samstillreading's review
5.0
I think there are a fair few people in Western Australia who found this book under the Christmas tree last year. Hot off the back of a historic fourth premiership win, Time to Fly reflects on the West Coast Eagles 2018 AFL season. It’s mainly in picture format, with short captions to accompany each picture. It’s still a fun read because it gives AFL fans something to ponder over in the off season.
The book is introduced by the Eagles’ chairman, Russell Gibbs before starting at the very start – the preseason. Historically for Eagles fans, we don’t care too much about this as it’s never a true reflection of the actual season and it’s an opportunity to try out new players and new strategies. It then follows with the actual season (I think most of us would have forgotten that the Eagles lost their first game at the new Optus Stadium and that more than a few were wondering after multiple losses by several West Australian teams if the stadium was in fact cursed). What a trajectory the season was, with a stunning turnaround against Geelong (a personal favourite as I was there amongst several non-playing members of the Geelong team). Things got better and better with a long winning streak, including over the reigning premiers. Another thing fans have likely dismissed is a flat part post midseason break but we’ll all remember the run in to the finals. Unfortunately, this wasn’t without heartbreak and controversy with the loss of Nic Naitanui to a second knee injury and Andrew Gaff to suspension.
Then the finals season. Was it fate that star forward Josh Kennedy was one of the faces for the finals promotion? A first home final against Collingwood was an action-packed game, unfortunately resulting in an injury to Brad Sheppard but leading to a win. Western Australia could breathe easily for a week before the darling of the finals series, Melbourne, headed west. This turned out to be one of the most sedate games of the year (in hindsight, excellent for Eagles fans) as the Eagles smashed out a great win. (The fans smashed out many Melbourne related memes and booked many flights to Melbourne during the game).
Naturally, the grand final deserves a chapter of its own. Even typing this and flicking through the chapter gets my pulse racing. There’s a breakdown of the entire game, from the wobbly start by the Eagles to the clawing back to match Collingwood. The Eagles were smarter, harder and stronger before THAT KICK. Dom Sheed’s drop punt put the Eagles in the lead, culminating in an epic 5-point win – and a premiership. But the pics don’t stop there. We’ve got the joyous aftermath, the medal presentations, the presentation post-Grand Final party and the dinner/party in Melbourne. Then the return home with the cup.
It was a season to love and rejoice in with more than a few epic moments, some good and some howl worthy. This book captures it all and trust me, it’s so much easier to read when you know the final result. A book the fans will love.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
The book is introduced by the Eagles’ chairman, Russell Gibbs before starting at the very start – the preseason. Historically for Eagles fans, we don’t care too much about this as it’s never a true reflection of the actual season and it’s an opportunity to try out new players and new strategies. It then follows with the actual season (I think most of us would have forgotten that the Eagles lost their first game at the new Optus Stadium and that more than a few were wondering after multiple losses by several West Australian teams if the stadium was in fact cursed). What a trajectory the season was, with a stunning turnaround against Geelong (a personal favourite as I was there amongst several non-playing members of the Geelong team). Things got better and better with a long winning streak, including over the reigning premiers. Another thing fans have likely dismissed is a flat part post midseason break but we’ll all remember the run in to the finals. Unfortunately, this wasn’t without heartbreak and controversy with the loss of Nic Naitanui to a second knee injury and Andrew Gaff to suspension.
Then the finals season. Was it fate that star forward Josh Kennedy was one of the faces for the finals promotion? A first home final against Collingwood was an action-packed game, unfortunately resulting in an injury to Brad Sheppard but leading to a win. Western Australia could breathe easily for a week before the darling of the finals series, Melbourne, headed west. This turned out to be one of the most sedate games of the year (in hindsight, excellent for Eagles fans) as the Eagles smashed out a great win. (The fans smashed out many Melbourne related memes and booked many flights to Melbourne during the game).
Naturally, the grand final deserves a chapter of its own. Even typing this and flicking through the chapter gets my pulse racing. There’s a breakdown of the entire game, from the wobbly start by the Eagles to the clawing back to match Collingwood. The Eagles were smarter, harder and stronger before THAT KICK. Dom Sheed’s drop punt put the Eagles in the lead, culminating in an epic 5-point win – and a premiership. But the pics don’t stop there. We’ve got the joyous aftermath, the medal presentations, the presentation post-Grand Final party and the dinner/party in Melbourne. Then the return home with the cup.
It was a season to love and rejoice in with more than a few epic moments, some good and some howl worthy. This book captures it all and trust me, it’s so much easier to read when you know the final result. A book the fans will love.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
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