crows98
20 Jun 2007, 12:26
This is from www.afc.com.au
Andrew Montesi and Katrina Gill
afc.com.au gives you the wrap of the season so far - player by player. Parts two and three are coming soon...
Part one:
1: Nick Gill
The North Adelaide highflyer has had a tough start in his first year at the Crows, enduring a serious hamstring injury for the entire summer and the early part of the season. In the few games he has played for the Roosters, Gill showed signs of the form that saw him become one of the SANFL’s most damaging forwards. The mature-aged recruit will be hoping to pull together some strong performances at local level before making a bid to break into Adelaide’s forward line.
2: John Meesen
One of three young ruckmen battling for Adelaide’s vacant ruck spot during the pre-season, Meesen saw an early opportunity at AFL level slip through his fingers when he seriously injured his knee in round one of the NAB Cup – sidelining him for three months. Meesen, into his third season at the Crows, worked tirelessly to get his knee back into shape and has eased back into football via Norwood reserves. The athletic big man will be looking make an impact in the SANFL in the coming weeks before looking to make his AFL debut.
3: Kris Massie
Experienced utility Kris Massie worked tirelessly in the SANFL before breaking into the Adelaide side in round 12. Massie dominated in Norwood’s midfield, consistently winning an enormous amount of the football each week. Adelaide’s selectors rewarded his efforts, and Massie brought his form into the AFL with 21 possessions against the Kangaroos. In the second half of the season Massie will be looking to maintain consistent form at AFL level and consolidate his place in the side.
4: Kurt Tippett
The young Queenslander has recently joined Adelaide’s long-term injury list after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction. Tippett, who also spent time on the sidelines with a fractured neck during the pre-season, was able to show some football to excite Crows fans between injuries, with some strong performances in the NAB Cup regional matches and with West Adelaide in the SANFL. Tippett’s sights will now be set onto a strong pre-season in 2008.
5: Scott Thompson
Thommo’s had a career-best start to the season averaging 25 possessions in each of his 12 games. The tough 24-year-old has taken the next step towards becoming one of the game’s elite midfielders in the absence of Brent Reilly, Simon Goodwin and Brett Burton. Injury permitting Thompson will play his 100th game in round 14 and is shaping as a future leader of the club.
6: Jonathon Griffin
One of the real surprise packets this season. Griff improved from fifth-string ruckman to Ben Hudson’s right-hand man in the space of a few weeks. The Crows’ tallest player more than held his own against some of the league’s toughest big men and even slipped forward to become a dangerous target. The agile big man was unlucky not to earn rising star honours for his two-goal performance against Richmond and will only get better with time.
7: Nathan van Berlo
Another of Adelaide’s big movers this season. The all-round nice guy developed into an all-round player during the first half of the season. Van Berlo played his best game for the club in round 11 with 24 possessions and two goals against Geelong. The 21-year old is averaging 19 touches a game, five up on last year and has added more attack to his defensive-style game. One of the club’s future leaders who will be looking for continued consistency.
8: Nathan Bassett
The All-Australian defender backed up a stellar 2006 with a great start to the season. Bassett is ranked 10th in the AFL for marks and along with Andrew McLeod and Graham Johncock provides plenty of run from defence. The reliable back pocket is incredibly cool under pressure and prevents numerous opposition scores with his saves in the last line of defence.
9: Tyson Edwards
After a self-confessed slow start to the season Edwards has resumed the brilliant form that saw the 30-year-old poll more Brownlow votes than any Crows player in 2006. In the past six weeks Edwards was able to shake opposition taggers to average 24 possessions a game, including a season-high 31 against Melbourne. The classy onballer will aim to continue his good form after the break.
10: Matthew Bode
Widely recognised as vital cog in Adelaide’s forward line, Adelaide have missed the services of a no-nonsense Matthew Bode. Bode’s fearless attack on the ball and opponent has seen him suffer a fractured kneecap in the only appearance he has made at AFL level this season. Bode is six weeks away from returning to football and will be hopeful of recapturing the form that saw him become one of Adelaide’s most important players in recent years.
