View Full Version : The year of........
Rhett Biglands.
I believe that Rhett Biglands is bound for a very big year. He has deserved to be the Crows number 1 ruckman over the past 4-5 years, and still only 27 but getting into his veteran stages of his career, but still has some footy left in him. Will need alot of help during the 2006 seasons, with Clarke not expected to play many games, needs a young kid like Messen or Maric to step in a make a impact on the game.
Biglands will need to have a big year if the Crows are going to be sucessful in the Finals series, and hopefully in the Grand Final, doesnt have the tap ruck work like Clrake has, and doenst have the around the ground work like Hudson does, but does both very well and we are very proud for Biglands to be our main ruckman, again needs to have a huge season for the Crows to go far.
Thoughts?
Tobster
21 Feb 2006, 20:07
IMHO this will be the year of the Shining Knight and Hentschel potential to loose the 'ial' and become 'potent'. Yes - very potent infront of goals.
Knight's seems to have a magnet in his sky-rocket (pocket) and could be a real superstar for us. I'm afraid to say it, but yes Big Kev, I'm excited!
Potent reminds me, big statement here (hold collective breath), of a young James Hird but bigger (194cm,91kg compared to 188cm, 89kg). What Potent did when playing against the 'Eagles' in that premlinary final last year when he snapped a goal around his body was sensational. All class! Bring on 2006.
Both of these predictions will be no surprise to most so my smokey is...
"Bode to have a blinder" - Game on, Tobster. :cool:
Stephen2
21 Feb 2006, 20:10
On Biglands:
He's a strange one. Sometimes his kicking is so bad I cry, sometimes he kicks a 50m+ goal when we need it! Put it this way, I hope he has a good year!
-----
Hayden Skipworth.
I believe that Hayden Skipworth is bound for a very big year.
He was at some mid-point in the season the league leader in goal assists, and from my viewing of 2005 replays, he consistently hits the man on the lead. He has a bit of poise under pressure which is an important factor! He's not the magnificent goal sneak that we lack, but he's not too bad around the goals.
Averaged 15.5 disposals, 3.8 marks, and 0.6 goals per game last year.
If he could improve a bit, and with a bit more game time, that could be close to 18, 5 and 1. Good numbers, and I KNOW that he is an effective user of the ball, passing to the forwards!
Thoughts?
There are so many u could say that need to have a big year for the Crows.... Biglands, Knights, Skippy..... we could just say that the Adelaide Crows are going to have a great year weather other teams are liking it or not,
Another question is, is this the best team Adelaide has produced since coming into the AFL? I mean the 97 and 98 teams that won the Grand Finals, you would say that our team was pretty ordinary in the seasons but when it came to the Finals, the Crows became a super team, but now we didnt make the Grand Final last year (unfortunately) yet we played very well during the home and away season, so is this the best team the Crows have put on the park so far?
Another question is, is this the best team Adelaide has produced since coming into the AFL?
No Modra, no Jarmans, no Bickley.... I'd say no. But I am not as close to the side as Crows supporters.
No 1 Draft Pick
22 Feb 2006, 05:48
Rhett Biglands.
I believe that Rhett Biglands is bound for a very big year. He has deserved to be the Crows number 1 ruckman over the past 4-5 years, and still only 27 but getting into his veteran stages of his career, but still has some footy left in him. Will need alot of help during the 2006 seasons, with Clarke not expected to play many games, needs a young kid like Messen or Maric to step in a make a impact on the game.
Biglands will need to have a big year if the Crows are going to be sucessful in the Finals series, and hopefully in the Grand Final, doesnt have the tap ruck work like Clrake has, and doenst have the around the ground work like Hudson does, but does both very well and we are very proud for Biglands to be our main ruckman, again needs to have a huge season for the Crows to go far.
Thoughts?
Besides the youngsters the 3 I would most like to really improve this year are Reilly, Bode (still hoping) and Hentschel. I also think Bock could go to another level this year. And Johncock to be more consistently damaging.
Crowked
22 Feb 2006, 07:25
Leadership: Scotty Thompson.
I'm hoping he is among the best performed players in the comp by seasons end. This boy could be anything. He has the body, the skills and the agression to be an absolute superstar of the AFL. This could well be the year he comes of age and confirms many peoples belief that he is the next logical choice for captain when Roo passes the batton.
