backoftheroom wrote:Team #6 Adelaide
Finished 7th, 9th, 6th & 8th in senior cricket. Juniors finished 7th & 4th in the 16's and 2nd & 11th 14's.
Need
To find a coach and keep the current talent at the club long term. Out of all the clubs in the competition Adelaide would be inside the top 2 or 3 regarding to talent which is 'ready to go' at A Grade level (for the record I'm talking about Reardon, Pengelley x2, Patterson, Bullard, Valente, Cormack and even Reekie). Keeping all the players they have between 16-23 will be the difference between them being a power house in 5 years time or being in the same position they are currently, the most average performing club in the competition. That by no means is a slight on them, they were the most consistent team at finishing in the middle of the table last season, it's better than being many of the other teams I've already gone through in these write ups. A coach with a strong plan for developing the youth at the Buffs is an absolute must. If not the risk of losing players will be significant.
Have Spoken/Should Speak To
Jacob Dickman (Prospect) sounds as if he's locked into the Buffs. Nothing official from the club yet though, or the Pirates for that matter. This is an interesting one, obviously you don't turn down good cricketers, but you would hope they have done their due diligence in regard to his character and whether than can change it or manage it. The Jacob Dick (Sturt) rumours are still running around, but with the capture of Dickman I can't see Dick moving clubs, the two have a long history of a very vocal dislike for each other. The most important people to speak to for the Buffs though are already Buffs. Their young players will be offered opportunities at other clubs over the next few seasons, if they haven't already that is.
Key Next Season
Development. I wouldn't be discouraged by Adelaide finishing lower than 7th next season IF they play the kids. It's one of those unique situations where they have 1 or 2 more quality youngsters in each discipline than other clubs and easing them into 1st Grade won't be as straight forward. Personally I'd love to see them start them all for the first game of the season (if it's a one day game) and see how they go. One or two might get a score or start and give them the confidence that would take them 3 months to get in the B's. Develop the talent, nurture the talent, don't let the talent go. That's the key for Adelaide moving forward.
I would be interested to hear your thoughts here Heater. You obviously see this up close and know the players character more so than I will, are they as good as I think or am I off the mark on a couple?
Another excellent write up, and spot on the mark.
Our coach (Hags) was most worried about playing Adelaide this year. With Neate and Valente, and the improvement in Patterson, had three good quicks, chuck in Cormack as their spinner. Next year will have Raphael full time, as doubt he will get another contract with Redbacks. Overall a fairly strong all round team. Think that list of young players coming thru have all had taste of A Grade cricket, and all have talent to be good players in the future.
See them very similar to where West Torrens were last year when we came bottom (don't think they will though!), but we got a year of games into kids that they may normally not have got, and this year they benefited from that. The whole team was under 25 except Trent Kelly, and Adelaide just about be the same with Raf there. The coach appointment is massive - did hear Raphael as playing coach was an option.