Eagles Going, Going, Gone

[JK]

I'm not sure Norwood lost those 4 games by an average of 67 points though ...

About 14 goals in Round 1 from memory

[am Bays]

I reckon North dropped their first 5 in 1992 after the 91 flag, and still somehow ended up with the double chance.
Someone else may like to verify that but I'm pretty confident.
Hang in there Eagles fans....

Yep but we played 22 games back then so more opportunity to catch up on the early losses.

[dedja]

I'm not sure Norwood lost those 4 games by an average of 67 points though ...

About 14 goals in Round 1 from memory

Nowhere near it ... was only 76 points.

[JK]

I'm not sure Norwood lost those 4 games by an average of 67 points though ...

About 14 goals in Round 1 from memory

Nowhere near it ... was only 76 points.

The Grey matter rarely works but why the **** does it have to remember all the bad stuff?

[Reddeer]

Hasn't anyone heard of the handicap system. It evens up the competition so the previous lesser lights can get a look in. The Eagles are just doing that for everyone else as THE REIGNING PREMIERS

[Brendan M]

Thanks for those excellent stats Phil - we are not alone! Start of the year is very disappointing given our phenomenal finals campaign last year and the opportunity this year provides for consolidating our support. However, WWT's record in our 20 years is one of character and these circumstances will test all of that. Over-reaction and negativity is just wasted energy. The Port supporters are interesting in this regard, whatever we think about the fundamental weakness of the one/two Port Adelaides, many of them have stuck strongly in what is the weakest period in their history. That kind of loyalty is to be admired, and to sink the boots into WWT coaches, players, administrators now - 6 months after pulling off a remarkable and well-planned heist is a little short-sighted.

[Booney]

Thanks for those excellent stats Phil - we are not alone! Start of the year is very disappointing given our phenomenal finals campaign last year and the opportunity this year provides for consolidating our support. However, WWT's record in our 20 years is one of character and these circumstances will test all of that. Over-reaction and negativity is just wasted energy. The Port supporters are interesting in this regard, whatever we think about the fundamental weakness of the one/two Port Adelaides, many of them have stuck strongly in what is the weakest period in their history. That kind of loyalty is to be admired, and to sink the boots into WWT coaches, players, administrators now - 6 months after pulling off a remarkable and well-planned heist is a little short-sighted.

Flattery will get you everywhere.

[robranisgod]

I reckon North dropped their first 5 in 1992 after the 91 flag, and still somehow ended up with the double chance.
Someone else may like to verify that but I'm pretty confident.
Hang in there Eagles fans....

The one difference is that North lost the 5 games by a total of 60 points, they were in every one of the five games. The Eagles haven't been in any of the games they have played this year. North recovered to 6 and 6 and did eventually get the double chance, but then bowed out in straight sets.

[Dr Phil]

Hasn't anyone heard of the handicap system. It evens up the competition so the previous lesser lights can get a look in. The Eagles are just doing that for everyone else as THE REIGNING PREMIERS

stop living in the past, your crap this year

[FlyingHigh]

The issue is not injuries or retirements from last season. Only Parry and Powell are the main losses and I still think we would be losing even with them in the side. Eddy is unproven and was in poor form during the trials and first match so not telling whether he’ll be decent at this level. Tiller and Allmond were mostly terrible during last season and only hit decent form towards the end of the year and during finals. Treeby was great a few years ago but injury caught up and his form in the last few years steadily got worse so he was basically finished as a league player.
I don’t think it is necessarily Godden’s gameplan that is bad. We just don’t have the quality of players or depth anymore. Whether or not that is Goddens fault I am not sure. However I am firmly pointing the finger at Godden for not targeting the right areas. Two key questions need to be asked.

Question 1 – why have we not targeted a key forward to assist Grocke?

It is very simple. If you can’t kick goals you don’t win games. Aside from Grocke we do not have anyone capable of taking a mark in the forward line or anyone else that even knows where to run or position themselves. Godden has a lot to answer for in this regard in terms of failing to target a recruit to replace Passador when he retired a few years back. Rather than wasting money on Eddy (who is unlikely to be a 25+ possession recruit anyway) it would have been wiser to throw this money at the best key forward in the VFL, WAFL or whatever. Its not as if this issue has crept up slowly either. Each year for the past few years our average score has been getting smaller and smaller so that we now are unable to kick more than 7 goals a match. What we have been crying out for is a strong bodied marking forward rather than the skinny rangy tall that Godden seems to be introducing. Interesting watching the tv on Sat when ABC showed clips of the last final played against North and footy park a few years back. We had 3 big targets (Passador, Grocke, Salter). On the weekend our targets were Grocke, Rae and Staple. Failure to recruit has meant that Godden has been forced to play Grocke at FF when he plays his best footy as a CHF. Our current forward set-up is not exactly a forward line to strike fear into the opposition.

