Crows v Swans

[mypaddock]

hondo, dutchy is just jealous because the kangaroos wont make the finals for at least another five years! along with richmond they make for terrible football viewing...

Why is that?

despite the fact they rarely win games... well richmond has been the most dissapointing club over the past 15yrs. and these "star recruits" in tambling and deledio are useless. krakouer plays 1 good game a season and somehow retains his spot. they've all got pace but that's about it. and poor old daniel wells looks dissillusioned- having to play around chumps like drew petrie, leigh brown, lee harding just to name a few. he needs to move clubs and quickly if he wants his career to progress. i honestly can't see either of these two sides playing finals within the next 5 yrs. sorry dutchy- u guys had a good run in the pagan era but since the departure of carey its been all downhill.

[Hondo]

Alright lets talk some facts about this season -

Crows are averaging 83 points per game (AFL Average 89.7) and are ranked 11th in scoring (teams above them include Roos and Richmond )
Crows have had 92 Scoring Shots which ranks them 15th with only Melbourne below them
Crows have the 4th best defence conceding 284 points with Brisbane, Sydney and WCE above them
Crows are ranked 13th in Inside 50's this year
Conversely they are ranked 3rd best in Inside 50's conceded

What does this say? They are a very defensive side but also very efficient....attacking? No...

What we do know is the Crows have an excellent defence and midfield but their attack is poor ATM, the stats above prove this...this weeks game will be very very interesting as Freo are complete opposites with many of the above stats...

.... and they are 3rd on the ladder with the 3rd best %.

Come back to us at the end of the season, until then stop drawing massive conclusions from the first 4 rounds. As you often point out to other people, it's only round 4. If those stats hold then, yes your view has some merit. But until then, don't ignore the 2006 stats when making big statements.

[scoob]

I think its is fair to say that lot of the crows scoring chances are a result of a defensive "flooding" tactic, where they flood the midfield and create pressure on the opposition, very rarely do they play a one on one style game. Whether thats a good thing or bad thing is up to the individual, but i personally dont like to watch it. Whereas the West Coast vs Sydney games are played more on a one on one basis and are often great games to watch.

[Dutchy]

only statement Ive said is they are a defensive side, no one can argue otherwise....

[scoob]

only statement Ive said is they are a defensive side, no one can argue otherwise....

I agree with dutchy, they are a defensive side and one of if not the best defensive side... but nowhere near being an entertaining side. IMHO. But they get the results and thats all that matters i suppose.

[Dutchy]

hondo, dutchy is just jealous because the kangaroos wont make the finals for at least another five years! along with richmond they make for terrible football viewing...

Why is that?

despite the fact they rarely win games... well richmond has been the most dissapointing club over the past 15yrs. and these "star recruits" in tambling and deledio are useless. krakouer plays 1 good game a season and somehow retains his spot. they've all got pace but that's about it. and poor old daniel wells looks dissillusioned- having to play around chumps like drew petrie, leigh brown, lee harding just to name a few. he needs to move clubs and quickly if he wants his career to progress. i honestly can't see either of these two sides playing finals within the next 5 yrs. sorry dutchy- u guys had a good run in the pagan era but since the departure of carey its been all downhill.

Get your facts right firstly....I dont giving a flying duck about Richmond....Daniel Wells disalluisioned? FFS he was BOG on Saturday night and got rave reviews from the press as the match winner Petrie has turned into one of the best CHB's going around...Leigh Brown I agree with and Leigh Harding is out for the year with a knee reco!!! youve just embarressed yourself there...have another try

why do these discussions always come back to having a go at my team?

[Hondo]

why do these discussions always come back to having a go at my team?

You'll notice I resisted despite severe temptation I haven't seen enough of the Kangaroos this season to make any sort of sensible comment. And I know you keep your detailed stats so I am actually careful when I go head to head with you. Go Crows!

[McAlmanac]

McGregor...fully fit and ready to go wasnt in the Crows best 22 late last year including finals.

Bode...Wasnt picked in the best 22 v Essendon Round 1

Regulars? I think not...

McGregor has played 19, 24 and 19 games in each of the last three seasons.

Bode, as has been pointed out, played 23 of 24 last year and was 6th in the B&F.

It's irregular when they don't play, which by definition makes them.... regulars!

[Dutchy]

McGregor...fully fit and ready to go wasnt in the Crows best 22 late last year including finals.

Bode...Wasnt picked in the best 22 v Essendon Round 1

Regulars? I think not...

McGregor has played 19, 24 and 19 games in each of the last three seasons.

Bode, as has been pointed out, played 23 of 24 last year and was 6th in the B&F.

It's irregular when they don't play, which by definition makes them.... regulars!

read the post, at times during the Crows last 6-7 games they havent been int he Crows best 22...right or wrong?

