A lot to like about young Crows

[Dogwatcher]

By Rob McLean

As a non Crows supporter, living in South Australia, I'm not averse to ignoring the positives of Adelaide and often revel in the delights of a struggling performance by the state's 'favourite' football club.
However, tonight's performance against the competition benchmarks Geelong proved there is a lot to like about this side which kicked off the season in such awful touch.
The performance from a young team with so many unproven performers was certainly inspiring for this ageing footballer.
The efforts by Ricky Henderson, Rory Sloane and the languid Phil Davis in defence certainly were something to behold.
Patrick 'Future Captain' Dangerfield is entrancing to watch.
By entrancing, I mean that you watch with a mix of delight and concern as he throws his body into positions that professional wrestlers might consider troublesome.
That is football played the good, hard and honest way.
I wonder if the doctor who once told Essendon's Damien Hardwick that he should slow down if he wanted a lengthy football career has anything to say to this young man of the derring do.
Graham Johncock is a footballer who I have not greatly admired at times in his career but tonight his dash from defence was outstanding and his tackle on the western wing to trap the ever elusive Gary Ablett outlined the desire the Crows showed tonight.
I enjoyed watching him play.
Speaking of Ablett, as the final quarter was winding up to a charged finish, the son of God was running around in front of a sign in the south eastern pocket which was flashing with the words "Jesus: Inspirer".
Right at that time, Young Gaz was leading his team back from the brink and it looked like the classy Cats were going to claw away the points.
But not even Gaz could deflate this very buoyant and youthful outfit - there was no resurrection and the Crows took the points.
As the season gets to the pointy end, I'm sure many supporters will look back on the season and wonder what could have been.
They will look back and at one point reflect upon the messy retirement of Tyson Edwards. And while Professor Neil Craig could have handled the situation better, it was the right decision.
That moment is a turning point in the season, one at which the fledgling Crows decided that it was their turn and their time to decide the fate of a club that is not used to being in the bottom half of the ladder.
Crows fans, this season may end as an anti-climax as the Crows chase slim finals chances but the summer will be one of delicious anticipation as this young side's growing experience and a strong pre-season sees it gel as a more hardened unit.
Before that time arrives though, you're in for a fun final period of the minor round. Enjoy.

[Q.]

As long as they don't have any fun in Round 21...