Dubai match squads - for those who just can't wait for footy

[stan]

NOw bearing in mind it was the first round of the NAB cup, I thought yeah the crows looked alright. But keep in mind collingwood were average at best. Very flat and mostly a young side. Still good effort by the crows.

Up forward I like the way sellar gave them something to kick at. With Gill and Sellar both up there you would say there is a bit of forward power there. Not sure about Ken Mac, but it might work down there if he is the 2nd or 3rd forward. Sellar's was alright but Im mindful that he is a bit raw at the moment. Still good signs.

Down back well how many people have said on here Bock should be at CHB? Anyway the crows looked alot better with him there. Still Along way to go but I think the crows have something to work with there.

[CUTTERMAN]

I had friends over so didn't watch the game too closely, was Porplyzia played down back or just on the ball, he played a good game. Sellar provided a good leading option, Tippett seems to have bulked up and looks a talent, I thought Moran provided a bit also and I'm surprised at how tall Symes is.
I heard NC say in an interview after the game that he played the young guys in the middle for most of the game and that he was very happy with their performances. I thought the game plan had been shaken up from previous years, more free flowing and direct. Early days but the young guys showed a bit of promise.

[Country Cock]

Well done Fruit tingles, at least we now you can play well and have some good young players comming through for a change!

[Psyber]

Early days & round 1 NAB Cup is meaningless in the context of the season but, still, what great signs

I thought Sellar was 5 years away from being able to play AFL?

Sellar, Symes, Tippett, Mackay, Vince, Maric, Campbell, Douglas & Moran all showed something .... none of them have played much for us before.
Apart from all that, the style of footy was great
Well done lads

I was impressed with these guys. The problem is they havent been given the chance to play before last night.

From what I saw last night, and last year, on TV, some these guys have worked hard in the off season and clearly are fitter and more determined than they appeared to be last year. Perhaps it is the combination of an opportunity arising as other players age and being reminded to get serious if they want to grab their chance while it is there.

Of course it was just one match this year so we need to se how they go over time...

[Rik E Boy]

Well done to the Crows last night. They played direct football and Goodwin looked the goods up front. One reason I can't stand the Crows is because of the style of game they have employed over the last few seasons so I'd be more than happy if they can replicate that sort of running game during the regular season.

Just don't go on and win the thing.

regards,

REB

[Andy #24]

Early days & round 1 NAB Cup is meaningless in the context of the season but, still, what great signs

I thought Sellar was 5 years away from being able to play AFL?

Sellar, Symes, Tippett, Mackay, Vince, Maric, Campbell, Douglas & Moran all showed something .... none of them have played much for us before.
Apart from all that, the style of footy was great
Well done lads

I was impressed with these guys. The problem is they havent been given the chance to play before last night.

From what I saw last night, and last year, on TV, some these guys have worked hard in the off season and clearly are fitter and more determined than they appeared to be last year. Perhaps it is the combination of an oppurtunity arising as other players age and being reminded to get serious if they want to grab their chance while it is there.

Of course it was just one match this year so we need to se how they go over time...

I think you are right on the money there Psyber. Their confidence will be sky high knowing that they will get a shot to play and be relied upon to perform. Neil Craig is doing the right thing by showing his faith in them.

[Dogwatcher]

I liked Porplyzia in the midfield. His crumbing off packs is very good.
Will Sellar be a February wonder? He took some good grabs.

Not much to say about Collingwood. They looked frazzled.

[RoosterMarty]

Very good signs by the younger brigade last night, also the style of play was very easy on the eye. Hopefully they can continue to play that way this year!

Apparently Collingwood had gastro run through them over the past week or so, the Mail also mentioned that they have been away from home for a long time which also had an effect. Poor kids, they were away for 3 whole weeks!!!

