If.............................

[No 1 Draft Pick]

M Stevens plays 22 minor round games

AND Hart plays 22 minor round games

AND our other top liners consistently play to their ability in 22 minor round games (Ricuitto, Mc Leod, Edwards)

AND our real quality but injury prone players like Welsh, Goodwin (and possibly Burton) play 22 minor round games

AND some of our quality but inconsistent players like Ladhams, Bode and Biglands play well all year

AND our young quality developing players move up another level (Johncock, Mc Gregor, Thompson, Reilly, Hentschel, Rutten and friends)


Could the Crows be a top 4-5 chance? Or would we still only be 6-8 in a best case scenario?

IMHO, IF all the above happens we could be 5 or 6 next year. We still couldnt compete with the biggest guns (Power, Lions, Saints and possible Cats/Eagles) but would be immediately below them on the ladder.

What I am asking is if all goes as well as possible whats our best case finish?

A few IFs though :(

[Mad Dog]

I think best case is 7th with our favourable draw.

you pretty much deduced the answer my saying that The smears, Brions, Cats, Weegles, saints, and I think Sydney - are all in front of us.

We will be competing with Freo, Melbourne, North, Essendon for the 7th and 8th spots.

[Markthirtytwo]

Only.

Very optimystic IMHO but if correct this little black duck would be very happy.

Best 8-9 and worst 12.

[LBJ23]

I think it's a possibility, if everyone's healthy we can give it a big crack, i'm remaining very positive for next year.

[No 1 Draft Pick]

I think it's a possibility, if everyone's healthy we can give it a big crack, i'm remaining very positive for next year.

Whats possible in your view LBJ? Top 4-5 or top 6-8 ?

[Port01]

anything is possible
if the camries can play well at home they are a good chance of making the 8
if they can string together a few away wins that puts them top 6

[noddy]

M Stevens plays 22 minor round games

AND Hart plays 22 minor round games

AND our other top liners consistently play to their ability in 22 minor round games (Ricuitto, Mc Leod, Edwards)

AND our real quality but injury prone players like Welsh, Goodwin (and possibly Burton) play 22 minor round games

AND some of our quality but inconsistent players like Ladhams, Bode and Biglands play well all year

AND our young quality developing players move up another level (Johncock, Mc Gregor, Thompson, Reilly, Hentschel, Rutten and friends)


Could the Crows be a top 4-5 chance? Or would we still only be 6-8 in a best case scenario?

IMHO, IF all the above happens we could be 5 or 6 next year. We still couldnt compete with the biggest guns (Power, Lions, Saints and possible Cats/Eagles) but would be immediately below them on the ladder.

What I am asking is if all goes as well as possible whats our best case finish?

A few IFs though :(

"If" the above became a reality then a position in the top 4 is a real possibility.

However if Stevo & Benny only manage half a season & our 2nd tier group don't all rise to the occasion then even making the 8 would seem out of reach.

[AdelaideFan]

Perhaps wishful thinking but I think we are a genuine chance to make the eight. I am looking forward to a trip to melb at the end of the year. In saying this I think the worst years are ahead of us though.

[macca23]

I've got a $100 bet with tredders16, with my money saying that we will make the 8.

In my synopsis in the thread "Adelaide 2005", I forecast a result of 7 to 10, based on normal luck in running and no major injuries to key players for prolonged periods. A 50-50 call as to whether we make the 8 or not.

But in the very very unlikely event that all the Christmas goodies came at once as No 1 Draft Pick specified, then we would surely have to move up to the 4 to 6 bracket, wouldn't we?

That won't happen though - Father Christmas is never that kind!! ;)

[PAfolwr]

I never look at teams in terms of players, but rather in terms of positional blocks.
If Stevo is fit for the whole year AND Hentschell develops more, plus Burton has a good year in the forward line, you have potentially a very good forward line.
If your main midfielders have a good year and the next tier plays well, you have a V-good to great midfield.
If Hart plays well and McGregor has a good year, then you will have a solid-ish back line.
Your ruck division is not as good IMO as you lot rate them, but still good to V-good.

