The Bald Eagle

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  • bulldogtragic
    The List Manager
    • Jan 2007
    • 34289

    #1

    The Bald Eagle

    For some time, since Ben Harrison retired and K-Mac was moved on, has become the whipping boy for many. And in some cases rightfully so, but in many other cases too harshly.

    Rumour has it Eade gave it to him honestly to step up and do the things his dose better and add toughness and defencive pressure to his game, or face a year in the magoos and a bad way to end the career.

    For all the threads dedicated to potting him, i thought there should be one to recognise his improvement this year. If he was our weakest link - and you can only ever be as strong as the weakest link - then we are a better outfit.

    He would would be there abouts for running the most km's per week with his gut running and breaking the lines, his field kicking had been good and his kicking for goal has also been a feature. But his attack on the ball at all stages of the game. He split for eye brow with a few minutes tp go last week when the game was over as he kept his intensity up. He is not only making strong second efforts, he is making strong third and fourth efforts and his tackling is much improved.

    Credit where its due folks, he had the acid tipped on him and has responded very well over the first three weeks and deserves some positive recognition not just the pot shots.
    Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
  • Scorlibo
    Coaching Staff
    • Oct 2007
    • 3097

    #2
    Re: The Bald Eagle

    I totally agree, Eagle has stepped up, I don't think past comments were too harsh but I think we should pay some credit to the guy who has developed a defensive side and just looks more switched on all round.
    'And the Western suburbs erupt!'

    Comment

    • Mofra
      Hall of Fame
      • Dec 2006
      • 15112

      #3
      Re: The Bald Eagle

      His running is a particular feature. He seems to go in a little haredr for the ball as well, and after the first game his kicking has imporved back to where is was a couple of years back.
      Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers

      Comment

      • Rocco Jones
        Bulldog Team of the Century
        • Jun 2008
        • 6984

        #4
        Re: The Bald Eagle

        9 tackles yesterday and was our best when we struggled in the 1st quarter imo. A lot of fans just refuse to give credit where credits due once they have made a call, which is annoying. The people behind me were bagging him like he was getting a hard ball, clearance scoring assist.

        He is really symbolic of what is required to get a spot in our 22 atm. Contributing to the team's overall performance is so much more important than just racking up touches.

        Comment

        • LostDoggy
          WOOF Member
          • Jan 2007
          • 8307

          #5
          Re: The Bald Eagle

          Good thread, and much deserved -- has definitely stepped up a notch and is doing all that can be asked of him at the moment. Playing like it's his last year on the list and having one bloody last good dig at a premiership.

          Can't really ask for more.

          C'mon Cam Wight.. take note of the desperation required to make it at this level.

          Comment

          • Sedat
            Hall of Fame
            • Sep 2007
            • 11601

            #6
            Re: The Bald Eagle

            He's playing with the desperation that he knows is a team non-negotiable. Credit to him for the penny dropping. In previous years, he has tended to do his best work when the sting is out of the game, but he's been good early in all 3 matches so far - good signs and I hope he keeps it up.
            "Look at me mate. Look at me. I'm flyin'"

            Comment

            • lemmon
              Bulldog Team of the Century
              • Nov 2008
              • 6595

              #7
              Re: The Bald Eagle

              At half time I had him best on ground, loved his harrasing and tackling, I loved the rundown of Jake King. Most blokes wouldve pulled up but he kept up the chase and got rewarded, pity he kicked it into the man on the mark. I think the push for places by some of the younger blokes has really put a rocket up him.

              Comment

              • The Underdog
                Bulldog Team of the Century
                • Aug 2007
                • 6986

                #8
                Re: The Bald Eagle

                Fair's fair. He was the best of a bad bunch at quarter time yesterday and seems to realise he needs to chase and tackle to keep his spot, especially as his kicking has dropped off from a year or two ago. He is making the match committee pick him with his extra work.

