Welsh quits the Crows

[gadj1976]

David Spriggs....could run, couldn't play.

.

Didn't he do his knee jumping over a fence in the off season? Stuffed what career he could've had right up!

[Hondo]

True Rog,but steps can be put into place to ensure the fall is graceful,and not self destruction.

That's it, I draw the line here ....

Booney now you are getting over excited and letting your loyalties show. Scotty Welsh moves on and the Crows are on the path to 'self destruction'?

I'd love to bring up something (like a recent important game?) about the Power and pull out the crystal ball and see armageddon but I know that 1 year is a long time in footy and one thing that both Adelaide clubs have shown is an ability to get back up the ladder without too much bottoming out

We are only 1 year on from a similar clean-out at the Power

[sydney-dog]

there will be no self destruction at the crows, Hudson is the only player the club has lost that was a certainty for our Best 22

The Club will continue to fill a very competitive side, and a youthful side with scope for improvement

those who wish for self destruction, wish again

[sydney-dog]

Shirtfront

I find it laughable that people assume that Mattner will play off the wing for Sydney

This week in Sydney, both Roo's, Mattner and Hall have all said in numerous media reports that Mattner was recruited to play HB to enable Malceski and Tagh to move to the midfield

for those who keep wanting to recycle the issue that NC played Marty out of position, well Paul Roo's has the same position penned for Marty

On Torney, name your bet, he wont finish in the top 5 of the medal

[Dutchy]

there will be no self destruction at the crows, Hudson is the only player the club has lost that was a certainty for our Best 22

So Torney wouldnt be in the best 22 players at the club if he was on the list next year? and when Welsh was fit wasnt he in the best 22?

Where will the crows finish next year SD?

[sydney-dog]

Dutchy

My thoughts on Welsh and Torney, even if the club kept them, they would of been for insurance only....

The club needs to develop opportunities and scope to enable the list to develop

Up forward, I believe Tippett will get an opportunity, Hentchel hopefully will play as the season progresses, Gill will continue to get opportunities, and Moran may play CHB to free Bock to play up forward...

The club needs to determine in 2008 if Vince and Jericho can play at this level, while, depending on form Walker and Sellar may get a look in up forward, then their is always McGreggor as a back up option

Down back, Symes, Douglas and Gallman would all have claims to Torney's HB Position.....

All I am saying, as a club we have not been a leader in the development of our youth, in my opinion, if Welsh and Torney stayed, the club would of continued on the path to play the likes of Tippett, Moran, Symes, Gallman, and given this, I also see that Massie, Doughty and Shirley may in 2008 become victims of the over due development push

Where will the crows finish, here is my side for Round 1 (If Fit), not considering draftt selections

F Tippett Gill Proplyzia
HF Burton Bock Edwards
C Goodwin Thompson Knights
HB Symes Moran Macca
B Bassett Rutten Stevens
R Griffen Van Berlo Shirley
Int Maric Johncock Rielley Douglas
Emer from McGregor Hentchel Massie Gallman

Still not a bad side, where Adelaide will finish, after the minor round, my head says anywhere between 5 - 10, however Collingwood and your mob showed this year anything is achievable.

This will depend on injuries and the continue development of Van Berlo, Knights, Maric, Symes, Douglas and Griffen, while the unknown factors are MacKay, Moran, Tippett, Gallman, Walker and this years draft picks....

I am picking Tippett and Gallman to really make an impact in 2007

[Booney]

True Rog,but steps can be put into place to ensure the fall is graceful,and not self destruction.

That's it, I draw the line here ....

Booney now you are getting over excited and letting your loyalties show. Scotty Welsh moves on and the Crows are on the path to 'self destruction'?

I'd love to bring up something (like a recent important game?) about the Power and pull out the crystal ball and see armageddon but I know that 1 year is a long time in footy and one thing that both Adelaide clubs have shown is an ability to get back up the ladder without too much bottoming out

We are only 1 year on from a similar clean-out at the Power

LOL,Rog#10 was discussing the merits of the 'premiership window',not really referring to the Crows directly,nor was I in fact,more generalising that the same applies to all clubs.

Back to your side of the line,LOL

[Booney]

Someone wrote here in the last day or two that you get a 3-4 year crack to win a flag under the drafting system and if you don't win one, you need to prepare for the fact you won't be in contention again for 3-4 years until your next group of players come through.

Wise words. I can't and won't speak for the Crows, but it certainly sums up the Cats.
Cats had four cracks from 89-95, aside from a few other very good years we didn't even make the GF, and went 0-4.

We then weren't seriously in contention at all from 98-03.

Now, we've been back in contention since 05 (lost the heartbreaker), completely buggered 06 ourselves and won 07.
We've got 1-3 years hopefully to win a second before a group of guys at the top end of our list retire and fade.

It's just how it is.

True Rog,but steps can be put into place to ensure the fall is graceful,and not self destruction.

Sorry if you misunderstood Hondo.

[Rik E Boy]

True Rog,but steps can be put into place to ensure the fall is graceful,and not self destruction.

That's it, I draw the line here ....

