Where do you expect the Crows to finish in 09?

[JK]

My round 1 crows team

johncock Rutten Symes

Bock Moran Mcleod

Mckay Edwards Vince

Porplyzia Hentchsel Reilly

Douglas Walker Dangerfield

1st ruckGriffin
Vanberlo
Thompson

bench
Tippet
Petrenko
Stevens
Doughty/Shirley

Will Goodwin not be fit by Round 1?

I reckon Kitey's a good chance to make his debut this year (not necessarily Round 1 of course)

[wycbloods]

Symes won't be fit for round 1 either.

[Rik E Boy]

Symes won't be fit for round 1 either.

So it's back to Kite v Gallman then. A fertile Fantasy league discussion over the summer months.

regards,

REB

[the joker]

Gillys had a big pre season and he will line up in round one, if no injuries between now and then

[bobster]

ur entitled to ur own opinion offcourse, but would u seriously play moran at chb instead of bock, who was the all australian chb last year?

[JK]

ur entitled to ur own opinion offcourse, but would u seriously play moran at chb instead of bock, who was the all australian chb last year?

I reckon it's fair to question that selection, Moran's not shown enough to suggest he would be effective back there yet IMHO and of course Bock has the runs on the board.

Will be interesting to see if Moran improves further this year, appears to have all the physical attributes needed.

[SCD]

I think Moran/Bock will take over the Bassett role and provide the run from defence.
Bock can be that creative half back flanker and Moran can take on that key defender position.
I actually think FS is on the right track...

Remember - Moran was terrific in Sydney controlling the backlines. I think he has all the attributes to be a very good key defender

[Footy Smart]

Me reasoning was exactly that SCD

Bock can play as a running half back flanker and take a smaller opponant also. Moran to take the big CHF and if it doesnt work Bock can be used and Stevens can come onto a half back.

[NFC]

My Round 1 side:

FF: Porplyzia, Walker, Tippett
CHF: Reilly, Gill, Goodwin
C: Knights, van Berlo, Mackay
CHB: Symes, Bock, Doughty
FB: McLeod, Rutten, Stevens
1R: Maric, Thompson, Edwards
INT: Griffin, Johncock, Vince, Petrenko

[FD88]

Top 6 was my projection last year and as it was we were unlucky to miss out on fourth spot. Something to consider is that the following players now have 30-50 games under their belts:

Douglas
Knights
Maric
Porplyzia
Symes
Vince

Add in VB with 76 games and that's a group almost entirely developed by Neil Craig that should start playing some really good footy this year and increase the output in the midfield. Goodwin, Edwards and McLeod are all still there to provide that extra experience and we've got Thompson, Reilly, Bock, Rutten and Johncock in the middle age bracket who are entering the prime of their careers. All of this considered, there's a core good enough to get us playing finals this year you'd think. Gill has got his first full pre season in at the club so all things going to plan he should have his best season yet for us, and then there's the return of Hentschel; it's unknown how he'll go, but it's a potential boost to the forward line.

The youngsters - Mackay, Dangerfield, Jacky, Petrenko, Otten, Tippett, Moss, Walker, Cook, Kite, Sloane, Davis, McKernan. This group is considered by many to the best we've had at the club in a long time, and to me it's the development of this batch that will determine whether we spend the three or four years beyond this one finishing in the top 4 without being quite good enough, or actually breaking through for another crack at the premiership.

I'll put my balls on the line and give you a long term prediction: towards the end of season 2010, as a good proportion of this new batch pushes into that 30-50 game territory the Crows will be playing some really exciting footy and will start looking like a premiership threat. We'll probably nudge it that year, and I'm going to say we'll win it in 2011. 2009 will be building the foundation in the meantime. 5th spot this year.

