Eagles this week

[mightytiges]

Worsfold on the AFL site:

There will be no excuses for the West Coast Eagles if this weekend's trip to the MCG doesn't work out as planned.

Since joining the then VFL, the club has won just 19 of 48 games at the MCG - a 40 per cent success rate. Of course, two of those wins were the 1992 and 1994 premiership triumphs.

The team has only won once there this millennium, when the Eagles defeated Melbourne in 2003.

Worsfold said the differences that affected other teams when they came to Subiaco didn't affect his team when they travelled, for one very simple reason.

"Different type of grass, change-rooms are different, you get different supporters sitting above your race, the coaches' box is different, you've got to fly to get there rather than just drive."

"(But) not us. Not us, because we're tough."

LOL where was this toughness two weeks ago at the 'G when they lost to the bottom side

Eat 'em alive Tigers! 

[mightytiges]

Wallace says Eagles not unbeatable
The Age
Breaking news
June 3, 2005 - 3:19PM

Richmond coach Terry Wallace believes table-topping West Coast could be vulnerable in their AFL clash at the MCG on Saturday.

Wallace said the Eagles, who thumped champion Port Adelaide by 117 points last round, were clearly "the best side in the country".

But with a few of their key players missing, they were fallible - as proven by lowly Collingwood in a shock result at the MCG in round nine, which was their only loss of the season.

"They've got most of their midfield, which has been a key element of their game, most of those guys are there so it's a real challenge for our guys to match it," Wallace said.

"They've got the No.1 midfield side for stoppages and we're No.2, so from that aspect why wouldn't we back our boys to take them on.

"But certainly they've got some really classy players missing out of their lineup, finishers and very skilled players."

Eagles ruck-forward Michael Gardiner (knee)and Ashley Sampi (ankle) are out injured while midfielder Tyson Stenglein is serving a one-match suspension.
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The Tigers, currently tied for second on the table, will be without their leading goalscorer and most talented player Nathan Brown, who shattered his leg last Friday night.

However Wallace said the loss of Brown, who was released from hospital on Friday, shouldn't impact on the other players' performance.

"It ought to be a challenge to them about where they sit as individuals," he said.

"Nathan's one player in the side ... Browny not standing in the goal square shouldn't affect the way the midfielders go after the footy or shouldn't make our defenders any less tight on their men.

"It's a terrific challenge for us, playing the best side in the country at this point in time.

"It will show a fair bit about our character after a disappointing week."

While ruck-forward Greg Stafford is back from injury and defender Ray Hall returns from suspension, Saturday's match marks the first of the season at the top level for Rory Hilton.

The former Brisbane utility suffered a serious knee injury in round 15 last year and has battled his way back to the seniors through the Tigers' reserves side Coburg.

Wallace said Hilton was now playing for his future.

"We've made no bones with Rory," he said.

"I said from the day I walked into the club that realistically the first half of the season was like a pre-season (for him), the second half we'd be making decisions on his future."

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Wallace-says-Eagles-not-unbeatable/2005/06/03/1117568363369.html