Crows: The Flood is on?

[Dutchy]

5 of the top 6 teams in the league are based in Vic....bet that doesnt make the front page of the Addy tomorrow

[Booney]

5 of the top 6 teams in the league are based in Vic....bet that doesnt make the front page of the Addy tomorrow

[sydney-dog]

Congrats to the Cats, all you can do is win, especially away from home, but to be honest not convincing and except for G Ablett, Mooney and Harley a lot of Cats players were MIA early....

the cats came to town in form with a full list, the crows lost Goody in the 1st and Roo to a reportable high hit in the 3rd and also Stevens early in the 3rd, the Cats should of run all over the top of the Crows in the last, with a full fit bench at their disposal

for the crows, Craigy was critical of players missing targets, totally agree, especially in the first half, but I think Proplyzia and others can be excused for the errors in the 4th, the players were totally out on their feet.

crows concerns, Forward structure, especially the form of Welsh and Bock, Kenny goes forward creates a contest and takes 2 or 3 contested marks, I say again Welsh and Roo can't play in the same forward structure, hopefully Gill puts some form on the board soon to put some pressure on other players.

next week, Kanga's at Carrara, the Kanga's are in form and they haver a good record at Carrara, early signs Goody will miss, Johncock 50/50 chance, Roo and Stevens should play. Crucial game for the Crows, 7 - 5 at the mid-season break would be acceptable, with 6 out of the last 10 at AAMI, 3 at TD and 1 game at skilled

players under spot light, Bock and Welsh up forward, Proplyzia and Jericho had poor games but should get another opportunity and Torney's lack of Leg Speed is a continue worry

Massie's strong form should finally be rewarded, depending on form, Gill and Douglas may get a look in...

Great Comp, anything can happy after the mid-season break

[sydney-dog]

History shows, that after the mid-season break, couple of sleeping Giants usually start to wake, top 8 sides will be looking over their shoulders at Syd, Adel and Freo

Traditionally young lists such as Pies, Kanga's and Hawks often start to hit the wall come the last 4-6 rounds of the season, most AFL coaches will recognise that young players need 3-4 seasons before they have the capacity to run out a season

this is where it really starts getting interesting, can the young sides keep running and maintain the physical pressure, or will the more experience sides get a sniff and lift a gear

[Psyber]

Time to return Bock to CHB where he has played well, now that McGregor is restored at CHF perhaps? Then Rutten can stay at FB where he performs best. I have speculated about whether Perrie would work as a CHB.

Neither Welsh nor Jericho are much use unless the mid-field is delivering cleanly. Both are capable of high scores if they get good delivery, but that can't be relied on in serious games at AFL level. Perhaps it is time to use Hudson, Griffin, and a third big man, keeping one of them at FF to contest, while Stevens leads from the forward pocket.

Roo's capacity to keep going must be looked at seriously, as must Buckley's at Collingwood.

Leg speed on the ball and wings is another issue, and the kids need to be considered here, rather than just keeping on playing the slowed by injury "stars" of the past.

[SCD]

SD - time and time again I seem to be sitting here shaking my head in agreement of your posts on footy in general - but esp where the crows are concerned...

At the end of the day - the Crows pressured and pressured the Cats, who held on by the skin of their teeth early - before the domination of 22 on 18 finally took it's toll in the last quarter. blokes like G Ablett and C Mooney have really taken the next step this year and it proves what hard work on the track over summer can do for some blokes..

To be honest about things though, it was the first time this year I've been disappointed with Craigy's post match conference.
I thought for Craigy to blame execution of skills was very harsh on the young fellas. I agree injuries don't play a part when before a game, but they sure do during a game. You can't play with no bench in the last half like the Crows did and I was so proud of the way they fought it out and stuggled and battled, to still be a winning chance deep into the last quarter.

The real difference in the end was a lack of leadership on the field for the Crows at the end of the match. Senior players like Goodwin / Roo / Stevens all injured and McLeod and Edwards going quiet in the last half (due to no rotations) really left the younger kids looking for someone to pick them and the game up by the scruff of the neck and drag them across the line.

