When John Worsfold arrived at the West Coast Eagles as senior coach at the end of 2001, one of the challenges presented to him was the need to convert a significant number of second-tier players into top-shelf performers.
One of those players was Andrew Embley, who had the attributes required to succeed, promising so much with his height, strength, skills and a terrific engine. But, as with many young men, there were a few traits that had to be spared if he was to take the next step in his career. Though there were some teething issues, a commitment from Embley soon had him heading in the right direction.
Consider the correlation between coach and player throughout their five years together. Just as Worsfold has improved as a man-manager, mentor and tactician with each campaign, Embley’s on and off-field leadership has soared with the consistency of his performances.
They have similar resilience, too, with Worsfold rebounding from three straight finals exits and the disappointment of 2005 to steer West Coast to glory in 2006 and Embley a key figure in some of the side’s biggest contests of the last two or three seasons.
“Because I’ve been there for a long time and experienced some lows as well, I think to come out of this and say we’ve worked extremely hard and we’re all premiership players is something I think I’ll get used to,” he said.
Identifying his development and influence on his teammates, Worsfold appointed Embley as one of four vice-captains for seasons 2004 and 2005 before awarding him the position outright in 2006.
As premiers, West Coast’s next challenge is to remain in the top bracket of clubs in the competition while, according to Embley, tending to some unfinished business with those who didn’t play in this premiership at the forefront.
“We’ve won one but there are a lot of people that make a football club and, unfortunately, there are players that didn’t really get to experience that particular moment and they certainly played their part all year,” Embley said.
“So the 22 players that played on grand final day have an obligation to the rest of the squad to say, ‘hey listen, we’re going to train even harder, we’re going to get even better because we want to win one and we want you guys to experience it with us.’”
If West Coast is to claim another premiership in the seasons ahead, expect Embley to play a central role. Though he missed the qualifying final against Sydney through injury, the grand final was preceded by exceptional performances against Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs.
But for all of the game-breaking and game- saving acts we’ve seen from Embley in qualifying matches, none compared to his efforts in the finale. It was pure class. Though West Coast had a spread of good performers, the 25 year- old’s display was the most consistent and convincing over the four quarters. His finer moments came as the game unfolded.
After a five-possession first quarter, nine in the second term included a running goal from advantage paid from a free kick to Ashley Hansen. Collecting the ball 70 metres from goal, Embley accelerated into the attacking
50 with Sydney’s Adam Goodes hot on his tail. Slotting it from 30 to put West Coast 21 points up, the roar of the West Coast crowd was deafening.
He almost replicated the play in the third quarter, though at the other end of the ground when fed a sweeping handpass by Michael Braun. Again he charged goalward at lightning pace to thread his second from just inside
50. His celebration, even at that stage of the game, was minimal. Cool as. His finger raised at his chest. The prize in his sights.
Heroics late in a game are preserved and, after doing so much of his damage in attack, Embley had floated into a back pocket as West Coast fought to reclaim possession.
It was the 29-minute mark of the final term and Sydney was relentless, one point down and peppering West Coast’s defence in a bid to snatch the lead. They’d kicked four goals to West Coast’s two in the quarter and for minutes had threatened to add a fifth, which would surely snatch a premiership-winning lead. Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes, the man a screenwriter would most likely pen to do the damage, sent a kick long into attack.
The anxiety of the moment was unbearable. Supporters from both clubs had their hearts in their throats. Where would the ball fall?
Ten metres out from Sydney’s goal, the game could have been the Swans’ if not for the hands of Andrew Embley who stood tall. He may not have realised the importance of his mark in the context of the game. Or his impact throughout the day.
“To be honest, I didn’t really have time to assess my individual performance,” he said. “I knew I’d played my role but so did everyone else. I wasn’t thinking about winning a Norm Smith or anything like that, I was just so ecstatic for the football club that we’d just achieved something that we’d been striving to reach for such a long time.”
It was a surprise then when Essendon premiership player and 1984 Norm Smith medallist Billy Duckworth made the announcement.
“It was pretty hard to comprehend everything at that time,” Embley said. “When the siren went I was so exhausted that I just didn’t have the energy to really jump up and down or do anything like that. When I found out I was Norm Smith… I think it topped off what was just a great day.”
Few argued the decision and Chad Fletcher, a close friend throughout Embley’s development as a player, embraced his mate as he headed for the dais.
It was a moment of true character. Accepting the award, he foremostly acknowledged the defeated.
“To Sydney, you’re a great side and we certainly understand what you’re going through,” he announced. “I know there’s going to be a lot of good games against you in years to come.”
One of the great modern day rivalries had added another stunning chapter. Many called it the greatest grand final in 40 years.
With that as the consensus, what does that say about Embley?
