The Bald Eagle

[Missing Dog]

Re: The Bald Eagle

I agree Mantis.
Akermanis also seems to have struggled of late perhaps calling for him to sign a new deal may have come a little to early.

Eade and the club have some massive calls at the end of the year with Eagleton, Welsh, Akermanis and to a lesser extent Johnson.

I think at least 2 of the 4 need to retire at years end.

IMO: Welsh, Eagle are playing their last seasons.

Johnson will play on.

Acker will play on if HE wants to, the club will not drop him. Does anyone think that a guy over 30 ought to be part of the engine room, winning the hard ball, setting up play, trying to catch kids who are 12-15 younger than him? I don't think so. If he's struggled in the last two weeks its beacsue he's being asked to do things he shouldn't be asked to do at this stage of the year and at this stage of his career. Would Johno be played on the wing like he was 10 years ago? No. So why do we expect it from Acker to play the same role as he did 10 years ago. IMO Acker could be every bit as effective as Murphy Johnson and Higgins on the half forward flank, or a forward pocket next year. IF he wants to go around again.

[Sedat]

Re: The Bald Eagle

This recent patch has not been the only 3 weeks of consecutive poor form he's had in his time at the kennel, but I cannot recall him ever being dropped for poor form since 2003 (when he was almost on the AFL scrapheap and he saved his arse in the 2nd half of that season). Rightly or wrongly, I can't see him being dropped for the St Kilda match. He is a Rocket favourite, and notwithstanding the last 3 games, he has had probably his most consistent season to date under Eade. IMO he'll need another 3 games of poor form to be 'in the gun'.

Note - I personally believe he should right be in the mix to be dropped this week, but I just can't see it happening.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The Bald Eagle

IMO: Welsh, Eagle are playing their last seasons.

Johnson will play on.

Acker will play on if HE wants to, the club will not drop him. Does anyone think that a guy over 30 ought to be part of the engine room, winning the hard ball, setting up play, trying to catch kids who are 12-15 younger than him? I don't think so. If he's struggled in the last two weeks its beacsue he's being asked to do things he shouldn't be asked to do at this stage of the year and at this stage of his career. Would Johno be played on the wing like he was 10 years ago? No. So why do we expect it from Acker to play the same role as he did 10 years ago. IMO Acker could be every bit as effective as Murphy Johnson and Higgins on the half forward flank, or a forward pocket next year. IF he wants to go around again.

Johnno has been playing CHF and working his bum off.

Johnno works a lot harder than any 20yo out there.

[Mantis]

Re: The Bald Eagle

This recent patch has not been the only 3 weeks of consecutive poor form he's had in his time at the kennel, but I cannot recall him ever being dropped for poor form since 2003 (when he was almost on the AFL scrapheap and he saved his arse in the 2nd half of that season). Rightly or wrongly, I can't see him being dropped for the St Kilda match. He is a Rocket favourite, and notwithstanding the last 3 games, he has had probably his most consistent season to date under Eade. IMO he'll need another 3 games of poor form to be 'in the gun'.

Note - I personally believe he should right be in the mix to be dropped this week, but I just can't see it happening.

I think you have summed it up quite well Sedat.

It is plainly obvious that he is well liked by the coaching staff and amongst the playing group so he is probably safe. What gets me riled is that he is one player who it seems is given every opportunity to find his form whereas quite a few others aren't that lucky.

[Sedat]

Re: The Bald Eagle

If the Eagle wasn't in the mix to be dropped last week, he has surely put himself right in the frame after tonight's incredibly disappointing effort, especially with several key efforts by him early in the match that were passive at best. That is 4 sub-standard performances in a row now, and after a strong season up to Round 13, the credits in the bank have surely run out.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: The Bald Eagle

Must be dropped...surely!

[Before I Die]

Re: The Bald Eagle

If the Eagle wasn't in the mix to be dropped last week, he has surely put himself right in the frame after tonight's incredibly disappointing effort, especially with several key efforts by him early in the match that were passive at best. That is 4 sub-standard performances in a row now, and after a strong season up to Round 13, the credits in the bank have surely run out.

I didn't think he had a great game, but I did think he was very hard at it early on. Had laid the most tackles of any dog's player at 1/4 time. I haven't checked his final stats.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The Bald Eagle

If I was Eagleton, I'd tell Eade I was too sore to play this week.

If Eagle plays against St. Kilda he's almost certain to be woeful and would jeopodise he's spot for the seniors.

If he misses this week he will play good games against Freo & WC and he'll be right for the rest of the year.

Should have pretended he was injured.

Might have played himself not only out of the side but quite possibly off the list.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: The Bald Eagle

He should never play another game for this football club.

Nobody has ever choked more under pressure games than Eagleton.

[Missing Dog]

Re: The Bald Eagle

If the Eagle wasn't in the mix to be dropped last week, he has surely put himself right in the frame after tonight's incredibly disappointing effort, especially with several key efforts by him early in the match that were passive at best. That is 4 sub-standard performances in a row now, and after a strong season up to Round 13, the credits in the bank have surely run out.

Surely he can't stay in the team, just when we needed him to play well with Gilbee out. Would rather Wight in the side, well maybe that's going to extremes.

[Sedat]

Re: The Bald Eagle

I didn't think he had a great game, but I did think he was very hard at it early on. Had laid the most tackles of any dog's player at 1/4 time. I haven't checked his final stats.

Eagle's direct opponent, Jason Gram, was one of the most influential players on the ground in the first half. Eagle gave him far too much latitude, he went one-handed 3 times in key contests that resulted in turnovers, he also missed targets by foot which placed his teamates under emormous pressure. It was a dreadful perfoemance tonight by the Eagle. Maybe he got a few tackles because he was constantly 2nd to the ball.

[Dazza]

Re: The Bald Eagle

Eagle will survive because of the Higgins injury. No Higgins and Gia really unsettle our half forward/midfield rotations.

[Before I Die]

Re: The Bald Eagle

Eagle's direct opponent, Jason Gram, was one of the most influential players on the ground in the first half. Eagle gave him far too much latitude, he went one-handed 3 times in key contests that resulted in turnovers, he also missed targets by foot which placed his teamates under emormous pressure. It was a dreadful perfoemance tonight by the Eagle. Maybe he got a few tackles because he was constantly 2nd to the ball.

23 possessions, 7 tackles (equal most of any player in the game), 74% efficiency, 5 clangers.

Not a great game but he was far from our worst. I guess if you have a thread dedicated to bagging a player then if that player doesn't have a great game they are going to get bagged.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: The Bald Eagle

23 possessions, 7 tackles (equal most of any player in the game), 74% efficiency, 5 clangers.

Not a great game but he was far from our worst. I guess if you have a thread dedicated to bagging a player then if that player doesn't have a great game they are going to get bagged.

I wish they had stats for not running hard enough, allowing your opponent to run free and fumbling.

His tackles aren't exactly great, either. 90% of the time they still carry the ball away with ease.

[Missing Dog]

Re: The Bald Eagle

23 possessions, 7 tackles (equal most of any player in the game), 74% efficiency, 5 clangers.

Not a great game but he was far from our worst. I guess if you have a thread dedicated to bagging a player then if that player doesn't have a great game they are going to get bagged.

I was supportive of Eagle. Not any more. His stats mean nothing. Several turnovers from him directly resulted in goals. IF there was anyone else, he'd be gone. But I can't see anyone- Callan?