I still think Scott Stevens is a more effective CHF - he presents well and makes a contest. That's not easy to say from someone who doesn't really like the way he goes about his footy.. but he's become more important then Bock and Welsh and should be played there.

I'll put myself on a limb here and name the forward 6 i'd be playing for the Crows... Because this is where the issue is - up front.. the domination of the 1st quarter should have resulted in 3 - 4 goals, not 7 - 8 points..
Douglas Roo Porpylzia
Johncock Stevens (Jerico / Welsh)
I wonder about the decision making of Johncock at the moment and with Bassett / McLeod / Rutten / McGregor / Mattner / Knights all back there, do we need him back pocket - when he can go forward and be dangerous?? also push Welsh up the ground and make him work a little harder, leaving the better crumbing types of Douglas and Porpylzia up forward??

Next weeks game becomes almost make or break for the Crows with how even things are.. they lose and have West Coast / Hawthorn to come and warning sirens will be ringing.. a win and they can really start to build the rest of the season with a great run home.. (mind you have lost to Essendon / Collingwood / Geelong at home already... and question marks must be there at home even...)

[Psyber]

I'd like more contested marking targets up forward, as I don't thing Roo is big enough for FF, and would go for:

Stevens *** Interchange

Interchange McGregor Roo [if fit]

[By*** I mean I would run Hudson, Griffin, and a third big man [Maric, Gill, ?Perrie] and interchange so one of them was up front to keep the biggest defender off the other guys - at least until we have a real FF.]

My "interchange" would include some of the crumbing players you have suggested depending on who is actually fit! Welsh might get a spot on the bench if some of the others don't come up.

I'd give Bock CHB where he has played well.

[Hondo]

I am now wondering how much influence Peter Jonas has had on the game-plan philosophy since crossing from the masters of the game-squeeze Sydney? Has he curbed some of Craigy's natural attacking instincts I wonder?

I was fighting Dutchy about the Crows' stats earlier in the season and I kept pointing to last season to judge the Crows scoring ability. I remember goal-fests v Essendon, Kangaroos, Bulldogs and Geelong. Now 11 weeks in to 2007 and I think we have the 3rd lowest points aggregate despite having one of the best defenses. If you had said to me before Sunday that we would hold the Cats to 9-14 I would have said the Crows by 4-5 goals.

Easier said than done, but we must kick more goals if we are serious about September.

[sydney-dog]

scaffidi can't drive

mate, I agree with a lot of your thoughts, some of my observations on last week and this week's game

Scott StSevens is a more effective player when he is the 3rd tall, whether that it forward or back
Welsh, if he plays in the same forward line as Roo, one player must play out of the square, while the other plays across HF, providing hit up leads further up the ground
Bock and McGregor, I do like the way Bock leads hard and attacks the footy but his hands lets him down at times, while McGregor has the capability to stand under the footy and take a contested mark, and will get plenty of hands in the back free kicks as he is prepared to push back hard. These two players have the potential to complement each other, but this may leave us exposed down back against bigger forward lines, may not be such an issue this week against the Kanga's
Jericho, I thought Luke made some good position last week, especially in the first half, but we failed to hit him and most of his service was half volley's, on the big grounds I would like to see Luke play across HB or Wing, this way we can use his pace to break the lines
Proplyzia, it certainly wasn't one of his best games, but I seen this kid live at the TD against Carlton, he is certainly a class act, I don't feel Craigy done Jason any favors by matching him up against G Ablett in the second half, Ablett just had too much pace
Johncock, in Stiffy's second year he played a lot up forward and kicked plenty of goals, I believe he can become a dangerous small forward and would like to see Craigy persist with this option, hopefully his decision making will get better with match fitness

A big concern for me is the crows do not have a natural front and centre player, it really surprises me that we did not draft or rookie draft A Davey over the past couple of seasons, he was right under our nose in the SANFL, he is quick, he knows how to play the front and centre forward role, most importantly, Craigy loves small forwards who can apply defensive pressure, at the moment their is none better.