So overall, if all goes well, top four is not out of the question, but will also depend on how Craig coaches. That is unknown at this stage.

However, the flip side is that if all goes well and all your older players play well, plus the second tier players play all your games, then you will stifle the development of your "third" tier players.

IMO you have good "first" tier players, potentially good "third" tier players and not so good ageing "second" tier players, by having everything going well you will be sort of going for a premiership (again) in a year where you most likely will not have a chance of getting one, and potentially cause long term damage (again). If that makes sense.

This year you lot should really try and speed up the development of your third tier players while they still have top shelf players to learn from. Forget all about ladder position, as long as it isn't an embarrassing one.

[No 1 Draft Pick]

I've got a $100 bet with tredders16, with my money saying that we will make the 8.



An Investment banker would be telling Tredders16 to arbitrage and put $90 on the Crows at $2.40 with Centrebet. Either way, he cant lose


That won't happen though - Father Christmas is never that kind!!

Bad Santa ;)

[No 1 Draft Pick]

[QUOTE=PAfolwr]This year you lot should really try and speed up the development of your third tier players while they still have top shelf players to learn from. QUOTE]

Some good points in this post. It comes down to our priorities for this year. Im sure they will go full tilt at the 8 - if this becomes realistically out of reach mid-late season then time to fully blood the youngsters and make some hard decisions come seasons end

[crowsarethebest]

I think we are going to be around the 7-12 mark. If wvery thing fires we will be around the 5th position mark but thers "ifs" so i wouldn't back us in the 8 just yet ;)

[macca23]

An Investment banker would be telling Tredders16 to arbitrage and put $90 on the Crows at $2.40 with Centrebet. Either way, he cant lose


That won't happen though - Father Christmas is never that kind!!

Bad Santa ;)

I was only telling tredders16 this morning that he got a damn good deal, considering I could have got $2 40 with Centrebet.

He won't lay it off - he's too greedy!! :D

[LBJ23]

No 1 draft pick Whats possible in your view LBJ? Top 4-5 or top 6-8 ? I think we could be in the top six, think we are highly underated by others in the competition, which will come in handy early on in the season, maybe top four is a little bit to over zealous, but stranger things have happened, think craigy is gonna be a very good coach, long term for us.

[Stiffy_18]

M Stevens plays 22 minor round games

AND Hart plays 22 minor round games

AND our other top liners consistently play to their ability in 22 minor round games (Ricuitto, Mc Leod, Edwards)

AND our real quality but injury prone players like Welsh, Goodwin (and possibly Burton) play 22 minor round games

AND some of our quality but inconsistent players like Ladhams, Bode and Biglands play well all year

AND our young quality developing players move up another level (Johncock, Mc Gregor, Thompson, Reilly, Hentschel, Rutten and friends)


Could the Crows be a top 4-5 chance? Or would we still only be 6-8 in a best case scenario?

IMHO, IF all the above happens we could be 5 or 6 next year. We still couldnt compete with the biggest guns (Power, Lions, Saints and possible Cats/Eagles) but would be immediately below them on the ladder.

What I am asking is if all goes as well as possible whats our best case finish?

A few IFs though :(
IF (and its a monsterous if) everything you said happens then we can be a top 4 side (subject to Craig coaching well)

In this competition the difference between a top 4 side and a bottom 4 side is only a couple of good players. If Stevens and Hart played all games this year I reckon we wouldn't have had as bad a year as we did.

The competition is pretty much even and the clubs can make a dramatic improvements or falls from year to year. Last year Melbourne were a lottery team, this year they were top 4 for most of the year. If all those scenarios you mentioned turn out to be true then we could very easily make the top 4. Anyone remember 2002??????

But as macca23 said, Santa is never that kind ;) I expect us to either be a revelation next year or to just miss out on the finals.

[Bockchoy67]

I never like to be too optimistic during the pre-season.

However I do expect us to improve marginally. If everything goes right there is a chance for a top 8 spot, but knowing the AFC we won't get that much luck.

