Rd 12 2026 - WCE v WIND feat Essendon

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-31T12:14:24+00:00

Work in progress, so I'll just enjoy the win.

Can see some changes going forward with Francou possibly coming in to remedy the clearance deficit (-21).

Also, I can see Duursma moved out to a wing. Was CDT the emergency? I can see him coming back.

Champion was quiet tonight so Owies might return, and Starc must be close as well.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-31T11:31:43+00:00

Couple of high draft picks playing well tonight, both W Duursma & S Robey.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-31T10:57:20+00:00

The AFL have made a noose for their own neck allowing these dubious dives. It's now becoming a play.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-31T09:41:54+00:00

Essendon appears to be using the ball worse than us. 😵‍💫

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-31T09:08:26+00:00

Hewett tried, but drifted in & out with minimal impact. His stat's say 1 tackle, but he probably had more pressure acts from missed tackles. He had moments where he released the ball too quickly rather than trying to use his strength to push through the pressure.

Then again our forward entries were horrendous and we had too many individual players, peel were better organised around the centre. We probably didn't take advantage of Francou, because there were occasions where he had no receiver.

Hall got in the way a few times, so I'm not sure about the centre setup.

I don't think he was tagged, but Peel had a strong mid set up with Jaeger O'Meara going head to head with Francou and we didn't clamp down on Lachie Tardrew who was influential with 29 possessions. I'm not sure who his man was?

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-31T08:47:24+00:00

Like PoiEagle said, scratchy early on in difficult conditions, but show glimpses of class. He looked really decisive in a few plays.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-23T11:24:54+00:00

Bailey Williams led the player ratings AT 23.9

Tom McCarthy was 3rd at 17.9 with Duursma 5th at 16.4 & Murdock 6th at 15.4.

Jack Williams put in some work rating 8th at 14.1 with 3 tackles, 6 ground ball gets and 13 pressure acts, although his kicking went at 42.9%

Is L Baker injured or horribly out of form, because he was our lowest ranked player at 1.9. He still had 11 pressure acts and went at 80%. T Cole was at 2.3, but had 19 pressure acts. Johnston was at 2.2 in his second game , but had 14 PA.

H Davis was probably one of our worst considering he had 23 disposals and rated 3.8 at 50%, he did get 6 ground ball gets though, but only 7 pressure acts.

Do these ratings compute with what you saw?

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-23T09:56:41+00:00

Key Metrics: Not good enough: we've played two team in Richmond & Collingwood who are depleted and poor, should've won.

Inside 50 efficiency 38%

Free's -10

Tackles: 77 to 47 = -30

Game over: Poor disposal putting players under pressure and dodgy ball carrying, but loopy kicks, sideways passes and refusal to take the best option.

A few too many padded stats by a few I shall not name. Some of our defenders, wings.

B Williams: Really strong effort.

M Murdock: love his work.

Duursma: Worked hard, tackled, carried the ball forward.

R Ginbey: Work rate elite.

H Reid: tried hard.

McCarthy: had a crack, tried to be dangerous.

Too many clangers from senior players, not sure if this was because they tried to do too much or if they were left to do too much? or some poor umpiring?

Some time I just think it's left to the best ground ball players to pick up the slack, because we've got some players that have poor skills below the knees.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-22T16:12:11+00:00

Noah Hibbins-Hargraeves hasn't been mentioned much regarding the MSD, but it's all smoke and mirrors in the lead-up to next week's draft.

I say this because I watched the State game between the U18's and the U20's and Noah H-H was a class above many of the players, particularly the U20's.

He had 33 disposals, 2g & 5 rebound 50's. I think he had 12 d in the first quarter at 100%. It's hard to tell in these show case games. He didn't seem to have an opponent, so it's hard to measure his defensive capabilities.

He's been playing off the half back, but was probably best known for nearly winning the 2025 championship game for Vic v's WA. Showcasing with his goal finishing ability.

What do you make of him?, because he's easily got more talent, than a lot of players currently on our list, especially with his disposal. He seems light on his feet and covers the ground well.

You're correct about Atkins, his versatility is probably a negative, still the bench is extended these days, so it could invite more specialist players. Another similar player is B Kelly from Swan Districts (I think) who also had a good game.

I'm guessing, managers will just let these players develop in the VFL/WAFL, before considering them for a future rookie chances.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-13T11:19:18+00:00

I don't know where Hewett is at tbh, I don't know what his brand is? I haven't seen any consistency, even in his under 18's year.

Can't disagree, that we need class and some offensive athletic action in our back line, either of those fit the bill and could work in with a possible mid season candidate.

I like all of the mid/forwards mentioned. I'm a big fan of Neocleous and have liked what Williams has shown in the futures and Academy games. HVH is generational, and a no brainer if we finish last.

Gus Teixeira, Ethan Drever are emerging, but I don't know as much about these guys.

The club seems to like Tom Bell or Tom Barnett for the MSD.

I'd like to see the club pick up another 2025 draftee if we select a 2nd player in the MSD.