Match up's against the Cats
I thought Craigy got a few match-ups wrong
1. G Ablett, first he started with Torney than Proplyzia, Ablett's strength is his ability to break from stoppages with leg speed, Torney's and Proplyzia's weakness, is their lack of leg speed
2. Mooney, yes Rutten is the Club's number 1 defender, but I thought McGregor's style was a better match up, this would of aloowed Rutten to play a more attacking game
3 Harley, we played in to Harley's hands by matching hiom up with a body-forward, we needed to isolate Harley with a quick forward, like Jericho or Welsh, we needed to create a mismatch

This Week
The Kanga's are an interesting opposition, similar to the WB structure that we played earlier in the year.
1. The Kanga's are not a tall side up forward, Jones, Harvey, Grant, Thomas all are dangerous mid size / small forwards, so unless the Roo's push a ruckman or L Brown forward their may not be a natural match up for Rutten, this may release Rutten to play forward.
2. Against the WB the crows loaded the forward line with Talls to expose a small WB defense, I sense this may again be the tactic this week, with Gibson injured the Kanga's do look a bit thin down back, this may be the advantage Adelaide needs, as long as we can win plenty of footy in the midfield and execute efficiently

Selection - Players to come under consideration
Massie, his form has been excellent for 3-4 weeks, can play across HB or Midfield, you would expect Massie to be selected for the injured Goodwin
Gill, I read with interest that he did not play for the Roosters, does Craigy have Gill in mind for this week, Welsh, Jericho, Stevens and Bock are all under pressure to perform
Douglas and Hinge, the crows obviously need more run, Hinge has been unlucky with injury and the crows are keen to have a look at him, while Douglas can play that small forward role or as a small defender picking up the likes of Thomas or Harvey

[Dutchy]

neither Hinge or Dougy did much yesterday to deserve a recall...

Edwards would be the natural match up for Rutten I would think, dont underate Spud in defence SD, was again mentioned in All Australian calculations on the weekend

[sydney-dog]

Dutchy

I think a more mobile player in Mattner or Bassett may get Edwards, so unless Hale or Brown plays forward, their may not be an obvious match up for the Truck

In regards to your defence, I suppose my point is, if the Crows play Bock, McGreggor and Steven's forward, do the Kanga's have enough tall defenders to go with Adelaide

Mate, just for an exercise, how would you see the Kanga's matching up on the following

F ROO BOCK PROPLYZIA

HF WELSH KENNY JERICHO

[Dutchy]

I think you'll need a stronger player for Edwards, is in the Top 3 for contested marks so far this season.

F ROO/FIRRITO BOCK/PRATT PROPLYZIA/SINCLAIR

HF WELSH/ARCH KENNY/PETRIE JERICHO/LOWER

just a guess Im no good with match ups, if Crows go tall we have Brown and Watt could be brought into the side, Hale also had some time in defence last week

Interesting to read Wells is a chance to return this week, we have missed his run

[sydney-dog]

Dutchy

I noticed Archer spent some time up forward last week, so he can play either end of the ground

Maybe we might see Archer on Roo, that would be worth the admission fee alone

On Wells, for me it would be a shock selection, last week I read Wells was aiming for after the mid-season break..

Given the Kanga's are well placed at 7 wins / 4 losses, have played well in recent weeks without him and next week is the mid week break, so he gets another week to build strength in his knee, I would not take any risks with him

[Rik E Boy]

Good post above there syd but wouldn't putting Rutten up forward be robbing Peter to pay Paul? *cliche alert!*. If I was Laidley I'd be delighted to see Rutten not in defence and I'd plonk Brown down there or even Hale to haul in a few grabs. This would make life v messy for the Crows as any ball kicked long into the contest could be crumbed by the smaller Roo forwards.

The Adelaide forward line, combined with the injured rucks are the two reasons why other sides won't be looking over their shoulders at the Crows, despite the gutsy effort against Geelong on Sunday. I know I've made an artform of writing off the Crows prematurely in the past but I said at the start of the year that I can't see the Blackbirds in the top four and nothing's changed.

regards,

REB

[Dutchy]

Hey REB heading to the Goldy Sat night? Ill send up my scarf for ya!!!

