I’ve gone from hoping to actually believing we’re a genuine premiership chance.I’ve been dying to get key defender Watts back into the fullback line,and with the return of Willocks with his run and carry,and young Regan returning to the preferable back pocket or half back flank positions,and he is really blossoming before our very eyes,and throw in young big bodied midfielder Jonah Brooks,who’s added another dimension to the midfield,where he’s definitely in the side to stay,we’ve got plenty to look forward to for the rest of the season.
As long as Scott Jones stays healthy RL. I’m not sure I can remember a more dominant ruckman in the WAFL. Reminds me of when Aaron Sandilands was fit and filled out, he was so dominant opposition teams just had to concede defeat in the ruck and try to rove to the opposition ruckman or try to negate the opposition mids.
Jones has also perfected sitting behind the ball, being the outlet or drifting forward occasionally. And your midfield have perfected setting up around him. Schlensog did well against him today but it was robbing us of the ability to use him elsewhere.
Scott Jones has really become an imposing figure,whose in career best form,but with the emergence of Regan in the backline,and the return of Watts,I reckon we have the best backline in the league,and our forward line is more lethal,and although we lost 2 gun midfielders this year,I wouldn’t swap North, who’s a more permanent mid this year for Schumacher,and Jonah Brooks has suddenly added a new dimension to the midfield,and I’m starting to think we’re better placed this season for a tilt at the flag,
I also agree with your point about Schlensog,although he battled valiantly,he’s a quality key position player at WAFL level,and a player i was hoping we could snap up when he left South.
I’m sure SF don’t agree with you.
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Good to hear Nathan Brookes youngster Jonah is finding his feet RL. Went to school with Math, no nonsense sort who came from a talented sporting family. Next time you are chatting to Nathan Grump, pass on my beat wishes.
For me EP and SF should be favourites for the big dance, both have a good mix off talls and mids, and look strong up front and back. Cl will be there and there abouts, but if Perth can sneak that 2nd chance off them, then that will definitely help Perth’s going deep final aspirations big time.
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Thanks Freez, see Nathan each week.
Freez, hoping we can make finals.
Realistically, a work in progress rather than a GF threat.
We still lack depth and are missing players we can’t afford to be without.
But, we are better than we showed yesterday.
DF I have more confidence in Perth’s chances making finals…amd doing something, then EF right now…EF have WP and Peel breathing down their necks, but hey good challenge for all involved.
Yes it appears that East Perth are building momentum after a slow start and they loom as the main challengers to the Doggies I reckon. How good would an EP v SF Grand Final be with a large supporter base for both clubs?
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I think the good thing about this season is yes SF are deserving top dogs but at various stages EF have looked strong, Claremont have staked their case as serious challengers and a couple of times EP have looked really good.
That tells me the gap between the top 5 isn’t that great even for my team who have now copped 3 whallopings against EF, Claremont and EP.
Thing is we’ve beaten EF and EP and didn’t lose by big margins against SF.
Injuries will play a part in the run home. Right now my team is vulnerable but we’ve got Edwards, Clarke, Paton, Simpson and Johnston all out and mid season replacement for Randall in Jesse Glass-McCasker to all hopefully be available in the coming weeks.
Things can change pretty quickly.
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What South didn’t rate him DF??The state selectors deemed he was good enough to play State football in 2021.
It wasn’t about Schlensog.
We are very strong can beat anyone Lucky. The questions to answer are, do we lack one class midfielder? Will our lack of leg speed be exploited in the finals? And our team is full of very nice guys do they have the c#*t in them that is required to win flags?
The injured marquee recruit might be a deciding factor Larry,but I reckon Brooksy’s boy has bolstered our midfield,and I reckon overall we’re stronger across the board than last year,despite losing our fairest and best and runner up.
Brooksy and Teddy are pretty handy with the gloves,Watts has plenty of mongrel and Middleton is a big burly battering ram,and Jonesy has become very physical,so I think we’re ok in that department,although not quite as aggressive as the Barney,Swan and Devan Perry era.
It will get down to players staying on the park for the few remaining qualifying matches, with as few injuries as possible. For example, Fullgrabe has gone and won’t see him until 2026. Approaching the pointy end of the season and many players will have their minds on Finals action. Don’t need too many injuries otherwise players lose the edge a bit when coming back.
Very true Lucky we will see what pans out. Most of these guys had the opportunity last year to put a physical stamp on a grand final. Hopefully if they get another opportunity every tactic is on the table.
I thought the physicality they had from even before the game started was the difference and should hold them in good stead in the finals.
I think East Perth has certainly improved from 2024, mainly because last year the Royals cut things a bit fine (and triggered a few heart attacks) in several games (including 5 3-point victories), whereas this year, most wins have been more emphatic.
Having a match-hardened group of players who’ve been together for 4-5 years helps, similar to what East Fremantle had in 2023, with the camaraderie between the group being excellent as far as I can tell.
It would be good to have a lightning-fast midfielder, as I think EP lacks a bit of pace, but smart thinking and teamwork can all compensate for a perceived lack of speed.
With a 3-game and 15% gap, the stewards would be summonsed if South Fremantle failed to win the minor premiership.
If EP wins 3 of their last 5 games, by virtue of having a healthy percentage, they should finish in the top 3.
However, the Royals can’t afford to take either West Perth or West Coast lightly, as they finish with a tough run against SF, EF and Claremont.