Opinion 2018 Non-Crows Discussion Thread

[WaynesWorld19]

GWS now officially have some problems .....talent drain

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Sled victim?

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

GWS now officially have some problems .....talent drain

It’s a big blow, a really good ball user

 

[GreyCrow]

GWS now officially have some problems .....talent drain

Hopefully he can return as soon as possible.

 

[hey shorty]

This will be the year GWS do it IMO. The doubters are coming, but it will happen.

Mumford is a huge loss though, however it could be the making of Lobb.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

It’s a big blow, a really good ball user

Agree, considering their player losses already ..... 4 players already gone last years best 22, including their team barometer Mumford ......this makes 5
Tom Downie (ret)
Steve Johnson (ret)
Matthew Kennedy (trd)
Shane Mumford (ret)
Tendai Mzungu (ret)
Joel Patfull (del)
Sam Reid (del)
Devon Smith (trd)
Nathan Wilson (trd)

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Hopefully he can return as soon as possible.

it was the season for Van Berlo

 

[hey shorty]

Agree, considering their player losses already ..... 4 players already gone last years best 22, including their team barometer Mumford ......this makes 5
Tom Downie (ret)
Steve Johnson (ret)
Matthew Kennedy (trd)
Shane Mumford (ret)
Tendai Mzungu (ret)
Joel Patfull (del)
Sam Reid (del)
Devon Smith (trd)
Nathan Wilson (trd)

Mummy and Wilson are big losses, Smith is a downhill skier of the highest order with a dodgy knee.

They would hope to get a fit Griff and Deledio although the latter is not having a great PS.

 

[MRB37]

This will be the year GWS do it IMO. The doubters are coming, but it will happen.

Mumford is a huge loss though, however it could be the making of Lobb.

Lobb looked really good as a ruck, but I think it also made their forward line much better too with Lobb out of there. Patton and Cameron are enough for talls and it allows them to bring in someone like Himmelberg, who isn't short by any means, but gives them a bit more running power at ground level.

 

[Sanders]

I've posted a few times on the likelihood of Noble being promoted at Brisbane.

Maybe he was recruited with that intention, and like Trigg at Carlton, once the club had a chance to look at what they got they were less impressed than their reputations suggested

Noble and Trigg perhaps just weren’t as good as advertised

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

It’s a big blow, a really good ball user

They might regret that Nathan Wilson trade now

 

[tinman]

They might regret that Nathan Wilson trade now

And I reckon he was a bargain. Can play.

 

[FR0GGY]

They might regret that Nathan Wilson trade now

Maybe not, did you see the photo shoot?

 

[1970crow]

Maybe he was recruited with that intention, and like Trigg at Carlton, once the club had a chance to look at what they got they were less impressed than their reputations suggested

Noble and Trigg perhaps just weren’t as good as advertised

That's pretty well exactly what I posted.

 

[Crom]

Some quality analysis from Janus over on the scum board:

1. Port Adelaide (gamestyle: balanced hybrid) - Fun fact: Against Richmond at AO, Port had exactly the same percentage of inside 50 to score conversion, but a dismal 12% compared to 21% goal conversion. Reducing score conversion percentage of inside 50s is due to the opposition defence...the goal conversion percentage rests wholly and solely on the method of attack and the inability to take advantage of fast break opportunities. The issue for Port last year was the kick into forward 50 - Port targeted pockets even when it wasn't necessary due to not having confidence in hitting targets. Jack Watts (who is miles better as a forward than Jackson Trengove) and to a lesser extent Steven Motlop (who is miles better than Jarman Impey) will help with that. Not to mention Rockliff (who is miles better than Ah Chee) coming in as support for Wines, Ebert and Powell-Pepper in the engine room. It all rests on how well the side gels together though. A better defensive unit than Geelong and the fact that they don't have a top six draw like Sydney sees them at number one.

2. Geelong (gamestyle: balanced hybrid) - off of the back of 11 games at KP, and the fact that laughably they got a double up against a Gold Coast side that will be bottom four even though they made a prelim final. Getting Ablett will allow Dangerfield to rotate with him as a genuine mid-forward with Hawkins drawing the double team and Selwood and the criminally underrated Duncan providing support through the midfield. Will win many games on the back of their midfield and attack protecting their defence, but will come undone against high pressure sides like they did against Richmond. Luckily for them, there's only three sides that should worry them in this manner.

3. Sydney (gamestyle: balanced hybrid) - A side that is built for the hybrid counter-press/counter-attack style I believe will be the new frontier of the game, the way Port and Geelong are. Best forward in the competition, a defence that is miserly and a system of play that suits their smallish home ground. Got shown up for intensity due to playing in the GF the year before at the start of the season, then spent all their petrol to get to a position to challenge. That won't happen this year.

