Eagles Pre season starts today

[centrecirclelegend]

hey Holden

Sam Fairclough at 17 got something that you will never have......

"A SANFL premiership medal around his neck"

[Aerie]

Last year the biggest problem was the midfield lacked depth and everything was left up to Powell, Treeby and McKenzie. The Eagles have already addressed part of this issue with Skipworth and Cheep. Can never have enough quality midfielders though - one more quality player would be nice. Rimington, if he improves again, could join that list of players.

A backline (and a very good one) can be built around Hier and McGregor.

The forward line - may be a bit dependant on Salter being available - and if he plays well, he'd probably be with the Power anyway. Although it is probably time for Staple to take the next step - although, like Grocke, he is probably better suited at HF than FF. Passador can't be relied on week in week out at his age due to injury.

Promising youngsters who you'd hope would step up would be Geddes, Corbett, Fairclough, Fitzgerald and Hall (if he doesn't get drafted).

Players who are a bit unknown in Rob Fiacchi, Cicolella and Symmons would add a lot if they can finally have a season without injury, although I wouldn't be holding my breath.

Then there's a list of youngsters who might add a bit during the year - Goldsworthy, Davoren, Hicks, Dawson, Big Redden, Lane.

We need depth to challenge for a top 3 spot, because every year every side gets injuries to key players, and we have had our fair share recently. Of most importance is depth in the midfield and a strong and stable back line from the start. Given Fuller is here for another year, you would expect a big improvement on last years effort and an immediate effort to get back towards the top - I doubt he, or the club, has a 3 year plan. The nucleus is there - we just need 21 contributors every week. Last year there were too many players who weren't, and never will be, decent league footballers. The positive though, was we got a lot of league game time into youngsters who do have the talent (provided they don't get drafted) who can make a difference in 2009.

[Mickyj]

Last year the biggest problem was the midfield lacked depth and everything was left up to Powell, Treeby and McKenzie. The Eagles have already addressed part of this issue with Skipworth and Cheep. Can never have enough quality midfielders though - one more quality player would be nice. Rimington, if he improves again, could join that list of players.

A backline (and a very good one) can be built around Hier and McGregor.

The forward line - may be a bit dependant on Salter being available - and if he plays well, he'd probably be with the Power anyway. Although it is probably time for Staple to take the next step - although, like Grocke, he is probably better suited at HF than FF. Passador can't be relied on week in week out at his age due to injury.

Promising youngsters who you'd hope would step up would be Geddes, Corbett, Fairclough, Fitzgerald and Hall (if he doesn't get drafted).

Players who are a bit unknown in Rob Fiacchi, Cicolella and Symmons would add a lot if they can finally have a season without injury, although I wouldn't be holding my breath.

Then there's a list of youngsters who might add a bit during the year - Goldsworthy, Davoren, Hicks, Dawson, Big Redden, Lane.

We need depth to challenge for a top 3 spot, because every year every side gets injuries to key players, and we have had our fair share recently. Of most importance is depth in the midfield and a strong and stable back line from the start. Given Fuller is here for another year, you would expect a big improvement on last years effort and an immediate effort to get back towards the top - I doubt he, or the club, has a 3 year plan. The nucleus is there - we just need 21 contributors every week. Last year there were too many players who weren't, and never will be, decent league footballers. The positive though, was we got a lot of league game time into youngsters who do have the talent (provided they don't get drafted) who can make a difference in 2009.

Would it be fair to say that the club still needs some more guys .And are waiting to see if any get drafted by AFL teams. So that the club can then go looking for more talent to help out skippy etc.
IMHO the club needs back up Ruckmen(or a number 1 and 3,4,) to replace Lee and Roberts .this was a major problem in season 08 a second ruckman that could come on field and ruck .
Small forwards are needed this was a glaring problem 08.
Backman this has been a problem since S Hall got injured and OLD and Peddler retiring at the end of pre season 08.An on going problem that has yet to be fully addressed since 07 and 08.

