Best Team for Finals - Selection Dilemas

[WaynesWorld19]

Re: Selection Headaches

If it is decided that we can't fit all out medium/tall forwards in (for team balance), then Welsh would be the most likely to miss - given Burton & Roo offer similar benefits to the forward line.

Sarge is a must IMO - fit would be picked ahead of McGregor.

 

[Crow-mo]

Re: Selection Headaches

Sarge is a must IMO - fit would be picked ahead of McGregor.

IF it came to that, McGregor would be moved down back. But I don't think it will.

 

[The Crows Truth]

Re: Selection Headaches

IF it came to that, McGregor would be moved down back. But I don't think it will.

would we fit him down back? rutten/bock/bassett/hart match up pretty well against most backlines - i cant see kenny replacing any of these lads

 

[macca23]

Re: Selection Headaches

If it is decided that we can't fit all out medium/tall forwards in (for team balance), then Welsh would be the most likely to miss - given Burton & Roo offer similar benefits to the forward line.

Sarge is a must IMO - fit would be picked ahead of McGregor.

Please Kane, don't feed the prejudiced WW with lines in the McGregor area.

Seriously boys, you couldn't be more wrong with this one. It totally ignores the concept of structure and the fact that they are totally different types of players.

Kenny is the best contested mark in the team and plays the Robran role from Blight's days. Perrie is a roaming HF type.

Thank god Craigy doesn't get his team selections from WW.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Re: Selection Headaches

IF it came to that, McGregor would be moved down back. But I don't think it will.

I believe you are correct on both accounts.

There is room in the team for Hentschel, Perrie, McGregor (as forwards) & Bock.

Welsh is the one who have the biggest challenge breaking into the side IMO.

 

[macca23]

Re: Selection Headaches

I believe you are correct on both accounts.

There is room in the team for Hentschel, Perrie, McGregor (as forwards) & Bock.

Welsh is the one who have the biggest challenge breaking into the side IMO.

As I've been saying for a few weeks now, Welshy is the one that is going to struggle to get in IMO.

 

[Drummond]

Re: Selection Headaches

Our leading goal kicker, our spearhead in attack up until this season will walk straight back into the side should he show form and fitness in the SANFL.

 

[- PC -]

Re: Selection Headaches

Our leading goal kicker, our spearhead in attack up until this season will walk straight back into the side should he show form and fitness in the SANFL.

No he wont

 

[Crow-mo]

Re: Selection Headaches

No he wont

oh yes he will

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Re: Selection Headaches

Kenny is the best contested mark in the team and plays the Robran role from Blight's days. Perrie is a roaming HF type.

Thank god Craigy doesn't get his team selections from WW.

On the contrary I would have thought both Perrie and Robran played the role of lead up forward and when Perrie is available Kenny plays the stay at home for the long bomb.

In Perrie's absence yes I agree Kenny has taken over the role of the lead up forward ......but to suggest what you have is not correct

 

[marvin]

Re: Selection Headaches

Sarge is a must IMO - fit would be picked ahead of McGregor.

Let's assume that we're in the West Coast situation in last year's GF. We're down by a couple of points . One of our players has the ball outside the 50.
A big pack contests the mark.

Who do you want in that pack trying to pull down a mark - Kenny or Sarge?
Who do you want trying to kick the goal on the siren to win a match - Kenny or Sarge?

 

[Mad Dog]

Re: Selection Headaches

Let's assume that we're in the West Coast situation in last year's GF. We're down by a couple of points . One of our players has the ball outside the 50.
A big pack contests the mark.

Who do you want in that pack trying to pull down a mark - Kenny or Sarge?
Who do you want trying to kick the goal on the siren to win a match - Kenny or Sarge?

tough call - pretty much a different answer for each question. Kenny for the mark and Pez for the kick !

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Re: Selection Headaches

Let's assume that we're in the West Coast situation in last year's GF. We're down by a couple of points . One of our players has the ball outside the 50.
A big pack contests the mark.

Who do you want in that pack trying to pull down a mark - Kenny or Sarge?
Who do you want trying to kick the goal on the siren to win a match - Kenny or Sarge?

or none of the above - Brett Burton.

 

[marvin]

Re: Selection Headaches

or none of the above - Brett Burton.

With the Birdman developing a sudden crippling cramp and having the skipper convert.

Given Sarge or Kenny, I'd rather have Kenny take the mark, like Mad Dog, and Kenny take the kick. I'd still be watching Kenny pretty nervously, but I couldn't watch Sarge.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Re: Selection Headaches

With the Birdman developing a sudden crippling cramp and having the skipper convert.

Given Sarge or Kenny, I'd rather have Kenny take the mark, like Mad Dog, and Kenny take the kick. I'd still be watching Kenny pretty nervously, but I couldn't watch Sarge.