Right now I believe we will finish around 9-11 on the ladder.

I do not expect us to make the finals. If we do, that'll be a bonus. All I want right now is for our second-tier players to stand up and our young players to show consistent positive signs.

[NikkiNoo]

I agree that those other teams are ahead of us, but the afl these days is still fairly close amongst the teams. IF we do make the 8, we proved it in 97 and 98 that a desire to win and a little bit of luck from the footy gods can go a long way :D

[maccas_no1]

I think being realistic 7-10 all going well, a disaster of 2005 could see us slip 13-16 :( Key players on the park week in week out a key, consistancy in front of goal, and a good game plan are what is needed ;)

[outback jack]

think that some of you need to get in touch with reality, really,


These teams are all miles in front:
port
bris
saints
wcoast
freo
geelong


and for
melbourne good young players coming through
essendon sheedy never fails
collingwood good draw
sydney should be better than us, actualy have a good coach


only teams that we have a chance with are

kangaroos
wbulldogs
richmond
hawthorn
carlton

and these teams have the best young talent especially the bulldogs

its unlikely to happen but we're a chance to finish last if none of the second graders step up

[- PC -]

I think pafolwr summed it nicely when talking 'blocks'' and I dont see our best blocks been any better than 7th based on NO1D scenario.

Port have Tredrea, Lions have Brown..well for the second third on anyway, Saints have Yahvoldt and Gehrig, Cats have Ottens (potentially but I dont rate him) ,Melbourne have Neitz

But I will say a running game can overcome those shortcomings, and I would rather have carriers than a beacon a team aims for. I always believe if you shut those guys down others have to step up.


OH and is outback jack someone we know or am I really too positive for my own good?

[RooDog]

I think pafolwr summed it nicely when talking 'blocks'' and I dont see our best blocks been any better than 7th based on NO1D scenario.

Port have Tredrea, Lions have Brown..well for the second third on anyway, Saints have Yahvoldt and Gehrig, Cats have Ottens (potentially but I dont rate him) ,Melbourne have Schwartz .

But I will say a running game can overcome those shortcomings, and I would rather have carriers than a beacon a team aims for. I always believe if you shut those guys down others have to step up.


OH and is outback jack someone we know or am I really too positive for my own good?

i hope you mean Neitz:p, god i think with his knees the way they are you and i could play better than schwarta.

ps. knew who you meant just wanted to be a smart ar#e

[tinman]

An Investment banker would be telling Tredders16 to arbitrage and put $90 on the Crows at $2.40 with Centrebet. Either way, he cant lose


That won't happen though - Father Christmas is never that kind!!

Bad Santa ;)

A $60 bet would be a better e/w. $40 in front if the Crows don't make it but $44 if they do.

I reckon if everything goes our way as posted by No1DP then we would be a top 4 finish. The truth is that now the gap between top & bottom teams is pretty narrow thanks to the draft and salary cap.

If you just look at the games lost by narrow margins, if we pick ALL these games up we wil finish top 4-6.

The truth is also that everything doesn't go your own way and we will not win all of our close encounters. Our depth will be tested and our younger players will have bad weeks. That's the reality.

It would be great to make the finals next year, but I think that themost important thing for us now is to be developing some of the younger players (and sorting out which ones of them can play) with a view to having a decent dip in a couple of years - best case scenario. If we can do that, be competitive and see some talent coming through I'll be happy.

I think people need to be fair to Craig. He hasn't inherited the best squad on earth and realistically the Carey deal set us back a couple of years.

We will be a premiership team again though - it will just take awhile. Early days, but at least now I'm confident we are heading in the right direction. I can't say the same of the period under Ayres.

