Western Force - 2016

[Moono75]

We need a clean out of the playing roster and an injection of some star quality just to reignite the passion about the club. And as much as we can appreciate those members that have cult like blind dedication to the club and can see no wrong, this club needs a massive kick in the ass. Blind elegance to the Force blowing smoke up their ass is going to achieve nothing for us in the next 10 years. I've waited too long. I can accept defeat playing intelligent and entertaining rugby but we have suffered enough playing dull rugby.

You live and die by the product you put on the field and tonight's game did nothing to inspire anyone to take up rugby. The NRL are in town tomorrow in direct competition to whats on offer with the Force and I'd wager they will probably surpass the crowd numbers tonight. Do something to protect your standing in the sporting landscape and act before you become an irrelevance. I love the Force, i go to every game and watch every game no matter the timezone. Some action is required.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

So after comments from across many different platforms its looks as if last night was the last home game from a few players.

Wykes
Holmes
Marcel
Badger
Delit

Not happy about a few of the above they need to recruit well other wise next year will really hurt.

Also hope this is the end of 1 Michael Foley the biggest pretender since Richard Graham.

 

[Bairdy]

First order of business:
Recruit a backs/skills coach i.e. a Todd Louden

Then, recruit some big-rigs; strike runners from the NRC or abroad (marquees).

 

[Gnostic]

I would think first order of business should be to recruit a head coach who actually wants to play a winning game. What is Foley's overall record as a head coach in Super Rugby? I think when you look at that the results of last year can be seen as a statistical aberration.

A backs coach is going to do 3 parts of Sweet FA if the plan is to bash it up a couple of phases then kick the shit out of it when in own half and attempt to play some rugby only when in the opposition 40. The problem is that Foley needs two vastly different things in a 10 to play that game and there are only a couple in the world that have the all round skills to play both roles and none of them are Australian, though To'omua comes closest.

I have seen people bagging Ebherson for kicking the ball so much but that is exactly what he is there for, and that is exactly what got the Force the grinding wins last year.

 

[farva]

So after comments from across many different platforms its looks as if last night was the last home game from a few players.

Wykes
Holmes
Marcel
Badger
Delit

Not happy about a few of the above they need to recruit well other wise next year will really hurt.

Also hope this is the end of 1 Michael Foley the biggest pretender since Richard Graham.

What makes you think Badger is off?
The others i am not too concerned about.

 

[D-Box]

Last year's Force Head of High Performance seems to be suggesting that Steenkamp is gone for 2016 too

 

[ChargerWA]

Confirmed on Tessmans Twitter last night that Holmes and Dellitt are gone.

 

[Melchior]

Last year's Force Head of High Performance seems to be suggesting that Steenkamp is gone for 2016 too

Not sure about this. There was talk of a NZ lock being signed to replace Wykes. Have not heard that Steenkamp is leaving but would make sense given the amount of time Foley has played him. Shame about Holmes being a WA native. It seems Foley's anti-rugby has killed his career.

 

[D-Box]

I know no more than this. It just popped up on my Twitter feed after the game

 

[kiwi]

Zack Holmes is off to French rugby to continue his career

 

[sudrugby]

Zack Holmes is off to French rugby to continue his career

Yes confirmed today by La Rochelle

 

[qwerty51]

According to Payto and Panda you guys have signed Peter Grant and Ebersohn is gone (might've already knew that?)

For me that is a dreadful signing and a step in the wrong direction? Another Saffer kick first 10? He's 30. Unbelievable.

 

[Hawko]

According to Payto and Panda you guys have signed Peter Grant and Ebersohn is gone (might've already knew that?)

For me that is a dreadful signing and a step in the wrong direction? Another Saffer kick first 10? He's 30. Unbelievable.

Maybe he'll only be the back-up for Lance; but knowing the way Foley thinks Jono will be struggling to get a game off the bench. Its not a good look if its confirmed.

 

[Intruder]

Force closing in on Tapuai hearing it could be for 2 seasons. Handy pick up.

 

[Moono75]

Grant could be a good mentor for Luke Burton while he develops as a potential starting fly half of the future. As I've said before I don't think Sias was going to take us anywhere. We certainly can't stand pat from last year and make no changes to the squad. Need more gems like Steve Mafi to be unearthed for next year.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Official word today from the Force via their FB page that Sias has departed. It's probably for the best in the end, as I couldn't see us getting anywhere with him still at 10.

 

[ChargerWA]

I know what Foleys thinking. He knows that his style of play relies on scoreboard pressure. If the Force can stay within striking distance they can grind teams down. But the key to doing it is being close enough on the scoreboard and that requires a kicker making their kicks.

The Grant signing doesn't bode well for anyone hoping for a more expansive style of play.

 

[Gnostic]

Do Force fans think the style of play being pursued by Foley will lead to an increase in the popularity of Rugby in the west or win more viewers nationally?

Genuine question, after years of the Tahs playing I couldn't stand to see them play like that anymore, and if they started it again I think I'd give up entirely.

 

[p.Tah]

The Grant signing doesn't bode well for anyone hoping for a more expansive style of play.

That is incredibly depressing.
Sorry guys I've stopped watching Force games because of Foley's pressure game. Well done beating the Tahs this year but WA deserves better than those kind of tactics.

 

[ChargerWA]

Do Force fans think the style of play being pursued by Foley will lead to an increase in the popularity of Rugby in the west or win more viewers nationally?

Genuine question, after years of the Tahs playing I couldn't stand to see them play like that anymore, and if they started it again I think I'd give up entirely.

Quietly, I'm not even sure it matters.

I tend to think there are two types of Force supporters. Rusted on Aussies who are just glad to be invited to play, and expat SA/English supporters who are used to this type of play. The kiwis by and large still support their NZ teams and go to games to watch the Force's opposition.

I don't hold out much hope of Rugby ever being as popular as AFL/Soccer/NRL. It takes an investment of time from the new viewer to appreciate the arcane beauty of the breakdown, one that most are unwilling to make with the plethora of easily available more digestible fare on offer.

With the Forces long term lack of success I think the fan base is at rock bottom. It won't fall to the dire levels seen at some Gold Coast sporting teams purely because of WA being so remote, there isn't a lot else to do and fans go to the game for something to do.