There's been a lot of talk regarding Crows "bad/toxic culture" this year, with our performances in 2018 and 2019 both below par and seemingly on the decline. On looking back at our 4 major outs in the last 4 seasons, I personally think it's all about several common themes and not necessarily due to the Crows club environment:
- more money
- more job security with lengthy contracts
- more opportunities
- "family reasons" (Dangerfield/Cameron)
Who did we lose in the past 4 years (2015-2018)?
1. End of 2015: losing Dangerfield to Geelong
2. End of 2016: losing Lyons to Gold Coast Suns
3. End of 2017: losing Cameron to Brisbane Lions
4. End of 2018: losing McGovern to Carlton.
Issues for discussion:
* What are the common characteristics of these 4 players
- all are very quick for their size (maybe Lyons is the exception)
- all are good both at ground ball contests and marking in the air
- all are good tacklers and can defend their opponents or chase down their opponents
- all can attack well (both at body and ball)
- all can score 1-2 goals per game.
* Are these the players that the modern game needs?
I think so - the modern game needs strong at-it players, hungry for the ball and not afraid to clash into bodies/packs; can attack when with ball in hand, and can chase (and stick tackles) when opposition has the ball.
I also think the reason why Tigers, Pies, GWS, Cats and Eagles are regularly competing in Finals, because they have a lot of players who are both skilled and not afraid to bash and crash.
* Are the 4 players lost reasons why the Crows are going "backwards"?
It's something to ponder on, and a different perspective as to why things haven't been going as well as we would have liked, particularly in the last 2 seasons. Without these 4 players, there's a huge drop in X-factor and not easily replaced by anyone in our reserves. Maybe to look forward, is to draft new players of similar type who we've lost in the recent past?
- more money
- more job security with lengthy contracts
- more opportunities
- "family reasons" (Dangerfield/Cameron)
Who did we lose in the past 4 years (2015-2018)?
1. End of 2015: losing Dangerfield to Geelong
2. End of 2016: losing Lyons to Gold Coast Suns
3. End of 2017: losing Cameron to Brisbane Lions
4. End of 2018: losing McGovern to Carlton.
Issues for discussion:
* What are the common characteristics of these 4 players
- all are very quick for their size (maybe Lyons is the exception)
- all are good both at ground ball contests and marking in the air
- all are good tacklers and can defend their opponents or chase down their opponents
- all can attack well (both at body and ball)
- all can score 1-2 goals per game.
* Are these the players that the modern game needs?
I think so - the modern game needs strong at-it players, hungry for the ball and not afraid to clash into bodies/packs; can attack when with ball in hand, and can chase (and stick tackles) when opposition has the ball.
I also think the reason why Tigers, Pies, GWS, Cats and Eagles are regularly competing in Finals, because they have a lot of players who are both skilled and not afraid to bash and crash.
* Are the 4 players lost reasons why the Crows are going "backwards"?
It's something to ponder on, and a different perspective as to why things haven't been going as well as we would have liked, particularly in the last 2 seasons. Without these 4 players, there's a huge drop in X-factor and not easily replaced by anyone in our reserves. Maybe to look forward, is to draft new players of similar type who we've lost in the recent past?