The Crows & Power thread.....

[Footy Smart]

What ifs if they are young players, inevitable occurences for older players. Older players are more likely to get recurring injuries and evenutually that form will drop off. By having so many of the old guard suiting up this season the likelihood of what eventually happen had to increase.

Hardly an unforeseable series of events. And no, you don't get rid of all of them at once but I reckon two had to go. Your boys had a lot less run this year, particularly in the early rounds of the season.

regards,

REB

I think the over riding reason that Goodwin, McLeod and Edwards stayed on was the fact they have been relatively injury free for the most part of their career. Burton and Trent were purely depth for a fragile forward line.

I don’t think the crows lost anything/much by keeping them on the list this year.

Non issue for me really.

The run factor is the game changing and the need for pace to get through the zone etc. Craig has highlighted the need for a quality midfielder with pace to break the lines in 2011. We have no trouble with contested footy just no one to run away from the contests with it.

[Footy Smart]

For mine the question must now be asked of Adelaide's list management peeople. I recall raising this issue last year along with many Crow fans. So what do you Crow boys think now?

What the problem is that I see, is if they de-listed a couple of those guys last year i.e. Burton, Edwards & Henstchel, then they would've had a reasonable strong draft to chose or trade for some kids to replace them instead of a compromised draft that they'll see over the next two years.

From all reports this draft is a very even draft. Few outstanding but then the rest are all much of a muchness. The crows can also use some of the picks in the 'compromised' draft to trade for what they need.

[Booney]

For mine the question must now be asked of Adelaide's list management peeople. I recall raising this issue last year along with many Crow fans. So what do you Crow boys think now?

What the problem is that I see, is if they de-listed a couple of those guys last year i.e. Burton, Edwards & Henstchel, then they would've had a reasonable strong draft to chose or trade for some kids to replace them instead of a compromised draft that they'll see over the next two years.

From all reports this draft is a very even draft. Few outstanding but then the rest are all much of a muchness. The crows can also use some of the picks in the 'compromised' draft to trade for what they need.

Anyone who thinks clubs are looking to actively trade this trade period are kidding themselves. Every club will need to be even more shrewd with who they give away and who they chase. I expect most clubs to sit on their hands during this one.

Plus, offering pick 36 and 49 ( for example ) is hardly an attractive proposition and the player you would target at another club with such compensation would not be very highly regarded.

[Mr Beefy]

For mine the question must now be asked of Adelaide's list management peeople. I recall raising this issue last year along with many Crow fans. So what do you Crow boys think now?

What the problem is that I see, is if they de-listed a couple of those guys last year i.e. Burton, Edwards & Henstchel, then they would've had a reasonable strong draft to chose or trade for some kids to replace them instead of a compromised draft that they'll see over the next two years.

From all reports this draft is a very even draft. Few outstanding but then the rest are all much of a muchness. The crows can also use some of the picks in the 'compromised' draft to trade for what they need.

Anyone who thinks clubs are looking to actively trade this trade period are kidding themselves. Every club will need to be even more shrewd with who they give away and who they chase. I expect most clubs to sit on their hands during this one.

Plus, offering pick 36 and 49 ( for example ) is hardly an attractive proposition and the player you would target at another club with such compensation would not be very highly regarded.

I think every club will be looking to trade to the Gold Coast for one of their early draft picks.

[Footy Smart]

For mine the question must now be asked of Adelaide's list management peeople. I recall raising this issue last year along with many Crow fans. So what do you Crow boys think now?

What the problem is that I see, is if they de-listed a couple of those guys last year i.e. Burton, Edwards & Henstchel, then they would've had a reasonable strong draft to chose or trade for some kids to replace them instead of a compromised draft that they'll see over the next two years.

From all reports this draft is a very even draft. Few outstanding but then the rest are all much of a muchness. The crows can also use some of the picks in the 'compromised' draft to trade for what they need.

Anyone who thinks clubs are looking to actively trade this trade period are kidding themselves. Every club will need to be even more shrewd with who they give away and who they chase. I expect most clubs to sit on their hands during this one.

Plus, offering pick 36 and 49 ( for example ) is hardly an attractive proposition and the player you would target at another club with such compensation would not be very highly regarded.

Not so, many clubs need to add to their list and they wont get that from the draft hence they will need to be active in trade week.

[Gingernuts]

For mine the question must now be asked of Adelaide's list management peeople. I recall raising this issue last year along with many Crow fans. So what do you Crow boys think now?

McLeod, Goodwin, Burton, Edwards and Hentschel were all spoken about at the end of 2009 as being somewhat of a gamble to retain on the list. So with Adelaide missing the finals and all 5 of them not playing the last 5 weeks of the season, what does that say about the people making the decisions down there?

