We can beat the Eagles

[Bhima 0]

It is just me or do the Eagles look a little bit average on paper this week?

Look at the back six - there isn't a name player amongst them, other than Hurn who is one of the best kicks in the competition. It is an honest back 6 at best.

Backs Will Schofield Eric Mackenzie Shannon Hurn

Half backs Scott Selwood Mitch Brown Ashley Smith

The centre line is more impressive, with Kerr, Priddis and Embley better than any of our mids (atm). That being said, Priddis is their key inside play maker and if we rotate a heavy tag we can shut him down. Kerr was on fire last week but he has struggled to back up his performances due to lack of fitness - he is susceptible to fatigue. Embley is a very dangerous outside player but he won't single handedly destroy us. West Coast's greatest weapon, Dean Cox, took a big hit last week and spent most of the game in the forward line. He smashed us last time around, but if he's a bit sore Jamar should be able to compete. Naitinui shone last week but is also under a fitness cloud.

Centreline Andrew Embley Matthew Priddis Brad Ebert

Followers Dean Cox Daniel Kerr Adam Selwood

The forward line have genuine class in Kennedy and Le Cras, and Shuey and Nick Nat will also be cause for concern. Frawley can cover Kennedy and both Bartram or Garland are a good fit for Le Cras'. With Bartram and MacDonald in the back half, we have a pretty experienced back six (compared to most games this season)

Half forwards Andrew Gaff Josh Kennedy Mark Nicoski

Forwards Nic Naitanui Quinten Lynch Mark Le Cras

Darling is a worry and not sure who will match up on him.

Interchange (from) Bradd Dalziell Jack Darling Ashton Hams Patrick McGinnity Chris Masten Brad Sheppard Luke Shuey

The fact that we play our home game at Etihad is all the more disappointing because it is a clear disadvantage for us, and they don't mind the dying grass and dead atmosphere of the Docklands.

However, with Bailey gone, and with him a legacy of no home and away wins in WA, SA, Sydney, Geelong or at Etihad, perhaps a turning of the tide is possible. The recent signing of five young players, the raising of $800,000 dollars this week, the strong message by Viney that no player is safe, and the current plight of club Legend Jimmy Stynes might just be the mix of motivating factors to cause an upset. The last time the Dees won at Docklands was against the Eagles IIRC.

I'm not overly confident tipping us - but looking at the Eagles team, particularly the back half - we can beat the Eagles.

Is anyone with me on this?

Go Dees

[daisycutter 29,892]

It is just me or do the Eagles look a little bit average on paper this week?

Look at the back six - there isn't a name player amongst them, other than Hurn who is one of the best kicks in the competition. It is an honest back 6 at best.

Backs Will Schofield Eric Mackenzie Shannon Hurn

Half backs Scott Selwood Mitch Brown Ashley Smith

The centre line is more impressive, with Kerr, Priddis and Embley better than any of our mids (atm). That being said, Priddis is their key inside play maker and if we rotate a heavy tag we can shut him down. Kerr was on fire last week but he has struggled to back up his performances due to lack of fitness - he is susceptible to fatigue. Embley is a very dangerous outside player but he won't single handedly destroy us. West Coast's greatest weapon, Dean Cox, took a big hit last week and spent most of the game in the forward line. He smashed us last time around, but if he's a bit sore Jamar should be able to compete. Naitinui shone last week but is also under a fitness cloud.

Centreline Andrew Embley Matthew Priddis Brad Ebert

Followers Dean Cox Daniel Kerr Adam Selwood

The forward line have genuine class in Kennedy and Le Cras, and Shuey and Nick Nat will also be cause for concern. Frawley can cover Kennedy and both Bartram or Garland are a good fit for Le Cras'. With Bartram and MacDonald in the back half, we have a pretty experienced back six (compared to most games this season)

Half forwards Andrew Gaff Josh Kennedy Mark Nicoski

Forwards Nic Naitanui Quinten Lynch Mark Le Cras

Darling is a worry and not sure who will match up on him.

Interchange (from) Bradd Dalziell Jack Darling Ashton Hams Patrick McGinnity Chris Masten Brad Sheppard Luke Shuey

The fact that we play our home game at Etihad is all the more disappointing because it is a clear disadvantage for us, and they don't mind the dying grass and dead atmosphere of the Docklands.

However, with Bailey gone, and with him a legacy of no home and away wins in WA, SA, Sydney, Geelong or at Etihad, perhaps a turning of the tide is possible. The recent signing of five young players, the raising of $800,000 dollars this week, the strong message by Viney that no player is safe, and the current plight of club Legend Jimmy Stynes might just be the mix of motivating factors to cause an upset. The last time the Dees won at Docklands was against the Eagles IIRC.

