Round 1 vs Fremantle

[Brucetiki]

A massive brickbat to the AFL for scheduling this game so late - starts 7:40pm Adelaide time and won't finish until 10:30pm!

As for the game itself, can't believe it's been over 6 months since that loss to Collingwood in the semi (which conincided with a delay in settlement for my house the day before - they were 2 of the most miserable days of my life - made up on the Sunday with Centrals win in the QF).

Now we're at the start of a new season, a season full of optimism and expectation, and we're up against a Fremantle side with 1 goal in mind .

The Adelaide side is becoming settled just in time for round 1, with the injury list ever shrinking and is on the rise. Fremantle on the other hand, will be optimistic that they at least won't have a repeat of that cool July night at AAMI Stadium but are expected to struggle.

I expect Adelaide to win comfortably this evening by 37 points.

[NFC]

Game will finish at 10:10, games don't take 3 hours.

I agree though, absolutely ridiculous to have it so late, 4:10 would've been fine but 7:40 is crazy. Going mad waiting for this!!

[Brucetiki]

10:10 10:30 still going to be flippin late - glad I don't have an early start tomorrow or I'd be watching the second half in bed!

The game will finish at 10:10, the coverage goes on until 10:30

[Gingernuts]

Can honestly say that this is the best I have ever seen Fremantle play.

To say the Crows played bad would take credit away from Freo, their pressure made Adelaide look like a rabble tonight.

Me thinks a few players were underdone out there too, Vince to name one.

Oh well, think you've just gotta right it off as one of those nights.

[Voice]

10:10 10:30 still going to be flippin late - glad I don't have an early start tomorrow or I'd be watching the second half in bed!

The game will finish at 10:10, the coverage goes on until 10:30

Would you rather them play mid afternoon in 36 degree heat. Maybe it wasn't 36 there today but the AFL aren't to know that. It is very warm still in Perth this time of year.

[Booney]

Can honestly say that this is the best I have ever seen Fremantle play.

To say the Crows played bad would take credit away from Freo, their pressure made Adelaide look like a rabble tonight.

Me thinks a few players were underdone out there too, Vince to name one.

Oh well, think you've just gotta right it off as one of those nights.

Interested in your thoughts on Edwards being named Adelaides best in the Monday 'Tiser mate?

[whufc]

Adelaides forward line without Porplyzia looks very tame to say the least, they tried to play Petrenko in that role but his ony a half decent player in the SANFL nevermind the AFL, Tippett tried hard but had way to much to do and Taylor Walker is young and raw but has potential.

Heard the commentators say that in the whole pre season they didn't kick more than 10 goals in a game, this is a real issue for the crows and hence why i think they will miss the finals.

[Gingernuts]

Can honestly say that this is the best I have ever seen Fremantle play.

To say the Crows played bad would take credit away from Freo, their pressure made Adelaide look like a rabble tonight.

Me thinks a few players were underdone out there too, Vince to name one.

Oh well, think you've just gotta right it off as one of those nights.

Interested in your thoughts on Edwards being named Adelaides best in the Monday 'Tiser mate?

Serious?? Gees, barely sighted him.

My best would've been out of McLeod, Walker, Dangerfield. Was really impressed by Walker & Dangerfield actually, it seemed to me like they busted their chops all night.

Things to take out of the game:

- I know it's early to call, but Freo could be the big improver this year. They played unbelievable football last night. Pressure on the ball carier, clean possessions in close, and superb midfield work off Sandilands taps. Unstoppable they were.

- The Crows are underdone and will take a few rounds to get going. No doubt the coaching panel would expect to drop 2 or 3 games early on the back of putting the squad through a hard pre-season. If this means they peak in September rather that August, so be it.

- I felt the younger Crows still showed a lot last night despite the result. Walker impressed, as did Dangerfield's attempts to break the lines despite the game situation.

All in all it's no time for hysterics (see 'sack Craig' thread ). A tough night at the office, but still plenty of footy to be played.

[Footy Smart]

Can honestly say that this is the best I have ever seen Fremantle play.

To say the Crows played bad would take credit away from Freo, their pressure made Adelaide look like a rabble tonight.

Me thinks a few players were underdone out there too, Vince to name one.

Oh well, think you've just gotta right it off as one of those nights.

Interested in your thoughts on Edwards being named Adelaides best in the Monday 'Tiser mate?

