Everyone is saying we have lost a heap of players and we might slide down the ladder. i still reckon we have one of the best lists in the comp. Add Avery and Strnardica to our squad i think we be in the top 2.
We have depth thats part of the reason we didnt really recruit.
Players like Cocking, Vladich, Pauline our future should get more game time. I think our forward line needs to step up and be more consistent. With Oreilly gone it gives Cocking that chance to show how good he is.
We got a new player from Victoria will be interesting to see where he fits in.
I still think we slide but should be battling for finals. 2 years ago we won the flag and 8 of those players are gone plus O’Reilly and Walker. Some decent kids coming through but they’ll need time. Just be good to watch the Sharks at Shark Park again!
Austin Hodge is the recruit from Victoria MSS is referring to. Ex Footscray 192 cm - I believe earmarked for Jupp’s position or CHB, with Murphy, Marlin, Bailey and Avery floating around up back. Vladich also there as well and other youngsters in McManus & Austin who are both around the 194 cm mark.
Agree about Cocking, needs a decent run, and with O’Reilly gone, this could be the door that opens up for Cocking…McGuire, Strnadica, Marsh and Leggett also up front, though injuries will need to be kind as well.
Blakiston and Strnadica rotating in the ruck and up forward, Harry Marsh as well up forward, along with goal kicking smalls in Hagan, Montubaun, Eardley and Zadow.
We will be competitive, and have the services of an excellent coach, so we can only hope EF can play finals and then go deep in September…
I see young Will Hussey (Michael’s son) has been elevated to the colt’s leadership group without playing a game. Someone must think very highly of him, but good luck to you young man.
58, another interesting player in the colts leadership team is Tom Grylls. Strong bloodlines! His great grandfather George Cormack played 29 league games for East Fremantle in the 1930’s. His grandfather 1965 Premiership player Daryl Cormack played 160 league games for East Fremantle and Daryl’s brother 1979 Premiership player Wayne played 119 league games for East Fremantle!
I believe Tom’s dad Brendan Grylls was also a handy footballer for Corrigin!
KCEF i reckon a fit McGuire is a gun and he can play CHF or CHB. I would not use him as a ruck he a mobile big man so you could use him in other areas as well.
Blackiston and Stranadica best ruck combo in the comp. So i reckon yes we can use all 3 big men in the same team
Thanks for the info Custy, I didn’t know that there was another Cormack in George. Daryl was one of the schoolboy hero’s of mine. Hopefully the bloodlines carry on….starting this year.
Yep agree 58…Custy is always a fountain of EF knowledge…always good to hear about those generational bloodlines and connections. Hopefully young Gryllis has better luck with injury than he did last year.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Strnadica gets eased back in to the rucking role, can see Blakiston with his mobility and athleticism playing CHF for periods…203 cm key forwards with endurance, would be a test for any key defender I reckon.
MSS, not disputing that mate, but both sre number 1 rucks in their own right…up to the coaching team to find a way of utilizing them both…I reckon McGuire may be needed to go back more, as EF tallest defender is Bailey from memory at 193cm…but always good to have some flexibility and versatility.
[quote=“KCEF post=240829 userid=2509”]Anyone know if we’re playing oppo this week? I see EP are playing WP- or intra club match??
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our preseason games are
Sat 15 East Perth 2 30 pm at East Freo oval
Sat 22 Joondalup 2 30 pm up there
Sat 29 Claremont 2 30 pm at East Freo oval
for the league, colts start times 9 15 and ressies 11.45
The intra club match was played last night…a few folk rested with minor niggles. Hearing lots of positives re Austin Hodge from over east, Hagan and Joyce leading from the front on the track. Whilst two colts boys from 2024, in Pauline and Stockden pushing hard for a league debut.
Keeping a healthy core group will be crucial for EF season, considering a number of mature bodies have left. Lot of opportunity fir the next gen of EF players though in Cocking, Vladich, Austin, McManus, Pauline, Stockden, Campbell, Spadanuda, Petersen etc. Bill showed some faith in Dunscombe and Zadow last year, hopefully others can follow.
Some new faces on the EF playing list now confirmed, in Hodge, Cassidy, Hall, Wilson and McFarlane. Mix of tall, medium and small…be interested to see what they can bring to the table.
Time will tell, definitely got some quality talls and mids, the defence will miss Jupp, but hopefully Avery and Hodge can fill that gap, as Marlin, Bailey, Tassone, Cleaver, Murphy, Gorringe and Meade have shown to be more than capable at senior level. Up front Leggett and JMarsh will be called upon for goals as the seniors, alongside Eardley, Hagan and Monty as senior smalls…hopefully all can stay fit, and others can step up to kick some goals.
I heard they are going to use Marsh as a backman this year. Eardley up forward alongside Leggett, Hagan also may use Strnardica up forward. Can also use McGuire up forward but he’s better suited at CHB
Cocking is a gun just needs game time to prove himself at league level