Are we over-rated?

[Stiffy_18]

I can't help but feel that ATM we are over-rated by the media and supporters as well. Even Michaelangelo Rucci believes sun is shining out of our behinds (possibly so he can get the boots in when we don't reach his lofy expectations). Sure we have the potential to be a very good side but we are not that side at the moment. I know injuries are playing a big part in that but we can't use that as an excuse because every team gets their fair share.

Now many will say that last year we were the hunters and now we are hunted but I honestly don't buy that phylosophy. So does the season now go for 5 weeks in order for that excuse to be true? The regular season goes for 22 rounds and I just can't believe that opposition doesn't do their homework on you for the entire season. I just can't and won't buy that.

This year most of us expected to be not as dominant as last year and some of us like me believed that we will start slow and build our momentum as the year goes on much like we did in 2005. However, there are some things that is just not Adelaide. We have always had a lot of pride in our midfield. We have always had that to rely on and more often than not we will win that battle even in our leanest of years.

Nowdays, thats not the case. We are not getting on top in the midfield. We are breaking even at best. I think there are reasons to this like Roo playing as a forward and Huddo's injury but we have known about these things for a while now. Late last season Craig said that Roo will see more time in the forward line and less in the midfield so we can push younger people through there. Granted Roo is spending much more time as a forward than we originally planned but it still doesn't excuse the fact that we are not winning the midfield battle these days. We still have Edwards, Goodwin, McLeod and Thompson playing major minutes there so we should still be bloody good in there BUT for some reason we are not.

Our midfielders are not as desperate as they were last year. We are not winning as much hard ball as we did last year and we are not tackling anywhere near as well or as often as we did last year. These are the funamental things that are a feature of every premiership contender. Brisbane in their prime were the best most fierce tackling team in the comp. We were excellent at it last year but this year its gone out the window. We have not beaten our opponent in tackles once this year. The closest we got was yesterday where each side had the same number of tackles

Are out players believing the hype and are we in fact over-rated this year?

 

[birdmanptr]

For mine we miss Bock and Torney big time as Bock would release Kenny up foward and Torney plays a important role in the back half,with his reading of the play and chopping of the opostons leading foward [watch the first showdown of last year]

Neil Craig said in todays paper that he is bemused by what the media is saying and says that that is not reflected in the club.

It is important to get Huddo back providing he is right and get biglands up foward or if Ivan comes on quicker get him in and Rhett up foward.We can't let Roo just stay up foward at some stage during a game he has to have a run on the ball.

Welsh is also important to the way we play fingers crossed for his return

On the other hand we have won 2 and there a number of players who can lift so from that fact things are looking ok.

Good win in the end yesterday and tough game this week not so much who we are playing but where, then we get back to the normal home away in Melbourne so not entirley happy at the moment but things are not to bad.

 

[James23]

us at full-strength is not over-rated, alot of our success from last year was based around systems and structure and i dont think we can achieve that at the moment with bock, torney, hudson, welsh, mattner, knights on the sideline

 

[macca23]

When you say "over-rated" that depends on who is making what judgement of us Stiffy.

I think most of us dropped our expectations for this year a little given that we had such a good run with injury last year. And we haven't been disappointed in that respect - we have had more injuries for the first 3 weeks than we could have imagined.

Personally I think we are only just travelling at the minute - only just. Yes our mid-field is down, but so is our disposal. Also, because we don't have our best structure available, our decision making leaves a lot to be required.

The one thing we are NOT light on is courage - good old fashioned G&D. We have dug deep in every one of the 3 games to date with 2 wins and a narrow loss - a good result for a team that is only just travelling.

Having said all that, I think if we do ever get our optimum structure back, and Roo goes back to the mid-field, then we will be up there with the very best of them.

As for the big wrap from Rucci, remember the old saying "beware the Greek bearing gifts" - even if he is an Italian!!!!

 

[-CG-]

This is from the advertiser today

"I think outside the club there is an over inlfated opinion of us that does not exist inside ther club," said Craig.

"We know we have a lot of improvement to make."

