2nds 2026 Adelaide Crows SANFL thread

[maxlilly]

O’Brien stands tall in the ruck
“He’s a leader of this footy club for a reason, he competes strongly, leads by example and is just such a presence out there on the field,” Wright said.

In saying that, we went 1 goal to seven down in the first quarter.
It doesn't look like we were getting much of a look of it, out of the centre early on.

 

[spenze]

O’Brien stands tall in the ruck
“He’s a leader of this footy club for a reason, he competes strongly, leads by example and is just such a presence out there on the field,” Wright said.

In saying that, we went 1 goal to seven down in the first quarter.
It doesn't look like we were getting much of a look of it, out of the centre early on.

Well he can't say "why am I lumbered with him?"

 

[hugecannon]

Did he make any saves?

I’m just hoping it didn’t take too much of a toll on him.

 

[Syd Crow]

I’m just hoping it didn’t take too much of a toll on him.

Well you never know do you?

 

[WetCrow1991]

O O O Retire.

 

[maxlilly]

O O O Retire.

He's on easy street now.
Got his 3 year contract in his back pocket to cruise in the sanfl for the rest of his career
It's hard to understand the Crows policy with ruckman, it just appears insane

 

[Mutineer]

He's on easy street now.
Got his 3 year contract in his back pocket to cruise in the sanfl for the rest of his career
It's hard to understand the Crows policy with ruckman, it just appears insane

Do you honestly believe that?

If you think he won't be busting his gut in an effort to be the Number 1 ruck on our list I'll have noney on it you'll be very wrong.

 

[Cromulant]

He's on easy street now.
Got his 3 year contract in his back pocket to cruise in the sanfl for the rest of his career
It's hard to understand the Crows policy with ruckman, it just appears insane

He wont want that.

If he doesn't get back in this year he'll look for a trade

 

[Vader]

He wont want that.

If he doesn't get back in this year he'll look for a trade

If he can't get back in this year, it will be because the rule change has neutered his style of ruck work, in which case I doubt any other team would be interested.

 

[Cromulant]

If he can't get back in this year, it will be because the rule change has neutered his style of ruck work, in which case I doubt any other team would be interested.

There's definitely that, but in the event that McAndrew does a real good job and ROB simply cant get back in, he's gonna have no choice.

 

[bigman]

It was a tough watch for the first quarter and a half, so much so that a triple figure blowout was on the cards, but thankfully the boys rallied pretty well after half time (do keep in mind the Eagles took a couple of their better players off).

The two biggest issues were (1) us getting slaughtered in transition from defence and (2) our top-ups coughed the ball up too much. Not the ex-sanfl guys like Haines or Richards though - they were solid. We only had seven AFL-listed players out there, two of whom are in their first year, which meant a lot of the time were we giving the ball back to the opposition.

For what it’s worth, WWT had a strong team in with only Mutch and Rowe (assuming he’s still there?) missing. They should be pretty good this year. Cook is a weapon off half back - personally I would’ve preferred him over Foot. Elite kick and already has bonds to the club.

As for the players:

5. Draper - was understandably a touch rusty early on, fumbling a couple of times under heat. He did eventually find his rhythm however and though he didn’t have a huge game - maybe 10 or so possies in a half - a few of them were excellent gives out of stoppage. He’s always had great hands in tight. Only really used his pace on one occasion but he should take some confidence from what he did. I suspect we will have an internal next weekend, so hopefully he can play a bit more game time.

17. Welsh - competed really well with limited opportunities in the first half, taking several contested marks. Played deeper in the second half and fell out of it. He’s definitely presenting a lot better than last year - hopefully he can have a break out game early on and really surge his confidence.

22. Ryan - was barely sighted in the first half and spent a lot of time on the bench, which made me think he copped an injury. He did return and play out the game, however. Had a nice patch in the final term which included a great 1v1 mark as well as a two-bounce burst through the middle where he hit up Richards for a goal. Hopefully takes that form into the next game and can have more of an impact.

33. Cotton - played behind the ball, which is a good move from the coaches. I don’t think this is go long-term, but for now it’ll help get his hands on the pill and hopefully boost his confidence. He’s pretty hesitant out there, sometimes staying out of the pack when he should get amongst it. Ball use was solid albeit a bit indecisive at times. Has wheels though! Very much a work in progress.

