Continuing our series on fans analysing their teams is the incomparable Deano who slips into the driver’s seat to bring us this in-depth look at the Eagles. Deano loves a disclaimer as much as we do (seen our header?) so he’s requested we publish the following: “these opinions and commentary are expressed without prejudice to any person or entity and are in no way intended to cause offence. The author has used some literary license by way of jest in some of the analyses.” OK, now we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get on with the good stuff…
Shannon Hurn ($446 000, 82.3, 22) - Has been in my team for the past three years on the basis of several +120 games and the promise of a player selected at #13 in the 2005 draft. Unfortunately, he has not lived up to this potential, despite the ability to break the lines with his kicking. This has been due to a forward tagging approach from oppositions and his heavy body type which has impeded his ability to run through the lines and get to defensive contests.
Pros: Long accurate kicking, kick to handball ratio, durability.
Cons: Lack of confidence in defensive plays, lack of speed and agility, potential to be used in different roles.
Beau Waters ($389 600, 71.8, 
- A revelation in 2010 coming off a knee cartilage problem to be one of the best SC cash cows of the competition and for some, being a keeper. The “general” of the Eagles backline, he has the ability and fortitude to be a premium as the Eagles thought, drafting him at #11 in 2003. Unfortunately, his style of aggressive play has caused other injuries that have denied him the status that he should enjoy.
Pros: Reads the play well, long accurate kicking, finds contested footy.
Cons: Durability
Sam Butler ($451 000, 83.2, 10) – As per Waters, this guy could be anything. Picked up in the same draft at #20 from SA, these guys were meant to be the next leaders of the club post the Cuzz meltdown and Judd treason. Unfortunately, Sammy has struggled with injury just when he seems to be back on track and history tells us that he has not played more that 16 games per season in 7 years.
Pros: Reads the play well, can rotate through the midfield, zones off well.
Cons: Durability, scoring more suited to DreamTeam.
Brad Sheppard ($307 200, 56.7, 6) – Struggled last year with injury and opportunity. The Eagles’ unexpected #7 pick in the 2009 draft is the son of a WA Sheffield Shield cricketer and the nephew/cousin of Geoff, Shaun and Mitchell Marsh. He has undoubted class and natural ability but has unfortunately not lived up to expectations thus far due to a confidence crisis late in his first year. Given the opportunity to play after going back to WAFL last year, he could well take the next step however his price is too high to contemplate selection.
Pros: Class act, can rotate through the midfield.
Cons: Unlikely to play first up, job security.
Overall synopsis: Don’t pick any. Whilst Hurn still attracts some attention (have you seen those thighs?) he has had the opportunity to excel and not delivered. Butler may be the smokey upgrade here if he can remain on the park.
Best 22 combo:
Schofield Glass Waters
Hurn Mackenzie Butler A.Selwood
Knocking on the door:
Sheppard, Mitch Brown, Smith
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
nice work , Deano
In shannon hurn,s last 3 years his ave has slowly dropped off a tad.
2009..93.3 22 games
2010..84.6 15 games
2011..82.2 22 games .
shannon Hurn could still be a good pick up for a defender . Not many def has average more than 100 last year , wont disappoint if you picked up the ex S.A.
beau waters …pass . high injury risk (good player thou ) elbow problem.
sam butler .. pass . high risk
brad shepperd ..pass.too expensive for a rookie , havent lived up to the hype.
mitch brown ..could be a cheapie will only ave 60 to 70 in sc
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Great write up mate, ya beat me to it I was half way throu my list when this was posted.
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Adam selwood being availiable as a back has got him on my watchlist. Be interesting to see how much MF time he will get. Could be an ok scorer with tackles and moderate possies.
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yeah but wonder how much TAG responsibily will fall with him. Tempting for the price! I reckon he will rise for sure.
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Adam played virtually exclusively as a tagger in the backline on the opposition’s most potent small/mid forward in ’11 with the emergence in midfield of his brother Scott and Pat McGinnity as run with midfielders.
Would expect that role to continue as he does a great job on the Stevie Js etc. hence can’t see him getting back to the ~90s of ’09/’10 when he was a fulltime mid.
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A question was raised on Twitter this afternoon: Who is Sullivan? (back pocket in the best 22).
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Sorry, meant to be Schofield!
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Updated now. Not like you to make that kind of mistake about your own boys, mate.
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I was distracted by my mate Jimmy Beam!
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