[craigster]

think that some of you need to get in touch with reality, really,


These teams are all miles in front:
port
bris
saints
wcoast
freo
geelong


and for
melbourne good young players coming through
essendon sheedy never fails
collingwood good draw
sydney should be better than us, actualy have a good coach


only teams that we have a chance with are

kangaroos
wbulldogs
richmond
hawthorn
carlton

and these teams have the best young talent especially the bulldogs

its unlikely to happen but we're a chance to finish last if none of the second graders step up
Although rather negative the reality is that because of our aeging players finishing below 10th may be a distinct possibility. There are two ways to approach this either we go with those second tier players who have not performed in the past or we go with youth ala what the bulldogs did and suffer short term pain for long term gain. It just depends on how courageous the match committee is .I personally believe going with youth will provide a positive platform for the future. But then again maybe this is defeatist given that craigy has not really made major changes to last years list other than replacing retirees. So he obviously sees something in these second tier players that impresses. By the way as a new member i have enjoyed reading the majority of these postings with most being insightful and well constructed.

[Kane McGoodwin]

think that some of you need to get in touch with reality, really,


These teams are all miles in front:
port
bris
saints
wcoast
freo
geelong


and for
melbourne good young players coming through
essendon sheedy never fails
collingwood good draw
sydney should be better than us, actualy have a good coach


only teams that we have a chance with are

kangaroos
wbulldogs
richmond
hawthorn
carlton

and these teams have the best young talent especially the bulldogs

its unlikely to happen but we're a chance to finish last if none of the second graders step up
On paper what you say is mostly true, but things aren't always that straight forward, as it is unlikely that all things (such as injuries, form) will be even. There are usually surprises, both over & under performers v expectations every year.

eg. In answer to a couple of your points - the Pies had a good draw last year, but we still finished above them. The Dees are in an odd year - can they reverse their yo-yo trend?

With respect to the thread question - If everything went our way, particularly keeping our core players on the park, we could make the top-4. However, as has been pointed out, this is unlikely. Given our lack of depth, realistically I see us finishing somewhere between 6th-12th, depending how luck runs our way.

[Kane McGoodwin]

I never look at teams in terms of players, but rather in terms of positional blocks.
If Stevo is fit for the whole year AND Hentschell develops more, plus Burton has a good year in the forward line, you have potentially a very good forward line.
If your main midfielders have a good year and the next tier plays well, you have a V-good to great midfield.
If Hart plays well and McGregor has a good year, then you will have a solid-ish back line.
Your ruck division is not as good IMO as you lot rate them, but still good to V-good.

So overall, if all goes well, top four is not out of the question, but will also depend on how Craig coaches. That is unknown at this stage.

However, the flip side is that if all goes well and all your older players play well, plus the second tier players play all your games, then you will stifle the development of your "third" tier players.

IMO you have good "first" tier players, potentially good "third" tier players and not so good ageing "second" tier players, by having everything going well you will be sort of going for a premiership (again) in a year where you most likely will not have a chance of getting one, and potentially cause long term damage (again). If that makes sense.

This year you lot should really try and speed up the development of your third tier players while they still have top shelf players to learn from. Forget all about ladder position, as long as it isn't an embarrassing one.
Good analysis.

I think we won't have an embarassing year as long as we keep all our tier 1 players on the park for most games. Even doing this, I believe we can develop the 3rd teir players & stay competitive - it's just it will be an the expense of some of the 2nd tier players, who have had plenty of chances any way.

[Markthirtytwo]

Although rather negative the reality is that because of our aeging players finishing below 10th may be a distinct possibility. There are two ways to approach this either we go with those second tier players who have not performed in the past or we go with youth ala what the bulldogs did and suffer short term pain for long term gain. It just depends on how courageous the match committee is .I personally believe going with youth will provide a positive platform for the future. But then again maybe this is defeatist given that craigy has not really made major changes to last years list other than replacing retirees. So he obviously sees something in these second tier players that impresses. By the way as a new member i have enjoyed reading the majority of these postings with most being insightful and well constructed.


Welcome to the club craigster, good to have you here and by the looks of it a really good thinker as well. Thats what we both (BF and the AFC) need thinking outside the square, and not just fence sitters, dummy spitters, and agreeers all.