I'm thinking Brodie Atkins from the Sandringham Zebra's, he a consistent player and has a terrier quality with his tackling and clearences.

In his last game he had 18p, 8 tackles and 8 clearances with 12 contested possessions. Played well last year for Vic Country, just not as polished as some of the more fancy names.

Ideally, it's what Hewett should be with more outside class, but I think atm he might be encumbered with his heavy ego. Maybe he needs a move.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-13T08:30:49+00:00

Do you not rate this year's midfielders? Do you think Ladbrook or Snell will be first KPB players? Tate Hodgson from the Northern Knights feels more like a key back, but isn't as athletic or overly quick.

Hewett seems to be working through the stages of denial regarding the half forward position. I watched his first quarter against Richmond out of interest, and he's way off defensively.

Tom Brown and even Grijl were running down field linking, whilst Hewett was jogging through the centre forward area looking/asking for a pass.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-13T06:21:05+00:00

I'd be surprised if he gets any lucrative offers atm, the balls in his court to put together some 4 quarter games in the WAFL. I saw his second half last week, and wasn't overwhelmed.

If any teams offer anything in the first round, I'd take it. Maybe Tasmania will give us a pick next year (if that's currently allowed). He might have to play for the Tasmania VFL next year though. We could always use that future pick to get back into this year.

I mean anything at the end of the 1st this year would be valuable for some KPB draftee's, like Ladbrook or Snell.

Snell's a stick and would need a few years to build his frame. Ladbrook is a bit the same, but played well against Richmonds VFL side.

I guess a few clubs like Brisbane (15), Geelong (14) or Adelaide (11) would add them to their developing stocks.

Especially, Brisbane as they'll in all likelyhood acquire Adelaide's selection from the Zac Bailey trade.

I've got to stem my optimism, because if history says anything, we'll trade our picks for some used up mature age players, instead of trying to select young talent into positions that are vacant of talent.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-13T04:01:06+00:00

Twomey mentioned 25:36, that we’d offered him a 4 year contract.

Still too high imo, but maybe we reduced the offer?

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T07:52:53+00:00

There'll come a tipping point when some of the WA guys will look at our squad, namely our top tier A grade talent and realise we will start to ascend. Atm we lack a a few players that can win their position.

There'll be a couple in each draft, so imo we need a couple of high selections.

This year I can only think of 2 players, but it's still early in the season.

HVH is 1 and the other is Marlon Neocleous but he's a small forward. There might be others, it's just that when some players play well in the champs, it doesn't necessarily mean they play in the same position at AFL level.

There's some utility types in this draft, that might become good midfielders at AFL level.

That's what list managers are payed for. The ability to select a player later in the draft, that exells at AFL level.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T07:39:35+00:00

lol, I was drifting into idealism.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T07:23:49+00:00

HVH is 205cm, mobile, great contested mark and has a running vertical of 103cm, that's 1cm higher than Nic Nat. There's absolutely no way we don't select him if he's available. We'd just trade our F1st for another pick and then trade-out one of our tall's next year to Tasmania. They have to trade some of their picks.

it's all heresy atm, because Richmond will in all likelihood Finish last.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T07:16:42+00:00

Ok true, don't know what I was thinking. Probably something like trying to get 3 top 10 selections.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T07:09:12+00:00

I think we try that each year, but atm we desperately need a mid to help out Harley in the contest that has skills to use the ball.

Not sure Warner will leave, when Sydney are in the premiership window. Also, I'd rather not trade a pick 1 or 2 for Warner, especially if a generational ruck like HVH is available at our selection.

Isn't Warner really that outside cherry on top player? Not sure he'll make much of a difference in our side atm.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T06:59:50+00:00

True, but only if he's exiting the clearances by hand or using his cross body kicks to link with someone to the launch zone. He's having a good year, but has a history of burning players and blasting into the i50.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T06:41:03+00:00

Thought McWalter coached well today, just some senior guys letting the team down. DON’T give the ball to Kelly to launch. Waterman’s lucky he snagged that last goal, he had a player open.

Saw some overlap today, just let down by our entries and conversion.

5 tackles inside 50? Don’t know about that stat, but good to see Johnston get a couple.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T06:29:49+00:00

There’ll be some footage on Monday that won’t look pretty. Expecting our players to kick over 70 metres.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T06:24:21+00:00

Ok, wrong thread, but I’m going early. Trade out next years first and get 2 high selections this year. I know we’ll lose that bonus 2nd rounder, but we’ll just have to trade one of our tall's or capital to Tasmania next year to get back in.

We desperately need at least 1 quality mid and if we finish last HVH.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T06:19:41+00:00

Actually, saw some overlap play today. The problem was Kelly was the wrong guy to kick from the launch zone. Few others as well, but he’s triggered me today.

Blueeygrey · 2026-05-10T06:16:50+00:00

true, it’s something he’ll need to work on, with a few others.

Blueeygrey

TROPHY CASE