On ball: Chris Knights.
Knights has everything needed to be a top class midfielder in the AFL. He needs to be given every opportunity this year. We all see the quality. This is his coming of age year too IMO. I see him being a regular in the midfield for the next decade.
Forward: Kenny McGregor.
Kenny is absolutely crucial to our fortunes. He's the strong bodied, marking forward we need to excel in the forward line IMO. I dont think anyone else is as capable of taking the big grab and kicking the important goal as Kenny. This season, I want to see him feature in the most marks list, and in the leading goal kicking list. I think we need 50+ goals from Kenny if he plays all season as a forward, which I hope he does.
Defense: Ben Rutten
He has the ability to stamp himself as the best fullback again this season and we need him to. He's our gorilla handler. We had the best defense in the comp last year, largely because he tamed the opposition gorillas, allowing others like bassett and Hart to play to their strengths. If he can do it again, we're going to be in really good shape.
SpringChoke
22 Feb 2006, 07:36
I no longer believe Biglands has a "big year" in him. The only reason he is unfortunately our number 1 ruckman is becuase Hudson is injured. I would also argue that pre-Hudson our number 1 ruckman was Clarke. When you play second fiddle to guy who averages 1 mark a game sort of indicates where you're at.
I don't expect Knights or any other of the post 2003 draft youngsters to have a break out year until possibly 2008. Give them a year or so to find their feet in the big league. I would love it if they did, but I would alos be very surprised. Rutten, Mattner and to a lesser extent Trent and Bock did have they break out year until 2005 when they were all 22ish. However, I could be wrong, especially with Knights - this kids has something magic about him.
Anyway, here's mine:
Thommo - As Crowkie said I would love to see Thommo stand up and demand a leadership role in 2007. He could be anything.
Trent P- Needs to become the key forward we hope he can be. Has all the tools. Must maintain consistency and an aggressive attack at the contest. However, he could still become another Thrstans/White.
Bock - Showed some encouraging signs in 2005, however hasn't made it yet IMO. Is progressing nicely.
Mattner - Needs to find consistency. First 2/3 of the year were outstanding but then faded. Has the potential to be an AA wingman.
Rutts - Same as 2005 would ne nice. Looks to have the maturity and skill to show he isn't just a one year wonder.
Johncock - Was in our top 5 in 2005 until injured. His drive, run and aggression from a back flank is underestimated IMO. Tempted to move him forward but too good a player to be wasted at HFF, a renowned Bemuda Triangle. provided he stays njury free could be fighting it out with CUZ for AA honours.
Reilly - We really need another midfielder in the 20-28 agre bracket to stand up and be counted along side Thommo and Shirls. Let's hope Reilly's the man. reports of him throwing his body at the contest in the recent trial are very enocuraging. I'm not writing him off yet.
Jericho - Another pre-2004 draft pick that begs the question, why??
drakeyv2
22 Feb 2006, 07:54
the Bock.
By the end of the year the man with the bow legs will be considered the equal of any CHB in the league & we will see plenty of stories in the press about him being part of the best rookie intake in history.
snakebite01
22 Feb 2006, 08:09
...Brent Reilly.
I said it at the time and stick by it that last year, playing for 10 minutes a quarter under the guidance of Roo will have massive benefits for him. You can't just turn a player from outside runner into ballwinning midfielder overnight, and Craigy took 2005 as the opportunity to do this. Many saw 2005 as a backwards step for Reilly, but I am confident 2006 will show that it was his most beneficial year at the club.
Allefgib
22 Feb 2006, 12:08
Trent Potential..
Kenny, Perrie and Welsh our other forwards we will rely on to kick goals are all playing at their best already I think. Love all 3 (esp Perrie with his improvement over the last few years) but none come close to the upside that Trent has.. and he is much younger. This is his year to grab by the horns and try to get everything he can out of his amazing god given ability. Can anyone tell me (I'm in Seoul, South Korea) if he has built up some more strength in the offseason?
I would also like to see Johncock show us his best, just don't know he has it in him to be a consistent magical performer. He reminds me more of an 80's early 90's indigineous player with flashes of brillance but not the consistency of a Macca or P Burgyone. But I would really love to be proven wrong :)
As others have said, would be great to see Bock evolve into one of the comps best CHB. I asked on another thread but no one really commented.. what do people think of him compared to Caven? Arguably Caven would have been one of the first picked CHB in our premiership years.. seems to play a similar kinda game.
