Adelaide's Rookies

[silicone skyline]

The weekend's game and those leading up to it have me in a very positive state of mind as to the coming seasons for the Adelaide Football Club.

Regardless of what happens this year, I think the crows are fast building as a potential premiership side in coming years with the current crop of rookies coming through.

Dangerfield - Superb, confident, skillful display on the weekend. He's also strong enough to break tackles and in that number 32 reminded me of a young Mark Riccuito with more finesse.

Walker - Has some work to do on his body but he has poise and a great footy head in the forward line. Has a huge future.

Petrenko - Comparisons are being made to McLeod, and rightly so, fits the mould perfectly and looks right at home. His and Johncock's dash will be valuable in years to come.

Otten - Gone under the radar but his defensive efforts on the weekend and games beforehand indicate he is able to hold down a key defensive position with ease. Slotted in perfectly.

Mackay - Already shown his potential last year and continuing in the rich vein of form.

Tippett - After a slow start has really shown lately he is a real talent. Strength in packs with a great leap, strong hands, will kick plenty of goals.

There's six of the next crop of Crows players who I'm looking forward to seeing in coming seasons reach they're full potential.

[heater31]

Tippett is coming along nicely just needs to work on his goal kicking and sign a long term contract to keep the Gold Coast's grubby hands off him

[cripple]

patty dangerfield has got the rising star nomination for round three. How many more can the crows get by the end of the year???

[hearts on fire]

Im not a Crows fan, but i reckon they have a fair few good youngsters.

Patrick Dangerfield is a gun, he will win a Brownlow one day.

[silicone skyline]

I must say it's been worth a season's wait for Dangerfield.

[hearts on fire]

The only worry with Dangerfield is, one day will he want to go back to Victoria?

[FD88]

The foundation has been building ever since Craigy took over the coaching job. Immediately we picked up VB (arguably our next captain, although I don't rate him quite as highly as a lot of people do), Maric (our leading ruckman), Knights (possession winning machine) and Thompson in a trade (now arguably our most important midfielder). We followed that up with Vince (class midfielder with immaculate skills), Porplyzia (genuine matchwinner) and Douglas (jury is still out but he's playing regular AFL footy). In that time we also signed Taylor Walker up on a scholarship. Granted our first rounders still weren't the best, but much of our emerging core was picked up under the radar in this period.

That said, it's quite possible that Craigy and company's best move so far is the appointment of Matt Rendell who appears to have plucked some ripper players out of an average draft in 2007. If that haul wasn't a fluke the club had better pay the man whatever he damn well wants, on as long a contract as he wants.

[Hondo]

That said, it's quite possible that Craigy and company's best move so far is the appointment of Matt Rendell who appears to have plucked some ripper players out of an average draft in 2007. If that haul wasn't a fluke the club had better pay the man whatever he damn well wants, on as long a contract as he wants.

I agree with comment about the recruiting and Matt Rendell over the last 3 years or so. At face value it looks first class. Apart from finally making a right call with the first round draft pick, they've been able to find some real talent in later rounds. I think Mackay was pick 58, Kite was 74, Walker come from that scholarship thing, Petrenko was a rookie list upgrade. I reckon Vince was a late pick and Porps was another rookie lister.

There's good wraps on the 2008 draft selections too - Shaun McKernan is one that I've heard good reports on.

[JK]

What value on Alan Stewarts contribution?

I know this will upset many, and I don't mean to be a prick, but other than courage and a good tank I don't think VB's shown anywhere near enough to be considered captaincy material .. He obviously plays with all the discipline Craigy asks and his committment can't be questioned, but his skills need some serious improvement IMHO.

[silicone skyline]

His disposal on the weekend was average in the first half but it did pick up.

Maybe not captain material, I think if Brent Reilly can make that final step he has the right head on his shoulders.

[wycbloods]

What value on Alan Stewarts contribution?

I know this will upset many, and I don't mean to be a prick, but other than courage and a good tank I don't think VB's shown anywhere near enough to be considered captaincy material .. He obviously plays with all the discipline Craigy asks and his committment can't be questioned, but his skills need some serious improvement IMHO.

huge value i would say.

[heater31]

That said, it's quite possible that Craigy and company's best move so far is the appointment of Matt Rendell who appears to have plucked some ripper players out of an average draft in 2007. If that haul wasn't a fluke the club had better pay the man whatever he damn well wants, on as long a contract as he wants.

I agree with comment about the recruiting and Matt Rendell over the last 3 years or so. At face value it looks first class. Apart from finally making a right call with the first round draft pick, they've been able to find some real talent in later rounds. I think Mackay was pick 58, Kite was 74, Walker come from that scholarship thing, Petrenko was a rookie list upgrade. I reckon Vince was a late pick and Porps was another rookie lister.

There's good wraps on the 2008 draft selections too - Shaun McKernan is one that I've heard good reports on.

Vince was a pick in the 30's IIRC but at the beginning of his draft year (2005?) he was playing country footy. The Eagles kept at him in the early part of the season to play for them in the SANFL and was playing league footy towards the end of the year. Was regarded as a better cricketer than a footballer during his school years at PAC.

[silicone skyline]

Vince was regarded as a better cricketer than a footballer during his school years at PAC.

Don't you HATE pricks like that? Can just do everything AWESOMELY.

[Felch]

What value on Alan Stewarts contribution?

