The Finals

[shearer]

Sandwich hand said.

"A wasted season is one where you do not improve and you can only look to the next season with hope you may go ok."

Considering ECE will yet again miss the finals after a very good recruitment campaign, fanatstic depth in there reserve grade and a strong administration, do you still believe its not a wasted season?

[humphrey bear]

Originally posted by shearer
Sandwich hand said.

"A wasted season is one where you do not improve and you can only look to the next season with hope you may go ok."

Considering ECE will yet again miss the finals after a very good recruitment campaign, fanatstic depth in there reserve grade and a strong administration, do you still believe its not a wasted season?

Come on Shearer. Come out and say it.

You know and I know it has been a complete waste.

[Sandwich Hand]

"A wasted season is one where you do not improve and you can only look to the next season with hope you may go ok."

"Considering ECE will yet again miss the finals after a very good recruitment campaign, fanatstic depth in there reserve grade and a strong administration, do you still believe its not a wasted season"?

I am sure there are plenty of positives and improvements for East Coast Eagles as a Club this year as you have stated.

I would imagine the club would be disappointed in their senior team not improving on last years position.

A number of key injuries towards the end of the season certainly has not helped matters when you consider the margins against the top 3 sides have been very close.

I also believe there seems to be enough depth at the Eagles to still put a good side on the paddock.

Even though the Eagles have probably wasted an opportunity to play senior finals football this year, they have added a considerable amount of talent and experience to their list and will no doubt continue to do so.

They have a young reserves team and a number of talented U18 players who are ready to become regular senior players.

So although the Eagles Senior Team has certainly failed to improve their position on the ladder, a strong administration and player base will ensure that the have plenty to look forward to in the seasons to come.

Probably a 50/50 result.

[Rafters]

They are a stronger club than 12 months ago ... every other club in Sydney footy can say that (including those in the finals).

ECE are a team that clubs will not want to face next year.

Western Bulldogs in the AFL may not make the eight this year - a wasted season from them ... I don't think so.

[Coastal Boy]

In my opinion in the Sydney AFL it is possible to recruit and take a premiership in a single year. At AFL level it probably takes 3 years. On this premise, ECE have had a wasted year. Who is to say the new recruits wont all go elsewhere next year or there is no money to keep them.

For me, success is making a grand final. Sometimes you just dont win it. Any less in a 9 team comp where a couple of bottom teams cannot string together more than 1 win together isnt good enough.

[humphrey bear]

Originally posted by Coastal Boy
In my opinion in the Sydney AFL it is possible to recruit and take a premiership in a single year. At AFL level it probably takes 3 years. On this premise, ECE have had a wasted year. Who is to say the new recruits wont all go elsewhere next year or there is no money to keep them.

For me, success is making a grand final. Sometimes you just dont win it. Any less in a 9 team comp where a couple of bottom teams cannot string together more than 1 win together isnt good enough.

I agree entirely. By the nature of the competition the SFL is much more dynamic than the AFL. When you have a good team either by developing juniors or recruiting players you must have success that year.

A lot changes with each off season. Recruited players or for that matter local juniors often move through work or study opportunities and history has shown that very few teams work up to a premiership in the SFL.

[shearer]

I think you only have to look at the first year UNSW won the premiership when they recruited Mc George, Parmenter & co to show that it can be done.

[william wallace]

Originally posted by shearer
I think you only have to look at the first year UNSW won the premiership when they recruited Mc George, Parmenter & co to show that it can be done.

I think you are right shearer, but ECE has shown this year that money can't always bring you a Premiership. They seemed to have recruited quality players, yet they wont even make finals. I'm sure they will bleat about injuries, but they have the best 2's in the comp, surely they can cover these injuries.

I bet you are dissapointed that ECE missed out Shearer!?!

[Gambler]

William,

I challenge ANY club in Sydney to replace a an Ex AFL player, a Sandover medalist, SANFL players, and an Australian volleyball rep at any stage of the year, let alone for several games.

[william wallace]

Originally posted by Gambler
William,

I challenge ANY club in Sydney to replace a an Ex AFL player, a Sandover medalist, SANFL players, and an Australian volleyball rep at any stage of the year, let alone for several games.

I admit it is a huge loss.. (except for the volley ball player, relevance?).. however, every team has injuries, Wests, penno, Nths and UNSW have had injuries to key players . However these teams still managed to win enough games to make the finals. They brought up players to fill the gaps. I would have expected ECE would have more capability to do this than anyone, when you consider the strength of the ECE 2's.

[Lensman]

Originally posted by william wallace
I think you are right shearer, but ECE has shown this year that money can't always bring you a Premiership.

And Yet, Wests may still prove it is possible !

[Rafters]

Originally posted by Lensman
And Yet, Wests may still prove it is possible !

I think that Wests are a real chance - not because of what they pay their top 6 players compared to other clubs - but because their bottom six players are better than other clubs' bottom six.

I think the demise of the Parra Goannas in the offseason was one of the significant reasons for Wests improvement this year.

[Coastal Boy]

Originally posted by Rafters
I think the demise of the Parra Goannas in the offseason was one of the significant reasons for Wests improvement this year.

Now now rafters. The Kassem brothers cannot have been the big difference at wests this year. Salem missed more than half a dozen games due to a broken thumb and smashed nose. Med and Eid(excuse the spelling) have missed games due to suspension and even played 2s.

I know your loyalty to the goannas is strong but there are probably 20 wests boys who think their impact has been greater.

Incidently, Norths and UNSW have lots of recent finals experience. Wests and Penno have lead the way all year. Should be an interesting finals series indeed. I wont be surprised if 3rd or 4th make it through to the grand final.

[Batman]

Originally posted by william wallace
I think you are right shearer, but ECE has shown this year that money can't always bring you a Premiership. They seemed to have recruited quality players, yet they wont even make finals. I'm sure they will bleat about injuries, but they have the best 2's in the comp, surely they can cover these injuries.

I bet you are dissapointed that ECE missed out Shearer!?!

Yeah poor form by ECE. After talking it up again all off season they yet again fail to even make the finals. How about we stop hearing about the injury excuses....when i saw the game vs PH on Fox Footy it appeared as though most senior players were on deck that day and after that there was only 3 rounds to go! If they had had been as good as they said they were, then they would have stitched up a finals berth long before Round 17! Serious questiions will be being asked AGAIN at EC I'd say......and i wonder how safe their senior coaches position is at this stage???? Would anyone related to the club like to comment on the rumour that G. Garner may be Senior Coach next year???

Just what i have heard on the bat phone thats all!

[humphrey bear]

Batman they have been making excuses for a long time.

All teams have injuries. They are very good at making excuses at the team formerly known as Baulkham hills because there has been a reason every year for the last 10 years why they havent made the finals.

Maybe next year.