I cant wait till later in the year when hopefully we will have a full strength side and will be playing better footy.

 

[kirky]

Don't think we are necessarily over-rated but at the moment just don't have our structure right. Have a look at some of our starts since our premiership years:-

1999 - 3 wins of first 5 (covered up loss of Rehn/Marsh) on way to 10-12
2000 - 0 wins of first 5 on way to 9-13
2001 - 0 wins of first 3 but got back to 12-10 before first round finals exit
2002 - 3 wins of first 5 on way to 15-7 and a preliminary final
2003 - 3 wins of first 5 on way to 13-9 before losing our way in last few weeks
2004 - 1 win of first 6 on way to 8-14 and change of coach midyear
2005 - 3 wins of first 5 on way to 17-5 and minor premiership

Our worst years have been when we haven't gotten early wins and in most cases have lost the first 4 or 5 (2000 and 2004). At this time of year you just need to get wins on the board and work on your problems which hopefully you will resolve as the season progresses. In my mind we will look and get better as the year progresses.

PS : Look at Collingwood this year, few injuries and they are flying and yet we still we beat them on their own dunghill (which we have only achieved twice before in 15 years and in both of those wins they were both very close in 1998 and 2005 with margins of 8/9 points and 6 points respectively)

 

[WaynesWorld19]

At the beginning of each season clubs are either over or under rated.

last year we were under rated this year yes I do believe we have been overated:

1. Every judge does not understand the depth each club has to cover injury or which rookie is about to take that next step.

2. Each season teams modify gameplans and player positions.


The Crows have changed the positions of players; Burton (more forward), Mattner (more back), Thompson (not forwrd), Roo (FF v midfield)

This changes the gamestyle and with the injuries we have incurred we cannot be compared to last season.

As we are currently we are potentially in strife...we do not have sufficient quality KPP. If we can get back Bock and co then we are capable of still winning the flag.

But I could say that of 4-5 clubs as well

 

[Stiffy_18]

When I say over-rated I mean by the media and general football public.

I can understand the reasons behind why we are not travelling as well as we did last year and there are genuine reasons.

However, that doesn't explain the lack of 1%ers that are absent. We prided ourselves on tackling and smothers and 1%ers last year but we are yet to win a tackle count against the opposition once this year. That is something thats concerning me.

As I have said before, if we start the season 3-2 I would be very happy with it considering the injury list and the scheduling (4 games in 4 states is not exactly easing yourself into the season).

 

[bigman]

At the beginning of each season clubs are either over or under rated.

last year we were under rated this year yes I do believe we have been overated:

1. Every judge does not understand the depth each club has to cover injury or which rookie is about to take that next step.

2. Each season teams modify gameplans and player positions.


The Crows have changed the positions of players; Burton (more forward), Mattner (more back), Thompson (not forwrd), Roo (FF v midfield)

This changes the gamestyle and with the injuries we have incurred we cannot be compared to last season.

As we are currently we are potentially in strife...we do not have sufficient quality KPP. If we can get back Bock and co then we are capable of still winning the flag.

But I could say that of 4-5 clubs as well

The lack of a quality forward continues to hurt us. Even Fergus was not likely to provide us with this.

If the big Pav is available in 2006, we must have a RHG to get him. Too often still we do not get enough success from the many entries we make into the forward line.

Perrie is a huge trier but he misses too many easy shots for goals that in the end can make a diffference between us winning and losing the close ones.

Stiff's cmments about the midfield are very true and we need to improve our performacne here.

 

[FCAGJAT]

we are also missing the mean tackling machine in mattner

 

[Stiffy_18]

we are also missing the mean tackling machine in mattner

We only missed him for 1 game in which we had the same number of tackles as the opposition. In other 2 games we were smashed in the tackling department by the opposition.

While we missed his run, the wasn't a huge drop off in 1%ers on the weekend.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Great post Stiffy, I agree, I think we are over rated, I feel we are going to be a force throughout the season but I dont think we have shown our complete potential just yet.

