Adelaide Crows 2012

[Dutchy]

Many know I wasnt a Neil Craig fan and I thought him leaving was the best thing for the crows, however maybe the cancer runs deeper at the footy club?

How could they leave so many players out of contract after their season finished a month ago?

Davis, Maric, Gunston & now Armstrong dont want to be part of the club next year. These arent players in their late 20's looking for more opportunity, these are players you can base a premiership team around.

Im pretty confident this wouldnt have happened under John Reid, he would have had a contract under their eyes at the beginning of the year, and more importantly he would have been asking for an answer months ago.

IN a week where there should be excitement around the club with a new young coach coming in (FWIW I think is a good call) there are still players walking out. All in a year where the likely compensation is draft picks in a weak compromised draft.

2011/12 is the worst time to lose players and how Adelaide have let this happen is only a guess, but something stinks.

[Psyber]

We are talking one homesick Victorian, one chasing the big bucks, and a couple of currently marginal players here.
And this is in an unusual season when the draft will be thin, and there is therefore more chance for young players, with potential, to auction themselves.
I doubt that the Crows will prove to be alone in being affected by this, or that this means there is anything structurally wrong in the club.
We'll find out over the next few months.

[Gingernuts]

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned over the departures, there is part of me that wonders whether there's something or someone in administration who isn't doing the best by the players. I do feel that Trigg's call to yank the Bickley award from Gunston basically snuffed any small chance the new coach might have had of reconciling the problems before the trade period.

That said, I think the club has done pretty well to sign the 'key' players of the clubs future. In the past 2 or 3 months they've signed Vince, Talia, McKernan, Walker, MacKay, Porps, Otten and a host of others. Many of these had huge speculation surrounding them regarding interstate moves. Gunston & Davis are definitely ones that got away (Maric & Armstrong not so much) but if you look at the bigger picture I think the list managers have worked their butts off to make sure KPP's and key midfielders have stayed.

[Sojourner]

Think its no coincidence that the Crows have taken a tumble down the ladder since John Reid retired from the club, I would agree that JR would likely have dealt with isses a lot better than the way it has been left since.

Personally I thing Stephen Triggs tenure at the AFC needs to be ended, I do think the club can do much better and that his performance has been one of the weaker links in the chain. Triggs failure to accept that Craig could no longer do the job to the standard required and to simply stand there looking like a deer caught in the headlights when challenged by the media over it was unacceptable and a clear indicator that he too no longer has the capacity to do the job to the standard that would be required at Collingwood, Geelong or any other top four side in the AFL. Its not good enough at the AFC just to keep someone because they have been there for a long time, the person needs to be there because they are the best person for the job.

My suggestion is that the AFC need to do whatever it takes to get Neil Balme back to SA, he is across the SANFL situation and has performed over and above at Collingwood and Geelong. Think he is the kind of man that along with Sanderson will lead the AFC back up the ladder and back to being seriously competitive at this level.

Think also that the game is changing and the "go home" factor to Melbourne will continue to be an issue at the AFC. Whilst they have to do due dillagence to picking the best player available they also need to give more consideration to lads from SA so that the investment made into there careers pays good dividends to the club. Whilst a player may be a good short term pick, the longer term must be considered more carefully and I do think the AFC have fallen down in this area also.

[Dutchy]

That said, I think the club has done pretty well to sign the 'key' players of the clubs future. In the past 2 or 3 months they've signed Vince, Talia, McKernan, Walker, MacKay, Porps, Otten and a host of others. Many of these had huge speculation surrounding them regarding interstate moves. Gunston & Davis are definitely ones that got away (Maric & Armstrong not so much) but if you look at the bigger picture I think the list managers have worked their butts off to make sure KPP's and key midfielders have stayed.

Yet all of the above players played SANFL footy at some stage in 2011, and Porps played a few in 2010.

Amazing how it turns, only a month ago we were talking about Port not being able to sign their kids, yet they have and the Crows are losing them.

[heater31]

Dog act by Armstrong and by his own admission the worst player to ever get drafted. Bugger off back to Country NSW! I wonder what Josh Francou thinks of him now????

[Gingernuts]

That said, I think the club has done pretty well to sign the 'key' players of the clubs future. In the past 2 or 3 months they've signed Vince, Talia, McKernan, Walker, MacKay, Porps, Otten and a host of others. Many of these had huge speculation surrounding them regarding interstate moves. Gunston & Davis are definitely ones that got away (Maric & Armstrong not so much) but if you look at the bigger picture I think the list managers have worked their butts off to make sure KPP's and key midfielders have stayed.

Yet all of the above players played SANFL footy at some stage in 2011, and Porps played a few in 2010.

Amazing how it turns, only a month ago we were talking about Port not being able to sign their kids, yet they have and the Crows are losing them.