Markthirtytwo
22 Feb 2006, 12:22
The Roo.....................................junior that is.
Thompson should take that extra step to stand up and follow our leader's example in all areas. He needs to keep improving from last years very good start and should do this as his pre season has been by all accounts again very good and injury free, unlike last pre season.
Take out the silly free kicks he gives away, and he will be in the mix as our next field marshal.
Capitalist
22 Feb 2006, 12:26
The Year of the Crows Fan
this year crows fan across the country will no longer put massive expectations on players only to cut them down the instant they look like not making it to the level we "experts" pencil them in for, we will no longer expect new draftees to be knocking on selections door come rd 1 of the following year, we will understand the difference between the development of players especially talls v smalls and forwards v defenders.
We will also become louder and prouder at home games ;)
macca23
22 Feb 2006, 12:28
...Brent Reilly.
I said it at the time and stick by it that last year, playing for 10 minutes a quarter under the guidance of Roo will have massive benefits for him. You can't just turn a player from outside runner into ballwinning midfielder overnight, and Craigy took 2005 as the opportunity to do this. Many saw 2005 as a backwards step for Reilly, but I am confident 2006 will show that it was his most beneficial year at the club.
:thumbsu:
Summed it up beautifully IMO!!
topjars
22 Feb 2006, 12:38
Robert Shirley....
Came out of Stingers shadow last year and not only grew in stature as a run with player but became a midfielder in his own right...this coming year will underline that.
If it hadnt been for a yet another Shaun Burgoyne spear tackle:p against the Smears, our fortunes could have been different the following week.
Kenny McGrug.
For the first time in his AFL career, Kenny seemed to believe towards the end of last year that he was a legitimate forward in this league. Belief is key with a player like Kenny - his improvement from when he started to believe he was actually an AFL defender was remarkable. Our best player across the 3 finals next to Tyson Edwards - Kenny will take another step this year, and injuries permitting will be a 50 goal forward.
Johncock - Was in our top 5 in 2005 until injured. His drive, run and aggression from a back flank is underestimated IMO. Tempted to move him forward but too good a player to be wasted at HFF, a renowned Bemuda Triangle. provided he stays njury free could be fighting it out with CUZ for AA honours.
Does anyone else feel with a full season Johncock can do a Wanganeen and win the Brownlow from the back pocket/midfield?
Crowked
22 Feb 2006, 14:14
Does anyone else feel with a full season Johncock can do a Wanganeen and win the Brownlow from the back pocket/midfield?
No, I dont think so. I dont think he is as flashy as Wanganeen was back then. He used to do the impossible and make it look easy, Johncock doesnt have that ability, he's more like Pickett type IMO, and wont catch the attention of the umpires enough.
Has anyone but Wanganeen won it from predominantly a back pocket? I doubt it and I doubt anyone ever will again.
crows98
22 Feb 2006, 14:15
Neil Craig
In 10 to 15 years time supporters of the Adelaide Football Club will look back on this year and especially last year as the seasons that completely changed the on field culture and how he introduced new paradigms that allowed us to become a powerhouse club. The new training programs and player responsibility as well as the responsibility the players are taking in showing and appreciates the supporters.
He (Neil Craig) will be seen as a person whom transformed our club from an exceptional off field unit with reasonable results (2 premiership is good but not great) to being an exceptionally powerful club that has the ability to never give in and wins no mater where they are player or whom is playing.
So this will be the year supporters will remember as the year that Neil Craig laid the foundation for on field continued success and premiership glory.
SpringChoke
22 Feb 2006, 15:48
Does anyone else feel with a full season Johncock can do a Wanganeen and win the Brownlow from the back pocket/midfield?
No...Johncock is more in the S Burgoyne, Wirrapunda mould, whereas Wanganeen, like McLeod, is an out and out freak.
okay anyone on here who doesnt think biglands had a big year last season doesnt know what they are talking about... He was close tot he most important player for us, Garry Lyon said it a few times during the year and im in total agreeance with him. Hudson would be number 1, then 15 mins in roughly Biglands would come on and take on there 2nd ruckman and win most times and give us first use of the ball. I think he really stepped up after Hudson got injured too, many of us are still wondering why against west coast Craig took him off when we were making our run in the last quarter with 5 minutes to go, he had rucked his heart out all day against the AFLs best ruckman and was getting on top of him and Seaby at the end...