[whity26]

M Stevens plays 22 minor round games

AND Hart plays 22 minor round games

AND our other top liners consistently play to their ability in 22 minor round games (Ricuitto, Mc Leod, Edwards)

AND our real quality but injury prone players like Welsh, Goodwin (and possibly Burton) play 22 minor round games

AND some of our quality but inconsistent players like Ladhams, Bode and Biglands play well all year

AND our young quality developing players move up another level (Johncock, Mc Gregor, Thompson, Reilly, Hentschel, Rutten and friends)


Could the Crows be a top 4-5 chance? Or would we still only be 6-8 in a best case scenario?

IMHO, IF all the above happens we could be 5 or 6 next year. We still couldnt compete with the biggest guns (Power, Lions, Saints and possible Cats/Eagles) but would be immediately below them on the ladder.

What I am asking is if all goes as well as possible whats our best case finish?

A few IFs though :(

if u guys dont finish on the bottom or second last you have done very well. dont rate your list at all!!!

[PAfolwr]

if u guys dont finish on the bottom or second last you have done very well. dont rate your list at all!!!
That's probably because you haven't watched them play enough to know just how good they could be IF all their players are on the park and (these players) have an injury free season.

[macca23]

if u guys dont finish on the bottom or second last you have done very well. dont rate your list at all!!!

Then how will you feel in round 6 if the Kangaroos lose to a team that you rate in the bottom 2?

Odds from Centrebet:

WIN PREMIERSHIP


ADELAIDE 41.00

KANGAROOS 81.00

MAKE TOP 8

ADELAIDE 2.40

KANGAROOS 3.25

Looks like your mob are rated by the bookie boys as an even greater bunch of scrubbers.

People in glasshouses shouldn't............ :rolleyes:

[SpringChoke]

Between 7-13. I only hope guys like Krugs, Schuie, Watts and other youngsters are given valuable game time. Our best 22 isn't a top 4 side.

[Damien_R1]

I remember watching Melbourne in 2003 and they were absolute crap. No joke, they were playing some awful football.

Come year 2004, they got belted by Hawthorn in the first round and was on top of the table late in the year. They finished 5th at the end of the minor round which was a fair achievement considering how poorly they fared in 2003.

Their two gun draftees, Sylvia and Mclean were not responsible in any definitive way for their rise back up the ladder, which would indicate the second tier players lifted their games to a new level and along with their senior players firing, they were playing some very good team football.

Given the above Melbourne example, there is no reason why we cannot achieve the same, as long as the players believe it. A change of attitude in some and a little luck will go a long way.

[PAfolwr]

Between 7-13. I only hope guys like Krugs, Schuie, Watts and other youngsters are given valuable game time. Our best 22 isn't a top 4 side.
I agree with the above apart from your last statement.
It also feels funny that for a couple of years now I have been debating on this board against your (this board that is) overstating the importance of a top shelf midfield, and now I feel that I have to debate for the opposite side.

I do believe that people on here that predict the best possible outcome for the Crows not to be scraping into the top 4 are understating the value of your midfield by as much as people on here overstated it a year or two back.
Your best possible outcome for your midfield has not changed. It is great.
Clark will tap the ball to your midfielders, Roo, McLeod and Goodwin are on the very top shelf. You need one more top shelf player to be one of the very best midfields again.
Will Reilly step up? Will Johncock get fitter? Will Bode play as good as he can? Will..., will..., will...

Your defence is solid.
Potentially your forward line is good IF all goes well.

Top 4 is your best outcome. Chances of it happening are not very good at all, very very slim actually, but possible.

Personally I think that your chances of making the eight are not very good at all, but that doesn't stop your best possible outcome being top four if everything goes well.
Chances of a premiership are zippo though. :)

[Markthirtytwo]

I agree with the above apart from your last statement.
It also feels funny that for a couple of years now I have been debating on this board against your (this board that is) overstating the importance of a top shelf midfield, and now I feel that I have to debate for the opposite side.

