TonyK
CibbuanoWorsfold remains positive
June 14th 2008 00:00
WEST COAST coach John Worsfold believes his side his heading in the right direction despite suffering another loss on Friday night at Telstra Dome.
The Eagles' 22-point loss to Essendon was their 10th from their past 11 games, leaving the club languishing in 14th place on the AFL ladder with a 2-10 win-loss record.
West Coast has been more competitive in the past five weeks, recording narrow losses against North Melbourne and Sydney, and thrashing Adelaide by 50 points.
"Tonight was a little bit off, certainly against Collingwood, well off. But I would say over the last five or six weeks we've been a lot better than any other period this year," Worsfold said.
"We're really pleased with the way we're heading."
Last night the Eagles were missing 11 players from their 2006 premiership side and fielded seven players with less than 10 games of experience, which meant inconsistent performances would be expected, according to Worsfold.
"The thing I've said in the past with young players they can't have a big impact over four quarters and if you've got a lot of them out there it does leave gaping holes at periods in the game," he said.
Worsfold said it was important to find a balance between youth and experience as the Eagles continue to rebuild.
"We've got to look to get the balance of having enough young players in learning the game and having enough senior players to be really competitive and winning games," he said.
"That's the best way to learn, to play in winning teams and having the confidence."
Worsfold said that premiership ruckman Mark Seaby was under pressure to retain his place in the side and may be relegated to the WAFL to find some form.
"Mark needs to give the team more at the moment. When he goes onto the ball he's not winning of the contest," he said.
In some good news for the Eagles, Worsfold said veteran midfielders Chad Fletcher and Michael Braun were a chance to return next Saturday night to face Geelong at Subiaco Oval, as was star midfielder Daniel Kerr, who was a late withdrawal against the Bombers with calf tightness.
The Eagles' 22-point loss to Essendon was their 10th from their past 11 games, leaving the club languishing in 14th place on the AFL ladder with a 2-10 win-loss record.
West Coast has been more competitive in the past five weeks, recording narrow losses against North Melbourne and Sydney, and thrashing Adelaide by 50 points.
"Tonight was a little bit off, certainly against Collingwood, well off. But I would say over the last five or six weeks we've been a lot better than any other period this year," Worsfold said.
"We're really pleased with the way we're heading."
Last night the Eagles were missing 11 players from their 2006 premiership side and fielded seven players with less than 10 games of experience, which meant inconsistent performances would be expected, according to Worsfold.
"The thing I've said in the past with young players they can't have a big impact over four quarters and if you've got a lot of them out there it does leave gaping holes at periods in the game," he said.
Worsfold said it was important to find a balance between youth and experience as the Eagles continue to rebuild.
"We've got to look to get the balance of having enough young players in learning the game and having enough senior players to be really competitive and winning games," he said.
"That's the best way to learn, to play in winning teams and having the confidence."
Worsfold said that premiership ruckman Mark Seaby was under pressure to retain his place in the side and may be relegated to the WAFL to find some form.
"Mark needs to give the team more at the moment. When he goes onto the ball he's not winning of the contest," he said.
In some good news for the Eagles, Worsfold said veteran midfielders Chad Fletcher and Michael Braun were a chance to return next Saturday night to face Geelong at Subiaco Oval, as was star midfielder Daniel Kerr, who was a late withdrawal against the Bombers with calf tightness.
| 60 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