[sydney-dog]

Dutchy

Firstly, the Crows was the highest scoring side in season 2005 and second highest scoring side in 2006, I feel some of your comments are based on perception, just because the crows have a strong defensive action does not make a defensive style team.

In regards to Bode and McGregor, Bode had a great season last year and was clearly in our best 22, but moving forward I am not convinced just yet Bode is in the best 22 for season 2007.

In regards to Kenny McGregor, when fit and in form, Kenny is clearly in the crows best 22, my view, the absence of Kenny in the 2006 finals was one of the reasons the crows failed in the Prelim, we lacked flexibility, I think the club has learnt from this selection error.

If we look at the crows current structure, we still lack a strong bodied CHB, this was highlighted in the loss to the bombers, Lucas just through Stevens around like a rag doll.

Given that Stevens is suited to playing as a third tall either up forward or in defence, and Bassett plays more as a HB these days, the crows still have a massive void at CHB and will be exposed against sides with two Powerful forwards, Kenny is critical and would be the clubs first choice CHB

Not to mention the versatility / flexibility he will bring to the side, Bassett and Stevens will not have to play that key position role and Kenny could be thrusted forward when required

Don't underestimate his value, he is critical to the crows chances in 2007

[sydney-dog]

Dutchy

The issue that I have with the stats you have put up is we are only four rounds in to the season, so

1. is this a strong enough base line
2. are we comparing apples to apples

lets be honest, the crows have played four pretty good sides, so it's not that unexpected we are not in the top scoring sides at the moment, this will come, we have Carlton and the Tigers around the corner, lets wait and read these stats once every club has played each other, only then a true picture will start to develop

given the above, the only strong enough baseline we can currently go by is the past two seasons, in these seasons the crows ranked 1 in 2005 and 2 in 2006 for points for

[Wedgie]

Must admit I hate watching most Crows games and Im definately not biased in saying that as I think Geelong are even worse to watch and Im a Cats man.
Also hate watching Sydney and Richmond, mind you there's not many AFL games I do enjoy watching, always enjoy the way the Bulldogs play though.

[Dutchy]

Dutchy

The issue that I have with the stats you have put up is we are only four rounds in to the season, so

1. is this a strong enough base line
2. are we comparing apples to apples

lets be honest, the crows have played four pretty good sides, so it's not that unexpected we are not in the top scoring sides at the moment, this will come, we have Carlton and the Tigers around the corner, lets wait and read these stats once every club has played each other, only then a true picture will start to develop

given the above, the only strong enough baseline we can currently go by is the past two seasons, in these seasons the crows ranked 1 in 2005 and 2 in 2006 for points for

agree, but thats all I can on so far this season, might post some of the stats Ive been keeping after this round, first time ive done it before and its quite interesting and really helped my tipping so far

on another note Im watching the Roos game atm for the 1st time...we actually played well!!...this is going to be the breakout season for Wells and McIntosh will be the best ruckman in the league in 12 months time...there you go!!!!

[sydney-dog]

Dutchy

Mate, I am really hoping and looking forward to seeing Wells move to that elite company of footballers, if he does which we all expect that he will, it can only be good for the Kanga's and the game

The Kanga's are on the right track with their list, they are playing with plenty of spirit

Mate, how is Laidley positioned with his contract, final year?, if so what do you think he needs to achieve with this team to get an extension of contract

[Dutchy]

Laidleys last year, 5 years now, I think he is gone unless they can make the finals and the kids really come on, which will be extremly tough with the draw we have. While Ill support him while he is there Im not a fan...might be a good time to get some of the old blokes from the 90's back to the club, i.e. Longmire, German, David King, Duck etc

Seems to be great spirit in the camp though, Brown just kicked a goal and 15 blokes came and pat him on the back...Thomas and Campbell are really exciting also

[GWW]

Dutchy, do you think Longmire would be hot favourite to be appointed next coach of the Kangas?

[Dutchy]

Dutchy, do you think Longmire would be hot favourite to be appointed next coach of the Kangas?

Dunno, hard to tell...would like them to throw it open to all comers though to make sure we get the best person, if thats Horse then Ill support it...Surely Mark Harvey would have to have a crack at some stage

[sydney-dog]

Dutchy

I agree you need to get some of the past players back to the club, but ultimately this is not the responsibility of he coach, it is the responsibility of the club

If they don't go with Laidley, they must get the best coach available, regarldless of their history with North Melbourne

Personally I am not convinced on Longmires Senior Coach capability, from all reports his presentation to the Saints was very poor and not well prepared

You can not afford to have a senior coach that is not well prepared, hopefully he learnt some lessons from the experience

If Horse got the gig, the Kanga's may mirror Sydney's style of play, I am not sure that you would enyoy that my friend