Crows vs Freo

[Thiele]

North i think

[GWW]

d.mckay can someone enlighten me as to where he's from & which sanfl team he'll play for as he looks a very likely type to my way of thinking (i know it isn't glenelg)

From Vic junior comp, assigned to South Adelaide.

[sydney-dog]

good signs by the crows today on the back of some good coaching by NC

IMO, NC needs to be credited for some good coaching decisions..

Back in Sept NC made some tough list decisions and as usual came under fire, now we are seeing his plan unfold and I like what I see.

The balance between youth and experience is much better, the structure and game plan has changed, gone are the days were our class players are behind the ball, with VB, Knights, Radar, Thompson, Proplyzia playing well in the middle, supported by Symes, MacKay and Douglas, this enables the crows to play our experienced class players Macca's, Goody and Edwards forward of the ball which provides that extra experience and creativity up forward....

Those expecting a slide, sorry, think again

Those who have attacked NC for poor list and coaching decisions, think again

I know it is only pre-season, however, the evidence is obvious the crows will be very very competitive and IMO will not slide but will improve on 2007 with a much younger list

[am Bays]

McKay is from the Calder Cannons arguably the best development program in the TAC Cup. The values and work ethic instilled in them by Robert Hyde is 2nd to none.

HAs been a very fertile drafting ground for Adelaide, Reilly, Maric, Douglas and McKay. Any kid coming out of the Cannons program is very attractive to teh AFL clubs and is arguably the reason why Adel went for Reilly over Del Santo, knew he came from a program that teaches hard work and discipline.

I'm not getting to carried away yet S-Dog, whilst there is evidence for me to be more confident than what I was a month ago this is still ony the Mickey Mouse Cup, with different rules compared to the real season (Adelaides conditioning means it can better withstand the rotation system of only 16 interchanges compared to other sides). I mean carlton won the last two NAB Cups so really what sort of form line is it?

A long way to go yet and no need to start planning September trips to Melb just yet, not that I'm suggesting you are.

[sydney-dog]

1980TM

Totally agree with NAB being misleading, however, I am extremely confident that the signs I see from the crows will eventuate come season proper

Freo are billed as a top 4 side, they came to Adel with a very strong side, and playing to win.

The crows in 2005 showed that you can build a strong year on the back of superior fitness, IMO the crows have reclaimed their fitness edge AND this will be a driving force in 2008..

The change in structure and game plan is exciting...

The CATS are a class act, however, throw a blanket over the rest, I hold no fears heading in to 2008, our defence is very strong, we have greater speed and depth through the middle, now out forward line has creativity, whether yoiu like or hate the ctowes methods, they are disciplines, well drilled, and very fit....

All I am satingh NC has come under heavy attack, IMO the crows will improve on 2007 with a younger list, I also do not see the depth in the comp

[stan]

good signs by the crows today on the back of some good coaching by NC

IMO, NC needs to be credited for some good coaching decisions..

Back in Sept NC made some tough list decisions and as usual came under fire, now we are seeing his plan unfold and I like what I see.

The balance between youth and experience is much better, the structure and game plan has changed, gone are the days were our class players are behind the ball, with VB, Knights, Radar, Thompson, Proplyzia playing well in the middle, supported by Symes, MacKay and Douglas, this enables the crows to play our experienced class players Macca's, Goody and Edwards forward of the ball which provides that extra experience and creativity up forward....

Those expecting a slide, sorry, think again

Those who have attacked NC for poor list and coaching decisions, think again

I know it is only pre-season, however, the evidence is obvious the crows will be very very competitive and IMO will not slide but will improve on 2007 with a much younger list

Syd dog, the expected slide is going to happen. The slide that I have talked about wasnt the crows heading the bottom but I think I placed them around 11th or 12th and in a group that would be going for that last couple of finals spot. I think I said from 6th (North) to 12th (adel) could all make the 8 and the make up of the 8 could be anything. The reason why I put them there is mainly due to the fact that they will have more youth and im not sure what consistancy guys like Sellar and McKay etc would play well. I fell that Sellar will be good but might still be a year away from really given the crows that key forward.

Just my two cents, I could be wrong.

[sydney-dog]

good signs by the crows today on the back of some good coaching by NC

IMO, NC needs to be credited for some good coaching decisions..

Back in Sept NC made some tough list decisions and as usual came under fire, now we are seeing his plan unfold and I like what I see.

The balance between youth and experience is much better, the structure and game plan has changed, gone are the days were our class players are behind the ball, with VB, Knights, Radar, Thompson, Proplyzia playing well in the middle, supported by Symes, MacKay and Douglas, this enables the crows to play our experienced class players Macca's, Goody and Edwards forward of the ball which provides that extra experience and creativity up forward....

