South vs West 2009

[Sojourner]

Clearly South and Westies have both had a pretty ordinary season and will finish well short of making the finals in 2008, so no doubt both clubs supporters are looking towards next season as a result.

South have promised a lot and delivered very little in various recent seasons, If Westies win the spoon this year that will make four in a row. Both clubs are suggesting to their supporters that plans are in place to work on their respective lists and to make their sides competitive in 2009.

The question then is of the two sides, which side will actually do that and finish above the other?

My observation is that West seem to be showing an extrodinary level of restraint at this stage of the season and the bulk of the members appear to still be 100% behind Senior Coach Andy Collins. South however are all over the shop and despite whatever assurances can be given, I cant see anything like the same level of support being offered to Clay Sampson.

Its a hard call to make, but I would suggest that West might well be the better candidate to improve next season over the Panthers.

Despite the fact that both sides will have to have a significant turn over of players at the end of the season, I feel that the stability offered at Westies might well be the key factor that causes the club to improve. I also think that Five spoons in a row statistically is unlikely to happen.

Thoughts?

[mr o]

down at westies its a case of benifite of the dought, we as supporters give andy collins the benifite that he didnt realise how strong the sanfl is,the standed of the playing list that we had to start with, and the standed of the recruits that came to play at westies this year, you will find how ever that if we do not make some sort of improvment next year , the patience of all westies supporters will were thin

[bosvit]

We have seen a big off field improvement at WAFC and if we don't see a big on field improvement next year I think you will see the 3 or 4 regular WA posters acting more like NA supporters and really giving it to the club.

You are only as good as the season you are in. This site has proven time and time again that last year's success can easily be forgotten.

I'm just hoping like hell that in 2009, 2008's failure can easily be forgotten.

Personally I don't like my chances.

[Sojourner]

What impressed me about Andy Collins was when a "supporter" of the club wrote him in some hate mail suggesting that he go back to Vic ASAP, the Westies fans were quick to rally around Collins and encourage him on, I dont recall that level of support being shown to a new coach in recent times in the SANFL and I think that perhaps that event may be one of the things looked back on that makes all the difference at West in the next few years!

[Squawk]

As silly as it may sound, West has been stable at the bottom of the ladder. But put in context, they are laying some very solid foundations which started a couple of years ago -

Doug was retired
Phillips was appointed
Collins was appointed
off-field performance in terms of $$$ is slow but membership has been building I think plus Westies have a few commercial wildcards ready to be played I believe.
All in all, they are ready to springboard up the ladder.

For South, they are like a washing machine. There are some good clothes in the wash, but then you add water and some powder and bang, they go in to a spin. Afterwards, the rinse cycle cuts in and the dirt is washed away. Then it starts all over again. They have had a 5 year plan since 1965 and as much as everyone would love South to stand up, they are always struggling to get rid of the calipers.

Sorry Sojourner, West for mine.