eagles report card

WHEN Michael Godden was appointed Woodville-West Torrens coach last October he said settling the senior side would be important to the club's success.

That came on the back of a 2009 season where then-Eagles mentor Ron Fuller had used 47 players in the League side that finished fourth.

Ultimately it may be argued not settling the side, with injuries to key players and the movement of its AFL-listed players, proved the Eagles' downfall this year.

Before its first preliminary final in three years, five changes were made to the 21 that had defeated Glenelg in a semi-final.

That was indicative of what had happened throughout the season.

In the match, which the Eagles lost by five points to Norwood, injuries forced the withdrawals of Scott Lewis, Leigh Treeby, Trent Hentschel and Scott Welsh, while there were question marks over Power-listed Nick Salter and Matthew Broadbent until the 11th hour.
In the season it was not unusual for the Eagles to make four or five changes each week.

Though disruptive, that did allow the team to get more games into such younger players as Luke Thompson, 19, Patrick Giuffreda, 23, Angus Rowntree, 19, and AFL draft prospects Brodie Smith and Jared Polec, both 17, when they were available.

The development of those younger players - with breakout seasons from Glenelg recruit Scott Lewis, full back Ben Grieger and key forward Adam Grocke and the usual consistency from the likes of Mark McKenzie, Luke Powell, Justin Cicolella and Luke Jarrad - helped the Eagles get to where they did.

While injuries and returning AFL-listed players always will force changes, settling the line-up is a must if the Eagles are to reach a grand final next season.

The other key is to play as they did in September, when they ran amok on the wide expanses of AAMI Stadium, tackled hard and knocked off the Double Blues and Glenelg - and hold on to their midfield stars.

If they do not and are dogged by the inconsistency that cost them in a round 22 loss to North Adelaide, their finals success this year may be a flash in the pan.

THE GOOD

Skipper Mark McKenzie and veteran Justin Cicolella were as consistent as ever, while key forward Adam Grocke (39 goals for the year), defender Ben Grieger and former Tiger Scott Lewis had career-best seasons. The improvement of guys such as 19-year-old Angus Rowntree and Jarred Allmond (20) would also encourage Eagles fans and coaches.

THE BAD

When the Eagles were overrun by Norwood in the preliminary final it was clear that five weeks of do-or-die footy had taken its toll. They missed the opportunity to secure the double chance with a round 22 loss to the Roosters at Prospect. Unsettled line-ups, caused by untimely injuries and the comings and goings of AFL-listed players, hurt the side.

NEEDS GOING FORWARD

Godden can ill-afford to lose key midfielders so keeping Luke Jarrad, Luke Powell, Justin Cicolella and captain Mark McKenzie, while continuing to develop a solid second tier midfield group, is important. As for recruits, the Eagles need to target a gun small forward.

BEST AND FAIREST WINNER

Justin Cicolella

GOING, GOING, GONE?

The Eagles are unlikely to see any more of former Crow Trent Hentschel, while question marks remain as to whether Scott Welsh and Leigh Treeby will play on.

Young guns Jared Polec and Brodie Smith are sure to be drafted to AFL clubs.

COACH'S COMMENT

"It was a season of education for all of us.

"We completely changed the way the footy club played and I had to stamp my brand on the club.

"It (the preliminary final loss) was disappointing from a lot of aspects and maybe there were things we could have done that we didn't do so we need to address them over the summer.

"We were a bit depleted but it was no excuse to make the mistakes we did late in the game and we need to continue to work on those. Our side's not going to change that much, which is a bonus, and hopefully we can be right at the pointy end (of the ladder) again next year."

OUR ANALYSIS

GRADE: 7/10