David EdwardsEagles Set To Soar, Whilst Demons Set To Fall
April 23rd 2007 13:01
This weekend was Round 4 of the AFL season, and already we are seeing how the competition will be shaping up. This weekend we saw two major blowouts, as West Coast were able to earn a record number of disposals on their way of smashing Carlton by 61 points, whilst the Demons could not beat the Dockers at home, and slumped into last place on the ladder losing by 45 points.
Whilst other games displayed how the rest of the competition was forming (Essendon to have an incredible season, Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs to make a strong push for the finals), the two of the matches played on Sunday proved to the league how they would go for the rest of the year.
First of all the Eagles were able to display how much of a dominant force they are in the AFL. Recording with Champion Data the highest ever disposals for a match (469), they have completely dismissed any critics opinion that their off-field antics would effect their on-field performances. The midfield dominance with Judd, Kerr and Wirrpanda, plus the rucking ability of Cox have made their side able to dismiss any loss of quality without Cousins.
Four games in, they are already on top of the ladder already a game clear of their next opponent. Already the Eagles have beaten their arch rival Sydney, and dismissed the forceful opponents of Collingwood and Fremantle. They have won 11 of their 16 quarters this year, and have been in front for the game a staggering 85% of the time.*
And what is more amazing is that they have been able to do this all with their world collapsing around them. With the Cousins saga over their head, they have also had to endure the controversy last week of the Selwood and Headland sledging incident, plus have news that their club now has to face the AFL Commission to discuss how they are curbing their player’s off-field antics.
But, and ironic that this is being said, but the West Coast Eagles are able to truly show professionalism. With every club, official and supporter looking closely in how they will screw up next, they have proved that they do thrive under pressure, and above all they are still the team to beat in the AFL.
Looking at the Melbourne Demons, it is a completely different story. Four weeks in, they are sitting at the bottom of the ladder, have an ever increasing novel of a injury list, and above all are looking quite desolate and unable to improve their situation.
It is not the talent that is limiting the Demons, but how they have been absolutely shattered by their ever increasing injury list. From the second quarter in Round 1 where Brock McLean injured his foot against the Saints, they have been run ragged by the amount of injuries their squad has endured.
Captain David Neitz, youngster Clint Bartram and star forward Russell Robertson have been ruled out for 2, 7 and 5 weeks respectively with knee injuries, Travis Johnstone (hamstring) and Brett Moloney (groin) did not even make it to their match against Fremantle, whilst Matthew Whelan (hamstring), Nathan Jones (ankle), Daniel Bell (concussion) and Paul Wheatley (shoulder) all succumbed during their 45 point loss to the Dockers.
With a lot of hype before the season that Melbourne would be strong this year, this has made their start to the season horrible. Using so far 32 players in their line-up, they are still to win a game, and in fact are last on the ladder with the dismal percentage of 67%. In fact, they are in fact averaging losing by 37 points this season, have only won 5 quarters so far, and have only ever been in front for the game 16% of the time.
And things do not look like they will improve for the slumping Demons, with their next four rounds lining them up against the firing squad. Facing up against Sydney, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and West Coast, four sides that are fully capable of winning, they are seriously looking at a 0-8 record, and pretty much hearing the 21 gun salute for the season.
However, with all that said the season is still incredibly young. The Demons actually had a similar start last year (losing their first three games and considered lagging) before surging forward to reach the finals, and the Eagles are still able to self-destruct and prove that they can succumb under the pressure.
But I believe that either of those will unlikely happen. The Eagles are just too strong a side, and have far too many quality players to ever lose their edge, despite what is happening off-field. And as for Melbourne, with a 0-4 start, a ever increasing injury list, and the possibility that they will start the first 3rd of the season without a win will be something that would be extremely hard to come back from.
Until next time, sports minds.
Whilst other games displayed how the rest of the competition was forming (Essendon to have an incredible season, Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs to make a strong push for the finals), the two of the matches played on Sunday proved to the league how they would go for the rest of the year.
First of all the Eagles were able to display how much of a dominant force they are in the AFL. Recording with Champion Data the highest ever disposals for a match (469), they have completely dismissed any critics opinion that their off-field antics would effect their on-field performances. The midfield dominance with Judd, Kerr and Wirrpanda, plus the rucking ability of Cox have made their side able to dismiss any loss of quality without Cousins.
Four games in, they are already on top of the ladder already a game clear of their next opponent. Already the Eagles have beaten their arch rival Sydney, and dismissed the forceful opponents of Collingwood and Fremantle. They have won 11 of their 16 quarters this year, and have been in front for the game a staggering 85% of the time.*
And what is more amazing is that they have been able to do this all with their world collapsing around them. With the Cousins saga over their head, they have also had to endure the controversy last week of the Selwood and Headland sledging incident, plus have news that their club now has to face the AFL Commission to discuss how they are curbing their player’s off-field antics.
But, and ironic that this is being said, but the West Coast Eagles are able to truly show professionalism. With every club, official and supporter looking closely in how they will screw up next, they have proved that they do thrive under pressure, and above all they are still the team to beat in the AFL.
Looking at the Melbourne Demons, it is a completely different story. Four weeks in, they are sitting at the bottom of the ladder, have an ever increasing novel of a injury list, and above all are looking quite desolate and unable to improve their situation.
It is not the talent that is limiting the Demons, but how they have been absolutely shattered by their ever increasing injury list. From the second quarter in Round 1 where Brock McLean injured his foot against the Saints, they have been run ragged by the amount of injuries their squad has endured.
Captain David Neitz, youngster Clint Bartram and star forward Russell Robertson have been ruled out for 2, 7 and 5 weeks respectively with knee injuries, Travis Johnstone (hamstring) and Brett Moloney (groin) did not even make it to their match against Fremantle, whilst Matthew Whelan (hamstring), Nathan Jones (ankle), Daniel Bell (concussion) and Paul Wheatley (shoulder) all succumbed during their 45 point loss to the Dockers.
With a lot of hype before the season that Melbourne would be strong this year, this has made their start to the season horrible. Using so far 32 players in their line-up, they are still to win a game, and in fact are last on the ladder with the dismal percentage of 67%. In fact, they are in fact averaging losing by 37 points this season, have only won 5 quarters so far, and have only ever been in front for the game 16% of the time.
And things do not look like they will improve for the slumping Demons, with their next four rounds lining them up against the firing squad. Facing up against Sydney, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and West Coast, four sides that are fully capable of winning, they are seriously looking at a 0-8 record, and pretty much hearing the 21 gun salute for the season.
However, with all that said the season is still incredibly young. The Demons actually had a similar start last year (losing their first three games and considered lagging) before surging forward to reach the finals, and the Eagles are still able to self-destruct and prove that they can succumb under the pressure.
But I believe that either of those will unlikely happen. The Eagles are just too strong a side, and have far too many quality players to ever lose their edge, despite what is happening off-field. And as for Melbourne, with a 0-4 start, a ever increasing injury list, and the possibility that they will start the first 3rd of the season without a win will be something that would be extremely hard to come back from.
Until next time, sports minds.
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