Western Force 2015

[GaffaCHinO]

Western Force look to sign Coach Michael Foley beyond 2015

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/rugby-union/a/24594441/coach-foley-set-for-new-force-deal/

Aswell as Cowan and DHP being very close to signing new deals.

 

[ChargerWA]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope they do re-sign Foley early.

The Western Force's key goal for the next few years must be of developing a competitive roster with as many locals as possible. Bringing in the superstars have proven to be failure in the past, and Foley is currently delivering a team which punches above it's weight and is increasing in local players as a part of that all the time. Even if we don't win the comp in the next few years with him at the helm, I think the direction he is taking is more important to the longevity of the game in WA, and he is the first coach we have had who has taken this approach.

 

[Moono75]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope they do re-sign Foley early.

The Western Force's key goal for the next few years must be of developing a competitive roster with as many locals as possible. Bringing in the superstars have proven to be failure in the past, and Foley is currently delivering a team which punches above it's weight and is increasing in local players as a part of that all the time. Even if we don't win the comp in the next few years with him at the helm, I think the direction he is taking is more important to the longevity of the game in WA, and he is the first coach we have had who has taken this approach.

I agree Foley has done a good job and deserves an extension on his contract.

I think though that we do need a couple of star players to supplement the local talent being brought through and who fit into the team culture. The previous trials with star players failed as the local playing content was non existent so the star players were the entire focus. Not so much the case now. Plus the coaching and management didn't maintain a firm reign on the direction of the team & players. The Force would benefit from having a star player or two for the younger guys to learn from, how they prepare for games etc. That is one or the problems with being so isolated in the West.

We can bring on local talent but there is no guarantee that they will ever prove to more than just good Super Rugby players who fill out a spot on the roster. We need to surround these guys with a couple of exceptional talents that will make everyone around them that bit better.

 

[Lindommer]

What Foley desperately needs is a coupla gun assistant coaches, especially for the backs.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

The West today has a good amount of info on player’s contract status after the Spirit squad was announced.

CTM is unlikely to return next year.

Ryan Louwrens and Angus Cottrell are still injured hence not getting selected.
Adam Coleman and Sias Ebersohn have both had surgery again that’s why their not in the team so Sias may still be around next year.

Chris Alcock will play for a Sydney side but is expected to re-sign for 2015 and the most disappointing news for me was that Pad Dellit will play in Sydney but still has a year left on his contract and will return next year.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

More re-signings coming today!

 

[caymantim]

What happened to the SA Dylan's? Spelling not correct of course...

 

[Braveheart81]

More re-signings coming today!

Dane Haylett-Petty just announced on a new one year deal.

 

[Forcefield]

What happened to the SA Dylan's? Spelling not correct of course.

Well apparently Dillyn Leyds (Fly-half/Fullback) was going back to RSA for the Currie Cup. But he is listed in the Spirit squad. Seems odd. Would be great if we held on to him.

There has been no word about Dylan Sage (Centre/Winger). It looks on Twitter like he has gone back to play with UCT in RSA. Don't know if this is a permanent move though.

 

[caymantim]

Well apparently Dillyn Leyds (Fly-half/Fullback) was going back to RSA for the Currie Cup. But he is listed in the Spirit squad. Seems odd. Would be great if we held on to him.

There has been no word about Dylan Sage (Centre/Winger). It looks on Twitter like he has gone back to play with UCT in RSA. Don't know if this is a permanent move though.

Thanks Forcefield. What little I have seen was promising, but I also noted Dillyn Leyds was listed in the Spirit squad, but without the Force tag... has he lost that contract?

 

[caymantim]

What Foley desperately needs is a coupla gun assistant coaches, especially for the backs.

From his comments... he seems pretty happy with the current crop of assistants. I have to say that the games before the break, they played a lot more open, confident rugby, which I was fantastic to see... after the break... it seemed to revert to the prior season and first two games. I'd attributed that style to the new assistants...

I hope that is an indication that it is an approach that requires a bit of time to bed down and become ingrained in the playing styles of the players... as I can only assume the time away was with other teams and styles that interrupted the progress.

I may just be living in hope!

