What are our expectations?

[winnyason]

Reading form guides and expert tips i have never seen us at $23 dollars to win well not since the pre BK days. So are we rebuilding that is the question? i am a little perplexed of our salary cap issues, sure we have upgraded choc, Glenn Stewart and Matai but we have let a lot of cattle go in the last 2 years. I have to ask the question as we where very quick to say we don't have the dough for ox as soon as he came on the market, then when beaver was available same response.

I have to say i look at our team and i am very nervous considering the improvment of a lot of the teams in recruitment, in particular the warriors, dogs and raiders. We are relying on kids and the return of brett stewart and wolfy to help. Dale Cherry-Evans has huge weight on his shoulders, what is the plan if he does not work out, move foran to 7 and jamie lyon to 6 or liam to partner kieran in the halves. Also the suspension issue with Matai and Glenn Stewart is a big porblem considering our lack of depth.

Our top 17 prior to matai and Glenn return:

1. Brett Stewart 2. Robbo 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Tony Williams 5. Wolfman
6. Foran 7.DC
13. Shane Rodney 12. Choc Watmough 11. Joe Galavuo
10. Brent Kite 9. Matt Ballin 8. Jason King

14. Rose 15. Matt Cross 16. Seu Seu 17. Darcy Lussick.

Full Strength

1. Brett Stewart 2. Robbo 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. Wolfman
6. Foran 7.DCE
13. G Stewart 12. Rodney 11. Choc Watmough
10 Brent Kite 9. Matt Ballin 8. Jason King

14. Rose 15. Matt Cross 16. Galavuo 17. Tony Williams.

 

[hardbaby]

I think the Eagles have a very good side. The issue, as you raise, is the quality of the opposition. The top teams have stayed strong and many of the the lesser lights have improved enormously. But not the Eagles. To make the eight I think you need Brett Stewart and Wolfman to regain Australian form, Watmough to live up to his potential, Matai to cut out the crap and George Rose to get serious about his weight. There is no doubt about the talent (and the juniors looks great) and I think Hasler is an excellent coach but I am not so sure about the attitude of some of the players.

 

[zombie jesus]

Too hard to predict, injuries will be what makes or breaks the season.
I'm hoping Foran breaks out, he was great before his injury last year.

 

[CC_Eagle]

We should make the Finals.

Anything less would be considered a failure.

 

[eagles4eva]

I have no doubt the Eagles can make the eight... like every other team it will depend on suspensions and injuries.. let’s just hope the end of 2010 isn’t repeated this year..

 

[caspersparks]

I have no doubt the Eagles can make the eight... like every other team it will depend on suspensions and injuries.. let’s just hope the end of 2010 isn’t repeated this year..

agree 100% injuries are the key..
i thought that trent was kind of a letdown after a good start to the year.. i have a feeling dce will be the goods (but hey, i've never seen him play).. and i pray snake is injury free.

 

[Patorick]

Anywhere between 5-15th.

This is the least confident I've been since 2005-2006

 

[MSIH]

Matt Cross featuring in our "top 17" scares me, alot.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Matt Cross featuring in our "top 17" scares me, alot.

What do you have against Cross!?

 

[zombie jesus]

Cross started the season great, looked like a mad skinhead out there, then ended it as a plodder.

 

[Scarves]

Forget recruitment, our problems since the 2008 Premiership revolve around on field discipline and respect for the opposition.

So many times over the past two seasons have I seen our forwards absolutely dominate the opposition only for stupid mistakes gifting our opponents long distance tries or free field position. Early games last year against the Tigers and Parra were examples of this. Both of the Gold Coast games featured us punching ourselves in the face. This was also evident in 2009 although we weren't falling away as much in the 2nd half that season.

There isn't much between any of the teams in the competition. I looks on paper a very even forecast. Mental preparation and application to detail will decide most outcomes in 2011. It will come down to how much the players want it.

 

[MSIH]

What do you have against Cross!?

As ZJ, he was a plodder for the 2nd half of the season.

Also, he is Ben's brother, and I hate that merkin.

 

[CC_Eagle]

As ZJ, he was a plodder for the 2nd half of the season.

Also, he is Ben's brother, and I hate that merkin.

True, he personified a 'plodder' and what it is 'to plod' from about June onwards.

I totally forgot about the Ben Cross relation - I take back my previous defence. My favourite Ben Cross moment was Matai knocking him on his fat backside in Canberra in 2006.