[stan]

My Round 1 side:

FF: Porplyzia, Walker, Tippett
CHF: Reilly, Gill, Goodwin
C: Knights, van Berlo, Mackay
CHB: Symes, Bock, Doughty
FB: McLeod, Rutten, Stevens
1R: Maric, Thompson, Edwards
INT: Griffin, Johncock, Vince, Petrenko

Thats a good young side to plan for the future with. Probably will get eaten up a few times this year, but does have some good talents running around.

[Footy Smart]

Top 6 was my projection last year and as it was we were unlucky to miss out on fourth spot. Something to consider is that the following players now have 30-50 games under their belts:

Douglas
Knights
Maric
Porplyzia
Symes
Vince

Add in VB with 76 games and that's a group almost entirely developed by Neil Craig that should start playing some really good footy this year and increase the output in the midfield. Goodwin, Edwards and McLeod are all still there to provide that extra experience and we've got Thompson, Reilly, Bock, Rutten and Johncock in the middle age bracket who are entering the prime of their careers. All of this considered, there's a core good enough to get us playing finals this year you'd think. Gill has got his first full pre season in at the club so all things going to plan he should have his best season yet for us, and then there's the return of Hentschel; it's unknown how he'll go, but it's a potential boost to the forward line.

The youngsters - Mackay, Dangerfield, Jacky, Petrenko, Otten, Tippett, Moss, Walker, Cook, Kite, Sloane, Davis, McKernan. This group is considered by many to the best we've had at the club in a long time, and to me it's the development of this batch that will determine whether we spend the three or four years beyond this one finishing in the top 4 without being quite good enough, or actually breaking through for another crack at the premiership.

I'll put my balls on the line and give you a long term prediction: towards the end of season 2010, as a good proportion of this new batch pushes into that 30-50 game territory the Crows will be playing some really exciting footy and will start looking like a premiership threat. We'll probably nudge it that year, and I'm going to say we'll win it in 2011. 2009 will be building the foundation in the meantime. 5th spot this year.

Great analysis FD88 i was probably expecting Trent to be a bit further along in his recovery when i had him lined up at CHF in my team for round one. Heard him on the radio last night and from that i think he will definatley come back through the SANFL. If Gilly can stay fit and not do as much stupid stuff i think he is great always presents and gives 100% with plenty of forward pressure.

[NFC]

Great stuff FD88. Also delighted to see Moss in your list of youngsters, haven't you come around! Moss is a gem mate!

This is easily the most excited I've been about the club in a long, long time. We've gome some ripper kids and we've got great (Craigy's favourite word) flexibility in the squad because we've got so many players capable of playing in different positions. I agree that 2011 is the year where the magic shoudl start to be happening. As long as we continue to go with our youth plan and get games into the list you mentioned we will be right on track. That's the key, having faith in the youngsters and putting our trust in them.

[gothebombers]

i think the crows will finish 11th this year

[FD88]

i think the crows will finish 11th this year

We'll make the finals, I personally guarantee it.

[gothebombers]

i think the crows will finish 11th this year

We'll make the finals, I personally guarantee it.

crystal ball tell me who will win the gf and where will the bombers finish?

[FD88]

i think the crows will finish 11th this year

We'll make the finals, I personally guarantee it.

crystal ball tell me who will win the gf and where will the bombers finish?

Hey, I'm just confident that we'll be good enough to finish in the top half. Quite willing to cop the flak if I'm wrong.

[Dog_ger]

Crows to finish 9th in 2009

[Psyber]

Crows to finish 9th in 2009

Nah.. that spot is permanently reserved for Richmond now.

[Sojourner]

4th-5th is my thoughts, again as stated above based on the fact that the Crows have spent much time getting game times up for some of their newer players and I think that will pay dividends for the Crows this year. I think Andy Otten is a good chance to earn a regular place in the side and I dont think Aaron Kite is to far away either. Greg Gallman has done extremley well in his time trials and fitness requirement yet obviously is going to have to try and get over his injury and try and at the same time push his case for a spot in the side, yet I feel that is players like Gallman that are going to be the motivators for others in the side not to lose their positions each week!