With the first of the multibbyes upon us, the Eagles may be testing a few teams depth. From the sounds of the article, a fair whack of their team have pulled up sore from the bruising encounter against the Swans due it the Swans laying a monstrous number of tackles. Given it is a lengthy flight for the Eagles, coupled with the fact they have the bye the following week and could in essence give any sore player a decent fortnights recovery, can we expect to see another vfl side sent over to tassie against the Hawks this week? Cox and Darling could be the two names that hurt people. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/sport/9178450/battered-eagles-on-light-load-for-hawks/ <blockquote>The full extent of West Coast's bruising clash with Sydney became obvious yesterday when just 11 of the 22 players were able to train fully at Patersons Stadium. The Eagles and Swans threw themselves into a tackling and contested football frenzy with Sydney laying 111 tackles - 47 more than the competition average for 2011. West Coast trained lightly ahead of Saturday's game against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium, but a large contingent managed only laps and stationary skills. Dean Cox, Darren Glass, Daniel Kerr, Andrew Embley, Matt Priddis, Sam Butler, Matt Rosa, Mark Nicoski, Luke Shuey and Jack Darling were all on light duties, while Josh Kennedy didn't even join his teammates on the field.</blockquote>
Wow....now wouldnt that throw the cat amongst the pigeons. Cox/Priddis/Shuey/Darling/etc...hmmm, could be the St Kilda flu all over again, especially with the three team bye this week already weakening SC sides.
Nice insight here Spud. May make emerg. selection important even if our players do come across. Eg Materia & Darling option.
Zac Smith to cover Cox, Cyril back on the field to cover N Roo and either Cam Richardson, Matera or maybe even Prestia to cover Darling. This is where MPP really comes to the fore. First massive test of depth and team structure this week - could be a fun time!
Can't see it happening. Too early in the season for teams to be resting players, especially a team whose coach is under huge pressure this year and needs to be as competitive as possible all year round. In addition fitness staff would be against the idea of resting players backed on to a bye, because of the lack of conditioning that would happen. I'd be very surprised to see anyone rested. Hawks should beat the line, just because they are much better than us unfortunatley.
Have to agree with eagles2011 & walesy on this, it looks more like the key members of the team being given an easier week following the bruising encounter with the swans & a tough road trip to tassie this week
<blockquote>Quote from TerryinBangkok on April 13, 2011, 23:02 @bearfly Pity Port forgot to bruise 'em up.</blockquote> Be alright if we had someone that could TiB!!! If only we had a few players still like Carr & Choppy & Hardwick & Wilson, players who were prepared to put their bodies on the line & who would tackle hard - that's what the current squad is really missing, some good old fashioned Port grit & dirt!!!