Aerie wrote:It was a strong 4-5 goal breeze heading towards the Riverbank Stand end. The Eagles inability to use the breeze cost them. For both of those quarters (1st and 3rd) Wundke started on the bench and it wasn't until after 10 minutes in that he made his way inside 50. Whilst I think he is just about done, that is ridiculous coaching to have your main power forward miss out on over a third of the game kicking with the breeze. For both of those quarters the Eagles had 4 forwards vs 6 Sturt defenders. That is another area of the game Godden could control, but his structures cost the Eagles and those structures have in pretty much every major game the Eagles have played for the last 6 seasons.
The Eagles tried hard, but not good enough. Lukosious was brilliant in his first game, I though Sinor was very good and Johanessen stood out also.
The big name players that Godden attracted to the club ultimately didn't work out. Wundke, Stewart and Lewis all look done. Little things like Stewart not chasing and Petrenko not putting his hands up on the mark when a player was kicking for goal from 50m illustrated the Eagles were not doing everything that is needed at this time of year, when only performances above and beyond get rewarded.
A resigned feeling more than disappointment for mine. As much for this game as the competition as a whole coming in to next week. Well done Sturt and good luck next week.
Sturt a worthy Grand Finalist made easier for them by the fact they were playing a club with the heart the size of a pea.
To address over Summer:
1. Recruit a ruckman who can get their hands to the ball so our midfielders have a chance to get the ball of out centre
2. Somehow get hold of a long kicking midfielder who can punch the ball forward accurately, low and hard.
3. Do not ever play J Hayes as a backup ruckman. He plays as a tall forward where he can be allowed to develop or he doesn't play at all.
4. Work on footskills. They are simply appalling.
5. Retire 3-4 of the main players who have a history of letting us down in big games.
6. For god sake change the gameplan. Godden seems to be playing a style that Bassett deployed successfully 4-5 years ago. Teams have moved on from that.
7. Recruit a player or players that will allow us to kick more than 6-7 goals per match ffs.