I'm not overly confident tipping us - but looking at the Eagles team, particularly the back half - we can beat the Eagles.

Is anyone with me on this?

Go Dees

And just remember Viney has never ever lost a game at Etihad

Go Dees you can do it

[Vagg 2,449]

And just remember Viney has never ever lost a game at Etihad

Gold!

Let's hope he keeps his record intact!

[Age 485]

You also forget that the last time we won at Etihad was when we had another caretaker coach in Mark Riley.

Just load up on us, we are a sure thing!

[Jack7 528]

No we can't.

They play as a well drilled team for 4 quarters,we don't.

We might take a quarter off them,after half time.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I think this is our best chance in the past four weeks. Will we win? I tip the Eagles but we have more than no chance which has been the case in recent weeks.

[Watt and Howe? 16]

As much as I'd like to agree with you the last time they played us we barely got it into the fwd 50 so despite our forwards being better than their defence (especially without AA Glass) we wont even get it up there. With the CURRENT form of our backs their forwards are also much better. So basically they will implement the press and dominate the midfield and keep it in their forward line IMHO. I'm hoping Cox is injured and plays in their fwd 50 where Martin should do a good job on him which gives Jamar the ability to destroy Natanui and hopefully we can control the clearances.

edit: FYI Last time the fwd 50 count was 65-36

[Robbie57 2,026]

I am a reasonably confident we can win. A proper analysis of last week was that in the first quarter we kicked ourselves out of the game.

We won that quarter in every other aspect except goal kicking, that wont happen again.

The second quarter was a disaster. Judd did the damage.

After that we were competitive (not great but competitive) but never likely to get back into the game having lost a player early and tappy later on.

The question is do the weagles have a blow out player? Sadly the answer is yes they have Cox, Kerr and Le Cras.

But at some stage luck may fall our way.

In addition they will come assuming they will win given our recent beltings and record at Docklands.

I dont expect Niknat will perform he puts in a good game every 4th week or so, not week in week out.

And I like Viney's record at Docklands.

[praha 11,253]

I am a reasonably confident we can win. A proper analysis of last week was that in the first quarter we kicked ourselves out of the game.

We won that quarter in every other aspect except goal kicking, that wont happen again.

The second quarter was a disaster. Judd did the damage.

After that we were competitive (not great but competitive) but never likely to get back into the game having lost a player early and tappy later on.

The question is do the weagles have a blow out player? Sadly the answer is yes they have Cox, Kerr and Le Cras.

But at some stage luck may fall our way.

In addition they will come assuming they will win given our recent beltings and record at Docklands.

I dont expect Niknat will perform he puts in a good game every 4th week or so, not week in week out.

And I like Viney's record at Docklands.

WAT?

We were flogged last week. We lost by 12 goals. Terrible performance, but people compare it to the Geelong game and thing we were competitive and OK...

I don't think we'll win this week. Just being a realist. The Eagles are a very solid, well-coached side.

[Bhima 0]

Round 10 Vs Carlton Inside 50s Carl 53-38 Melb -15

Round 20 Vs Carlton Inside 50s Carl 52-47 Melb -5 (66% improvement in inside 50s differential under Viney)

Round 6 Vs WCE Inside 50s WCE 65-35 Melb - 30

Round 21 Vs WCE inside 50s WCE 65-55 Melb - 10 (based on history of 66% improvement in inside 50s differential under Viney + Unbeaten record at Etihad under Viney + No Glass + Wattsy's Form)

66% + Viney + Unbeaten - Glass + Wattsy = We can beat the Eagles B)

[H_T 3,049]

Ha. Nice formula..

Do you have a formula for whether the Eagles press is more suited to that of Etihad ?

You might also have to include no Rosa and maybe Cox.

We're a chance.

[Jack son 5 162]

It is just me or do the Eagles look a little bit average on paper this week?

Look at the back six - there isn't a name player amongst them, other than Hurn who is one of the best kicks in the competition. It is an honest back 6 at best.

Backs Will Schofield Eric Mackenzie Shannon Hurn

Half backs Scott Selwood Mitch Brown Ashley Smith

Sorry to spoil your fun, West Coast have one of the best backlines around. It's the main reason they are playing for a top four position.

At the MCG, I would think we could win. At the Dome under Viney, a very slight chance. Having said that, they are 50/50 away from home but have spent 70% of thier game time in front (2nd behind the Pies).

To win on Sunday we must get out to an early lead and maintain it. Highly unlikely though.

[Tony Tea 2,814]

Glass is a huge out. Everyone talks about the renaissance of Cox, Kerr & Embley, but all the best sides have a linchpin key backman - Glass is crucial to the Eagles. That said, WC still look pretty handy, while we still look less than threatening.