[sydney-dog]

the crows obviously got collingwood at the right time, however the most pleasing thing was the style of play, it was back to the style of footy we played in 2005 and early 2006

plenty of questions have been asked of our rucks and scoring capability

In ruck, I am very comfortable with the fact that we are heading into 2008 with 4 exciting prospects, Maric, Griffen, Tippett and Moran all offer something different, Tippett and Moran provide extra flexibility as they can also play KP up forward and down back respectively

midfield, Thompson, VB, Knights, Ptoplyzia and Radar are now ready to be the main stays of the midfield, with support from Douglas, Vince, Symes and maybe McKay, this will enable the club to play Goddy and Macca up forward as small forwards, this experience up forward will assist the development of Sellar and Tippett as key forwards

defence, Bock at CHB will strengthen an already establish defence, the run from Bock, Rutten, Stevens and Sriffy eas fantastic, Dogga also looked comfortable across HB, add Bassett in to this mix and the defence looks tough to crack

the crows improvement was always going to come from within the young group, the club showed some good signs today, the speed and flexibility of the team has improved, the mix between youth and experience is a better balance, the skill level was the best I have witnessed for some time, our delivery moving forward was excellent for a first hit out

the club has embarked on a new journey, they have taken the tight direction

[stan]

the crows obviously got collingwood at the right time, however the most pleasing thing was the style of play, it was back to the style of footy we played in 2005 and early 2006

plenty of questions have been asked of our rucks and scoring capability

In ruck, I am very comfortable with the fact that we are heading into 2008 with 4 exciting prospects, Maric, Griffen, Tippett and Moran all offer something different, Tippett and Moran provide extra flexibility as they can also play KP up forward and down back respectively

midfield, Thompson, VB, Knights, Ptoplyzia and Radar are now ready to be the main stays of the midfield, with support from Douglas, Vince, Symes and maybe McKay, this will enable the club to play Goddy and Macca up forward as small forwards, this experience up forward will assist the development of Sellar and Tippett as key forwards

defence, Bock at CHB will strengthen an already establish defence, the run from Bock, Rutten, Stevens and Sriffy eas fantastic, Dogga also looked comfortable across HB, add Bassett in to this mix and the defence looks tough to crack

the crows improvement was always going to come from within the young group, the club showed some good signs today, the speed and flexibility of the team has improved, the mix between youth and experience is a better balance, the skill level was the best I have witnessed for some time, our delivery moving forward was excellent for a first hit out

the club has embarked on a new journey, they have taken the tight direction

Agree with you there. Bock at CHB makes the team look much better.

[Dogwatcher]

the club has embarked on a new journey, they have taken the tight direction

Tight direction?

Actually, that's kind of perfect for last night. They kept it tight and ran straight through the middle. I wouldn't get too excited though Crows supporters - wait until the boys make it through to later rounds of the pre-season tourney before making any predictions about the development of this side.

And yes, I know Collingwood was rubbish. Their loss has nothing to do with my comments. It's more the nature of the pre-season series that provokes my thoughts.

[the joker]

the crows obviously got collingwood at the right time, however the most pleasing thing was the style of play, it was back to the style of footy we played in 2005 and early 2006

plenty of questions have been asked of our rucks and scoring capability

In ruck, I am very comfortable with the fact that we are heading into 2008 with 4 exciting prospects, Maric, Griffen, Tippett and Moran all offer something different, Tippett and Moran provide extra flexibility as they can also play KP up forward and down back respectively

midfield, Thompson, VB, Knights, Ptoplyzia and Radar are now ready to be the main stays of the midfield, with support from Douglas, Vince, Symes and maybe McKay, this will enable the club to play Goddy and Macca up forward as small forwards, this experience up forward will assist the development of Sellar and Tippett as key forwards

defence, Bock at CHB will strengthen an already establish defence, the run from Bock, Rutten, Stevens and Sriffy eas fantastic, Dogga also looked comfortable across HB, add Bassett in to this mix and the defence looks tough to crack

the crows improvement was always going to come from within the young group, the club showed some good signs today, the speed and flexibility of the team has improved, the mix between youth and experience is a better balance, the skill level was the best I have witnessed for some time, our delivery moving forward was excellent for a first hit out

the club has embarked on a new journey, they have taken the tight direction

Agree with you there. Bock at CHB makes the team look much better.

N Bock all australian chb if he stays there he is a chance....

[Booney]

Bruce McAvaney in the last term quiped along the lines of..."On this form,Adelaide would be one of the early favourites for the NAB Cup...",really Bruce?

From what I gather,no one else has played a game?

(Footnote-This is not a dig @ Adelaide,but Bruce.Adelaides run surprised me last night)

[Dogwatcher]

Agree with you there. Bock at CHB makes the team look much better.