Question 2 – why do we only target former eagles recruits?

Its great when a former player returns to the club. However the question has to be asked whether they were actually needed or were just targeted because they are former eagles. Did we think Bock had potential before recruiting him? Was Hall going to be the dynamic rover we have been crying out for the last 10 years? Was Sumner going to be the speedy wingman? What role was Shirley going to play? Harding???? It seems to me that our recruiting staff (if we even have them) are not doing due diligence by checking to see whether these players can actually play at the level. If Godden had not actually seen them play then why not?

Unless we see some big improvements I honestly believe that Godden should voluntarily agree to step aside for the State Coaching role. I had my doubts at the start of the year but thought it might be ok as our team would be comfortably winning. The fact we aren’t means he must put every minute of his time into ensuring we start winning again. There should be no distractions that are caused by State team duties. The fact is that every minute he is training the State lads, he is not thinking about what should be his primary focus which is the Eagles. If the young kids are still learning then he should be made to spend extra time with them to teach them....minutes that will be lost if he is coaching the State team.

Some good points and questions Mr Fuller, some I agree with, and some I don't.
Agree it's not injuries. Every club has them, our list is no worse than a club normally faces, except we were fortunate to go into last year's finals as good as could be, except Rowntree.
Agree Treeby was just about done, and think his efforts in the finals were a big last effort rather than showing he still had it. Agree re Tiller, but not about Allmond. Rimmingotn was another who had a reasonable last half of the year.
Regarding the key forward, I think they have made some efforts to do this - Welsh, Hentschel, with Fitzgerald who was unfortunately injured last year, and Heinjus who hasn't come on probably quite as hoped. Have a lot of time for Staple, but he probably still is a third forward at this stage. Perhaps even Dawson when he was cut from the Power
Regarding the second question, I don't think we only target former Eagles players as recruits - Raymond, Tiller, Welsh, Day, Greiger, Lewis, but perhaps the question is why do we automatically welcome these players back? It is hard, because if we don't give them a chance then we put a little chink in developing a strong club culture IMO, and we must be doing something right if they want to come back. Agree re Shirly, 30, two years at a lesser comp, never real quick, being put into an already slowish, aging mid-field. Honestly, with our real young reserves team, he'd be better off being playing coach at that level. I think Hall is still developing, and will be disappointed if he doesn't have a real break out year next year. Sumner, have only seen on Saturday on the telly, but if he wasn't drafted he would have been a far better league player two years ago than now. Prepared to give him a few more weeks though. Harding? Still only a kid.

[whufc]

Goddens quote on Adelaidenow Today.

"This Wednesday is a really awkward one. It's ANZAC Day, it's a passionate day and means a lot to a lot of people. It means a lot to our club. But no one is going to come now. No Eagles people are going to show up and rightly so. I'd imagine your Doggies fans will show because they'll want a bit of revenge from last year. I'm basically gearing myself for the South game in two weeks. So we'll train (Sunday), we'll train (Monday), we'll train Tuesday and if they're sore and they're tired on Wednesday then what's the difference? We're getting smashed anyway. We need to plan more advance because you can't turn things around in four days from a physical point of view. You can start to put the wheels in motion for the future."

Tactics or a bloke whose lost the plot?

What you think Eagles supporters?

[Reddeer]

Hasn't anyone heard of the handicap system. It evens up the competition so the previous lesser lights can get a look in. The Eagles are just doing that for everyone else as THE REIGNING PREMIERS

stop living in the past, your crap this year

I just knew I would suck some clown into a comment on that. He He!!!

[Brodlach]

Goddens quote on Adelaidenow Today.