In saying that I think this is a good thing as we are still 2-1 and we are missing some important players in our line up. I will wait for a few more weeks before I can make a definitive decision though.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

The Crows have changed the positions of players; Burton (more forward), Mattner (more back), Thompson (not forwrd), Roo (FF v midfield)

This changes the gamestyle and with the injuries we have incurred we cannot be compared to last season.

I know this is a bit off topic, but isn't that what great sides are, being flexible with their list? Swap players around when things aren't going well and more often than not, it well gel.

Whilst we are playing other and younger players in the middle, it is our archilles heel at the minute, but surely you have to start somewhere or sometime for this players to learn that position so that in the next year or so when our 30ish year old players who we have relied on so well in the past wont be there. Put that with being the hunted and not the hunter combined also with our current injury list and we have our current situation IMO.
It might not be perfect just yet, but give it time I say.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Great post Stiffy, I agree, I think we are over rated, I feel we are going to be a force throughout the season but I dont think we have shown our complete potential just yet.

In saying that I think this is a good thing as we are still 2-1 and we are missing some important players in our line up. I will wait for a few more weeks before I can make a definitive decision though.

I'd be very careful about thinking all will be well in a few weeks when we get some of our injured players back, because that unwanted injury reoccuring or someone else getting injured could be just around the corner.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

I'd be very careful about thinking all will be well in a few weeks when we get some of our injured players back, because that unwanted injury reoccuring or someone else getting injured could be just around the corner.

Of course it could happen, but I feel its hard to judge where we are at yet until we have our best players on deck.

We showed last year we are going to be tough to beat so this is all I can go on.

 

[- PC -]

I agree in what you are saying about the ''little things'' Stiffy.The worst of it is the decision making. Or lack of.

I think the midfield issue is one that needs to be addressed now.Either NC feels that Roo is the best option up forward for now, and while he is forward we play 1 younger midfielder. Or Roo is not fit. Either way other players must step up. Reilly started the year well and is playing in fits and spurts. Knights is injured, and Skipworth and Doughty are not top shelf midfielders.

I do think injuries have forced NC to change his structure in the back half...not so much the direct swap for Bock and Torney but by playing Mattner and Burton deeper in the backlines.

It seems NC is prepared to defend a total he believes his limited forward structure will kick.

 

[FCAGJAT]

We only missed him for 1 game in which we had the same number of tackles as the opposition. In other 2 games we were smashed in the tackling department by the opposition.

While we missed his run, the wasn't a huge drop off in 1%ers on the weekend.

I agree with you there stiff and we are not tackling as a team and putting pressure on the opposition enough to force turnovers to our advantage like we would've last season. Seems as if though we're getting slower and reacting slower which is resulting in us conceding numerous amounts of tackles in the 3 games we have played so far!

 

[jenny61_99]

A Minor Premier finish last season, and runner-up in the NAB Cup Pre-season competition left many believing Adelaide was THE team to beat (and probably rightfully so). That was really flattering, but we all know that it all counts for nought when the season proper starts to unfold.

We have had more injuries to date than we had for the whole of last year! And of course that means structures are challenged and game plans altered to Plan B, C or D (whichever applies).

I think the Club and most of the supporters are aware of the challenges we face this year. Of course we all HOPE we can achieve the ultimate goal - but then every Club/supporter wants the same for their team.

The media will figure it out in the long term.... maybe! (hey they are still hung up on whether Hentschell "touched" that goal yesterday, but nobody mentioned the "mark" by Robertson (that wasn't a mark) that resulted in a goal, or the apparently "touched" goal that Roo kicked. They all say condescendingly that the goal umpire was in the best position, but it is clear they all think Melbourne was robbed! So there is no guarantee they WILL figure anything out) .

 

[Stiffy_18]

The media will figure it out in the long term.... maybe! (hey they are still hung up on whether Hentschell "touched" that goal yesterday, but nobody mentioned the "mark" by Robertson (that wasn't a mark) that resulted in a goal, or the apparently "touched" goal that Roo kicked. They all say condescendingly that the goal umpire was in the best position, but it is clear they all think Melbourne was robbed! So there is no guarantee they WILL figure anything out) .