I think biglands is there and doesnt need to step up. in the same league as Burton way to easily criticised...
The Crows Truth
22 Feb 2006, 22:57
okay anyone on here who doesnt think biglands had a big year last season doesnt know what they are talking about... He was close tot he most important player for us, Garry Lyon said it a few times during the year and im in total agreeance with him. Hudson would be number 1, then 15 mins in roughly Biglands would come on and take on there 2nd ruckman and win most times and give us first use of the ball. I think he really stepped up after Hudson got injured too, many of us are still wondering why against west coast Craig took him off when we were making our run in the last quarter with 5 minutes to go, he had rucked his heart out all day against the AFLs best ruckman and was getting on top of him and Seaby at the end...
I think biglands is there and doesnt need to step up. in the same league as Burton way to easily criticised...
yepagreed. poeple should ask who was actually starting as no 1 ruck in the game when hudson did his knee? answer - biglands
Crow-mo
22 Feb 2006, 23:16
Has anyone but Wanganeen won it from predominantly a back pocket? I doubt it and I doubt anyone ever will again.
Brad Hardie ?
dyertribe
23 Feb 2006, 00:08
Brad Hardie ?
Rotated up forward a fair bit from memory (Fox Footy's The Winners).
Only other one I can think of is the first South Australian to win it - Bernie Smith of Geelong.
Rotated up forward a fair bit from memory (Fox Footy's The Winners).
Only other one I can think of is the first South Australian to win it - Bernie Smith of Geelong.
Brad also had freedom to run off without accountability. Probably one of the early uses of making the forward accountable. The tradition , though at that stage dying slowly, was to get the resting rover in the forward pocket...having to chase Hardie meant the rover never rested and consequently wasnt 100% when on the ball. Though Matthews felt he would be more damaging kicking goals( which he was)
Markthirtytwo
23 Feb 2006, 07:52
okay anyone on here who doesnt think biglands had a big year last season doesnt know what they are talking about... He was close tot he most important player for us, Garry Lyon said it a few times during the year and im in total agreeance with him. Hudson would be number 1, then 15 mins in roughly Biglands would come on and take on there 2nd ruckman and win most times and give us first use of the ball. I think he really stepped up after Hudson got injured too, many of us are still wondering why against west coast Craig took him off when we were making our run in the last quarter with 5 minutes to go, he had rucked his heart out all day against the AFLs best ruckman and was getting on top of him and Seaby at the end...
I think biglands is there and doesnt need to step up. in the same league as Burton way to easily criticised...
Waynes World sharpens his pencil. ;)
Crow-mo
23 Feb 2006, 09:02
Brad also had freedom to run off without accountability. Probably one of the early uses of making the forward accountable. The tradition , though at that stage dying slowly, was to get the resting rover in the forward pocket...having to chase Hardie meant the rover never rested and consequently wasnt 100% when on the ball. Though Matthews felt he would be more damaging kicking goals( which he was)
Matthews?
I might be wrong, but I though Malthouse was the coach at the time?
I am also a little suspicious of the implication (by default) that Wanganeen is particularly accountable as a back pocket.
dyertribe
23 Feb 2006, 09:44
Waynes World sharpens his pencil. ;)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2005/07/16/ngerm16.jpg
Don't mention the w... Shirley!
Mad Dog
23 Feb 2006, 09:50
Look for Burton to go forward in Welshys absense and kick 60+ goals this year
Knights + Maric to play 16+ games
Clarke to be kept on ice until Round 20 then wheeled out for the assult on the flag Clarke Keating style.
Matthews?
I might be wrong, but I though Malthouse was the coach at the time?
Matthews the player kicked goals whe Hardie was upfield
Markthirtytwo
23 Feb 2006, 12:20
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2005/07/16/ngerm16.jpg
Don't mention the w... Shirley!
:D ......................and dont call me Shirley. :p
Does anyone else feel with a full season Johncock can do a Wanganeen and win the Brownlow from the back pocket/midfield?
Not while there's a bloke called Johnson playing for the Lions.
Not while there's a bloke called Johnson playing for the Lions.
While i am a big fan of Johnsons, i cant see him winning too many brownlows while he runs around smashing blokes heads in, and abusing umpires the way he does.