Changes vs Freo

[Jeffcrowe]

The negativity surrounding our chances for this game stems from a few different factors from where I sit:

1) Fremantle's impeccable form. 6 or 7 of their 8 wins have been completely and utterly over at 3/4 time. Some have been over at 1/4 time. One of the more dominant first 8 games of a season by any team that I can recall to be honest.

2) Our injury list. Smith is a reigning All-Australian and is also the best field kick in a team full of terrible field kicks. Jaensch is in the best 4 kicks in a team full of terrible field kicks. Sloane is our heart and soul and there simply is nobody else on our list remotely capable of playing his role (and his record against Freo is particularly excellent). Brad Crouch is by far our best player under 50 games (it isn't close) and is the closest thing to a top 5 draft pick that our club has ever had in its history. Otten is a solid third tall in either defense or attack. Shaw is the backup to Otten. Douglas is in our best half dozen mids. Kerridge is a very solid and versatile player with reliable skills and a huge tank, and when fully fit would have been the most logical matchup for Fyfe IMO.

3) Our lack of depth. It's one thing to have injuries. The best teams can cover them to a certain extent. Unfortunately we aren't one of the best teams, as evidenced by the fact that we have won one final since 2009 (ironically against Fremantle). We have a bunch of blokes HORRIBLY out of form (van Berlo, Wright, Jenkins, Henderson) that we are essentially forced into playing due to the above injuries combined with the complete vomit that is the remainder of our list (Brodie Martin, Podsiadly, bunch of late draft picks and rookie listed blokes). Both of Jake Kelly (rookie upgrade who tries really hard but his skills are not AFL standard at this stage) and Jake Lever (skinny as a rake and not ready to play a key position yet) are currently being charged with the task of playing on blokes much taller and / or much heavier than them in defense. If Talia takes Pavlich (I strongly doubt this will happen), one of these scrawny undersized 19-20 year olds will be dealing with a combo of Clarke and Sandilands. It's quite ridiculous really. Personally, I think even if Pav does play, Talia needs to take the resting ruckman. We'll see what happens.


Combine all of the above and it smells like a bad one coming this weekend. To be honest, I think you'd struggle to find when the last Adelaide Crows home game was where the visiting side were $1.30ish favourites (I just checked two different sites and Freo are $1.30 on one and $1.29 on the other). Has this ever happened?

Unfortunately I think the bookies are spot on with those odds, just as they were last week with the $1.60ish GWS starting price.

If we get up, it will go down as the greatest HOME non-finals victory in club history from where I sit. I'm just hoping we have a good crack and are at least in the game heading in to the 4th quarter.

Great post , Henderson not out of form though

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Um, Brown is averaging 2.5 kicks less than DMack who has a more attacking role and Brown has been more offensive this year, so much for taking the safe option but when your deep in defence that's not a bad trait anyway.

Defence is about having the right balance, Laird, Jaensch, Hendo and Dmack have all had time playing as the 7th defender.

You need some defenders who are lock down to stop the oppositions best forwards, that's Talia and Brown. Brown got touched up by Green last week but I don't think he was on him the whole game, besides that I don't believe has been beaten.

To suggest Brown is close to being dropped is laughable.

Brown is a gun , Think of nick smith who is an all Australian and not very offensive , takes safe options etc. Had one game over 20 possessions that I can remember but that's a rarity

I'm fine with talia and brown playing their lock down roles and not getting much of it, with jaensch out we do need another guy to perform that role ... Would love to add a yarran Hampton or Nathan Wilson at end of year

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Think you're right about the bench. Dmac was there for the first 3 weeks and was thoroughly ordinary. Played his blinder against Melbourne and started on the ground the next week. On him, his form line is pretty good considering how poor he was in the first 3. If we're correct though, there's an awful lot of faith/patience being shown in VB. I again ask, how much input does Noble have on selection, he was straight up delusional with what he said last night on AA.

I'd love to know how VBs 2015 from supersedes Brodie Martin's 2014 form especially when we are lacking a bit of speed ...not that Martin is quick but at least he has another gear he can get to while VB is plodding at best , actually felt sorry
for him playing on the wing and chasing some quick buggers last week was out of his depth

Absolute pecking order in my book because VBs been a captain and leader while Martin is expendible ..... He deserves a chance over VB before we get players back

 

[Elite Crow]

Brown is a gun , Think of nick smith who is an all Australian and not very offensive , takes safe options etc. Had one game over 20 possessions that I can remember but that's a rarity

I'm fine with talia and brown playing their lock down roles and not getting much of it, with jaensch out we do need another guy to perform that role ... Would love to add a yarran Hampton or Nathan Wilson at end of year

Browns averaging 11 possessions this year and DMack has made a career from 16 a game.