4. Essendon (gamestyle: half-back counter-attack/slingshot) - have gone the other way in terms of their game style, going for a more Adelaide counter-attack approach. Getting Smith, Saad and Stringer to add to an already impressive lineup will allow them to exploit sides that press up high, moving the ball with speed to Daniher who is one of the best forwards in the competition. Their only weakness is through the midfield - and when I say weakness, I mean it's just good rather than great. The Bombers will be the Adelaide of 2018 in their style...and they'll also go out in straight sets because of it if they have to meet Port and Richmond in finals.

5. Richmond (gamestyle: full field counter-attack) - Honestly, could finish anywhere in the top four and I wouldn't be the least surprised, but I just think their full field press and counter attack will be exploited by sides that can do the same thing and have a decent forward setup that allows them to play a more balanced style (i.e Port, Geelong and Sydney), or a side that can exploit the space behind with speed and power in Essendon. Like the Bulldogs before them, manic pressure usually drops away when the summit has been climbed unless it is the system that creates the pressure rather than the intent of the players. I've got faith they can replicate it though...and I've got faith that their defence will hold them in great stead for finals.

6. Hawthorn (gamestyle: balanced hybrid) - Yep, I said it. Clarkson read the writing on the wall with the direction the game is going after being annihilated by Port just before the bye and readjusted his gameplan accordingly. Another side that has the ability to play the hybrid style with Roughead as the focal point and a whole bunch of small mid-forwards like Rioli and Burgoyne rotating through. Write them off at your peril.

7. GWS (gamestyle: contested possession/clearance) - Losing Mumford will be a bigger loss than many think. GWS generated something like 9 clearances per game more than their opponents last year on the back of their ruck dominating and being able to win the tap. While Lobb is a serviceable ruck, he's no Mumford, and it will be interesting to see how their midfield reacts to having to rove to opposition taps. Too much talent not to make finals, but Leon Cameron's hard on for a three tall forward line cost them a flag in 2016 against the Bulldogs, and I believe that they are going to have to rethink their entire strategy as it's too one dimensional.

8. Melbourne (gamestyle: contested possession/clearance) - Said last year that they needed one more year to consolidate and work on their defensive two way running. Getting rid of Watts was a mistake though, because teams that are solely focused on winning the contest and trying to horsepower their way into a victory are going the way of the dodo due to the advent of referred pressure. A bit of GWS about what the Demons are doing, which is why I have them both around the same area. This is now Goodwin's team, so he better deliver finals this year or he won't be seeing out the last year of his contract IMO.

Apparently Port will finish top and Adelaide wont feature in the 8.

 

[hey shorty]

It's a funny read, completely unbiased too. Didn't realise Watts was the key to so much improvement

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Some quality analysis from Janus over on the scum board:



Apparently Port will finish top and Adelaide wont feature in the 8.

What is "balanced hybrid" game style?

Apparently Port have the same game style as Geelong, Hawks & Sydney.

Janus - I don't know your terminology, but these 4 teams all have different game styles!

 

[hey shorty]

Can't see Hawthorn jumping back up with their severe lack of depth, but wouldn't count them our.from scraping into 8th

 

[hey shorty]

Full field counter attack ?? Not sure they know what a counter attack actually is.

 

[Pea Nut]

Some quality analysis from Janus over on the scum board:



Apparently Port will finish top and Adelaide wont feature in the 8.

That donkey has tipped Geelong to slide out of the 8 for the last four years. This year they will have a backline that most Geelong fans won't even recognise and it's tipped them to finish 2nd ??? I didn't read all of it, is the drunk and high disclaimer in there for this post ???

 

[Bicks]

Some quality analysis from Janus over on the scum board:



Apparently Port will finish top and Adelaide wont feature in the 8.

.
hahahahahahaha

Those hallucinogenic mind bending drugs sure do give people a vivid imagination.

 

[skittlebrew]

They might regret that Nathan Wilson trade now

I don't think they wanted him gone, Wilson wanted to go home? Anyone confirm? Already brought a house in WA before the trade was done.

I rate both Wilson and Williams highly. Wilson for a second, great value.

 

[footy4ever]

Some quality analysis from Janus over on the scum board:



Apparently Port will finish top and Adelaide wont feature in the 8.

FMD that's simply embarrassing. Good for a giggle though.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

FMD that's simply embarrassing. Good for a giggle though.

Perhaps to a comedy duo with Ginever at the fringe...

 

[Jack is Back]

Janus the Anus.

So........only the Crows and Eagles will drop out of the Eight this season.

The offended must still be stinging from the Showdown arsekickings last year let alone the Home Final, Overtime Choke.