Club
Western Suburbs
Key players
Look no further than Paul Bevan. Bevan is the highest profile recruit to join AFL Sydney this year and the 30-year old will demand the attention of opposition sides. The former Sydney Swan and Wests Junior will be hoping to turn back the clock to 2013 where with Perth in the WAFL he kicked 55 goals from 20 games as a small forward. He will be given licence to roam by coach, Kevin Eynaud such is his class and experience.
Star on the Rise
I was shocked to see Vasili Romanas has had three years of Premier Division experience, not bad for a 19 year old. Now with the equivalent of a season’s Premier Division experience, Romanas who was a key member of last years Under 19 premiership side should flourish around the company of Bevan and Eynaud, both well-versed with senior football. There were also big wraps on Yannick Milligan-Saville last year as a key defender of the future. Watch his progress this season.
Strengths
They have some experienced players in key positions. Matthew Lemme heads the defensive unit at full-back, Lindsay Scown in the middle, Andy Eurell as a utility/ruck, and from what we hear, a handy centre-half forward to replace Taylor Williamson. Add to that, developing players who now have the experience to make a consistent impact in Brenton Mumme, Clint McGrath, Josh Zoppo and Yanni Milligan-Saville.
Weaknesses
They seemed to go in and out of matches and fell away badly towards the back-end of the year, highlighted by their big loss to Sydney University in the Elimination Final. Their ball use isn’t elite and were reliant on Matthew Round and Leigh Conway to play all over the park, particularly moving the ball from the back-half and delivering predominantly to the recently departed Williamson. Bevan will shoulder a lot of that burden with a question mark on Round and with Conway missing.
Season defining month
Again, after the long weekend will be Western Suburbs’ moment of truth. It doesn’t get much tougher than trips to Manly-Warringah and Pennant Hills in consecutive weeks. That is followed by home games against St George which could go either way dependant on form, and Sydney University who as noted above has the recent wood on the Magpies.
Notable Transfers
Bevan, as noted, heads the transfers in. Word is they are yet to publically reveal a few Ovens & Murray recruits who will slip straight into Premier Division. Add to that the centre-half forward replacement for Williamson (Airport West in Essendon FL) and they should be well resourced. With this said, they are set to lose Kristian Ericson and Leigh Conway (year off) and there is a question mark on where Matt Round will end up. Wayd Blackburne (Balmain) and Kyall Walford (Killarney Vale) are other confirmed departures.
Danny Says
5th
There was a bit of debate amongst the panel over where the Magpies would finish up- with all bar one agreeing they would see September action. There are consistency issues which need addressing if they are to challenge the top sides. The Magpies faithful have been patient in waiting for success but I don’t see any great improvement this year.
Last Modified on 05/04/2015 15:21