11: Michael Doughty
Also had a testing start to the season after struggling with a knee injury for much of the pre-season. Doughty regained his deft-touch against the Lions in round seven and hasn’t looked back. The underrated onballer reached his peak with 28 touches against the Kangaroos last week and is determined to maintain the consistency he found last season.
12: Robert Shirley
Shirls had an interrupted start to the year after breaking his hand in the win over the Bulldogs in round two. But the dogged midfielder bounced back with some big jobs on Jimmy Bartel and Simon Black. Shirley continues to improve on his offensive skills and in the past five games has averaged a career-high 22 possessions. Shirley will be looking forward to the preliminary final rematch with Daniel Kerr and Chris Judd in round 13.
13: Ben Hudson
Arguably Adelaide’s most valuable player this season. Hudson has battled bravely in his comeback from a knee injury and is ranked inside the AFL’s top ten in hitouts and clearances by ruckmen. Hudson had a massive 33 hitouts against the Demons and his hard work around the ground is unquestionable. Like Griffin, Hudson will only get better with more match fitness and isn’t far from his breakout 2005 form.
14: David Mackay
The lightweight Victorian draftee enjoyed a dream pre-season, impressing coach Neil Craig with his work ethic and being the first Crow to complete almost every ‘unit’ of training over summer. Mackay impressed in some pre-season games with the Crows and in the early rounds with South Adelaide before seriously injuring his hamstring. The youngster, who will be out of action for up to two months, will be working to return to full strength and continue his impressive start at the Crows.
15: Jason Torney
Another of the Crows most underrated players. Torney has played every game this season with several under duress. The dependable 30-year-old is an integral part of the Adelaide defence and has been given important jobs on opposing smalls. Torney does all the one-percenters and was rewarded with a beautiful goal in the loss to Melbourne.
Andrew Montesi and Katrina Gill
afc.com.au gives you the wrap of the season so far - player by player. Parts two and three are coming soon...
Part one:
1: Nick Gill
The North Adelaide highflyer has had a tough start in his first year at the Crows, enduring a serious hamstring injury for the entire summer and the early part of the season. In the few games he has played for the Roosters, Gill showed signs of the form that saw him become one of the SANFL’s most damaging forwards. The mature-aged recruit will be hoping to pull together some strong performances at local level before making a bid to break into Adelaide’s forward line.
2: John Meesen
One of three young ruckmen battling for Adelaide’s vacant ruck spot during the pre-season, Meesen saw an early opportunity at AFL level slip through his fingers when he seriously injured his knee in round one of the NAB Cup – sidelining him for three months. Meesen, into his third season at the Crows, worked tirelessly to get his knee back into shape and has eased back into football via Norwood reserves. The athletic big man will be looking make an impact in the SANFL in the coming weeks before looking to make his AFL debut.
3: Kris Massie
Experienced utility Kris Massie worked tirelessly in the SANFL before breaking into the Adelaide side in round 12. Massie dominated in Norwood’s midfield, consistently winning an enormous amount of the football each week. Adelaide’s selectors rewarded his efforts, and Massie brought his form into the AFL with 21 possessions against the Kangaroos. In the second half of the season Massie will be looking to maintain consistent form at AFL level and consolidate his place in the side.
4: Kurt Tippett
The young Queenslander has recently joined Adelaide’s long-term injury list after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction. Tippett, who also spent time on the sidelines with a fractured neck during the pre-season, was able to show some football to excite Crows fans between injuries, with some strong performances in the NAB Cup regional matches and with West Adelaide in the SANFL. Tippett’s sights will now be set onto a strong pre-season in 2008.