"This Wednesday is a really awkward one. It's ANZAC Day, it's a passionate day and means a lot to a lot of people. It means a lot to our club. But no one is going to come now. No Eagles people are going to show up and rightly so. I'd imagine your Doggies fans will show because they'll want a bit of revenge from last year. I'm basically gearing myself for the South game in two weeks. So we'll train (Sunday), we'll train (Monday), we'll train Tuesday and if they're sore and they're tired on Wednesday then what's the difference? We're getting smashed anyway. We need to plan more advance because you can't turn things around in four days from a physical point of view. You can start to put the wheels in motion for the future."

Tactics or a bloke whose lost the plot?

What you think Eagles supporters?

Suprised when I read that this morning, its almost like he has given up already on Wednesdays game.

[Big Phil]

Reverse physcology from Micky G perhaps?

[Grahaml]

Reverse physcology from Micky G perhaps?

Without doubt. That was a quote for the 21 players. Godden will know as much as anyone that a win this week could be a springboard while a loss could be seen as just about the final nail in the coffin.

[The Apostle]

I couldn't care less about any mind games...you know you're bad when you make North Adelaide look good...I want to see Centrals kick the Eagles while they're down this Wednesday!

[The Apostle]

This ain't a troll or anything but a friend at work (who isn't a WWT member) who lives close to Woodville Oval has received free tickets in the mail for atleast one Eagles home match...

[Aerie]

Goddens quote on Adelaidenow Today.

"This Wednesday is a really awkward one. It's ANZAC Day, it's a passionate day and means a lot to a lot of people. It means a lot to our club. But no one is going to come now. No Eagles people are going to show up and rightly so. I'd imagine your Doggies fans will show because they'll want a bit of revenge from last year. I'm basically gearing myself for the South game in two weeks. So we'll train (Sunday), we'll train (Monday), we'll train Tuesday and if they're sore and they're tired on Wednesday then what's the difference? We're getting smashed anyway. We need to plan more advance because you can't turn things around in four days from a physical point of view. You can start to put the wheels in motion for the future."

Tactics or a bloke whose lost the plot?

What you think Eagles supporters?

Very interesting article and a great get by Jai Bendall. Couldn't get much more upfront and honest than that by Godden.

I like Godden and think he sees things very clearly. I have no problem with what he has said in that article. It's exactly what we're seeing from the sidelines.

Would love to know if it is fitness, skills or mindset. Hopefully it is mindset and with that the skills and fitness can work better. I'm pretty sure it is mindset.

I have faith the Eagles will turn it around. Couldn't care less about finals or long term at the moment. Just want to enjoy a Saturday afternoon at the footy and see the Eagles players have a fair dinkum crack as they have done for the vast majority of the last decade.

[cd]

In answer to AK we do give people living near the oval a free ticket to attend a game at some stage as a way of thanking them for their understanding that there may be little inconvenience on game days around our local streets. Have done this now for quite a few years.

[Squawk]

The issue is not injuries or retirements from last season. Only Parry and Powell are the main losses and I still think we would be losing even with them in the side. Eddy is unproven and was in poor form during the trials and first match so not telling whether he’ll be decent at this level. Tiller and Allmond were mostly terrible during last season and only hit decent form towards the end of the year and during finals. Treeby was great a few years ago but injury caught up and his form in the last few years steadily got worse so he was basically finished as a league player.
I don’t think it is necessarily Godden’s gameplan that is bad. We just don’t have the quality of players or depth anymore. Whether or not that is Goddens fault I am not sure. However I am firmly pointing the finger at Godden for not targeting the right areas. Two key questions need to be asked.

Question 1 – why have we not targeted a key forward to assist Grocke?

It is very simple. If you can’t kick goals you don’t win games. Aside from Grocke we do not have anyone capable of taking a mark in the forward line or anyone else that even knows where to run or position themselves. Godden has a lot to answer for in this regard in terms of failing to target a recruit to replace Passador when he retired a few years back. Rather than wasting money on Eddy (who is unlikely to be a 25+ possession recruit anyway) it would have been wiser to throw this money at the best key forward in the VFL, WAFL or whatever. Its not as if this issue has crept up slowly either. Each year for the past few years our average score has been getting smaller and smaller so that we now are unable to kick more than 7 goals a match. What we have been crying out for is a strong bodied marking forward rather than the skinny rangy tall that Godden seems to be introducing. Interesting watching the tv on Sat when ABC showed clips of the last final played against North and footy park a few years back. We had 3 big targets (Passador, Grocke, Salter). On the weekend our targets were Grocke, Rae and Staple. Failure to recruit has meant that Godden has been forced to play Grocke at FF when he plays his best footy as a CHF. Our current forward set-up is not exactly a forward line to strike fear into the opposition.

