Eagles Preseason 2015

[Ricochet]

I'd be going after Conigs in a threeway with Geelong

[elephants]

I'd be going after Conigs in a threeway with Geelong

Or Bennell, or Swallow :p

Matera would be nice too some way or another!

[SydneyRox]

yeah, that is an issue GWS and GC have some great wa talent, but scooter if he moves will want to at least go home

[Mailman the 2nd]

Find the anti Sharrod Wellingham

[Ricochet]

speaking of...


http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-09/forgotten-eagle-set-to-fire?utm_medium=RSS

Forgotten Eagle set to fire: Wellingham on track for midfield return

SHARROD Wellingham is fit, firing and set to show what he's capable of in 2015, according to West Coast midfield coach Brady Rawlings.

Wellingham is in the final year of a lucrative three-year contract after being traded to the Eagles from Collingwood for pick No. 18 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.

His first two seasons at West Coast have been little short of disastrous. In 2013, he managed just 10 games due to severe ankle injuries, one of which was self-inflicted in a bizarre accident on a trampoline during the pre-season.

Key Eagles return to training track

In his second season at West Coast, under a different coach, Wellingham was dropped on three separate occasions due to poor form.

He suffered a season-ending knee injury in late July while playing in the WAFL.

Wellingham worked hard on his conditioning prior to Christmas, and Rawlings told AFL.com.au that the 26-year-old is ready to be a key component in the Eagles midfield in 2015.

"This pre-season we've been able to train him a bit more as a midfielder since the Christmas break and he's coming along well," Rawlings said.

"We all know his talent. He's quite fit at the moment. He's strong, he's clean inside the contest and uses the ball really well.

"In possession, we know what he's capable of. It's just finding that balance with the other side of his game as well.

"He's got a good attitude, and we're all looking forward to him playing games and showing us what he can do."

Rawlings expected the Eagles midfield to have a better run with injuries in 2015. Wellingham, Elliot Yeo and Matt Rosa are all in good shape after injury-plagued seasons last year.

The major concern is Scott Selwood, but the vice-captain has ramped up his training load in recent weeks as he continues to recover from his ankle surgery. Selwood is on track to play late in the NAB Challenge and is expected to be fit for round one.

Rawlings said he was excited about what young midfielder Liam Duggan could produce in his first year. The 18-year-old from the Western Jets was the Eagles' first-round pick in last year's national draft and appears set to be given an opportunity in the NAB Challenge.

"Liam has got a lot of talent so we think he's going to be a player," Rawlings said.

"Probably at this stage we're looking at an outside role for him. He's been quite impressive at training with his ball use. He's a classy left footer."   

[kilbluff1985]

been any news on how Waters is going?

[RaisyDaisy]

been any news on how Waters is going?

Fit and firing. Good to go

[Phasir]

I'd be going after Conigs in a threeway with Geelong

Someone like Mitch Duncan + pick for Scooter would be fair-ish, don't want to see him go though  :'(
But if he does leave, I'd want him to go to Geelong to play with Joel.
Failing that, 3way with for someone like Jack Martin / O'Meara would be mignon.   :)

[The_Captain]

I'd be going after Conigs in a threeway with Geelong

Someone like Mitch Duncan + pick for Scooter would be fair-ish, don't want to see him go though  :'(
But if he does leave, I'd want him to go to Geelong to play with Joel.
Failing that, 3way with for someone like Jack Martin / O'Meara would be mignon.   :)

I cant see them offering us any more than just duncan by himself. He was taken pick 27 Selwood pick 20. Think it would be reasonably fair. Or maybe Duncan and like pick 50 or something.

Think the eagles will try and keep him but. They kept Adam his whole career. Wouldnt mind some of those GC boys coming back home but...

Omeara, martin, swallow, bennell cheers.

[Ricochet]

Talk of a setback for Waters... No real details yet

[Ricochet]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-10/waters-shoulder-a-burden

He's still continuing to work through his issues with his shoulder," Simpson said.

"He's by no means clear sailing. At the moment we're still working through his body and what he can put out and as we increase training levels of intensity it's what he can manage."

Waters had been participating in training with the exception of full contact.

Simpson had previously stated that Waters did not need to prove himself in that regard â€" but that attitude has changed.

"We've exposed him to certain levels but not a match simulation element of contact," Simpson said.

"That's another box he's got to tick.

"We want to give him every chance to play senior football but we're not going to put his long-term body at risk.

"Being able to pick up his kids long-term and live a normal life after AFL … the way he plays he needs to be cherry ripe.

"We're aware of that and we'll manage him in the right way."

The Eagles coach could not put a timeframe on when Waters could play again.

"That's too far away," Simpson said.

"It's been a really slow progression. It's never going to be smooth sailing. There's always going to be ups and downs, so we haven't put a date on it."



Sounds more like he's just not progressing as quickly than an actual injury setback

[Big Mac]

Isn't Selwood an FA this year? Why would someone trade for him

[LF]

http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/news/2015-02-10/selwoods-contract-no-issue

SCOTT Selwood's decision to put his contract negotiations on hold is not an issue for West Coast coach Adam Simpson.

The Eagles vice captain is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and following initial contract talks with the club, the 24-year-old elected to put negotiations on hold until after he has recovered from his ankle injury.

Simpson said on Tuesday that Selwood's contract situation was not a distraction.

"Not at all. We're comfortable with where we're at with that," Simpson said.

"He's an honest man and we believe the instructions he's given the club and we'll back him in to make the right decision. He's our vice captain and I'm not too concerned.

"My communication mainly with Scott is about getting him back to play. The rest of that stuff, his contract and those sorts of things, will take care of itself."

Selwood had follow-up surgery in early December to clean out some persistent issues with the ankle he initially injured in round three last season.

The 2012 best and fairest has been progressing his running loads over the past few weeks but has not yet done anything beyond straight line running.

Forward Jack Darling has begun higher intensity running but is being carefully monitored as he continues to recover from a stress fracture in his foot.

Simpson said both men would need everything to go right over the next month to play any part in the NAB Challenge or even round one.

"For them to play they'd have to have a perfect run at it," Simpson said.

"My experience tells me you always get a little hiccup here and there.

"They're going to give themselves every opportunity but it's not all about playing round one. It's just about getting them right.

"We've still got a bit of work to do before we see them train, let alone play."

In positive news for the club, Elliot Yeo is fully fit and will likely play against the Indigenous All Stars on February 20 at Medibank Stadium.

Yeo broke his hand in round 13 last season and only managed one more game in round 23. Before his injury Yeo moved into the midfield after playing most of the first half of the season at half-back.

"We exposed him in the midfield towards the mid-part of the season and we were really pleased with what he produced," Simpson said.

"He's another player we'll see through the midfield (this year).

"I'm quite excited about what we could produce with a full strength midfield.

"We think with some kids coming through and the more development we put into our group and what I'm trying to teach we'll continue to evolve."

[LF]

I fear this could be the end for Beau.
If he cannot get up to play he will be forced to retire sooner rather than later I reckon :(

[SydneyRox]

Yeo in for Waters?