5: Scott Thompson
Thommo’s had a career-best start to the season averaging 25 possessions in each of his 12 games. The tough 24-year-old has taken the next step towards becoming one of the game’s elite midfielders in the absence of Brent Reilly, Simon Goodwin and Brett Burton. Injury permitting Thompson will play his 100th game in round 14 and is shaping as a future leader of the club.
6: Jonathon Griffin
One of the real surprise packets this season. Griff improved from fifth-string ruckman to Ben Hudson’s right-hand man in the space of a few weeks. The Crows’ tallest player more than held his own against some of the league’s toughest big men and even slipped forward to become a dangerous target. The agile big man was unlucky not to earn rising star honours for his two-goal performance against Richmond and will only get better with time.
7: Nathan van Berlo
Another of Adelaide’s big movers this season. The all-round nice guy developed into an all-round player during the first half of the season. Van Berlo played his best game for the club in round 11 with 24 possessions and two goals against Geelong. The 21-year old is averaging 19 touches a game, five up on last year and has added more attack to his defensive-style game. One of the club’s future leaders who will be looking for continued consistency.
8: Nathan Bassett
The All-Australian defender backed up a stellar 2006 with a great start to the season. Bassett is ranked 10th in the AFL for marks and along with Andrew McLeod and Graham Johncock provides plenty of run from defence. The reliable back pocket is incredibly cool under pressure and prevents numerous opposition scores with his saves in the last line of defence.
9: Tyson Edwards
After a self-confessed slow start to the season Edwards has resumed the brilliant form that saw the 30-year-old poll more Brownlow votes than any Crows player in 2006. In the past six weeks Edwards was able to shake opposition taggers to average 24 possessions a game, including a season-high 31 against Melbourne. The classy onballer will aim to continue his good form after the break.
10: Matthew Bode
Widely recognised as vital cog in Adelaide’s forward line, Adelaide have missed the services of a no-nonsense Matthew Bode. Bode’s fearless attack on the ball and opponent has seen him suffer a fractured kneecap in the only appearance he has made at AFL level this season. Bode is six weeks away from returning to football and will be hopeful of recapturing the form that saw him become one of Adelaide’s most important players in recent years.
11: Michael Doughty
Also had a testing start to the season after struggling with a knee injury for much of the pre-season. Doughty regained his deft-touch against the Lions in round seven and hasn’t looked back. The underrated onballer reached his peak with 28 touches against the Kangaroos last week and is determined to maintain the consistency he found last season.
12: Robert Shirley
Shirls had an interrupted start to the year after breaking his hand in the win over the Bulldogs in round two. But the dogged midfielder bounced back with some big jobs on Jimmy Bartel and Simon Black. Shirley continues to improve on his offensive skills and in the past five games has averaged a career-high 22 possessions. Shirley will be looking forward to the preliminary final rematch with Daniel Kerr and Chris Judd in round 13.
13: Ben Hudson
Arguably Adelaide’s most valuable player this season. Hudson has battled bravely in his comeback from a knee injury and is ranked inside the AFL’s top ten in hitouts and clearances by ruckmen. Hudson had a massive 33 hitouts against the Demons and his hard work around the ground is unquestionable. Like Griffin, Hudson will only get better with more match fitness and isn’t far from his breakout 2005 form.
14: David Mackay
The lightweight Victorian draftee enjoyed a dream pre-season, impressing coach Neil Craig with his work ethic and being the first Crow to complete almost every ‘unit’ of training over summer. Mackay impressed in some pre-season games with the Crows and in the early rounds with South Adelaide before seriously injuring his hamstring. The youngster, who will be out of action for up to two months, will be working to return to full strength and continue his impressive start at the Crows.
15: Jason Torney
Another of the Crows most underrated players. Torney has played every game this season with several under duress. The dependable 30-year-old is an integral part of the Adelaide defence and has been given important jobs on opposing smalls. Torney does all the one-percenters and was rewarded with a beautiful goal in the loss to Melbourne.