Depends whether straight out or on an angle. If on an acute angle, then I would prefer Sarge over Kenny.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

The WCE game was a needed wake-up call. However, it will happen again (as it did last year) if we dont make key personnel changes. This will require putting considerations of ability AND performance above name and reputation. What do you think of the following ideas?

Ricciuto...the heartbeat of the Crows. Yes, he's been a great leading FF all year but we have a perfectly good replacement in Scott Welsh now fit and firing again in the SANFL. Roo needs to be in the middle at crucial stages of the game. I know his fitness wont allow a full game in the midfield so its time to rotate him between midfield, forward line and bench, with a greater emphasis on midfield, even if that means more bench time recovery.

The Ruckmen...is it an overstatement to say that a fit Ben Hudson could mean the difference between a premiership or another lost season after being minor premiers? We need him back as number one ASAP. In the meantime, its up to Clarke and Biglands in the next 2 weeks to audition for the 2nd spot. Unfortunately, event the limited Clarke and Biglands still prob better options than Maric or Meesen.

Kenny McGregor...i cannot decide whether the glass is half full or half empty with Kenny. He is a great team man who by all reports is the forward line general and does take the odd contested mark BUT (and lets forget name and reputation) he is slow in terms of running speed and disposal, almost always falls to ground too easily, cannot stop his quicker opponents running out of our forward line, and his little stab kicks for goal are suspect. IMO if Perrie can regain form (which by all reports he hasnt yet) he would seriously challenge for CHF.

Reilly...is he currently too soft for finals-type footy? Harsh call but i reckon its time to play for Sturt and give Richard Douglas a go. Though he is a little smaller, Douglas is quick, fearless, skilful, and often gets amongst the goals.

Shirley...was seriously shown up today for lack of class and pace (despite his admirable determination in getting the most out of his limited ability). Van Berlo should be our first-choice 'defensive midfielder' from now on.

Bode...see comments re Shirley. Porplyzia is a better option.

Stevens...another harsh call as he has improved greatly and certainly wasnt our worst player against WC but in the end, who do you want standing at CHB in the finals...for me it has to be Nathan Bock. Depending on team balance, there may be a spot for Stevens on the bench as the utility tall who can go forward or back to cover a 3rd tall.

Doughty, Massie, Mattner...all deserve to keep their spots but must begin to stand up in big games.

I am sure some will view this post as merely an overly harsh emotional over-reaction to a loss. It's not. Some players obviously deserve a little faith and loyalty after many good performances but thats no excuse to get soft and stick our heads in the sand, only to get beaten again in finals and wish changes were made when problems arose.

 

[Drummond]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Shirley...was seriously shown up today for lack of class and pace (despite his admirable determination in getting the most out of his limited ability). Van Berlo should be our first-choice 'defensive midfielder' from now on.

Craig said Rob Shirley would tag one of the Eagles' midfielders, and he added: "You've got a good choice there, a smorgasbord of which one do you go for, (Chris) Judd, (Daniel) Kerr, (Ben) Cousins - and (Chad) Fletcher's not playing - so our normal policy is to use Shirley on one of them, but we certainly won't be having three or four taggers.

"We don't get locked in. Let's say Shirley takes Judd … if someone else bobs up, we've got the flexibility and have done it in the past to say, 'Shirley, you need to roll over there, or take someone else in'. I think we're getting better at that.

Well now, lets see. Judd had 21 possessions and 3 goals, Kerr 34 possessions while Cousins had 38. Interesting job done by Shirley. I'm not saying he's to blame for them all, that of course would be crazy. But he's certainly far from being a good tagger, and to be honest I have no idea what he bring to this side. There are so many better options running around in the SANFL, however I don't see Craig dropping Shirley, because for whatever reason he's a first choice player...

 

[treeman]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

What is wrong with Porplyzia as a tagger? Didn't he tag really well in the pre-season matches? For me he has to be given a go at tagging a player in the next 4 weeks.
Unless i'm remembering wrongly.

-Ben

 

[bigman]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

The WCE game was a needed wake-up call. However, it will happen again (as it did last year) if we dont make key personnel changes. This will require putting considerations of ability AND performance above name and reputation. What do you think of the following ideas?

Ricciuto...the heartbeat of the Crows. Yes, he's been a great leading FF all year but we have a perfectly good replacement in Scott Welsh now fit and firing again in the SANFL. Roo needs to be in the middle at crucial stages of the game. I know his fitness wont allow a full game in the midfield so its time to rotate him between midfield, forward line and bench, with a greater emphasis on midfield, even if that means more bench time recovery.

The Ruckmen...is it an overstatement to say that a fit Ben Hudson could mean the difference between a premiership or another lost season after being minor premiers? We need him back as number one ASAP. In the meantime, its up to Clarke and Biglands in the next 2 weeks to audition for the 2nd spot. Unfortunately, event the limited Clarke and Biglands still prob better options than Maric or Meesen.