Goodwin had a good 2010, McLeod some influence and Edwards was ok without being the player we knew he could be. Burton and Hentschel basically having no impact.

So who is at fault?

I don't think keeping them had an adverse impact on the list itself in the end. You have to take into consideration the circumstances in which the decision was made to retain them all. The young guys were coming on and the season had finished with some roaring form, ending a kick away from a preliminary final appearance. The team looked to be a good balance of old and young and I believe at that stage it was definitely worth rolling the dice. Most safooty pundits predicted they would be one of the top 4 this year.

Then Otten went down early in the pre-season with a knee and it was all down hill from there.

I am still happy with the decision for all of them to continue, and as I said I don't think it impacted adversly on the list in the end. I also don’t think cutting a couple of them would've made any difference to how this season ended up.

In evaluating 2010 I think there are 2 areas that need focus in preparation for 2011:

1. The current training regime has to be re-visited in an effort to reduce the amount of injuries.

2. The capacity of the younger players to cope and make the right decisions in pressure situations.

The first is relatively straight forward, the second is much more difficult and will probably only come with 'real game' experience.

In the end I believe 2010 was lost in the players heads, particularly the younger ones who are yet to have a full realisation of how tough AFL footy really is. From the outside looking in I would suggest that the players believed their own hype to a degree, thought they'd done the hard yards last year and that this year would be a 'cake walk' into the top 4 for another crack at a prelim and probably a GF. Then when they started losing this ill found confidence was replaced with the irreversible realisation that they were nowhere near it, all confidence was completely and utterly lost, and the rest is history.

[Footy Smart]

I don't think keeping them had an adverse impact on the list itself in the end. You have to take into consideration the circumstances in which the decision was made to retain them all. The young guys were coming on and the season had finished with some roaring form, ending a kick away from a preliminary final appearance. The team looked to be a good balance of old and young and I believe at that stage it was definitely worth rolling the dice. Most safooty pundits predicted they would be one of the top 4 this year.

Then Otten went down early in the pre-season with a knee and it was all down hill from there.

I am still happy with the decision for all of them to continue, and as I said I don't think it impacted adversly on the list in the end. I also don’t think cutting a couple of them would've made any difference to how this season ended up.

In evaluating 2010 I think there are 2 areas that need focus in preparation for 2011:

1. The current training regime has to be re-visited in an effort to reduce the amount of injuries.

2. The capacity of the younger players to cope and make the right decisions in pressure situations.

The first is relatively straight forward, the second is much more difficult and will probably only come with 'real game' experience.

In the end I believe 2010 was lost in the players heads, particularly the younger ones who are yet to have a full realisation of how tough AFL footy really is. From the outside looking in I would suggest that the players believed their own hype to a degree, thought they'd done the hard yards last year and that this year would be a 'cake walk' into the top 4 for another crack at a prelim and probably a GF. Then when they started losing this ill found confidence was replaced with the irreversible realisation that they were nowhere near it, all confidence was completely and utterly lost, and the rest is history

well said GN summed up perfectly

[Booney]

It may not have had, in your opinion, an adverse effect on the list this year GN but what do you think it has done for the list going forward? The fact the 5 I mentioned had little or no impact on 2010 in my view means you would have been better served getting some more quality young blood into your list this season and have more reason to be excited for 2011 and beyond. Now you will have 6 or 7 spots on your list to fill ( Goodwin, McLeod, Edwards, Burton, Hentschel, Bock and perhaps another ) and you will using picks way down the draft order just to fill your list up. Hardly adequate replacements for the names listed above. My point is you could have gone through this a year ago, probably still won 8 or 9 games in 2010 and be better placed for the future.

Be excited by youth, for sure, but also be aware how fragile form and confidence of a young group can be.

[Rik E Boy]

Be excited by youth, for sure, but also be aware how fragile form and confidence of a young group can be.

First you get smashed most weeks. Then when you think you are going forward you will lose a heap of games by about three goals. Then you'll make the finals a couple of times before going backwards again.

Well, that's what happened to us from 2001-2006. It was worth it in the end though.

regards,

REB

[Gingernuts]

It may not have had, in your opinion, an adverse effect on the list this year GN but what do you think it has done for the list going forward? The fact the 5 I mentioned had little or no impact on 2010 in my view means you would have been better served getting some more quality young blood into your list this season and have more reason to be excited for 2011 and beyond. Now you will have 6 or 7 spots on your list to fill ( Goodwin, McLeod, Edwards, Burton, Hentschel, Bock and perhaps another ) and you will using picks way down the draft order just to fill your list up. Hardly adequate replacements for the names listed above. My point is you could have gone through this a year ago, probably still won 8 or 9 games in 2010 and be better placed for the future.