Serious?? Gees, barely sighted him.

My best would've been out of McLeod, Walker, Dangerfield. Was really impressed by Walker & Dangerfield actually, it seemed to me like they busted their chops all night.

Things to take out of the game:

- I know it's early to call, but Freo could be the big improver this year. They played unbelievable football last night. Pressure on the ball carier, clean possessions in close, and superb midfield work off Sandilands taps. Unstoppable they were.

- The Crows are underdone and will take a few rounds to get going. No doubt the coaching panel would expect to drop 2 or 3 games early on the back of putting the squad through a hard pre-season. If this means they peak in September rather that August, so be it.

- I felt the younger Crows still showed a lot last night despite the result. Walker impressed, as did Dangerfield's attempts to break the lines despite the game situation.

All in all it's no time for hysterics (see 'sack Craig' thread ). A tough night at the office, but still plenty of footy to be played.

Agreed GN, Freos pressure was great and we couldn’t get our hands on the footy that was the main issue alot of the time. When we did it was mainly contested/ineffective touches due to the pressure applied by Freo.

Sloane and Cook need to work on there execution by foot, they can get the footy, they run hard and aren’t scared of the body. They will develop nicely but kicking is a concern

Walker played well marked and kicked straight however his pressure around the contest was still questionable IMO but good signs from him never the less

yes we were missing a lot of potency up forward with Tippet having to ruck and knights and porpas still out but i would have expected a better performance first up.....

oh well its only round 1, and that stupid sack Neil Craig thread is for the un intelligent armchair supporters who know nothing about football or are just plain sh*t stirrers

[Psyber]

The Crows have a bit of work to do.
Too many handballs, especially to players already covered by opponents.
Too many kicks straight to opposition players standing there on their own - a kick to a contest would be better than that.
One ruckman??? It might have made sense if the one had been a Sandilands....

Both Fremantle and Port played a more direct style and both won.
[Though Port did their usual "take it easy and go defensive" once well in front, and nearly came unstuck as usual as a result.]

[hawks21]

Dissapointing start to the season but all credit needs to go to Freo, they played well and would have beaten most sides last night. There attack and pressure on the ball was first class. I think we will take a lot of positives out of the game as we did play well in patches when we could get our hands on the ball, but to many unforced errors and turnover. Never an easy game first up at Subiaco!

Should be another tough game this week, will look for us to bounce back and should have some handy inclusions up forward which will help a lot.

When Burton, Porps and Knights come back, I think the question could be asked about Henstels spot in the team? Found himself at half back for half the game!

[JK]

When Burton, Porps and Knights come back, I think the question could be asked about Henstels spot in the team? Found himself at half back for half the game!

Based on last night I think you're right.

There can be a tendency to get carried away early in the season ... Freo have decent kids, good experience (A Pavlich 5 min run on the ball was just exceptional and awesome to watch), playing at home, coming off a disaster season and on the back of decent pre-season form would have been a handful for most opponents.

I actually think last night might have done the Crows some favours and if not for some obvious rusty-ness, they would still have been in the game ... It's not all doom and gloom just yet, they showed glimpses of form that should be around the mark.

(That said, I still can't see them being as good as last seasons top 4)

[Chuck Wepner]

The Crows have a bit of work to do.
Too many handballs, especially to players already covered by opponents.
Too many kicks straight to opposition players standing there on their own - a kick to a contest would be better than that.One ruckman??? It might have made sense if the one had been a Sandilands....

Both Fremantle and Port played a more direct style and both won.
[Though Port did their usual "take it easy and go defensive" once well in front, and nearly came unstuck as usual as a result.]

Do you think ? how insightful... of course don't give any credit to Port's opponent - they didn't lift or change their gameplan at all... psber with your revolutionary thought processes I'm amazed youre not coaching an AFL side now.. or perhaps you are?

[Choccies]

Top 10 things that annoyed me - Round 1, Crows v Freo

1. Refusing to bomb the ball long inside 50 where you have Tippett standing there, instead dicking around with the ball outside 50, apssing it thru 10 sets of hands and eventually turning it over.
2. Inablility to turn attack into defense after a turn over.
3. Crap handball skills
4. Richard Douglas' effort.
5. Backwards, retreating handballs, especially by the teams senior players
6. Umpiring. Didn't cost us the game at all but was still terrible
7. Missing shots at goal. Shouldn't really be any excuses at that level.
8. The way Freo waltzed the ball away from stoppages time and time again
9. Our apparent lack of ability to stem the flow when a bleed occurs.
10. We lost

[Brucetiki]

10:10 10:30 still going to be flippin late - glad I don't have an early start tomorrow or I'd be watching the second half in bed!