Those expecting a slide, sorry, think again

Those who have attacked NC for poor list and coaching decisions, think again

I know it is only pre-season, however, the evidence is obvious the crows will be very very competitive and IMO will not slide but will improve on 2007 with a much younger list

Syd dog, the expected slide is going to happen. The slide that I have talked about wasnt the crows heading the bottom but I think I placed them around 11th or 12th and in a group that would be going for that last couple of finals spot. I think I said from 6th (North) to 12th (adel) could all make the 8 and the make up of the 8 could be anything. The reason why I put them there is mainly due to the fact that they will have more youth and im not sure what consistancy guys like Sellar and McKay etc would play well. I fell that Sellar will be good but might still be a year away from really given the crows that key forward.

Just my two cents, I could be wrong.

IMO the more routh is a strength not a weakness, I jusr do not see 12 sides that are better, I do not see the depth in the comp, I see 12 sides with younger more inexperienced lists than Adelaide...

Yes it is early, but I do nor see these things

[brod]

Should be a good game next weekend, another Hawks vs Crows final. How about a Supergoal from Buddy?? Thats if he gets off the pine in the second half

[sydney-dog]

I hope Buddy plays, but I am not sure that he will

[NFC]

David Mackay was the pick of the youngsters. Class.

Reilly, Johncock and Stevens my best.

[Felch]

Knights very good again yesterday. Bock had plenty of it early, made a few ordinary decisions though when disposing.

Thought McKay was good. Tippett continues to impress aswell.

McLeod in very good nick for this time of year, looks fit and sharp.

[Macca19]

Whether the Crows form will eventuate come season proper is up in the air but they were always and always will be very fit and well drilled come this time of the year.

The issue with the Crows is depth and it will be a major issue if a couple of players go down. Whilst their smalls are decent, I dont think they will have the luxury of not playing Goodwin/Edwards/Mcleod in the middle all year. Whilst they rate their rucks very highly, I still think that Maric and Griffin have a long way to go to prove themselves as consistent AFL ruckmen. A couple of injuries to their tall forwards and their system will go out of balance again, maybe needing to throw Bock forward and playing Sellar or Walker before they are ready.

I expect them to be around the mix for the eight, where teams end up making it due to luck, injuries and form at the right time. Probably around that 6-10 mix which is usually split by a win or two at the most. However, if they stay fit and have a good run with injuries, then they could sneak a little higher. How high I guess depends how the other teams around them improve from 07 (Hawks, Sydney, Brisbane, Bulldogs).

[MightyEagles]

I'm just a little concerned about the last 5 minutes of the game, with freo kicking 3 or 4 quick goals. If it was against better teams, we would probably lost the game.

[Blue Boy]

I havent seen the game yet but heard Magic Mcleod was very good up forward !!!

[MightyEagles]

I havent seen the game yet but heard Magic Mcleod was very good up forward !!!

Yes he was, you should see his goal in the pocket in the last.

[CUTTERMAN]

ME, that's not fair. I had to work out on the west coast yesterday and tried to tape it, but not on fta, so I asked a mate to tape it off fox, but he hasn't joined just yet, AAARRGGHH!@#$%^ Stuff you Demitriuo and your tv rights.

[NFC]

I'm just a little concerned about the last 5 minutes of the game, with freo kicking 3 or 4 quick goals. If it was against better teams, we would probably lost the game.

The Crows midfield was Porps, Douglas and Reilly with Tippett rucking. The midfield did a disappearing act, no big deal the lead came down.

[stan]

good signs by the crows today on the back of some good coaching by NC

IMO, NC needs to be credited for some good coaching decisions..

Back in Sept NC made some tough list decisions and as usual came under fire, now we are seeing his plan unfold and I like what I see.

The balance between youth and experience is much better, the structure and game plan has changed, gone are the days were our class players are behind the ball, with VB, Knights, Radar, Thompson, Proplyzia playing well in the middle, supported by Symes, MacKay and Douglas, this enables the crows to play our experienced class players Macca's, Goody and Edwards forward of the ball which provides that extra experience and creativity up forward....

Those expecting a slide, sorry, think again

Those who have attacked NC for poor list and coaching decisions, think again

I know it is only pre-season, however, the evidence is obvious the crows will be very very competitive and IMO will not slide but will improve on 2007 with a much younger list

Syd dog, the expected slide is going to happen. The slide that I have talked about wasnt the crows heading the bottom but I think I placed them around 11th or 12th and in a group that would be going for that last couple of finals spot. I think I said from 6th (North) to 12th (adel) could all make the 8 and the make up of the 8 could be anything. The reason why I put them there is mainly due to the fact that they will have more youth and im not sure what consistancy guys like Sellar and McKay etc would play well. I fell that Sellar will be good but might still be a year away from really given the crows that key forward.

Just my two cents, I could be wrong.

IMO the more routh is a strength not a weakness, I jusr do not see 12 sides that are better, I do not see the depth in the comp, I see 12 sides with younger more inexperienced lists than Adelaide...

Yes it is early, but I do nor see these things

Thats fair enough, I can see where your coming from. I will make the point that with Sellars up forward the crows look so much better. they have someone to kick to that will give them a contest, and that makes a big difference. I know this is hidnsight and well have 20/20 vision when it comes to it, but perhaps they should have pissed off Welsh a year ago and gave this young bloke a run?