Be excited by youth, for sure, but also be aware how fragile form and confidence of a young group can be.

You make some valid points, but if we would have made the cuts last year would we really be getting quality young blood? All it would've equated to was a couple of extra picks in the 80+ bracket, hardly quality down there.

We are also a club who has a proven record at using the rookie list very effectively, arguably better than any other club since it was introduced. This year has identified at least 4 players from the rookie list that will slot straight onto the senior list next year, negating much of depth issues resulting from this years compromised draft.

This year has made me well aware of the fickle form of youngsters, the whole of 2010 has basically been proof of it. However I do believe that the experience will make them a better, stronger unit and I am confident we will see this next year.

[sound4]

Turning my thoughts to next year, does anyone know how young Butcher is doing for Port. I know he was injured for most of the year. Will he play AFL next year? Port's first choice in the draft last year so the kid should be able to play you would hope!

[Booney]

Saw him the Magpies reserves a couple of weeks ago. Looks a likely type and is the classic bean pole at the moment. Moves well but needs about 10kg on board.

[Footy Smart]

Saw him the Magpies reserves a couple of weeks ago. Looks a likely type and is the classic bean pole at the moment. Moves well but needs about 10kg on board.

Jasper Pittard will also be a good player. Seen him a few times for the Double Blues and is impressive.

[Footy Smart]

A question that just popped into my mind

With AFC finishing approx 11th/12th does this classify as bottoming out?
For AFC a season like this is almost unheard of however the club seems to be in a position to no doubt improve next year.

Does this also mean the rebuilding phase has been minimal?

[Mr Beefy]

A question that just popped into my mind

With AFC finishing approx 11th/12th does this classify as bottoming out?
For AFC a season like this is almost unheard of however the club seems to be in a position to no doubt improve next year.

Does this also mean the rebuilding phase has been minimal?

I'd like to think you still have further to go before you bottom out

[Wedgie]

Agreed and with the new clubs getting so many draft picks this would be the years teams near the bottom would be more likely to languish there moreso than normal, good news for Richmond fans!

[Gingernuts]

A question that just popped into my mind

With AFC finishing approx 11th/12th does this classify as bottoming out?
For AFC a season like this is almost unheard of however the club seems to be in a position to no doubt improve next year.

Does this also mean the rebuilding phase has been minimal?

I'd like to think you still have further to go before you bottom out

I think the game tomorrow might answer your question FS. If we get smashed you would have to say we've got a long way to go, but if we show similar form to last week I think there's every reason to believe this year is as low as it will get.

[stan]

A question that just popped into my mind

With AFC finishing approx 11th/12th does this classify as bottoming out?
For AFC a season like this is almost unheard of however the club seems to be in a position to no doubt improve next year.

Does this also mean the rebuilding phase has been minimal?

I'd like to think you still have further to go before you bottom out

I think the game tomorrow might answer your question FS. If we get smashed you would have to say we've got a long way to go, but if we show similar form to last week I think there's every reason to believe this year is as low as it will get.

Even with the retirements the crows dont have the worst list. Goodwin, Mcloud and Edwards were serviceable at best this season where as burton was hopeless and Hentchell just had too many injuries. The crows players like Phil Davis itching to get at it and Walker up forward. Dont think the cows are too badly off.

I did say before when someone said the crows had the potential to finish like, top 4 or something next year, I did state that they were being a bit kind, but still I dont think there list is that bad. Still think they have a decent crop of players. Just not a serious finals contender at the moment.

[Gingernuts]

A question that just popped into my mind

With AFC finishing approx 11th/12th does this classify as bottoming out?
For AFC a season like this is almost unheard of however the club seems to be in a position to no doubt improve next year.

Does this also mean the rebuilding phase has been minimal?

I'd like to think you still have further to go before you bottom out

I think the game tomorrow might answer your question FS. If we get smashed you would have to say we've got a long way to go, but if we show similar form to last week I think there's every reason to believe this year is as low as it will get.

So - did that answer your question FS? I think we will return to finals next year.

Brilliant effort this arvo.

Weird, but our record against top 4 sides this year has been better than the last couple. Beat the Saints and Geelong, got within a kick of Collingwood and only lost to the Bulldogs by 8 points.

[Dutchy]

Anyone find the Assistant coaching appointments at the AFC and PAP's interesting?

AFC - All former crow players except Camporeale
PAP - Laidley part time after missing out on other jobs, Hocking admits in todays paper he had "no other offers" and they take back Daniel Healy who we all know failed at North.