WHEN an AFL team claims a premiership, its 17 other rivals have two choices.
They can fight fire with fire by copying the reigning premiers’ style and try to execute it to a higher standard the next year. Or they can create their own brand to combat what’s worked for the past premiers.
West Coast has opted for the latter in 2018 — and its counter-cultural approach is driving the club’s unexpected push for the 2018 premiership.While Richmond built its 2017 flag on a predominantly small, high-pressure forward line — a trend many thought other teams would try to copy this year — Eagles coach Adam Simpson has deliberately packed his forward line with genuine forwards, often talls, to date.
AFL
Round 11
It’s a selection policy that has paid dividends for the Eagles, who on Saturday night registered their 10th consecutive win — their third-longest winning streak in the club’s history — defeating St Kilda by 13 points at Optus Stadium.
It proved to be a far from convincing win, with the Saints producing a mightily impressive late comeback with seven goals to one in the final term. The fightback was inspired by Tim Membrey’s excellent return to goalkicking form, booting 6.0 from 20 disposals and nine marks — one month after he kicked 1.5 against Fremantle, which was his last game in Perth.
But the 48-point margin early in the final term proved too great for the Saints to reel in, with the Eagles’ dynamic forward line proving too potent early in the game.
They can fight fire with fire by copying the reigning premiers’ style and try to execute it to a higher standard the next year. Or they can create their own brand to combat what’s worked for the past premiers.
West Coast has opted for the latter in 2018 — and its counter-cultural approach is driving the club’s unexpected push for the 2018 premiership.While Richmond built its 2017 flag on a predominantly small, high-pressure forward line — a trend many thought other teams would try to copy this year — Eagles coach Adam Simpson has deliberately packed his forward line with genuine forwards, often talls, to date.
AFL
Round 11
It’s a selection policy that has paid dividends for the Eagles, who on Saturday night registered their 10th consecutive win — their third-longest winning streak in the club’s history — defeating St Kilda by 13 points at Optus Stadium.
It proved to be a far from convincing win, with the Saints producing a mightily impressive late comeback with seven goals to one in the final term. The fightback was inspired by Tim Membrey’s excellent return to goalkicking form, booting 6.0 from 20 disposals and nine marks — one month after he kicked 1.5 against Fremantle, which was his last game in Perth.
But the 48-point margin early in the final term proved too great for the Saints to reel in, with the Eagles’ dynamic forward line proving too potent early in the game.