I know this will upset many, and I don't mean to be a prick, but other than courage and a good tank I don't think VB's shown anywhere near enough to be considered captaincy material .. He obviously plays with all the discipline Craigy asks and his committment can't be questioned, but his skills need some serious improvement IMHO.

Very similar to traits to Cassisi i would say. And i think Port made an error in appointing him skipper.

I agree with you CP, and im a huge VB fan.

[JK]

What value on Alan Stewarts contribution?

I know this will upset many, and I don't mean to be a prick, but other than courage and a good tank I don't think VB's shown anywhere near enough to be considered captaincy material .. He obviously plays with all the discipline Craigy asks and his committment can't be questioned, but his skills need some serious improvement IMHO.

Very similar to traits to Cassisi i would say. And i think Port made an error in appointing him skipper.

I agree with you CP, and im a huge VB fan.

I think Cassisi has shown a lot more ability than VB, and is also a lot further advanced than him time-wise .. If VB can show the same in the next couple of years his stock will rise accordingly.

[Pup]

That said, it's quite possible that Craigy and company's best move so far is the appointment of Matt Rendell who appears to have plucked some ripper players out of an average draft in 2007. If that haul wasn't a fluke the club had better pay the man whatever he damn well wants, on as long a contract as he wants.

I agree with comment about the recruiting and Matt Rendell over the last 3 years or so. At face value it looks first class. Apart from finally making a right call with the first round draft pick, they've been able to find some real talent in later rounds. I think Mackay was pick 58, Kite was 74, Walker come from that scholarship thing, Petrenko was a rookie list upgrade. I reckon Vince was a late pick and Porps was another rookie lister.

There's good wraps on the 2008 draft selections too - Shaun McKernan is one that I've heard good reports on.

Porps was a bit earlier than the Rendell Era though.. He really has had a tough run hasnt he? Drafted in 2002 as a rookie and got re selected in the PSD in 2005, and now look at him. It is amazing really.

Vince went at 32 and Mackay at 48.

[Brad]

That said, it's quite possible that Craigy and company's best move so far is the appointment of Matt Rendell who appears to have plucked some ripper players out of an average draft in 2007. If that haul wasn't a fluke the club had better pay the man whatever he damn well wants, on as long a contract as he wants.

I agree with comment about the recruiting and Matt Rendell over the last 3 years or so. At face value it looks first class. Apart from finally making a right call with the first round draft pick, they've been able to find some real talent in later rounds. I think Mackay was pick 58, Kite was 74, Walker come from that scholarship thing, Petrenko was a rookie list upgrade. I reckon Vince was a late pick and Porps was another rookie lister.

There's good wraps on the 2008 draft selections too - Shaun McKernan is one that I've heard good reports on.

Vince was a pick in the 30's IIRC but at the beginning of his draft year (2005?) he was playing country footy. The Eagles kept at him in the early part of the season to play for them in the SANFL and was playing league footy towards the end of the year. Was regarded as a better cricketer than a footballer during his school years at PAC.

The Bernie Vince story is excellent, played for the CMS Crows early in 2005 and by Round 1 2006 was playing for the crows at Telstra Dome.

The Crows do spot and develop talent very well, something the club I support is really lacking and looking stupid for it now.

[Scratched]

I still think that Brad Ebert may have been a better selection than Dangerfield considering the chance that Patrick will want to return home after his two year contract. Craig and the staff couldn't convince him to complete his education in SA and i dont think they will be able to convince him to complete his footy career here either. But thats just my opinion. I think its awesome that the crows have started playing the younger squad which shows that they have finally realised that they are not likely of winning a premiership in the near future. Next draft will determine if the crows are dedicated to rebuilding the squad (which needs to be done). But at the moment looking very positive. I think people should settle down on Walker abit also. Hes 18 and Craig is doing the right thing by playing him. Just not good for his confidence considering he has the potential to be the best foward the crows have ever had.

[catchisthecry]

I still think that Brad Ebert may have been a better selection than Dangerfield considering the chance that Patrick will want to return home after his two year contract. Craig and the staff couldn't convince him to complete his education in SA and i dont think they will be able to convince him to complete his footy career here either. But thats just my opinion. I think its awesome that the crows have started playing the younger squad which shows that they have finally realised that they are not likely of winning a premiership in the near future. Next draft will determine if the crows are dedicated to rebuilding the squad (which needs to be done). But at the moment looking very positive. I think people should settle down on Walker abit also. Hes 18 and Craig is doing the right thing by playing him. Just not good for his confidence considering he has the potential to be the best foward the crows have ever had.

is that called an oxymoron??

[Sorry Dude]

I still think that Brad Ebert may have been a better selection than Dangerfield considering the chance that Patrick will want to return home after his two year contract. Craig and the staff couldn't convince him to complete his education in SA and i dont think they will be able to convince him to complete his footy career here either. But thats just my opinion. I think its awesome that the crows have started playing the younger squad which shows that they have finally realised that they are not likely of winning a premiership in the near future. Next draft will determine if the crows are dedicated to rebuilding the squad (which needs to be done). But at the moment looking very positive. I think people should settle down on Walker abit also. Hes 18 and Craig is doing the right thing by playing him. Just not good for his confidence considering he has the potential to be the best foward the crows have ever had.

dangerfield has already said he wants to stay and play in adelaide for as long as he can. and here is hoping he does stay here for at least 200+ games, and hopefully he takes over from the previous number 32 as most games played for the crows.