 

[Forcefield]

Thanks Forcefield. What little I have seen was promising, but I also noted Dillyn Leyds was listed in the Spirit squad, but without the Force tag. has he lost that contract?

According to Nick Taylor from the Worst Australian, Leyds is staying. Great guns if true. We've lost Hayward so 15 is an option. Otherwise we probably need an A grade 10, which we don't currently have and maybe Leyds is good enough for that.

 

[Moono75]

Foley indicated in the West that DHP will be moved to 15 for next year. On the coaches corner on the Force site he is also targeting a player to cover lock/6 similar to MMM and a couple of backs.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

You'd have to think that the other H-P (Ross) would be front and centre for the development gig with the Force.

He could fit that utility Notta role in the piggies.

 

[Forcefield]

He has the height, weight and athleticism to be a proper 6/8. At 197cm, 110kgs (according to the ARU- which isn't always 100% accurate) he has pretty much the same dimensions as Sam Wykes. Hopefully with some development left in him.

I thought the point of a Notta was that they were not tall enough and/or not physical/heavy enough and not a jackal at the breakdown.

Assuming Brynard Stander will start at 8 in the NRC for the Spirit, it'd be great to see RHP at 6.

 

[Brumby Runner]

He has the height, weight and athleticism to be a proper 6/8. At 197cm, 110kgs (according to the ARU- which isn't always 100% accurate) he has pretty much the same dimensions as Sam Wykes. Hopefully with some development left in him.

I thought the point of a Notta was that they were not tall enough and/or not physical/heavy enough and not a jackal at the breakdown.

Assuming Brynard Stander will start at 8 in the NRC for the Spirit, it'd be great to see RHP at 6.

RHP's form at the U20s was outstanding imo. He will make the grade in Super rugby sooner rather than later. But if the Force are looking at a lock/No 6, maybe Munro from Randwick would be worth a try. From what I've seen, he mostly plays lock but played 6 last week in the SS semis. Another one who might be worth looking at is Tom Alexander, Ben's little brother.

 

[Braveheart81]

The Force have signed Chris Alcock for two more years.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Great News!

Also on Twitter CTM has announced he wont be returning to the Force in 2015 which is disapointing imo.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

2015 Squad Updated​

1.Chris Heiberg Development Player 2016​

2.Ollie Hoskins 2016​

3.Tetera Faulkner 2015​

4.Heath Tessman 2015​

5.Wilhelm Steenkamp Marquee Player 2016​

6.Sam Wykes 2015​

7.Adam Coleman 2016​

8.Matt Hodgson Wallabies Caps 2015​

9.Ben McCalman Wallabies Caps 2015​

10.Brynard Stander Development Player 2015​

11.Ian Prior 2015​

12.Zack Holmes 2015​

13.Kyle Godwin 2016​

14.Marcel Brache Development Player 2015​

15.Luke Morahan Wallabies Cap 2015 ​

16. Alby Mathewson Marquee All Black Caps 2016​

17. Angus Cottrell 2016​

18. Nathan Charles Wallabies Caps 2016​

19. Rory Walton 2016​

20. Pat Dellit 2015​

21. Dane Haylett-Petty 2015​

22. Chris Alcock 2016​

​

​

​

​

Off contract​

​

Pek Cowan Wallabies Caps​

Sias Ebersohn Development Player ​

Junior Rasolea​

Robbie Abel (EPS)​

Ryan Louwrens (EPS)​

Luke Burton (EPS)​

​

Gone​

Phoenix Battye​

Kieran Longbottom​

Hugh McMennamin​

Nick Cummins Wallabies Caps​

Jayden Hayward Salesi Manu​

Ed Stubbs ​

Chris Tuatara-Morrison​

 

[GaffaCHinO]

With 10 Spots left this is what I think we need


2 Props
23. Pek Cowan
24. ? (Van Wyk maybe)

1 more Flyhalf
25. Sias Ebersohn

2 Centres
26. Luke Burton
27. Junior Rasolea

2 Back 3 players
28. Brad Lacey
29. ? (Lucas Rumoured)

1 Flanker Or Second Rower
30. ? (RHP for the 4/6 or Ed Quirk has been rumoured)

1 Half Back
31. Justin Turner

1 Hooker
32. ? (Robbie Abel or Harry Scoble)