well done Essendon

[am Bays]

Full marks to Essendon for having a better system today. The much maligned essendon midfield stood up unlike the much maligned Adelaide forwards.

Gee our lack of an abilty to pinpoint/isolate a forward in the hot spot in the 50 m arc coupled with some sodas of misses when we did have a set shot means we didn't deserve to win.

A bit to work on especially as next week we play the 'dogs who are tearing the cats a new one as we speak...

[Coorong]

What a damn awfull game to watch. Stop start stop start. And That so noticable gap before the centre bounce. Kinda wished I HAD gone to the flower show as was expected. Now we are both in a bad mood. And then there is bloody westies!

[Dog_ger]

Oh Dear.... My Footy tipping is starting off where it ended last season.....

2nd Last at work in 2006

Haven't improved this year.....

[Thiele]

From what i saw today the crows played like West Adelaide yesterday

[Leaping Lindner]

Full marks to Essendon for having a better system today. The much maligned essendon midfield stood up unlike the much maligned Adelaide forwards.

Gee our lack of an abilty to pinpoint/isolate a forward in the hot spot in the 50 m arc coupled with some sodas of misses when we did have a set shot means we didn't deserve to win.

A bit to work on especially as next week we play the 'dogs who are tearing the cats a new one as we speak...

The good news was Hudson getting through his first game back unscathed and young Griffen looks like he'll develop into something. Thomson and Reilly worked hard but the rest...well what can you say except I'd rather watch an Adam Sandler movie than watch that sort of crap.

An old family friend has invited me to lunch in the Members next week. Don't think I'll bother leaving the dining room.

[Rushby Hinds]

An old family friend has invited me to lunch in the Members next week. Don't think I'll bother leaving the dining room.

I think you will be missing watching a probable top 4 team playing LL if you do that...

[MatteeG]

...well what can you say except I'd rather watch an Adam Sandler movie than watch that sort of crap.

I'd watch Happy Gilmore rather than the crows any day of the week

[McAlmanac]

From what I saw at Docklands today, the Bulldogs will easily account for Adelaide. Genuine top 4 side and definite flag smokey. Their depth is fantastic - last year's fast finishing side has been topped up with Akermanis and Darcy and Ryan Griffen is improving exponentially. Well coached, to boot.

[GWW]

I went to the game today (as an impartial observer being a Port supporter).

The Crows were very ordinary, have no forward structure at all. They're obviously affected by injuries, but the reality is Hentschell wont be there this year. McGregor needs to come back quick smart, Perrie just isn't a quality footballer, misses goals from straight out in front on a consistent basis. The young guys showed a little bit, but the middle tier of players such as Doughty and Stevens (doesn't have the build for CHB, better suited to a BP or the forward line) etc were ordinary.

Unless the scientist can come up with a miracle they'll struggle this year.

Looking forward to Syd Dog's comments, not sure if he can come up with too many positives with that display

[sydney-dog]

the Crows system was poor
too many times the ball was bomb to the forward line, the Bombers were definitely more paitent
most disappointing was when the crows did have opportunities in the forward 50, they were so wasteful
also thought the croiws skill level and decision making was very poor, too many time players ignored the first option and got caught with the footy
on a positive, Hudson was strong and Griffen competed and presented all day, Knights found plenty of the footy, but needs to keep working on his foot skills

looking forward, it's a tough month ahead, I am not sure on what options the club has, both Welsh and Perrie struggled today, but with Roo and Gill injured there are not too many forward options, also Stevens does not have the body strength for CHB and will continue to be exposed against players such as Lucas, Pav and Brown, the club needs Kenny back in a hurry

the club also needs to release Macca and Stiffy forward of centre, goods sides finish their work, we are struggling to get goals from our runners, it's time for players like Doughty and Hinge to move to HB

anyone know how some of the crows boys played in SANFL trials over the w/end

[Thiele]

Tippett was not suited up forward in the first half. In the second he started in the ruck was really good

[sydney-dog]

Tippett could support Hudson and Griffen pushes forward

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

I got the margin... Kicked arse with the TAB!
But blew it all on piss @ the Lighthouse Hotel after the game down Port!