I do believe that people on here that predict the best possible outcome for the Crows not to be scraping into the top 4 are understating the value of your midfield by as much as people on here overstated it a year or two back.
Your best possible outcome for your midfield has not changed. It is great.
Clark will tap the ball to your midfielders, Roo, McLeod and Goodwin are on the very top shelf. You need one more top shelf player to be one of the very best midfields again.
Will Reilly step up? Will Johncock get fitter? Will Bode play as good as he can? Will..., will..., will...

Your defence is solid.
Potentially your forward line is good IF all goes well.

Top 4 is your best outcome. Chances of it happening are not very good at all, very very slim actually, but possible.

Personally I think that your chances of making the eight are not very good at all, but that doesn't stop your best possible outcome being top four if everything goes well.
Chances of a premiership are zippo though. :)

Talk about confusion here. :confused:
Thats what I call a "springer" of a quote.
A smear coming onto our board and actually springing to his own arguments.

[PAfolwr]

Talk about confusion here. :confused:
Thats what I call a "springer" of a quote.
A smear coming onto our board and actually springing to his own arguments.
Now I am confused.
Springing to his own arguments? :confused:

If you are having a go at me, how about being a bit more clear?

[PAfolwr]

Question: Compare players

2003 form of:
Bickley
Burns
Carey
Massie
Perrie
Shirley
Smart
Stenglein

Vs best potential 2005 form of:
Begley
Doughty
Hentschel
Jericho
Johncock
McGregor
Rutten
Thompson

[Mad Dog]

I agree with the above apart from your last statement.
It also feels funny that for a couple of years now I have been debating on this board against your (this board that is) overstating the importance of a top shelf midfield, and now I feel that I have to debate for the opposite side.

I do believe that people on here that predict the best possible outcome for the Crows not to be scraping into the top 4 are understating the value of your midfield by as much as people on here overstated it a year or two back.
Your best possible outcome for your midfield has not changed. It is great.
Clark will tap the ball to your midfielders, Roo, McLeod and Goodwin are on the very top shelf. You need one more top shelf player to be one of the very best midfields again.
Will Reilly step up? Will Johncock get fitter? Will Bode play as good as he can? Will..., will..., will...

Your defence is solid.
Potentially your forward line is good IF all goes well.

Top 4 is your best outcome. Chances of it happening are not very good at all, very very slim actually, but possible.

Personally I think that your chances of making the eight are not very good at all, but that doesn't stop your best possible outcome being top four if everything goes well.
Chances of a premiership are zippo though. :)


you make a valid point PAfolwr....the veiled jibes get people on the defensive though !!

It's true that our midfield is still potentially rated in the top 2 or 3 in the league....Reilly and Goody are good additions together with Edwards Macca and Roo.

Whether this converts into top 4 finish is another matter but our personnel isn't materially different from 2003 so that is a positive.

my analysis of where we will finish takes into account our reasonably favourable draw......but it always comes down to "who can we displace in the 8".......that's why I'm thinking 7th might be top of the range.

[Capitalist]

I think our best chance of success this year comes with our defence, they will really need to stand up especially with the potential forward line issues and a newer midfield, if we can be like geelong and really restrict opposition teams (while still attempting to entertain the crowds) we will be in with a much better chance of moving into the top 8, I dont think open attacking football with help us this year unless the likes un Kruger, Watts and co become over night superstars

[No 1 Draft Pick]

It's true that our midfield is still potentially rated in the top 2 or 3 in the league....Reilly and Goody are good additions together with Edwards Macca and Roo.


People please dont forget Scott Thompson - this boy looks a fairly good replacement for Kane Johnson and IMHO is probably a starting midfielder - ahead of Reilly/Gooey/Stiffy

I reckon he will be in the top 7 come B&F - assuming a good injury run

[Mad Dog]

People please dont forget Scott Thompson - this boy looks a fairly good replacement for Kane Johnson and IMHO is probably a starting midfielder - ahead of Reilly/Gooey/Stiffy

I reckon he will be in the top 7 come B&F - assuming a good injury run
:o ....you're right......I'm 6 hours away from being on leave for a month and Thommo slipped my mind !!