34. Ludowyke - continues to impress. Still struggles in 1v1 wrestles - not surprising given his age and body shape - but he’s definitely improving with his hands and judgement in the air, particularly in packs when he can jump. And jump he did, including a nice specky in the third term. Unfortunately only kicked one goal from his four shots (including two posters) so he left a better game out there. What I also like about him is his willingness to get his hands dirty at ground level. He’s not a one-trick pony.

35. Borlase - definitely our best player. Would’ve taken four or five contested intercept grabs over the course of the game. Still susceptible when the ball hits the deck but I thought he was immense out there. Much, much better than last week at Alberton.

36. Maley - slow start but got going in the third term when he played majority ruck. Thought he competed well against Lukac who is not a small man, and took some nice clunks. Kicked two goals but otherwise didn’t do a whole lot up forward. Kicked one absolute shank on the wing which drew more than a few tasteful comments from the Eagles players on the sidelines.

40. Foot - there’s no doubt his bursts through the corridor are exciting and a real strength of his. The problem is the rest of his game. He’s just too fumbly for an inside mid and unless he’s kicking long, he’s really prone to a costly turnover. His big trick is great but at his age he’s not well-rounded enough for me.

43. O’Brien - slow out of the blocks, but as is typical of ROB he started to take over when his opponent tired. Had a good last half no doubt, which also included a couple of nice clunks up forward and a goal, but his ruckwork didn’t particularly impress me. Definitely a solid performance from the big fella but I wouldn’t say he smashed the door down.

46. Bell - had a pretty ordinary night. Still got involved but his ball use and decision making was all over the shop and cost us several goals. Has been good up until today so deserves a pass, but if he wants an AFL gig he will have to put those kinds of games away.

As for the others, Haines started on the wing but was much better when moved into his customary half back role. Drury is still a bit underdone after his injury, but had an excellent third term which included two goals. Taheny made too many errors for someone of his ability. Atkinson unfortunately didn’t play, not sure why.

 

[Mutineer]

It was a tough watch for the first quarter and a half, so much so that a triple figure blowout was on the cards, but thankfully the boys rallied pretty well after half time (do keep in mind the Eagles took a couple of their better players off).

The two biggest issues were (1) us getting slaughtered in transition from defence and (2) our top-ups coughed the ball up too much. Not the ex-sanfl guys like Haines or Richards though - they were solid. We only had seven AFL-listed players out there, two of whom are in their first year, which meant a lot of the time were we giving the ball back to the opposition.

For what it’s worth, WWT had a strong team in with only Mutch and Rowe (assuming he’s still there?) missing. They should be pretty good this year. Cook is a weapon off half back - personally I would’ve preferred him over Foot. Elite kick and already has bonds to the club.

As for the players:

5. Draper - was understandably a touch rusty early on, fumbling a couple of times under heat. He did eventually find his rhythm however and though he didn’t have a huge game - maybe 10 or so possies in a half - a few of them were excellent gives out of stoppage. He’s always had great hands in tight. Only really used his pace on one occasion but he should take some confidence from what he did. I suspect we will have an internal next weekend, so hopefully he can play a bit more game time.

17. Welsh - competed really well with limited opportunities in the first half, taking several contested marks. Played deeper in the second half and fell out of it. He’s definitely presenting a lot better than last year - hopefully he can have a break out game early on and really surge his confidence.

22. Ryan - was barely sighted in the first half and spent a lot of time on the bench, which made me think he copped an injury. He did return and play out the game, however. Had a nice patch in the final term which included a great 1v1 mark as well as a two-bounce burst through the middle where he hit up Richards for a goal. Hopefully takes that form into the next game and can have more of an impact.

33. Cotton - played behind the ball, which is a good move from the coaches. I don’t think this is go long-term, but for now it’ll help get his hands on the pill and hopefully boost his confidence. He’s pretty hesitant out there, sometimes staying out of the pack when he should get amongst it. Ball use was solid albeit a bit indecisive at times. Has wheels though! Very much a work in progress.

34. Ludowyke - continues to impress. Still struggles in 1v1 wrestles - not surprising given his age and body shape - but he’s definitely improving with his hands and judgement in the air, particularly in packs when he can jump. And jump he did, including a nice specky in the third term. Unfortunately only kicked one goal from his four shots (including two posters) so he left a better game out there. What I also like about him is his willingness to get his hands dirty at ground level. He’s not a one-trick pony.

35. Borlase - definitely our best player. Would’ve taken four or five contested intercept grabs over the course of the game. Still susceptible when the ball hits the deck but I thought he was immense out there. Much, much better than last week at Alberton.