Booney now you are getting over excited and letting your loyalties show. Scotty Welsh moves on and the Crows are on the path to 'self destruction'?

I'd love to bring up something (like a recent important game?) about the Power and pull out the crystal ball and see armageddon but I know that 1 year is a long time in footy and one thing that both Adelaide clubs have shown is an ability to get back up the ladder without too much bottoming out

We are only 1 year on from a similar clean-out at the Power

This Port Power 'cleanout' really is a furphy. While the Power have turned over a lot of players in recent seasons but is it really a 'cleanout'? You can afford to offload fringe and ageing players if you have a core of Cornes, Cornes, Burgoyne, Burgoyne, Lade, Ebert, Wilson and Tredrea. You have leadership, toughness, experience, flair and outright ability in that group there. Do the Cows have a comparable group? The rucks are raw, the forward line is bare and only Van Berlo, Thompson, and Knights look ready to step into the breach...I'd rate Pearce ahead of all of them. I'd suggest that what the Cows are about to go through would be my defnition of a clean out..a complete clean out, while what Port has done has modified a premiership winning list into one that is in a position to challenge. I reckon the Blackbirds are miles off it but won't totally bottom out due to the presence of such players as Goodwin, Edwards, Johncock, Bassett, Rutten and McLeod..you know, the blokes who couldn't get you over the line in the last few years.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Dutchy


Where will the crows finish, here is my side for Round 1 (If Fit), not considering draftt selections

F Tippett Gill Proplyzia
HF Burton Bock Edwards
C Goodwin Thompson Knights
HB Symes Moran Macca
B Bassett Rutten Stevens
R Griffen Van Berlo Shirley
Int Maric Johncock Rielley Douglas
Emer from McGregor Hentchel Massie Gallman

Still not a bad side, where Adelaide will finish, after the minor round, my head says anywhere between 5 - 10, however Collingwood and your mob showed this year anything is achievable.

DEAD SET ORDINARY. If the Crows were to even finish 8th again they would need to improve. Where is this improvement going to come from, the unknown element of youth?, blokes who are coming back from serious injury? Pure fantasy syd. The Cows will be competitive, they won't be a Essendon or Richmond but a season of disappointment looms. I reckon 9-12 next year.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

on top of a very ageing list....Craig now officially out of the honeymoon period......crunch time in 2008?

could be some real pain next year Crow fans IMO....

It was am ageing list, it will be one of the youngest now with only goodwin, mcleod, edwards and bassett around 30. and as for the comment about crows having a supporters having pain next year this time last year every one said that about the roos Dutchy. and they were 2 wins from a premiership

Pfft. They were bloody light years away from the premiership.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

David Spriggs....could run, couldn't play.

.

Didn't he do his knee jumping over a fence in the off season? Stuffed what career he could've had right up!

Yep that's right mate. Dopey bugger. Steve Johnson wrecked his ankles doing something similar! What is about Cats jumping fences??

regards,

REB

[Dutchy]

Dutchy


Where will the crows finish, here is my side for Round 1 (If Fit), not considering draftt selections

F Tippett Gill Proplyzia
HF Burton Bock Edwards
C Goodwin Thompson Knights
HB Symes Moran Macca
B Bassett Rutten Stevens
R Griffen Van Berlo Shirley
Int Maric Johncock Rielley Douglas
Emer from McGregor Hentchel Massie Gallman

Still not a bad side, where Adelaide will finish, after the minor round, my head says anywhere between 5 - 10, however Collingwood and your mob showed this year anything is achievable.

DEAD SET ORDINARY. If the Crows were to even finish 8th again they would need to improve. Where is this improvement going to come from, the unknown element of youth?, blokes who are coming back from serious injury? Pure fantasy syd. The Cows will be competitive, they won't be a Essendon or Richmond but a season of disappointment looms. I reckon 9-12 next year.

regards,

REB

Spot on REB...your being pretty optimistic SD, agree that they have to do this but cant see it gaining them a finals berth

LMAO @ REB.....you seem to have an extra "spring" in your keyboard skills since late September!!!

[woodwt]

Lawrence Angwin the worst recruit at the crows ever!!
He was the little boy who couldnt grow up!!

[Hondo]

This Port Power 'cleanout' really is a furphy. While the Power have turned over a lot of players in recent seasons but is it really a 'cleanout'? You can afford to offload fringe and ageing players if you have a core of Cornes, Cornes, Burgoyne, Burgoyne, Lade, Ebert, Wilson and Tredrea. You have leadership, toughness, experience, flair and outright ability in that group there.

Maybe 'clean out' is the wrong term. After the end of the 2005 season where Port stuck to the list to try squeeze 1 more flag, they let go/let retire:

Rojer James (retired)
Jared Poulton (retired)
Matthew Primus (retired)
Brett Montgomery (delisted)
Byron Pickett (Melbourne)
Luke Peel (delisted)
Stephen Gilham (delisted)
Stuart Cochrane (delisted)
Gavin Wanganeen (retired)
Josh Francou (retired)
Adam Kingsley (retired)
James Ezard (delisted)
Matthew Bishop (delisted)
Ben Eckermann (delisted)
Aaron Shattock (delisted)
Peter Walsh (delisted)
Elijah Ware (delisted)
Stuart Dew (retired)

18 players in 2 years - comparable to the 10 players Adelaide are turning over in 1 year

As for assessing the Crows team on paper well time will tell. This time last year most people wrote out the Kangaroos team on paper and predicted bottom 4. Ditto Port tipped bottom 8.