Kenny McGregor...i cannot decide whether the glass is half full or half empty with Kenny. He is a great team man who by all reports is the forward line general and does take the odd contested mark BUT (and lets forget name and reputation) he is slow in terms of running speed and disposal, almost always falls to ground too easily, cannot stop his quicker opponents running out of our forward line, and his little stab kicks for goal are suspect. IMO if Perrie can regain form (which by all reports he hasnt yet) he would seriously challenge for CHF.

Reilly...is he currently too soft for finals-type footy? Harsh call but i reckon its time to play for Sturt and give Richard Douglas a go. Though he is a little smaller, Douglas is quick, fearless, skilful, and often gets amongst the goals.

Shirley...was seriously shown up today for lack of class and pace (despite his admirable determination in getting the most out of his limited ability). Van Berlo should be our first-choice 'defensive midfielder' from now on.

Bode...see comments re Shirley. Porplyzia is a better option.

Stevens...another harsh call as he has improved greatly and certainly wasnt our worst player against WC but in the end, who do you want standing at CHB in the finals...for me it has to be Nathan Bock. Depending on team balance, there may be a spot for Stevens on the bench as the utility tall who can go forward or back to cover a 3rd tall.

Doughty, Massie, Mattner...all deserve to keep their spots but must begin to stand up in big games.

I am sure some will view this post as merely an overly harsh emotional over-reaction to a loss. It's not. Some players obviously deserve a little faith and loyalty after many good performances but thats no excuse to get soft and stick our heads in the sand, only to get beaten again in finals and wish changes were made when problems arose.

You make a number of good points although I do not agree with everything you said.

Our backboners let us down today. Soemone described them as backbones of jellyfish. They must stand up when things are not going our way or we will be seen as chokers and front runners.

There were some very strong similarities today with last years final in Perth.

Craigy must addressthis problem quickly. It is too simplisitc to say we needed the loss or we were due for a loss. It was another loss to the Eagles and we lost again because we were not able to contain their midfield and their pressure on the player with the ball caused us to constantly turn over the ball.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Well now, lets see. Judd had 21 possessions and 3 goals, Kerr 34 possessions while Cousins had 38. Interesting job done by Shirley. I'm not saying he's to blame for them all, that of course would be crazy. But he's certainly far from being a good tagger, and to be honest I have no idea what he bring to this side. There are so many better options running around in the SANFL, however I don't see Craig dropping Shirley, because for whatever reason he's a first choice player...

On two threads today there have been criticisms of "Shirley".......I have been waiting for the usual defence by his supporters...........nothing!

The sounds of silence

 

[jmorg1]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Mark Ricciuto doesn't look right. Seems slow and clumsy when he plays in the midfield. Think he might be carrying an injury.

 

[- PC -]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

On two threads today there have been criticisms of "Shirley".......I have been waiting for the usual defence by his supporters...........nothing!

The sounds of silence

Of course we are silent...he had a bad game. How can we defend that? He wasnt an orphan in that regard was he .Doesnt mean his season is over or Adelaides.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

On two threads today there have been criticisms of "Shirley".......I have been waiting for the usual defence by his supporters...........nothing!

The sounds of silence

Rob Shirley was no worse than say a Tyson Edwards. Anyone bag Tyson?

In fact Tyson has stunk it up for a month now but not a single mention from you or bigman on that.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Rob Shirley was no worse than say a Tyson Edwards. Anyone bag Tyson?

In fact Tyson has stunk it up for a month now but not a single mention from you or bigman on that.

Sure, Edwards has not had a great month of footy (though still better than Shirley). The big difference is that while his performance has been below his very high standards, he has proven himself to be a top shelf midfielder (in performance not just reputation). Shirley on the other hand has only moderate ability who most weeks gets the best out of himself in defensive midfield roles but whose limitations could easily cost us in finals type games (as it did yesterday). So of course there is a huge difference between the two!

I agree with an earlier post suggesting Porplyzia should be given more midfield time in the defensive role. I would have VB number 1 tagger, Porps 2nd for the rotations, Shirley omitted.

With Edwards, I wouldn't mind seeing him spend a little more time in the forward pocket just to freshen him up, especially with the form shown by Thompson in the middle against WC. This would leave Edwards/Thompson and Porps as small forwards, Bode omitted.

 

[Glenno23]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Rob Shirley was no worse than say a Tyson Edwards. Anyone bag Tyson?

In fact Tyson has stunk it up for a month now but not a single mention from you or bigman on that.

But after so many years of good service, supporters will "forget" a few bad games from Edwards, or a McLeod, as opposed to a player who isn't a "superstar" The same with the coaching and selection panel. A proven performer that has done it for so many years, won't get a mention or dropped (not saying Tyson will get dropped, not gonna happen!) Look at Tubby Taylor in the cricket in 97. hadn't made any runs for many an inning, but was allowed to keep playing and wasn't dropped, but had a younger player had a form slump, he would have been dropped a few matches back. I know Tyson will come good, its just an anology!