36. Maley - slow start but got going in the third term when he played majority ruck. Thought he competed well against Lukac who is not a small man, and took some nice clunks. Kicked two goals but otherwise didn’t do a whole lot up forward. Kicked one absolute shank on the wing which drew more than a few tasteful comments from the Eagles players on the sidelines.

40. Foot - there’s no doubt his bursts through the corridor are exciting and a real strength of his. The problem is the rest of his game. He’s just too fumbly for an inside mid and unless he’s kicking long, he’s really prone to a costly turnover. His big trick is great but at his age he’s not well-rounded enough for me.

43. O’Brien - slow out of the blocks, but as is typical of ROB he started to take over when his opponent tired. Had a good last half no doubt, which also included a couple of nice clunks up forward and a goal, but his ruckwork didn’t particularly impress me. Definitely a solid performance from the big fella but I wouldn’t say he smashed the door down.

46. Bell - had a pretty ordinary night. Still got involved but his ball use and decision making was all over the shop and cost us several goals. Has been good up until today so deserves a pass, but if he wants an AFL gig he will have to put those kinds of games away.

As for the others, Haines started on the wing but was much better when moved into his customary half back role. Drury is still a bit underdone after his injury, but had an excellent third term which included two goals. Taheny made too many errors for someone of his ability. Atkinson unfortunately didn’t play, not sure why.

Did Mitch Stevens get a run?

 

[Daniel6]

Did Mitch Stevens get a run?

Has he signed on to join the SANFL crows side?

 

[bigman]

Did Mitch Stevens get a run?

Played the second half.

Didn’t get a heap of it but had a couple nice runs from defence where he showed his pace.

More impressed by Cook but Stevens didn’t look out of place.

 

[Mutineer]

Has he signed on to join the SANFL crows side?

No he's signed with WWT for 2026.

 

[Daniel6]

No he's signed with WWT for 2026.

That’s ok. His development will be right under our nose. Good luck to him.

 

[Mutineer]

That’s ok. His development will be right under our nose. Good luck to him.

If he was prepared to move to SA for a shot I find it very disappointing we didn't give him an opportunity via our SANFL team, given he and his brother have been regular attendee's to our F/S Academy etc.

 

[Vader]

There's definitely that, but in the event that McAndrew does a real good job and ROB simply cant get back in, he's gonna have no choice.

I have no doubt he'd have a look at his options... I'm just not sure he'd find many (if any) takers.

 

[Cromulant]

I have no doubt he'd have a look at his options... I'm just not sure he'd find many (if any) takers.

Tasmania....

Thats also assuming the ruck rule stays the same, and the way it is i doubt it will

 

[Daniel6]

If he was prepared to move to SA for a shot I find it very disappointing we didn't give him an opportunity via our SANFL team, given he and his brother have been regular attendee's to our F/S Academy etc.

Is the club even allowed to pick him up?

I have no idea.

 

[Mutineer]

Is the club even allowed to pick him up?

I have no idea.

• Rookie Program: 18-20 year-olds overlooked in the AFL Draft can join an expanded SANFL Rookie Program.

Applies to the Crows and Port, was brought in from season 2025

 

[Daniel6]

• Rookie Program: 18-20 year-olds overlooked in the AFL Draft can join an expanded SANFL Rookie Program.

Thank you for this.

But, that doesn’t sound very good for him. It makes it look like the club think he’s quite a distance of that standard of footy.

 

[Mutineer]

Thank you for this.

But, that doesn’t sound very good for him. It makes it look like the club think he’s quite a distance of that standard of footy.

Have you actually watched some of the top ups we play in the SANFL, fair dinkum some would struggle in the country leagues, Mitch has come up through the elite U18's NAB League in Victoria and has played Vic Country rep footy at the Nationals right through. He has good speed and decent kicking skills and is very tenacious....if he's not a better prospect than some of our current top ups I'll eat my hat. On that basis he was worth a shot even if he only measures up to SANFL standard.

 

[Cromulant]

They dont struggle in country leagues, thats the whole point.

 

[Peter Doherty]

If he was prepared to move to SA for a shot I find it very disappointing we didn't give him an opportunity via our SANFL team, given he and his brother have been regular attendee's to our F/S Academy etc.

What actually happens with top ups?

Do they have a special training session each week before games? I have no idea.

Would just being in an actual SANFL side be better for a kid pushing his case to be drafted?