Perhaps I will be more than happy to wait and see but 08 was a wake up call for Ron Fuller not just the players .And as a result improvement will be seen on the footy field.
Otherwise this time next year there could be a topic who will be the new coach of the eagles !!!

[holden78]

Yeh hes got it , but its got G . Colville inscribed on the back !

hey Holden

Sam Fairclough at 17 got something that you will never have......

"A SANFL premiership medal around his neck"

[wycbloods]

Yeh hes got it , but its got G . Colville inscribed on the back !

hey Holden

Sam Fairclough at 17 got something that you will never have......

"A SANFL premiership medal around his neck"

I thought it was Paul Stewarts that had that?

[holden78]

I hope the Eagles are chasing Pask again hes the CHB we need

[Mickyj]

I hope the Eagles are chasing Pask again hes the CHB we need

Interesting thought Holden seeing he has sunk down to playing in the VFA(or VFAA) and represented Victoria against NSW last year .

[Conrad Gates]

I hope the Eagles are chasing Pask again hes the CHB we need

Interesting thought Holden seeing he has sunk down to playing in the VFA(or VFAA) and represented Victoria against NSW last year .

He played VAFA 'A' Grade for Uni Blacks - one of the best standards outside State levle footy, and similarly to players who return to SANFL after a time in SAAFL, he'd probably able to readjust. {post edited by mods}

[Mickyj]

Not looking good for Eagles re Skipworth .He could be a bomber next year.
So what is plan B ?Urie from Geelong Vfl ?

[centrecirclelegend]

Skippy is looking good for the Eagles......

others are being touted as being picked including Cousins

Also Luke McENTEE has had discussions with the club and wants to join his brother at the Eagles

would be a good pickup!

[Mickyj]

Skippy is looking good for the Eagles......

others are being touted as being picked including Cousins

Also Luke McENTEE has had discussions with the club and wants to join his brother at the Eagles

would be a good pickup!

I suggested that months ago CCL I did knick it off the roost though

[CoverKing]

Skipworth will go to the bombers IMO. Knights has come out and said they are going to take a mid 20's players, not cousins and not a young fella...this could be his last chance Skippy..
and Holden, u are completely off the mark. calling fairy weak is a disgrace, he would be the hardest player at his age, he is hard as the gowans and he never backs away from putting his head over the ball for his team...sam dav and hicks are quality young players, maybe u are blinded by the fact they play for a club and not yours and not for money!!

[Big Phil]

This morning 5AA were talking up Skippy going to the Bombers in the PSD this weekend, I reckon it will happen, good luck to him...

[dash61]

For what this lad had been through, going to Bendigo on a half promise, doing a knee and still busting his gut for a second chance.

I for one hope he gets a second chance and proves the Crows wrong, sorry Eagles supporters but its about the lad more than anything else and Im sure you would all agree

[holden78]

As much as I wish Skippy all the best with us or Essenden , the world has gone quite mad if any club can choose him over Ben Cousins for next season , I mean think about who you would choose ........ be honest ....... its not even close !

[Mickyj]

As I asked above what is plan B?

[Big Phil]

As I asked above what is plan B?

Plan B for Ben Cousins ???

Interesting article in the Eastern Courier with basically ALL of the SANFL clubs saying they would not recruit Ben Cousins.

I'm sure Ron and the match comittee have back up plans if Skippy doesn't end up coming home to the Eagles.

[Mickyj]

As I asked above what is plan B?

Plan B for Ben Cousins ???

Interesting article in the Eastern Courier with basically ALL of the SANFL clubs saying they would not recruit Ben Cousins.

I'm sure Ron and the match comittee have back up plans if Skippy doesn't end up coming home to the Eagles.

your sounding like a wedgetail member now Big Phil only joking Phil
And its a bit early to be announcing a plan B mickyj

[sturtpeter]

Best of luck to Ron and the team in 2009!

[eaglehaslanded]

I hope the Eagles are chasing Pask again hes the CHB we need

Pask - more info please.