At one point in the 2013 off-season, the West Coast Eagles were considered flag threats.
Their two follow-up seasons post 2010 were riddled with injury and dysfunction, a side that never repeated their preliminary final appearance. Then it all seemed to full apart again, injuries to key players, Daniel Kerr and Dean Cox retired and now the club despite having some talents on the list are faced with a partial rebuild.
Adam Simpson’s first season reflected where the Eagles are currently at – a string of exceptional footballers (Kennedy, Priddis, Hurn, Mackenzie, Le Cras) pulling along the promising-yet-inconsistent (Nic Nat, Shuey, Darling), the frustrating (Rosa, Gaff, Masten) and the mediocre (work it out for yourself).
Whilst the core of that team still remains, Simpson is attempting to imprint his own brand. Whilst that brand remains unclear at times, there is still a year or two of list pruning to show what his grand vision will be. One assumes the focus will be making the trip to Perth a daunting proposition again, with the Eagles either being knocked off or pushed all the way by mid-table opposition on a few occasions.
One cannot also discount the losses of prime defender Eric McKenzie and the set back of Jack Darling missing the first month of the season.
In Don Watson’s ‘Recollections of a Bleeding Heart’, a biography of former Prime Minister Paul Keating, Watson refers to the 1993 narrow election win as the public ‘leaving the axe near the back door’. An object lying in waiting for its use until 1996, when said public cut down the government and elected John Howard.
2015 is the beginning of a call to arms for the mediocre in the Eagles ranks. Start rising above or heed the principle of the axe – just because you made the cut last time, doesn’t mean it’s not lying in wait near the back door.
Players to watch
Chris Masten
The pick #3 from 2009 has disappointed on output overall, failing to lift from a solid contributor to strong game day presence. One of the many Eagles that has to lift and return the patience put in him by the club and supporters.
Luke Shuey
Dynamic player bursting out of traffic and carries a little controversy with his evasive skills. Huge season for him as it appears more of the workload will fall to him.
Jeremy McGovern
Probably one of the better unearthings of talent in 2014. McGovern can play forward or back and is very confident in a contested marking situation for his level of experience. Definitely a keeper and should look to back up from last year.
Key games
Round 3 v Fremantle – Derby always an event, and the Dockers racing against time for a flag, an early season victory can derail their season.
Round 7 v Gold Coast – Precarious game for a side looking to retool and move forward. Suns are always improving and will look to take their form to winning long interstate trips. Eagles here can take advantage of one of the longest interstate trips in footy.
Round 22 v Adelaide – If the Eagles can someone cover injuries and manage the required wins to get into a finals position, this game is very likely an eight pointer with Adelaide in the same region as them in on the ladder.
Finishing position: 13th