GO YOU F'N DONS!!!!!!

[SCD]

Crows system was terrible, but give some credit to Essendon also, the pressure they put on to make the crows almost have as many handballs an kicks was outstanding... they have really added some leg speed and desperation to their play.. will surprise a few clubs this year.

I think as a Crows supporter it's silly to think with the players out that the Crows will beat either the Bulldogs or the Power, but after that - they should get Kenny and Roo back, not to mention Porplyzia and then there is Gill and Maric and when they come back with another month of footy for these kids, you will see improvement..

What stood out for me today was
Scott Stevens - not up to AFL level, had 9 goals kicked on him in the prelim last year by 4 different opponents - today just got towled in every contest.
Ian Perrie - your hands are for marking, not playing with yourself
Scott Welsh - not quick enough to be a key forward, but he's all we have!!
Mike Doughty - has outplayed himself the past 2 seasons.. was very flat today
Marty Matner - needs to use his kicking ability more then handballing all the time.

There were some big positives though
Ben Hutson - got better as the game went on
John Griffin - really though the kid played super
Richie Douglas - what a star, Glenelg will miss him this year
Chris Knights - keeps progressing.. needs to back his judgement a bit more..
Nathan Bock - got better as more delivery came down, worked hard and presented...

Might be a long month - 6 weeks for the crows, but it will be good for them over the coming rounds / seasons as these kids keep coming on and progressing...

[NFC]

Richie Douglas - what a star, Glenelg will miss him this year

He was terrible IMO.

I also went down and was extremely disappointed with the Crows. No forwards, no speed through the midfield, and Stevens gets cut up when he's on a physical player. Could be a long year.

[dash61]

From what I saw at Docklands today, the Bulldogs will easily account for Adelaide. Genuine top 4 side and definite flag smokey. Their depth is fantastic - last year's fast finishing side has been topped up with Akermanis and Darcy and Ryan Griffen is improving exponentially. Well coached, to boot.

Kaboooooooooooooooooom

From what I saw of both games yesterday W/Bulldogs will wipe the floor with the Crows

[sydney-dog]

scaffidi can't drive

Scott Stevens - the issue here, Scott is not a key position player, if he had the opportunity to play as a HB / Wing or Back Pocket, he may be ok, but unfortunately with Kenny out he has to play at CHB and he does not have the body to go with Lucas, Pav and Brown.
The same could be said about Scott Welsh, Scott does not have the size to play a key position forward role, he needs to play as the third of fourth forward, this would allow him to use his quick lead to his advantage, Scott also rely's on clean quick ball movement, yesterday we bomb the ball to Scotty and he had no chance against Fletcher
The Jury is still out on these two blokes, I would like to see them in roles that suit their strengths, rather then filling gaps that expose there limitations

Ian Perrie - in my view, this bloke has 3 weeks to perform, or the crows should start planning for the long term, look at the difference between Perrie and Lucas, Lucas is one Grab and nails goals from outside 50, Perrie's hands are aweful his kicking is worse, yes he has struggled with injuries but he has been in the system for long enough, time to deliver

Mike Doughty - I am not convinced Doughty is a midfielder, maybe it's time to settle him across HB and release Johncock to the Midfield or across HF
Marty Matner - VERY SIMPLE, needs to learn to give the first option.
Richie Douglas - agree, star in the making, but was par yesterday
Chris Knights - is a ball magnet, needs to improve decision making and foot skills
Nathan Bock - looks fantastic on a lead but needs to work on his finishing, he will get 4 or 5 opportunities at goal per game, but needs to improve his efficiency
John Griffin - I would like to see him move up forward, he strengths are as a forward, maybe it's time the club invest in Griffen as a Forward.

For me, the big disappointment yesterday was the Crows came out with the same structure that has failed in the past two years, all pre-season we heard that Johncock and Macca will play up the ground and Jonas has eye balled some new players for HB.

