victim?
Forwardline efficiency
Jake’s back! So that’s 12 goals accounted for, now who kicks the remaining handful we’ll need to outgun the Dees?
JJ has been thrown a major lifeline, while Liam Ryan (shown above before the government tripled gravity) found something resembling the beginning of a fraction of form in the second half last week.
The Jacks have been good for a goal most weeks, but the creative spark looks sorely lacking once the ball hits the deck. In the equivalent fixture last year, the Eagles were -20 for Inside 50s. Let’s pray that they’re clean with the opportunities this time out.
Eagles by a million.
Despite that, it’s a fitting matchup in a lot of ways, given some of the biggest highlights in the fixture’s history.
The Eagles aren’t quite soaring those same heights these days, and the Dees are building back to their ominous best.
A tough day at the office looks likely but, having been thoroughly outclassed by the reigning premiers last week, the boys have a chance to bounce back by showing what we’ve learned, and how we’ll grow against the top sides.
It starts in the midfield
Narrm no doubt have the midfield advantage, particularly against a Yeo-less Eagles.
We’ve seen Bailey Williams plug away at most ruck matchups this year, doing his best to keep them honest at the tap and having decent impact around the ground. With the development of his marking at both ends and an unreliable set shot, his Gawn-lite style is beginning to take shape. But he’s facing the OG this week, and it will take a monster effort to keep things respectable.
The Dees rank fifth in hitout differential (+8.1 per game), while the Eagles sit dead last (-20.9, over eight hitouts per game below the next worst side).
So where to from there? Assuming we get pantsed at the hitouts, how do we prevent the clearances, one of our surprisingly legitimate strengths this year, from turning into a game defining weakness (see: Suns, Magpies)?
A big effort from Ginbey (run with role tonight king?) and TK required, with Reid to supply the polish and some highlights to keep the crowd up.
Hough vs Pickett
It has to be, right?
While the Gov/TB pairing has enjoyed strong spells this year, the development of Brady Hough into a genuine shutdown defender has been the big revelation of the backline.
One for the sickos. Sheer volume of supply might tell the tale, but can Hough claim another victim?
Forwardline efficiency
Jake’s back! So that’s 12 goals accounted for, now who kicks the remaining handful we’ll need to outgun the Dees?
JJ has been thrown a major lifeline, while Liam Ryan (shown above before the government tripled gravity) found something resembling the beginning of a fraction of form in the second half last week.
The Jacks have been good for a goal most weeks, but the creative spark looks sorely lacking once the ball hits the deck. In the equivalent fixture last year, the Eagles were -20 for Inside 50s. Let’s pray that they’re clean with the opportunities this time out.
Eagles by a million.
