Adelaide Season 2011

[Booney]

How are Crow fans seeing van Berlo as skipper to this point?

For mine, he has stalled in his development as a player and is now a mere "run with" player who offers little offensively. There was a time 12-18 months ago that he was bound for greater things but seems to be at a stand still.

The captaincy weighing him down, injured, just out of form? What is it?

Adelaides faltering mid-field desperately needs him to find the ball and run the lines, just isn't happening and Thompson is having to do all the hard work.

[Q.]

He was the sort of in-and-under player that could come out of a contest with a clean possession. Now he seems to be the one waiting for a handball to be given to him and I've noticed he's fumbling a bit.

[Footy Smart]

What will Adelaide do with their ruckmen over the next few seasons.

Jacobs- Ok at best
Maric- spud
Moran- injury prone spud
Sellar- in top 10 Worse AFL footballers ever
McKernan- decent player in the future but more a KPP rather than ruckmen
Tippett- forward only imho

I dont think they can afford to delist to many at the end of year though, otherwise they will have to big an emphasis in the draft on ruckmen when there is many areas they need to recruit. There list doesnt have alot of value on the trade table so would be surprised if they could bring in a ruckmen at trade week.

Under rating Jacobs. Adelaide pulled a swift one getting him for the price they did. Add McKernan and Tippett in the mix and they are ok for big men. Who will they tap it to? Thats the issue.

Yep agree Booney, Young Sauce is learning and under 25 games into his career...... Best recruit AFC have got since Jarman Midfield is the obvious problem. We hoped for Poprs, Otten and B Martin to end up in the Midfield group however knees have held them back in their development. Rory will be alright and id expect Matty Wright to get a crack in there at stages. Vince has gone missing which hasnt helped either, he is the prime mover and Thomo the muscle but bad pre seasons have heard Bernard. Mckays pace and skill on the wing has hurt also in regards to coming out of defence through the middle part of the ground.

As for VP, i think he is just a casualty of the under performing Midfield with a touch of the weight captaincy/bad form/unstable team. Just need the blokes around him to stand up as well, as he isnt the game breaking captain ie Judd

[stan]

The team this week will be interesting. Henderson named at CHF, probably wont play much as a key forward but still seems a bit light on.

[bulldog2004]

The team this week will be interesting. Henderson named at CHF, probably wont play much as a key forward but still seems a bit light on.

I think the Bulldogs are a bit light on experienced talls as well. Williams 196cm, Morris 190cm, Barlow 195cm.

[whufc]

Slightly off topic but an interesting take on why Adelaides memberships have dropped and crowds are down.

'But there also is the theory that Adelaide's original members from 1990 were from a 40-60 age group and have not been regenerated as they have vacated their seats. The next generation of Crows members, frustrated at not getting into AAMI Stadium, has learned to watch the game on television, and is staying there as more and more games are shown live against the gate.'

[Rams52]

I'd agree in part with that WHUFC, I wanted to get a membership to go to the games back in 96, couldn't get them, didn't go on the waiting list, and now at this time I have better things to spend my money on. If I had got the season tickets/membership back then I reckon that I would still have them and go most weeks (when I wasn't playing football).

[whufc]

I'd agree in part with that WHUFC, I wanted to get a membership to go to the games back in 96, couldn't get them, didn't go on the waiting list, and now at this time I have better things to spend my money on. If I had got the season tickets/membership back then I reckon that I would still have them and go most weeks (when I wasn't playing football).

Yeah i think there would be a few people in that same case as well.

Also that piece was on the end of one of Rucci'a articles.

[finn]

How are Crow fans seeing van Berlo as skipper to this point?

For mine, he has stalled in his development as a player and is now a mere "run with" player who offers little offensively. There was a time 12-18 months ago that he was bound for greater things but seems to be at a stand still.

The captaincy weighing him down, injured, just out of form? What is it?

Adelaides faltering mid-field desperately needs him to find the ball and run the lines, just isn't happening and Thompson is having to do all the hard work.

van Berlo may do all the right behind the scenes things as skipper and set an example at training but he's one of those players who's only been servicable and will continue to be consistently so. Yes, he'll do the odd shining thing as he's got talent (as does everybody whom plays consistently at that level) but, to me, he should be one of the last 6-7 selected - the icing if you will - rather than one of the first.
His ongoing attacking midfield role highlights the defiency Adelaide face in there; he's usually good at getting the ball but he can make some awful decisions. This was highlighted really well in the Advertiser early this week with the picture of Cox v Jacobs that clearly showed Adelaide's midfielder on his heels rather than toes. Ideally, he'd be doing the Reilly role or as a defensive forward/bachline player.

Jacobs will be very good for the Crows and well worth the third and fifth round picks given up.

[CUTTERMAN]

Thought I'd heard last night that Crows rookie Tim Milera has walked away from AFL footy. Can anyone shed some light on this? Always thought he was a good prospect.

[gadj1976]

Has anyone else noticed that every time Neil's asked about the Crows KPI's (whether wins/losses are important) he always answers with something that is completely intangible.

When asked about "if you lose this week, will you..."? He answers "it's not about winning or losing, it's about building this squad".

So he's set himself up really well.

I've not once heard him answer a question with something that's measureable or tangible - thereby meaning he can never be held accountable for failure.

It also means its difficult for the board to determine if he's failed (or succeeded for that matter).

[Farmy]

The squad he has built is the worst squad in the AFL. People who think its just kids inexperience are in dreamland.

[whufc]

The squad he has built is the worst squad in the AFL. People who think its just kids inexperience are in dreamland.

Yep Adelaide home of the Spud Farm!

Minus Tippett, Johncock, Dangerfield the rest are smiths chips and would be lucky to get a game at any other club except the GC.

[Sojourner]

Seems that every week the Crows drop their bundle in the last 1/4, the Dogs played a very average game tonight and still ran all over the Crows. Think there are more questions than answers at the AFC at the moment - please Neil don't come out to the press conference and tell us that you were beaten by "a very powerful side" again....

[whufc]

Seems that every week the Crows drop their bundle in the last 1/4, the Dogs played a very average game tonight and still ran all over the Crows. Think there are more questions than answers at the AFC at the moment - please Neil don't come out to the press conference and tell us that you were beaten by "a very powerful side" again....

Yeah im waiting for the

"just remember they were a top 4 side last year at their home ground" etc etc etc

[southee]

Seems that every week the Crows drop their bundle in the last 1/4, the Dogs played a very average game tonight and still ran all over the Crows. Think there are more questions than answers at the AFC at the moment - please Neil don't come out to the press conference and tell us that you were beaten by "a very powerful side" again....

"we must set standards for this club" YAWN!!!!!

"The bar must be set"YAWN!!!

....he is like a politician who uses all the "catch phrases"

[Johno6]

give craig the key to the city i say!!

[locky801]

give craig the key to the city i say!!

Yes and with Trigg so they can walk out the City and lock the gates behind them so they never come back

[Big Phil]

The squad he has built is the worst squad in the AFL. People who think its just kids inexperience are in dreamland.

Yep Adelaide home of the Spud Farm!

Minus Tippett, Johncock, Dangerfield the rest are smiths chips and would be lucky to get a game at any other club except the GC.

Ben Rutten an All Australian Full Back?

The rest of your comment I agree with

[tiger07andbeyond]

I think Leigh Matthews summed up our player list pretty well tonight. Its a pity those who run the club can't see it.