The Soaring

The Wrap
WEST COAST 6.2 7.5 10.7 14.8 (92)
BRISBANE LIONS 1.2 4.4 9.6 11.10 (76)

Before the Bounce
Both the Eagles and Lions were coming into round 1 with pretty solid line-ups. No Masten, McNamara, Ebert or Selwood for the Eagles after some promising track form. Daniel Kerr was named after recovering from a hamstring strain.

The Whiteboard
If the line-up for the Eagles was pretty much as you’d expect - so too was the line-up at the first bounce. Seaby started deep in attack with Hansen about 30m out and Lynch pushing up to centre-half forward. Kerr, Stenglein and Priddis were in the middle. Glass got Brown, Hunter Bradshaw.

Not sure about Seaby deep in attack unless we get a crumbing presence under his feet. He took a couple of really strong grabs but in a 50 where the defend spoils more than likely the defender will win out on the second effort. Wirra started up forward but was later swung into defence.

Talking of Wirra in defence it appeared that in the second half we begun to employ a loose man (Wirra) in defence. Another un-Worsfold like tactic but one that was designed I think to get some more run from the back line. It certainly helped shut down the Lion’s attack which at that stage was humming with Brown and Bradshaw on fire. The downside became our F50 entries which, with the Lions having a loose man of their own, meant bombing the ball in was not the best way down.

Where it was won & lost
We started the game like the Eagles of old. Strong and ferocious at the ball. Efficient and precise with our disposal. Tight and relentless in defence. Really, even though Brisbane hit the front in the third - the first quarter was where it was won.

Given it was a warmy and humid night and a round 1 match-up with two sides still finding the right tempo the second and third terms were more of a tussle. An error-ridden tussle for the most part. From an Eagles perspective we had so much more of the footy but the errors were almost unbearable. On one hand my dream-team benefited from the abundance of backline kicks, marks and handballs, but the sight of the Lions capitalising on those mistakes with goals was not so exciting.

Our over use of the footy was almost the place where we lost the game. Thankfully, our composure was regained and we steadied to come home over the top. But not before the Lions revealed to the league their blueprint for knocking off the Eagles. Pressure the ball relentlessing in the Eagles backline, zone off up the field to cover the quick kick and counterattack back through the midfield when the turnover comes. When the team that works hard enough pulls it off, it is very effective - even on the expanses of the “flood-proof” Subi oval.

Line of the Week
Dean Cox get Round 1’s line of the week with a typically stellar game in the ruck.

29 disposals, 11 kicks, 18 handballs, 6 marks, 22 hitouts and 1 goal.

The Soaring Chocolates Award
I loved Beau Waters game. He looks fighting fit Beau, but is typically hard at it. Started up front and kicked two first quarter goals. I admit thoughts of a Coleman went briefly through my head. Round 1 delirium will do that to you. Later completed his act in defence. Ended the night with 20 possessions, 7 marks and 2 goals 1.

Other great games from Kerr - after virtually no pre-season games was incredible in quarters 1 and 4. Priddis in the middle, Nicoski and Brett Jones gave great dash from half back and Selwood and Wirrpanda were solid through out.

???
Why are the 50 metre arcs now say 150? Have we reverted to feet and inches? Or do we need another obscure reference to the AFL’s (Aussie Rules) 150th anniversary? Weird I reckon.