[biggestred 5,237]

Re thread title- aaahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha beat the eagles ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaha

[PaulRB 6,432]

I'd put Lynden Dunn on Darling with instructions to get into him all day.

I'd play Morton on Embley with instructions to hurt him the other way.

I'd remind Davie, Rivers, Green and Moloney that they are great football players deserving of the respect they have built over years of quality service to the MFC.

I'd tell Jack Watts to play deep, with Jamar, and continue to work hard. So close.

Jack Trengove has just publically told Tom Scully he believes in the MFC, and challenged him to lift.

And Todd Viney growling in the corner is sending shivers up my spine.

Painful as it has been this year, our team has been a soapy from hell, we've been unable to take our eyes off them.

Bring on the Weagles!

Go Melbourne.

[binman 44,530]

I'm a hopeless glass full fella when it comes to the dees, but for some reason i have good feeling about this match.

The last couple of weeks have been crazy but perhaps the boys will be a little more settled this week. I like the look of the team. We're back to having nothing to lose (a position we have played well in for the last decade or so). Davey will be back up to match speed. Jamar's back and i expect Sylvia to play a blinder. Watts is really growing in stature (and showing the intensity he was lacking pre season - more power to him). Maloney's due a big one. Morton will blitz. Howe to take mark of the year. Players re-signed and a big heart to heart by all at the club last Monday night.

Yep, i've convinced myself, dees by 38

[RalphiusMaximus 6,103]

This is why we don't take drugs kiddies.

We really can't beat them this week. Not only are they a better side, but they are playing for a top 4 spot while we are playing for a shot at 9th. Not going to happen.

[Tim 3,531]

Trudged to the G last week fully expecting a thrashing from Carlton. This week I'm optimistic of a far better showing. A win would not surprise, but would be disappointed with any less than a much closer game than last week. I think that the shock of the post-Cattery week was hard to overcome against Carlton - any "re-grouping" will be more evident this week.

Cross fingers.

[Rollo2 64]

I think we're a chance. Mainly because I refuse to believe our team will play an entire season without putting in a single gutsy performance against a top side. And this is our last chance to do that.

All you guys saying we can't win because they're a better side than us, what is that? Seriously, what is that? Some kind of defence mechanism against disappointment? Or the desire to be able to say 'i told you so' later? Are Geelong a better side than Essendon? Are Essendon a better side than Richmond? Do upsets not happen in AFL any more through sheer desire and intensity? You guys are showing exactly the defeatist attitude the playing group has been showing all year. It sucks.

Go Dees.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

we've lost the last 3 by 316 points

[Dreamin' Demon 10]

Round 10 Vs Carlton Inside 50s Carl 53-38 Melb -15

Round 20 Vs Carlton Inside 50s Carl 52-47 Melb -5 (66% improvement in inside 50s differential under Viney)

Round 6 Vs WCE Inside 50s WCE 65-35 Melb - 30

Round 21 Vs WCE inside 50s WCE 65-55 Melb - 10 (based on history of 66% improvement in inside 50s differential under Viney + Unbeaten record at Etihad under Viney + No Glass + Wattsy's Form)

66% + Viney + Unbeaten - Glass + Wattsy = We can beat the Eagles B)

+ crowd intimidation

[Rollo2 64]

we've lost the last 3 by 316 points

Before the Geelong game two of the biggest losses in AFL history were us (again!) by 190 points and St Kilda by 171 points. Both teams won the following week after those losses. Also, St Kilda lost by 178 points in 1979 before almost causing one of the great upsets the following week, going on to lose narrowly to Geelong the following week. Also, just a few weeks ago Adelaide lost by 103 points and won the weekend after. Underdogs win in sport all the time, and teams that have gotten hammered bounce back all the time. But not if they have the attitude that they can't do it because the team they're playing is just 'a better side'.

[The Big Ticket 94]

I don't like our chances against a top 4 side at the Graveyard. Sides with good midfields have killed us all year.

We're kings of over-possessing the footy and turning it over when under pressure. West Coast are one of the best at forcing turnovers.

They'll do us easily.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,297]

I don't like our chances against a top 4 side at the Graveyard. Sides with good midfields have killed us all year.

We're kings of over-possessing the footy and turning it over when under pressure. West Coast are one of the best at forcing turnovers.

They'll do us easily.

Spot on. The only thing you missed was their forward press. They pantsed us based on this alone earlier this year. The only way we will be in with a chance is if Cox withdraws (hehe) and NikNat plays sore which both are possibilities. Either way, Jamar will still have to return to All Australian form if we are to win this game.

[baysidedave 246]

I'Ii be very surprised if we beat them, in fact I just don't think where quite up to it yet.