[Dirko]

I think the Roos are in Dutchy...the Crows style or lack thereof is not very pleasing to watch and god help the relocation to the Gold Coast if 15000 people turn out to watch negative possesion kick backward style of footy, a negative game will kill the limited fan base up there especially since the last game up there against my mob produced 40 goals (a win woulda been good though )...

[Rik E Boy]

Hey REB heading to the Goldy Sat night? Ill send up my scarf for ya!!!

That's over an hour away Dutchy and I wouldn't cross the street to watch the Crows. I'm off to the Ipswich Cup with a gutfull of free pi55 so I won't need any help to get to sleep that night.

regards,

REB

[am Bays]

5 of the top 6 teams in the league are based in Vic....bet that doesnt make the front page of the Addy tomorrow

Bet that won't stop the Victorian media from bemoaning the state of Victorian Football and the need for the AFL to step in to prevent the dominance of the interstae clubs in GF victories and appearances....

[sydney-dog]

REB

If Craigy did push the Truck forward, Laidley definitely has couple of options, as you said push Hale and Brown forward, but the Crows also have options to cover these two players, or if Craigy decides to play Kenny, Truck, Bock all forward, Laidley may not have the luxury of playing Brown forward....

In regards to other sides not fearing the Crows...

I obviously think otherwise, the Crows are yet to play their best footy, I am happy for the footy public to write the Crows off, lets remember Sydney were not playing good footy this time last year or in season 2005.

On the Rucks, my view is an opposition dominant Ruckman can be covered, for example Sandilands leads the comp in hit outs, he has won 303 hit outs thus far this season, Lade and White are also in the top 4 more than 50 hit outs behind Sandilands, however Freo, Melbourne and Port are ranked in the bottom 6 clubs for clearances at stoppages, so this begs the question how effective is a dominant ruckman.

The Crows Forward structure, agree they need to get the mix right, but they have options, most importantly, the players up field need to stop being so clinical and holding on to the footy for so long waiting for that perfect option, they need to start attacking quicker and deeper and finding a small forward is the key

TOP 4, definitely realistic, my opinion is Kanga's, Hawks, Bombers and Pies will all struggle to maintain the rage for a top 4 berth and have all pretty much played there best footy with close to a full list for the majority of early rounds, however both Adel and Syd have plenty of room for improvement....

Couple of Geelong players have said during the week that Adelaide are the hardest working team and the most physical team in the comp, and this makes the Crows one of the hardest teams to beat,

My view. you can win a flag without a champion ruckman but you can't win a flag without a great defence, most importantly, Syd have proved you can win a Flag without kicking big scores.

In saying that, yes the Crows need to be more attacking, kick higher scores without sacrificing it's stingy defensive action, we have the players on our list to do this, on the up side, their are plenty of players who have been far from their best all season, our best is yet to come

Time will Tell

[Blue Boy]

Dutchy

I think a more mobile player in Mattner or Bassett may get Edwards, so unless Hale or Brown plays forward, their may not be an obvious match up for the Truck

In regards to your defence, I suppose my point is, if the Crows play Bock, McGreggor and Steven's forward, do the Kanga's have enough tall defenders to go with Adelaide

Mate, just for an exercise, how would you see the Kanga's matching up on the following

F ROO BOCK PROPLYZIA

HF WELSH KENNY JERICHO

I would like to see you Griffin played up forward a little more instead of resting on the bench - the kid can mark and kick.

I would start as this week - F Griffin Roo Edwards/Thompson
HF Welsh Mcgregor/Bock Jericho
C Doughty Knights Mattner
HB Mcleod Mcgregor/Bock Van Berlo
FB Bassett Rutten Johncock
R Hudson Shirley Edwards/Thompson

IC Stevens Massie Maric Torney


I rekon mummbles needs to stop playing Mattner as a backman - he is a natural wingman

if the stiffman doesnt play obviously Torney takes his place and I would like to see Mummbles give Hinge another go.

I also rekon that Porplyzia is still carrying an injury - that is why I have left him out with the break he needs to freshen up.