If David Wirrpanda Plays Then Who Misses Out For The Eagles
David Wirrpanda is an important player for the Eagles, and he has single-handedly turned around a couple of games this season. The Eagles went through a bit of a slump in the middle of the season, in games against Geelong and Carlton they found themselves with a big deficit to make up and it was Wirrpunda, and Hunter too, who went forward and saved the games.
Now Wirrpanda has been declared fit to play and as that is great news for the Eagles it also means that a September tradition has to continue, a player is dropped for the Grand Final. While it won't be as big as Derek Kickett missing out there will be at least one disappointed Eagles player.
The player, or players, who could miss include Seaby, Armstrong, Banfield, Fletcher and Rowan Jones.
Seaby will definitely play, they won't go in with one ruckman, so Seaby will be named on the bench to backup Cox and Worsfold might even go with a new strategy this year and use both ruckmen on the ground at the same time, with one of them playing in front of Hall to fill up his space to lead.
Armstrong is a tough one, he is new to the club this season and has not cemented a regular spot. It might depend on where they play Wirrpanda, as Armstrong usually plays more forward while the Eagles may drop a small defender to clear a spot at Wirrpunda's regular position.
Banfield is the only Eagle with the experience of winning a Grand Final. He also played a lot of games with Worsfold. Teams need players like Banfield in AFL Grand Finals, he is a tough veteran who will play well if the physical play is at normal Grand Final levels. Banfield is a player who can take a hit, get up and set an example for his teammates.
Chad Fletcher was close to joining Judd, Kerr and the others in the Eagles' elite midfield but in the finals he hasn't had a big role. His spot should be safe but if the Eagles want some more height in the team he could miss out.
Rowan Jones missed last year's game but he should get a go this time. His extra height compared to some of the Eagles running players could be useful against Kennelly or Malceski.
The Eagles might use Wirrpanda as a forward in the Grand Final. This could surprise the Swans, lessen the running and risk of injury on Wirrpanda, add a creative playmaker to a forward line that can struggle for goals and also put a player in their forward line with defensive skills to stop Sydney's run from the back.
So if Wirrpanda is forward then Armstrong would definitely miss. With Wirrpanda playing in his normal backline role then Banfield and Fletcher would join Armstrong as players who could be dropped. But it might not be the only change they make, the Eagles could also consider Staker or Lecras and if Worsfold wanted to surprise everyone he might pick Sampi, but that is unlikely.
Now Wirrpanda has been declared fit to play and as that is great news for the Eagles it also means that a September tradition has to continue, a player is dropped for the Grand Final. While it won't be as big as Derek Kickett missing out there will be at least one disappointed Eagles player.
The player, or players, who could miss include Seaby, Armstrong, Banfield, Fletcher and Rowan Jones.
Seaby will definitely play, they won't go in with one ruckman, so Seaby will be named on the bench to backup Cox and Worsfold might even go with a new strategy this year and use both ruckmen on the ground at the same time, with one of them playing in front of Hall to fill up his space to lead.
Armstrong is a tough one, he is new to the club this season and has not cemented a regular spot. It might depend on where they play Wirrpanda, as Armstrong usually plays more forward while the Eagles may drop a small defender to clear a spot at Wirrpunda's regular position.
Banfield is the only Eagle with the experience of winning a Grand Final. He also played a lot of games with Worsfold. Teams need players like Banfield in AFL Grand Finals, he is a tough veteran who will play well if the physical play is at normal Grand Final levels. Banfield is a player who can take a hit, get up and set an example for his teammates.
Chad Fletcher was close to joining Judd, Kerr and the others in the Eagles' elite midfield but in the finals he hasn't had a big role. His spot should be safe but if the Eagles want some more height in the team he could miss out.
Rowan Jones missed last year's game but he should get a go this time. His extra height compared to some of the Eagles running players could be useful against Kennelly or Malceski.
The Eagles might use Wirrpanda as a forward in the Grand Final. This could surprise the Swans, lessen the running and risk of injury on Wirrpanda, add a creative playmaker to a forward line that can struggle for goals and also put a player in their forward line with defensive skills to stop Sydney's run from the back.
So if Wirrpanda is forward then Armstrong would definitely miss. With Wirrpanda playing in his normal backline role then Banfield and Fletcher would join Armstrong as players who could be dropped. But it might not be the only change they make, the Eagles could also consider Staker or Lecras and if Worsfold wanted to surprise everyone he might pick Sampi, but that is unlikely.