Many because of injury (Talia, Vince, Walker, Mackay, Porps), not form. Long bow there.

[Dutchy]

Talia, Vince, Walker & Porps all played SANFL cause they couldnt make the 22, short memory...

[heater31]

Talia, Vince, Walker & Porps all played SANFL cause they couldnt make the 22, short memory...

Bit harsh on Talia 2nd year on the list and only played half a season in his first because of injury. 2nd year on list injured on the eve of the season and spent the first half recovering.

[catchisthecry]

I'm on the "trade tippett" bandwagon.
Hope sanderson does it, lets start preparing for a flag in 2014-15 - Tippett will be on the coast

[Hondo]

Davis was poached by huge dollars from GWS so I think that case has to be treated as somewhat isolated. If you read too much into it then you have to do the same with all the GC and GWS recruits. Does Geelong have deep rooted problems because Ablett walked out? Do Melbourne with Scully? Bulldogs with Ward?

Maric has clearly lost the number one ruck job to Jacobs and some other clubs are badly short in their ruck stocks. Griffin at Freo is a similar case. When you aren't getting the opportunities at your current club and another club offers you those same opportunities then you look at them. He is 26 next year and far from a "kid". He needs to find a number 1 rick gig quick smart before his career ends and he won't find it at Adelaide. Good luck to him actually - I'd like to see him get a starting job and us get something decent in return.

However, losing Gunston and Armstrong is disappointing in that both are promising players who seeming have good opportunities at Adelaide and are choosing to go elsewhere. Not that I am completely sold on Armstrong but I'd prefer we kept him. That said, we'll get a draft pick or another kid in return so as one door closes another opens.

We have more key kids signed than not and honestly I could only see Davis and Gunston being key players in our next premiership threat. Losing Davis really sucks TBH.

[Pat Malone]

There is no way Armstrong was worthy of a contract before his strong finish to the year so there should be no blame laid in losing him, other contracts had priority so it could be known what was left in the cap. In hindsight its disappointing but having Kane Cornes contracted for 2 more years is a bigger blunder.

Maric is one the crows would be happy to retain, evidenced by a contract offer. The ball was always in his court considering he came out of contract 1 year after the Jacobs trade so it comes down to opportunity more than cash (although they come hand in hand to a certain extent with match payments).

Davis is a traitor, end of story whilst Gunston was offered a 3 year deal when drafted (as was Kurt Tippett who accepted) but declined. Not much more you can do there.

[Media Park]

Davis is a traitor, end of story.

I've been struggling to put this into perspective. For us blokes who play/did play country footy on a saturday for the love of a club, if we were offered a bit of coin to play for an opposition club, then I could cop the traitor tag.
However, Phil Davis is a football player- that is his profession.
It would be like a rival retailer in my town offering me more money to go and do the same work for them, for more money.
It's going to benefit me financially, and help me set up for my future.

Just because he (Davis) is a football player, is it any different?

[stan]

Davis was poached by huge dollars from GWS so I think that case has to be treated as somewhat isolated. If you read too much into it then you have to do the same with all the GC and GWS recruits. Does Geelong have deep rooted problems because Ablett walked out? Do Melbourne with Scully? Bulldogs with Ward?

Maric has clearly lost the number one ruck job to Jacobs and some other clubs are badly short in their ruck stocks. Griffin at Freo is a similar case. When you aren't getting the opportunities at your current club and another club offers you those same opportunities then you look at them. He is 26 next year and far from a "kid". He needs to find a number 1 rick gig quick smart before his career ends and he won't find it at Adelaide. Good luck to him actually - I'd like to see him get a starting job and us get something decent in return.

However, losing Gunston and Armstrong is disappointing in that both are promising players who seeming have good opportunities at Adelaide and are choosing to go elsewhere. Not that I am completely sold on Armstrong but I'd prefer we kept him. That said, we'll get a draft pick or another kid in return so as one door closes another opens.

We have more key kids signed than not and honestly I could only see Davis and Gunston being key players in our next premiership threat. Losing Davis really sucks TBH.

Yeah, but they are imploding anyway at the moment.

Honestly I dont think there are any real major issues down at the Crows. A new coach will freshen them up abit me thinks and I believe they will have a reason season next year.

As for Losing Gunston - well crap look at who we lost because had to cry himself to sleep because he wasent in Victoria Only kidding there, Im not that bitter. On a serious note you'll always tend to lose one player to homesickness at some stage, Davis took an offer that is considered out of the norm, and well Maric is not in your best 22 if you have tippett in the side. However if you traded tipett then Maric would be there as the 2nd ruck man. As for Armstrong, well he played some good football towards the end of the season and if he wants to leave I'm not sure this is a huge loss.