Question 2 – why do we only target former eagles recruits?

Its great when a former player returns to the club. However the question has to be asked whether they were actually needed or were just targeted because they are former eagles. Did we think Bock had potential before recruiting him? Was Hall going to be the dynamic rover we have been crying out for the last 10 years? Was Sumner going to be the speedy wingman? What role was Shirley going to play? Harding???? It seems to me that our recruiting staff (if we even have them) are not doing due diligence by checking to see whether these players can actually play at the level. If Godden had not actually seen them play then why not?

Unless we see some big improvements I honestly believe that Godden should voluntarily agree to step aside for the State Coaching role. I had my doubts at the start of the year but thought it might be ok as our team would be comfortably winning. The fact we aren’t means he must put every minute of his time into ensuring we start winning again. There should be no distractions that are caused by State team duties. The fact is that every minute he is training the State lads, he is not thinking about what should be his primary focus which is the Eagles. If the young kids are still learning then he should be made to spend extra time with them to teach them....minutes that will be lost if he is coaching the State team.

Some good points and questions Mr Fuller, some I agree with, and some I don't.
Agree it's not injuries. Every club has them, our list is no worse than a club normally faces, except we were fortunate to go into last year's finals as good as could be, except Rowntree.
Agree Treeby was just about done, and think his efforts in the finals were a big last effort rather than showing he still had it. Agree re Tiller, but not about Allmond. Rimmingotn was another who had a reasonable last half of the year.
Regarding the key forward, I think they have made some efforts to do this - Welsh, Hentschel, with Fitzgerald who was unfortunately injured last year, and Heinjus who hasn't come on probably quite as hoped. Have a lot of time for Staple, but he probably still is a third forward at this stage. Perhaps even Dawson when he was cut from the Power
Regarding the second question, I don't think we only target former Eagles players as recruits - Raymond, Tiller, Welsh, Day, Greiger, Lewis, but perhaps the question is why do we automatically welcome these players back? It is hard, because if we don't give them a chance then we put a little chink in developing a strong club culture IMO, and we must be doing something right if they want to come back. Agree re Shirly, 30, two years at a lesser comp, never real quick, being put into an already slowish, aging mid-field. Honestly, with our real young reserves team, he'd be better off being playing coach at that level. I think Hall is still developing, and will be disappointed if he doesn't have a real break out year next year. Sumner, have only seen on Saturday on the telly, but if he wasn't drafted he would have been a far better league player two years ago than now. Prepared to give him a few more weeks though. Harding? Still only a kid.

Mr Fuller - I think it's great that you've been doing your own post-mortem. I think everyone associated with the league (not just the Eagles Club) is doing something a post-mortem too! No one saw this coming as far as I know or can recall.

On point 1 - every club looks for recruits like this - as well as barnstorming midfielders and big-bodied ruckmen. They're hard to get - for a range of reasons. You have to pay them for the season, but often you also have to find them a job, their partner a job, compete with other clubs for their services, etc. Don't forget, you won the flag last year so I reckon a few guys would have wanted a pay increase. Then there's transfer fees, and they aren't cheap. In short, the emphasis is on home grown talent.

The Eagles have been great on home talent - IIRC, statistically you are the best Australian club for this based on AFL draftees and the number of kids in your zone? But realistically you cant do this year in, year out.

As everyone keeps pointing out, not much has seemingly changed on or off field from 2011 to 2012. Yet you have gone from Premiers in 2011 to a very sluggish 0-4 start in 2012. Maybe your 2011 result was simply a case of everything coming perfectly good together at the right time, but you just can't hang on now? If that's the case, the trick for Godden et al will be either rubbishing that and forging on this season hoping the mojo can be rediscovered; or, identifying that and looking to rebuild without falling too far down the ladder. Ironically, it may take a season to sort this out, because there doesn't seem to be an easy answer here.

All I can say is, there is at least one good part to this problem. You won the flag last year! Many clubs have been round-abouts or thereabouts without snatching the main prize. At least no one can take 2011 away from you, even if 2012 has been grief-ridden to date!