Time will tell!

Booney, apologies too if I got the wrong end of the stick

[NO-MERCY]

[/quote]

DEAD SET ORDINARY. If the Crows were to even finish 8th again they would need to improve. Where is this improvement going to come from, the unknown element of youth?, blokes who are coming back from serious injury? Pure fantasy syd. The Cows will be competitive, they won't be a Essendon or Richmond but a season of disappointment looms. I reckon 9-12 next year.

I believe R E B the crows are ordinary & yes 9-12,but they won't finish above the bombers.
We may be a couple of years away from finals action at Essendon & i know your not a Knights fan,but i'd be surprised if the crows finished above us.

[Rushby Hinds]

Scott Welsh set to become a Bulldog
15 November 2007 Herald Sun
Mark Stevens

SCOTT Welsh wants a new career at the Western Bulldogs.



Heading for the kennel: Scott Welsh wants a new career at the Western Bulldogs.




All both parties can do now is sit and wait with fingers crossed, hoping it happens.

But late yesterday, Welsh to Whitten Oval was looming as a formality.

The Adelaide forward will almost certainly slip through to No. 4 in next month's pre-season draft.

The Dogs, who have offered a two-year deal to satisfy Welsh, can only nab the 28-year-old if Richmond, Carlton and Melbourne pass on him.

Richmond has all but ruled itself out, Melbourne is definitely out and the re-building Carlton appears a long-shot at best to be seduced by Welsh.

The Blues have pick No. 2 in the pre-season draft and will meet next week to discuss their plans, but it would take a major twist from here for them to consider Welsh.

Tigers football director Greg Miller yesterday said it was "unlikely" they would chase Welsh given the similar forward options it already has.

Former Magpie ruckman Guy Richards is training with Richmond and is a far more likely target.

Melbourne list manager Craig Cameron simply said: "We're not in the running".

"He's about to turn 29 and we're going down a different path with youth."

The Dogs, originally keen to pick up a key forward in the trade period, are remaining tight-lipped on Welsh but it is understood they had been watching Welsh's contractual negotiations from afar.

Once Welsh walked out on the Crows, disappointed at being offered only a one-year deal, the Dogs' interest became official.

The bid for Welsh has been led by Bulldogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton, who has re-committed to the club.

Welsh is a similar player to Demon forward Russell Robertson, who the Dogs pursued in early trade talks.

He is a four-time club leading goalkicker at Adelaide, and has a habit of wreaking havoc against the Dogs, kicking 20 goals in his last six outings against them, including a bag of seven in 2004.

He has played 165 games (129 for Adelaide and 36 at the Kangaroos) and kicked 300 goals.

The Crows were not prepared to offer Welsh a long-term contract because of what it dubbed behavioural problems throughout last season.

Richmond yesterday played down the fact Richards had joined in training, stressing it is far from a done deal that he would be taken at No. 1 in the pre-season draft.

"No, it's not a sign. We have six or seven players training with us," Miller said. "It doesn't mean any more than we are looking at him."

[Dirko]

Lawrence Angwin the worst recruit at the BLUES ever!!
He was the little boy who couldnt grow up!!

[finn]

Where will the crows finish, here is my side for Round 1 (If Fit), not considering draftt selections

F Tippett Gill Proplyzia
HF Burton Bock Edwards
C Goodwin Thompson Knights
HB Symes Moran Macca
B Bassett Rutten Stevens
R Griffen Van Berlo Shirley
Int Maric Johncock Rielley Douglas
Emer from McGregor Hentchel Massie Gallman

Still not a bad side, where Adelaide will finish, after the minor round, my head says anywhere between 5 - 10, however Collingwood and your mob showed this year anything is achievable.

I still fail to see why craig would persist with bock at chf when he is as good a chb as there is around at the moment. it's his natural position and he plays it a lot better than chf - sure he'll kick some goals but to me, his value at chb is much higher.
i'd expect gill to play lead up forward role with hentschel to be eased in to ff several sanfl games. I expect burton to play ff as a leading forward then change when hentschel returns - or mcgregor to start at ff.
Later hentschel to go to chf.
I think griffen, moran or tippett to play chf with maric rucking.
Adelaide will challenge for the lower echelons of the 8 but realistically 9-12th would be their ballpark.
Then bye bye can be said to doughty, shirley, massie, biglands and edwards. unfortunately tyson is slowing down, still got plenty of the ball but got caught many many times more than in the past. I expect him to play almost solely as a hff this year.

[woodwt]

Lawrence Angwin the worst recruit at the BLUES ever!!
He was the little boy who couldnt grow up!!

I WROTE THAT DID I

TRY THE CROWS PAL AND ACCEPT IT