So the 2012 AFL season is upon us, and guys, I’m not being paranoid, but I feel like everyone is watching us. Being the Cinderella story of 2011, all eyes this year are on West Coast. After the surprise of the season that not even a savvy footy critic such as myself could predict, the footballing world is eagerly waiting to see if West Coast’s meteoric rise up the ladder in 2011 was the result of carefully-planned strategy and innovative training tactics, or if it was just a stroke of luck.
But that’s cool, you guys don’t need to wait and see, because I can tell you right now, it was most definitely not a stroke of luck! Look at our senior players like Darren Glass, Dean Cox, Andrew Embley and Matt Priddis. These guys are like a bottle of wine or George Clooney, they just get better with age. Glassy took out the 2011 Club Champion Award, Coxy joined the skipper in the All-Australian team and Priddis racked up an astounding 662 disposals for the year, coming dangerously close to snaring the Brownlow. Is that luck, I ask you?! I think not.
And what about our show-stopping youngsters. Luke Shuey, Jack Darling, Andrew Gaff, Scott Selwood and Nic Naitanui all showcased stellar form last year. Shuey, Darling and Gaff earned themselves NAB Rising Star nominations, Selwood led the way in tackles for the team with a whopping 202, and Naitanui…. I don’t think an explanation is even necessary when it comes to that kid. So again, I ask: can all of that be just luck? Nah, mate. Not even a little bit.
I know what you’re all about to say though: what about Mark LeCras and Mark Nicoski. The Frenchman booted a mighty 47 goals last year, with Nico not far behind on 41. But it’s cool, let’s not dwell on the negatives, because here’s how we’re going to make up those 88 goals:
• Josh Kennedy. This guy led the way in goals in 2011, with a massive 59 six-pointers for the season.
• We’re a team, and when one (or two) of us is down, others will step up. Quinten Lynch, Chris Masten, Darling and Shuey will undoubtedly put their hands up this year to help out with those 88 goals.
• Newbie Josh Hill. This guy was traded from the Western Bulldogs after playing 66 games for the club, and is now back in his home state and eager to make an impact in the West Coast forward line. This kid is exciting. At 185cm and 86kg, he’s got speed, he’s good overhead and clever around goals.
• And I’m sure Shannon Hurn will boot a couple of goals from 90 metres out if need be.
So there we go! We’re sorted. The Bulldogs aren’t going to know what hit them when our boys take them down at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. And I’m sure they’re still emotionally scarred from May 22 last year, that epic day at Patersons Stadium when Josh Kennedy single-handedly crushed the opposition by booting ten goals, more than the whole Bulldogs team combined.
Let me know what you guys reckon at facebook.com/RickTheRockEagle, or tweet me @RickTheRockWCE.
Love, Rick
