2nds 2026 Adelaide Crows SANFL thread

[Daniel6]

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.

I’m not arguing and have no idea, why didn’t the club sign him?

It sounds like a slam dunk to have him join the club. Unless he chose not to.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

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?

Agreed. Being a top up in our reserves feels like a bit of a nothing burger for a player

At least at WWT Stevens is in a team that is the No 1 priority of the organisation

 

[Eagleboy2011]

Agreed. Being a top up in our reserves feels like a bit of a nothing burger for a player

At least at WWT Stevens is in a team that is the No 1 priority of the organisation

Also, Mark Stevens was a former Eagles player. That must have factored into his choice of club after he was not selected in the draft.
Body-wise, he still needs a bit of physical development.

 

[Vader]

Tasmania....

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

Yeah, a lot depends on whether or not the ruck rule stays the same. It will only take a few knee injuries to remind the AFL why they changed the rules 16 years ago.

ROB was quite a competent ruckman under the previous rules - not great, but definitely on the right side of competent. The new rule has completely neutered his game... but how long will the current rule remain in place?

 

[Eagleboy2011]

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.

From my Eagles contacts, they say that the taller Crows' talls controlled the shorter Eagles defenders in the second half. In ruck Lukacs, a much shorter ruckman, rucked 80% + and had a good match against the Crows ruckman, but was outreached. He has a very good leap and is very mobile.
Jack Cook may be one the drafters may regret not taking.

 

[Mutineer]

From my Eagles contacts, they say that the taller Crows' talls controlled the shorter Eagles defenders in the second half. In ruck Lukacs, a much shorter ruckman, rucked 80% + and had a good match against the Crows ruckman, but was outreached. He has a very good leap and is very mobile.
Jack Cook may be one the drafters may regret not taking.

I think Jack Cook's best chance at getting on an AFL list is as a defender/HBF/BP with his elite and penetrating boot. I think the reason he didn't get drafted was recruiters doubts about his endurance/ tank, word was he was outside 7.00 minutes for the 2km at the SA State Combine.

 

[bigman]

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.

If he has AFL ambitions he’s better off not playing with us. At the crows he would be at the mercy of our injury list, something he doesn’t have to worry about at WWT.

 

[Mutineer]

chazwazza

Hawks nab former Kangaroo ahead of signing deadline

The Hawks have signed Flynn Perez just days before the start of the season

www.afl.com.au

 

[Cromulant]

Good on Flynn, had a great finals series but I'm not sure where he fits in that side.

 

[Mutineer]

Tariek Newchurch back from Central Augusta for another crack at SANFL with WWT

 

[Peter Doherty]

Tariek Newchurch back from Central Augusta for another crack at SANFL with WWT

There is another non Crows SANFL thread.

 

[1970crow]

I was surprised to see the Balfours logo on the front of the jumper.
A strange situation that one, I thought the club would have dumped them if they had to go to court over sponsorship

The club are still delivering their obligations under the contract.

 

[Daniel6]

Tariek Newchurch back from Central Augusta for another crack at SANFL with WWT

Good luck to him. Had enough attacking talent and tricks to play AFL.

Zero defensive side with no desire to tackle or defend. Hope he had a good season

 

[Eagleboy2011]

Tariek Newchurch back from Central Augusta for another crack at SANFL with WWT

Not sure if he has signed, but he is definitely training out at Woodville.
He is named in a trial tomorrow against Centrals.

Mitch Stevens is named in B Grade tomorrow.

 

[Mutineer]

Not sure if he has signed, but he is definitely training out at Woodville.
He is named in a trial tomorrow against Centrals.

Mitch Stevens is named in B Grade tomorrow.

One of my old buddies at Centrals told me Tariek's suiting up for WWT so I think he must have signed on.

 

[Mutineer]

Not sure if he has signed, but he is definitely training out at Woodville.
He is named in a trial tomorrow against Centrals.

Mitch Stevens is named in B Grade tomorrow.

Bit going on at WWT

 

[conVINCEd]

Flagging that we play on Saturday arvo. Intrigued to see if we fly ROB to Melbourne as an emergency or he suits up in another SANFL trial game.

Saturday 14 March
Central District v Adelaide at X Convenience Oval from 3.20pm

 

[1970crow]

Flagging that we play on Saturday arvo. Intrigued to see if we fly ROB to Melbourne as an emergency or he suits up in another SANFL trial game.

Saturday 14 March
Central District v Adelaide at X Convenience Oval from 3.20pm

I can’t see how an SANFL trial game would benefit him. You’d think all the emergencies would travel with the team.

 

[crows dude]

I can’t see how an SANFL trial game would benefit him. You’d think all the emergencies would travel with the team.

Now that Strachan is captain I expect that will be the case

 

[Cromulant]

Its one of those things, we know he'll be far too good for most if not all SANFL rucks, but thats pretty irrelevant in his position.

 

[crows dude]

Kiss goodbye a national reserves comp

VFL competition structure update

The AFL has confirmed the VFL competition structure will be maintained for at least the next three seasons

www.afl.com.au

 

[Peter Doherty]

Adelaide have an agreement to play in the SANFL until 2028, which now aligns with the end of this VFL agreement.

SANFL: agreement details

All the details from the SANFL about Adelaide's agreement to play in the SANFL from 2014.

www.afc.com.au

 

[crows dude]

Adelaide have an agreement to play in the SANFL until 2028, which now aligns with the end of this VFL agreement.

SANFL: agreement details

All the details from the SANFL about Adelaide's agreement to play in the SANFL from 2014.

www.afc.com.au

Good point

I hope we are out for the 2029 season

 

[Eagleboy2011]

Bit going on at WWT

My son-in-law, a Bulldog supporter, attended last year. Had a great day.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

The law of nature ....always go after the cash cow to solve the problems of your own making