[No 1 Draft Pick]

:o ....you're right......I'm 6 hours away from being on leave for a month and Thommo slipped my mind !!


What are your plans MD? Any travel or staying in ADL (and watching the boys train on occasion)

[Mad Dog]

What are your plans MD? Any travel or staying in ADL (and watching the boys train on occasion)

I'm hanging around town for most of the time....nothing more planned than beach in the mornings, Middleton might get a visit every now and then !!....a bit of work around home (landscaping my backyard), and also I'll be trying to get to some training sessions at WL. We will probably do some overnighters here and there also.

I've got nothing major planned - which is good for a change....just looking forward to going with the flow..... :p

[noddy]

I'm hanging around town for most of the time....nothing more planned than beach in the mornings, Middleton might get a visit every now and then !!....a bit of work around home (landscaping my backyard), and also I'll be trying to get to some training sessions at WL. We will probably do some overnighters here and there also.

I've got nothing major planned - which is good for a change....just looking forward to going with the flow..... :p

Have a good break MD & if you can (along with macca23) post your thoughts on the training sessions you have a look at.

[Mad Dog]

Have a good break MD & if you can (along with macca23) post your thoughts on the training sessions you have a look at.
Roger that

[PAfolwr]

...the veiled jibes get people on the defensive though !!
...
No veiled jibes intended MD. Not deliberately anyway. :)

[Mitch Power]

With respect to the thread question - If everything went our way, particularly keeping our core players on the park, we could make the top-4. .

Kane, one too many pale ales for you at lunch mate...or were they crownies?

Surely you jest about making the top 4! As we discussed at the pub...I mean at the office...you have a good midfield and a sound defence but that's where it ends. Your rucks are soft and your key forwards are weak, they just can't seem to stand on the own two feet - they're all shook up uh uh

Seriously Kane, Perrie would not get a game at CHF at just about any other team, Stevens is injured and certainly nowhere near the same player he was and ******** pot Welsh is just too short for a key offensive position.

2005 position between 10 and 12

see you at 3.00

[Mitch Power]

I think our best chance of success this year comes with our defence, they will really need to stand up especially with the potential forward line issues and a newer midfield, if we can be like geelong and really restrict opposition teams (while still attempting to entertain the crowds) we will be in with a much better chance of moving into the top 8, I dont think open attacking football with help us this year unless the likes un Kruger, Watts and co become over night superstars

I totally agree with you Capitalist. The Crows have a fine defence (without too much depth) and pretty good midfield. The question is how long can the sound defence hold out against a wave of attacks from opposition sides because I don't think you have the key forward personnel to hold the ball.

[SpringChoke]

People please dont forget Scott Thompson - this boy looks a fairly good replacement for Kane Johnson and IMHO is probably a starting midfielder - ahead of Reilly/Gooey/Stiffy

I reckon he will be in the top 7 come B&F - assuming a good injury run

We haven't mate. He should definately go straight into the Midfield rotation. He has the Stenglein toughness with a little mongrel. Stiffy, Reilly and Bode must also be included in our midfield rotations in 2005.

[Kane McGoodwin]

Kane, one too many pale ales for you at lunch mate...or were they crownies?

Surely you jest about making the top 4! As we discussed at the pub...I mean at the office...you have a good midfield and a sound defence but that's where it ends. Your rucks are soft and your key forwards are weak, they just can't seem to stand on the own two feet - they're all shook up uh uh

Seriously Kane, Perrie would not get a game at CHF at just about any other team, Stevens is injured and certainly nowhere near the same player he was and ******** pot Welsh is just too short for a key offensive position.

2005 position between 10 and 12

see you at 3.00
Mitch, you buggar - you selectively quoted me. I said that IF EVERYTHING went our way we could make the top-4 - but this is DAMN UNLIKELY & we will probably finish between 6th & 12th.

If we have a fit M Stevens, Welsh & Hentschel, we will kick enough winning scores to make the finals.