                How good is pressure for spots in the team? It really elevates guys who could be in danger of losing their spot. There's no coasting along and expecting to be picked every week.
                Park that car
                Drop that phone
                Sleep on the floor
                Dream about me

                Comment

                • Missing-Dog
                  WOOF Member
                  • Jan 2007
                  • 3102

                  #9
                  Re: The Bald Eagle

                  Just need him now to call for the ball in an attackng position rather than behind or beside the play. I think he still needs to man up and follow players down into the back half rather than just sitting on his own on the opposite wing waiting for the easy ball.
                  He has improved is toughness at the ball and opponent, but needs to keep kicking a few goals from week to week as well as send in those long bombs into the forward 50 that he can do so well.

                  Comment

                  • LostDoggy
                    WOOF Member
                    • Jan 2007
                    • 8307

                    #10
                    Re: The Bald Eagle

                    Originally posted by Rance Fan
                    Just need him now to call for the ball in an attackng position rather than behind or beside the play. I think he still needs to man up and follow players down into the back half rather than just sitting on his own on the opposite wing waiting for the easy ball.He has improved is toughness at the ball and opponent, but needs to keep kicking a few goals from week to week as well as send in those long bombs into the forward 50 that he can do so well.
                    Hi Rance Fan (Richmond's Rance?). Welcome to WOOF.

                    Regarding the bolded part of your post above, perhaps this is on instruction from Rocket.. most teams have an outlet player sitting on a wing on what the commentators/dills like to call 'the fat side', and Eagle, with his ability to run and kick long, is a reasonably good outlet. We also use Gia in this role a fair bit. Some teams like to use a ruckman as they can back their marking ability, but the next kick can be a problem when a ruckman is used. (West Coast and Essendon do this with Cox and Hille who are reasonable kicks.)

                    Comment

                    • Go_Dogs
                      Hall of Fame
                      • Jan 2007
                      • 10251

                      #11
                      Re: The Bald Eagle

                      Yes, has been a very good contributor the first few rounds much to the disappointment of Mantis among others. Very impressed with his gut running going the other way, something that was never a strength, and his willingness to make repeat efforts.

                      Could almost play another year or two at this rate.
                      Have you heard Butters wants to come to the Dogs?

                      Comment

                      • Scorlibo
                        Coaching Staff
                        • Oct 2007
                        • 3097

                        #12
                        Re: The Bald Eagle

                        I think with the increasing popularity of the zone he has become a very important player with his long kicking ability - able to break the lines.
                        'And the Western suburbs erupt!'

                        Comment

                        • bulldogtragic
                          The List Manager
                          • Jan 2007
                          • 34289

                          #13
                          Re: The Bald Eagle

                          Originally posted by Griffen#16
                          Yes, has been a very good contributor the first few rounds much to the disappointment of Mantis among others. Very impressed with his gut running going the other way, something that was never a strength, and his willingness to make repeat efforts.

                          Could almost play another year or two at this rate.
                          Two more years = 300 game player.

                          Imagine his big jumper at the home games next to 3, 5, 6 and 7.
                          Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

                          Comment

                          • Happy Days
                            Hall of Fame
                            • May 2008
                            • 10243

                            #14
                            Re: The Bald Eagle

                            Originally posted by 42-C-3
                            Two more years = 300 game player.

                            Imagine his big jumper at the home games next to 3, 5, 6 and 7.
                            Those banners only reflect those who've played all 300 for the Dogs.
                            - I'm a visionary - Only here to confirm my biases -

                            Comment

                            • Missing-Dog
                              WOOF Member
                              • Jan 2007
                              • 3102

                              #15
                              Re: The Bald Eagle

                              Lantern

                              Murray Rance fan of the 80s.
                              Yes perhaps it is on instruction from Rocket..Perhaps...
                              Hey when it comes off it looks great and a real winner. But it can bite you the other way also.
                              I think as you say most teams have a player or two that play that role.

                              Comment

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