The game will finish at 10:10, the coverage goes on until 10:30

Would you rather them play mid afternoon in 36 degree heat. Maybe it wasn't 36 there today but the AFL aren't to know that. It is very warm still in Perth this time of year.

Then play it Saturday night if they wanna play night games in Perth to escape the heat

[Gingernuts]

Top 10 things that annoyed me - Round 1, Crows v Freo

1. Refusing to bomb the ball long inside 50 where you have Tippett standing there, instead dicking around with the ball outside 50, apssing it thru 10 sets of hands and eventually turning it over.
2. Inablility to turn attack into defense after a turn over.
3. Crap handball skills
4. Richard Douglas' effort.
5. Backwards, retreating handballs, especially by the teams senior players
6. Umpiring. Didn't cost us the game at all but was still terrible
7. Missing shots at goal. Shouldn't really be any excuses at that level.
8. The way Freo waltzed the ball away from stoppages time and time again
9. Our apparent lack of ability to stem the flow when a bleed occurs.
10. We lost

Love your work Choccies, I cursed about every one of those at least once last night.

[JK]

Top 10 things that annoyed me - Round 1, Crows v Freo

1. Refusing to bomb the ball long inside 50 where you have Tippett standing there, instead dicking around with the ball outside 50, apssing it thru 10 sets of hands and eventually turning it over.
2. Inablility to turn attack into defense after a turn over.
3. Crap handball skills
4. Richard Douglas' effort.
5. Backwards, retreating handballs, especially by the teams senior players
6. Umpiring. Didn't cost us the game at all but was still terrible
7. Missing shots at goal. Shouldn't really be any excuses at that level.
8. The way Freo waltzed the ball away from stoppages time and time again
9. Our apparent lack of ability to stem the flow when a bleed occurs.
10. We lost

Love your work Choccies, I cursed about every one of those at least once last night.

Yeah must admit they are pretty accurate, Douglas should be thankful for issues 1,2 and 3.

[Psyber]

The Crows have a bit of work to do.
Too many handballs, especially to players already covered by opponents.
Too many kicks straight to opposition players standing there on their own - a kick to a contest would be better than that.
One ruckman??? It might have made sense if the one had been a Sandilands....

Both Fremantle and Port played a more direct style and both won.
[Though Port did their usual "take it easy and go defensive" once well in front, and nearly came unstuck as usual as a result.]

Do you think ? how insightful... of course don't give any credit to Port's opponent - they didn't lift or change their gameplan at all... psber with your revolutionary thought processes I'm amazed youre not coaching an AFL side now.. or perhaps you are?

Well Port have a long established pattern of going purely defensive when in front and my wife, who was a Port supporter and came from a Port Adelaide linked family, first pointed it out to me.
She used to watch Port matches more closely than me, and always saw it as a sign they were about to lose - and she was usually proved right!
I'd concede it could have been just a remarkable turn around by Nth Melbourne, but I'm not convinced from what I saw on the televised game.
Port's effort appeared to drop off rather like last year, although their early play was much improved, and much more direct.

I'm not sure why you highlighted my comment about the Crows kicking directly to an unmanned opponent, as you didn't comment on that, unless you did and it was lost in your grammatical construction
But that is a basic mistake whatever the opposition is doing at the time..

[The Dark Knight]

Gee got my prediction totally wrong. Not the greatest of signs from the crows first up. And bloody hell the first half was just full of turnovers, never see anything like it

[Voice]

10:10 10:30 still going to be flippin late - glad I don't have an early start tomorrow or I'd be watching the second half in bed!

The game will finish at 10:10, the coverage goes on until 10:30

Would you rather them play mid afternoon in 36 degree heat. Maybe it wasn't 36 there today but the AFL aren't to know that. It is very warm still in Perth this time of year.

Then play it Saturday night if they wanna play night games in Perth to escape the heat

Other games were scheduled Saturday night in areas which can be hot also. The AFL world doesn't revolve around what Crows supporters want