 

[NTRabbit]

Brown will keep his spot as long as he keeps stopping his man; if too many start getting away from him like Greene did, only then will his position come into question, because stopping is all he does.

 

[Lawrst]

Wasn't Brown more offensive for norwood and before being drafted??

 

[Scorpus]

Henderson OUT, Martin IN



Would be surprised if Martin wasn't the sub

 

[azza77]

Brodie Martin in for Hendo

****ing kill me now

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Henderson OUT, Martin IN



Would be surprised if Martin wasn't the sub

We have officially hit rock bottom. Sad Panda

 

[Scorpus]

We have officially hit rock bottom. Sad Panda

Yep. Basically no one else to bring in for our injured players. We're down to debutantes or experienced SANFL-quality players

 

[treeman]

Henderson OUT, Martin IN



Would be surprised if Martin wasn't the sub

People on facebook pride will be like finally!

Suppose we don't have a lot of other players to choose from. I don't see how he was selected when he didn't train on Wednesday that I heard. Edit talking about Hendo there.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Yep. Basically no one else to bring in for our injured players. We're down to debutantes or experienced SANFL-quality players

Hopefully he is the sub.

 

[Vader]

Well, at least we know who the sub will be.. and it won't be Lyons or Wright.

 

[doodle48]

Brodie Martin in for Hendo

****ing kill me now

At least Martin will lay a tackle or block for his team mates.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

At least Martin will lay a tackle or block for his team mates.

Won't hit a target, kick a goal or take a mark but he will block.

 

[Scorpus]

Won't hit a target, kick a goal or take a mark but he will block.

Matty Wright 2.0

 

[Jeffcrowe]

H

Well, at least we know who the sub will be.. and it won't be Lyons or Wright.

hope it's wright or Lyons , if we go in with the slowest team in history for second week in a row ....aaarrrgh prob won't matter anyway

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

What has Hendo actually done? Is it that chest knock from a while ago? Back injury?

Seems to be lingering.

I really don't like the mix of our team with Jaensch gone and Smith and Hendo also out. We are slow and lack run even with those guys.

 

[Mattrox]

Henderson OUT, Martin IN



Would be surprised if Martin wasn't the sub

We have run out of viable options.

At least Martin to sub will allow Lyons to get a full game. If Lyons is sub, I think we know Lyons' standing in the pecking order.

Defining moment.

 

[Lawrst]

What has Hendo actually done? Is it that chest knock from a while ago? Back injury?

Seems to be lingering.

I really don't like the mix of our team with Jaensch gone and Smith and Hendo also out. We are slow and lack run even with those guys.

I think it was his back. He was having spasims if I remember correctly. Obviously a hard one to shake.

And yes we are bloody slow, but run and carry can be compensated with quick ball movement out of the back line. For that you need quality kicks... So a lot of pressure on grigg then.

 

[pincrusher]

Hi Guys, sorry for the intrusion, but has anyone heard anything this week regarding Laird? Obviously he's been named, but after getting knocked out last week is there any chance he'll be another late out? I haven't really been able to find any info and was hoping that perhaps someone here that has seen training this week may be able to give an update. Thanks in advance.

 

[FantasticShirt]

Hi Guys, sorry for the intrusion, but has anyone heard anything this week regarding Laird? Obviously he's been named, but after getting knocked out last week is there any chance he'll be another late out? I haven't really been able to find any info and was hoping that perhaps someone here that has seen training this week may be able to give an update. Thanks in advance.

Seems very likely he'll play.

Edit: to clarify that, there's been no indication he won't play. He's passed all the tests and therefore they have no reason to leave him out. Smith on he other hand has lingering issues which is why he cops another week on the sidelines.

 

[knobby]

might take my boots in on Saturday night !

AFL wouldnt like it though would steal the thunder from Dustin with me being a 46yo and getting 3 votes

 

[pincrusher]

Seems very likely he'll play.

Edit: to clarify that, there's been no indication he won't play. He's passed all the tests and therefore they have no reason to leave him out. Smith on he other hand has lingering issues which is why he cops another week on the sidelines.

Yeah it's all been very quiet. Thanks for your thoughts. I sure hope he plays. Cheers.

 

[Scorpus]

Hi Guys, sorry for the intrusion, but has anyone heard anything this week regarding Laird? Obviously he's been named, but after getting knocked out last week is there any chance he'll be another late out? I haven't really been able to find any info and was hoping that perhaps someone here that has seen training this week may be able to give an update. Thanks in advance.