[Gingernuts]

Davis was poached by huge dollars from GWS so I think that case has to be treated as somewhat isolated. If you read too much into it then you have to do the same with all the GC and GWS recruits. Does Geelong have deep rooted problems because Ablett walked out? Do Melbourne with Scully? Bulldogs with Ward?

Maric has clearly lost the number one ruck job to Jacobs and some other clubs are badly short in their ruck stocks. Griffin at Freo is a similar case. When you aren't getting the opportunities at your current club and another club offers you those same opportunities then you look at them. He is 26 next year and far from a "kid". He needs to find a number 1 rick gig quick smart before his career ends and he won't find it at Adelaide. Good luck to him actually - I'd like to see him get a starting job and us get something decent in return.

However, losing Gunston and Armstrong is disappointing in that both are promising players who seeming have good opportunities at Adelaide and are choosing to go elsewhere. Not that I am completely sold on Armstrong but I'd prefer we kept him. That said, we'll get a draft pick or another kid in return so as one door closes another opens.

We have more key kids signed than not and honestly I could only see Davis and Gunston being key players in our next premiership threat. Losing Davis really sucks TBH.

Yeah, but they are imploding anyway at the moment.

Honestly I dont think there are any real major issues down at the Crows. A new coach will freshen them up abit me thinks and I believe they will have a reason season next year.

As for Losing Gunston - well crap look at who we lost because had to cry himself to sleep because he wasent in Victoria Only kidding there, Im not that bitter. On a serious note you'll always tend to lose one player to homesickness at some stage, Davis took an offer that is considered out of the norm, and well Maric is not in your best 22 if you have tippett in the side. However if you traded tipett then Maric would be there as the 2nd ruck man. As for Armstrong, well he played some good football towards the end of the season and if he wants to leave I'm not sure this is a huge loss.

Good posts fellas.

[The Dark Knight]

Davis is a traitor, end of story.

I've been struggling to put this into perspective. For us blokes who play/did play country footy on a saturday for the love of a club, if we were offered a bit of coin to play for an opposition club, then I could cop the traitor tag.
However, Phil Davis is a football player- that is his profession.
It would be like a rival retailer in my town offering me more money to go and do the same work for them, for more money.
It's going to benefit me financially, and help me set up for my future.

Just because he (Davis) is a football player, is it any different?

Spot on.

[Gingernuts]

Davis is a traitor, end of story.

I've been struggling to put this into perspective. For us blokes who play/did play country footy on a saturday for the love of a club, if we were offered a bit of coin to play for an opposition club, then I could cop the traitor tag.
However, Phil Davis is a football player- that is his profession.
It would be like a rival retailer in my town offering me more money to go and do the same work for them, for more money.
It's going to benefit me financially, and help me set up for my future.

Just because he (Davis) is a football player, is it any different?

Spot on.

Agreed. Emotionally I resent Davis for his decision, but rationally I completely understand it.

[JK]

Personally I thing Stephen Triggs tenure at the AFC needs to be ended.

X2

[Gingernuts]

Personally I thing Stephen Triggs tenure at the AFC needs to be ended.

X2

I agree. Nigel Smart would be a perfect replacement IMO.

[Psyber]

Think its no coincidence that the Crows have taken a tumble down the ladder since John Reid retired from the club, I would agree that JR would likely have dealt with isses a lot better than the way it has been left since.

Personally I thing Stephen Triggs tenure at the AFC needs to be ended, I do think the club can do much better and that his performance has been one of the weaker links in the chain. Triggs failure to accept that Craig could no longer do the job to the standard required and to simply stand there looking like a deer caught in the headlights when challenged by the media over it was unacceptable and a clear indicator that he too no longer has the capacity to do the job to the standard that would be required at Collingwood, Geelong or any other top four side in the AFL. Its not good enough at the AFC just to keep someone because they have been there for a long time, the person needs to be there because they are the best person for the job.

My suggestion is that the AFC need to do whatever it takes to get Neil Balme back to SA, he is across the SANFL situation and has performed over and above at Collingwood and Geelong. Think he is the kind of man that along with Sanderson will lead the AFC back up the ladder and back to being seriously competitive at this level.

Think also that the game is changing and the "go home" factor to Melbourne will continue to be an issue at the AFC. Whilst they have to do due dillagence to picking the best player available they also need to give more consideration to lads from SA so that the investment made into there careers pays good dividends to the club. Whilst a player may be a good short term pick, the longer term must be considered more carefully and I do think the AFC have fallen down in this area also.

I'm not a Trigg fan either, but after seeing what behaviour caused Norwood to implode late in Neil Balme's tenure there, and the similar events at Melbourne, I wouldn't be all that keen on recruiting him.
Back then he needed a strong overseer at Collingwood to keep him in line, and may still do.

I agree with your comments about due diligence and recruiting policy.