That Robertson mark was a mark as he held it long enough IMHO.

And the Roo goal was definetly touched. No question there just as Bruce's goal was rightly a behind as the ball touched the post when he was bringing it up to kick it.

To be honset, the Hentschel touch was as dodgy as they come and from the comfort of my lounge room and from the inconclusive footage, I would say it probably was over the line.

 

[- PC -]

They all say condescendingly that the goal umpire was in the best position, but it is clear they all think Melbourne was robbed! So there is no guarantee they WILL figure anything out) .

What position were you in jen? ( double entendre intended)

And what was your impression anyway?

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Sure we are over-rated by the media, but as a club we appear to be dealing with that OK. Craig appears to be focused on the job at hand. Most supporters would have higher expectations (compared to last year) & rightly so.

All things considered, I'm feeling OK about a 2-1 start. Sure we have a lot of improvement left, but it's only early days. Also, need to consider that have got by OK without some important players to our structure (ie. Bock & Welsh) & the other 1st choice player (ie. Torney & Mattner). Our depth in most areas is better than last year.

Things are on track, but there is a long, long way to go.

 

[jenny61_99]

What position were you in jen? ( double entendre intended)

And what was your impression anyway?

Honestly, at that stage of the game I was on my feet yelling my head off for them to blow the bloody siren, dead set sure we were going to lose. Carrara doesnt have a giant replay screen - which is probably just as well! My impression from watching the tv replays is that Hentschell DIDN'T touch the ball before it went through. Of course the WHOLE ball has to go through so from the angles we are shown it is impossible to tell. My whole point with this comment was though that much is being made of THAT goal, when they glossed over the fact that Robertson was paid a mark that he had failed to control to the ground and subsequently got a goal for and they gave a cursery one replay to Roo's goal that was apparently touched and subsequently disallowed. We were sitting right behind that kick and there's no way that ball changed trajectory. There were plenty of other decisions made (on both sides) that were ordinary at best. McLaren does NOT like Adelaide. I wonder if it's possible to find the stats of free kicks he has given against us?

 

[jenny61_99]

That Robertson mark was a mark as he held it long enough IMHO.

And the Roo goal was definetly touched. No question there just as Bruce's goal was rightly a behind as the ball touched the post when he was bringing it up to kick it.

To be honset, the Hentschel touch was as dodgy as they come and from the comfort of my lounge room and from the inconclusive footage, I would say it probably was over the line.

I agree with you about Bruce's goal and also probably about Hentschells. Totally disagree with you about the Robertson mark. In fact I notice that Dermy made a small, throw away comment about it in the replay (had it have been the other way they would have shown it 15 times from every angle available - as they did with the Bruce point). The Umpire blew the whistle in anticipation that Robertson would mark when in fact he failed to control it to the ground. And like I said above... we sat behind Roo's kick and we couldn't see that it was touched.

 

[JeffDunne]

Weren't you all complaining this time last year about being under-rated?

 

[Markthirtytwo]

A Minor Premier finish last season, and runner-up in the NAB Cup Pre-season competition left many believing Adelaide was THE team to beat (and probably rightfully so). That was really flattering, but we all know that it all counts for nought when the season proper starts to unfold.

We have had more injuries to date than we had for the whole of last year! And of course that means structures are challenged and game plans altered to Plan B, C or D (whichever applies).

I think the Club and most of the supporters are aware of the challenges we face this year. Of course we all HOPE we can achieve the ultimate goal - but then every Club/supporter wants the same for their team.

The media will figure it out in the long term.... maybe! (hey they are still hung up on whether Hentschell "touched" that goal yesterday, but nobody mentioned the "mark" by Robertson (that wasn't a mark) that resulted in a goal, or the apparently "touched" goal that Roo kicked. They all say condescendingly that the goal umpire was in the best position, but it is clear they all think Melbourne was robbed! So there is no guarantee they WILL figure anything out) .

Well said Jenny.