PS Crownies are over-rated! :p

[Mitch Power]

PS Crownies are over-rated! :p

Yeah, I really enjoy West End - a good South Aussie beer :p

[Kane McGoodwin]

Yeah, I really enjoy West End - a good South Aussie beer :p
That's worse! :p

Coopers is the only real South Aussie beer. ;)

[Wayne's-World]

We haven't mate. He should definately go straight into the Midfield rotation. He has the Stenglein toughness with a little mongrel. Stiffy, Reilly and Bode must also be included in our midfield rotations in 2005.
Hang-on lets see who steps up to the plate first.

There maybe other candidates not currently in your calculations.

And IMO Thompson is tougher and better than Stenglein - the only doubt is his ability to stay injury free.

[Wayne's-World]

Coopers is the only real South Aussie beer. ;)
And a damn fine "average" beer it is too!! ;)

[nicho_magic]

M Stevens plays 22 minor round games

AND Hart plays 22 minor round games

AND our other top liners consistently play to their ability in 22 minor round games (Ricuitto, Mc Leod, Edwards)

AND our real quality but injury prone players like Welsh, Goodwin (and possibly Burton) play 22 minor round games

AND some of our quality but inconsistent players like Ladhams, Bode and Biglands play well all year

AND our young quality developing players move up another level (Johncock, Mc Gregor, Thompson, Reilly, Hentschel, Rutten and friends)


Could the Crows be a top 4-5 chance? Or would we still only be 6-8 in a best case scenario?

IMHO, IF all the above happens we could be 5 or 6 next year. We still couldnt compete with the biggest guns (Power, Lions, Saints and possible Cats/Eagles) but would be immediately below them on the ladder.

What I am asking is if all goes as well as possible whats our best case finish?

A few IFs though :(IF IF IF IF IF, any more ifs and they will win the flag

[Capitalist]

IF IF IF IF IF, any more ifs and they will win the flag


why does this troll keep coming back here ?

who fed the monkey ? :mad: someone always feeds the monkeys

[LBJ23]

IF IF IF IF IF, any more ifs and they will win the flag

At least we don't think Essendon will win the flag this year......funniest thing i've ever read on BigFooty, your a crack up mate, can't wait for your next post....There would have to be more than a few ifs if Essendon is to win the flag this year....You should wake up before you post next time.

[Markthirtytwo]

And a damn fine "average" beer it is too!! ;)

Blood Oath! ;)

[NikkiNoo]

That's worse! :p

Coopers is the only real South Aussie beer. ;)

If you ever get to new york Kane head down to Soho and a restaurant called eight mile creek that has coopers!

[nicho_magic]

At least we don't think Essendon will win the flag this year......funniest thing i've ever read on BigFooty, your a crack up mate, can't wait for your next post....There would have to be more than a few ifs if Essendon is to win the flag this year....You should wake up before you post next time.
i love LBJ, i start a thread being completely unrealistic and having a bit of a laugh and this t0sser comes on and sais i am unrealistic and stupid etc etc, i realise that essendon will finish from around 6-10 next year and that we probably won't win the flag unless a miracle happens, however i do know that we will finish considerably higher than the crows who are still developing irrespective of ur completely unrealistic IF's

[Kane McGoodwin]

If you ever get to new york Kane head down to Soho and a restaurant called eight mile creek that has coopers!
Damn, all I can recall is Miller & Bud in the states & I wasn't too impressed with either.

[LBJ23]

i love LBJ, i start a thread being completely unrealistic and having a bit of a laugh and this t0sser comes on and sais i am unrealistic and stupid etc etc, i realise that essendon will finish from around 6-10 next year and that we probably won't win the flag unless a miracle happens, however i do know that we will finish considerably higher than the crows who are still developing irrespective of ur completely unrealistic IF's

whats the point of starting a completely unrealistic thread unless your twelve years old, but true you did get me there :o , damn i never read the hole thread sometimes, you bastard.....Crows>Bombers for 2005, sorry mate but your wrong anyway. :p