N Bock all australian chb if he stays there he is a chance....[/quote]

He read the ball very well.

And Booney, I agree with you in regards to Adelaide's run.

[sydney-dog]

Malthouse comments after the game

"Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said the Magpies simply came up against a side that was extraordinarily fit and well-drilled for such an early stage of the year.

"They're a super-fit side, they train at a level that is quite extraordinary through January, February and perhaps even before Christmas and the precision of their foot and handpassing exposed probably our lack of intensity in the first game," Malthouse said.

"They were able to cut through us pretty quickly, but I think the most important thing that comes out of this game is playing Adelaide you've probably played the fittest and most correct side in the competition.

[stan]

the crows obviously got collingwood at the right time, however the most pleasing thing was the style of play, it was back to the style of footy we played in 2005 and early 2006

plenty of questions have been asked of our rucks and scoring capability

In ruck, I am very comfortable with the fact that we are heading into 2008 with 4 exciting prospects, Maric, Griffen, Tippett and Moran all offer something different, Tippett and Moran provide extra flexibility as they can also play KP up forward and down back respectively

midfield, Thompson, VB, Knights, Ptoplyzia and Radar are now ready to be the main stays of the midfield, with support from Douglas, Vince, Symes and maybe McKay, this will enable the club to play Goddy and Macca up forward as small forwards, this experience up forward will assist the development of Sellar and Tippett as key forwards

defence, Bock at CHB will strengthen an already establish defence, the run from Bock, Rutten, Stevens and Sriffy eas fantastic, Dogga also looked comfortable across HB, add Bassett in to this mix and the defence looks tough to crack

the crows improvement was always going to come from within the young group, the club showed some good signs today, the speed and flexibility of the team has improved, the mix between youth and experience is a better balance, the skill level was the best I have witnessed for some time, our delivery moving forward was excellent for a first hit out

the club has embarked on a new journey, they have taken the tight direction

Agree with you there. Bock at CHB makes the team look much better.

N Bock all australian chb if he stays there he is a chance....

Too be honest at times I question Bocks ability when hes up forward. But down back hes a totally different player!

[LaughingKookaburra]

The pleasing things to come out of the match for me
-The speed and fitness of the Crows was good
-They played an extremely clean brand of footy and skills were sensational for ANY time of the year let alone February.
-Porplyzia was outstanding and could be in for a great year if he stays fit, moves like a Rolls Royce
-Tippett looked good and now I beleive the hype about him when he was initially traded in 2006.
-Sellar was strong leading,when was the last time the crows had a pack busting forward?? He could become that if he develops.

The dissapointing things
-David Schwartze is the worst commentator since Tim Watson,calling Kurt Tippett a "mini Shaun Rehn" after his first game. Gets too carried away while 'brainiac' Watson makes the most blatantly obvious comments of any commentator.If anybody wants vintage Tim Watson watch the last quater of the Crows v Western Bulldogs prelim in 97.Sounded like he was copping a hummer whilst commentating.

I can now see why early 2006 sellar was touted as the potential number 1 draft pick before his knee s*** itself. The part I liked the most was the Crows looked really ENTHUSIASTIC and didnt resemble their brand of footy last year.
If they can make the 8 i'd be a very happy man.
Also now we have pissed off alot of injury prone players over the past couple of years and replaced them with young, talented players maybe we can now get a more balanced line up week to week.

[GWW]

Tippett was drafted not traded

[LaughingKookaburra]

i stand corrected,its late ok

[the wonder elephant]

Very good signs by the younger brigade last night, also the style of play was very easy on the eye. Hopefully they can continue to play that way this year!

Apparently Collingwood had gastro run through them over the past week or so, the Mail also mentioned that they have been away from home for a long time which also had an effect. Poor kids, they were away for 3 whole weeks!!!

thats the longest time collingwood have been away from melbourne ever marty
on last nights game there were some great signs for the crows eg.porps,tippet,sellar all showing plenty of positive signs BUT its still feb and you dont win flags at this time of the year ..still lots of work to do for the young crows but i do like the look of the way we are heading .. please forgive me for saying this fellow crows fans but this is the way the power have gone and besides the grand final this is the way to go are we learning of them
oh sorry just remembered who we pinched of them a couple of years ago ALLAN STEWART who would have to have nearly the best eye for young talent going around