I understand the club has limited options due to injury, but maybe it is time for Doughty, Hinge, McIntyre, Jericho, Proplyzia or Pfeiffer, to be given an opportunity across HB, this would free Macca and Stiffy up the ground were their creativity and finishing could really hurt some sides

Up forward, throw Griffen up forward, bring Tippet in to Suport Hudson and put Macca and Vince across HF wear there crumbing and finishing will hurt sides

Craigy and staff need to start showing more courage, it's time for a new team structure to move the club forward

[JK]

Took my Essendon supporting nephew to AAMI yesterday and parked my ass in a seat there for the first time in about 15 years (didn't miss those Aluminium things thats for sure).

Onfield all the issues I thought the Crows would face came to light ... Only round 1 I know, but their skill level was appalling most likely as a result of a gameplan conducive to placing the ball carrier under greater pressure - lacked pace and clean hands in the clinches.

I think Craigy has some serious work to do, to get the Crows up and running but to also show that he has more than just a Plan A ... Thought he was seriously outcoached yesterday and often places too much faith in his own players to the detriment of the team at times.

James Hird - Why doesn't anyone ever try to tag him, you know he will lead you to the ball everytime - the man is a genius and the best reader of the play I've seen in my time.

Now onto the big issue ... The crowd!!

Be f**ked if I'll bother sitting out there watching again, fair dinkum I've never heard so much bitching and moaning in all my life ... I was always of the opinion that fans are supposed to HELP their team? Granted Perrie made some poor errors (no orphan BTW), but forget about the pressure the opposition was putting on him in the 2nd half, it would have paled into insignificance by comparison to that which the crowd applied ... Supporters my ass!!

Then when late in the 3rd and 4th quarters Essendon chipped the ball around, all Crows fans wanted to do was blame the style they were playing ... HELLO, it's a luxury they were afforded by actually being in front (on scoreboard) ... Perhaps manning up might be an idea?

I've heard the comments for years directed toward Crows supporters, but usually dismissed them as "Oh well everyone has a few" but lol bugger me they have squillions of them ... Some of them I think have jumped on the corporate machine and actually have very little knowledge of the game, despite what they think, and would be best served getting back to some grassroots whether that be SANFL or Amateur League or Country or whatever it is to help stop them sounding like dickheads!!

Ok, apologies for the rant, I feel better now

Oh BTW, well done to Essendon, played footy as it should be imho and they were much more enjoyable to watch in action than the Crows.

[Interceptor]

Previous posts have summed up the situation up pretty well.
The Crows are in for a real struggle this year or for the first 1/3 of the season at least.

I've commented on Perrie before, but basically the guy should've been cut loose at least a year ago.
The sooner we can get Gill on the ground, the better -he should hold some marks at least.

Mattner -looks great on the run, but it seems he is more and more prone to getting confused, falling over and getting pinged.

Too many half-hearted efforts yesterday and although we had plenty of the ball it was often wasted.

It's great to have run from the backlines, but what's happening for the Crows is that too few players are willing to take the responsibility to take a kick forward!
You end up with overuse of the ball -a string of handballs, a mistake occurs and there's a turnover.

[JK]

Previous posts have summed up the situation up pretty well.
The Crows are in for a real struggle this year or for the first 1/3 of the season at least.

I've commented on Perrie before, but basically the guy should've been cut loose at least a year ago.
The sooner we can get Gill on the ground, the better -he should hold some marks at least.

Mattner -looks great on the run, but it seems he is more and more prone to getting confused, falling over and getting pinged.

Too many half-hearted efforts yesterday and although we had plenty of the ball it was often wasted.

It's great to have run from the backlines, but what's happening for the Crows is that too few players are willing to take the responsibility to take a kick forward!
You end up with overuse of the ball -a string of handballs, a mistake occurs and there's a turnover.

I think the fact that the Crows play so many players behind the ball doesn't help Mattner, who unfortunately doesn't appear at times to be a quick enough thinker when he looks up and sees 3 of his teammates and 6 opponents ahead of him.

That said, the lack of movement amongst the forward at times yesterday was incredibly bad and doesn't offer any assistance to the ball carrier.