Bickley does things Craig could never do

[srv23]

But see this is the thing. Walker was never dropped "weeks on end" by Craig. He was dropped for a couple of weeks (and this year, justifiably so) and given things to work on. It was unfortunate that he got injured and then suspended.

The Captain demanded Walker's selection? Says who? Proof?

Maybe it's not a coincidence or just maybe it has more to do with Tex (and all his mates) deciding that they needed to pull their fingers out. Like I said, he's working far harder than he did in the early part of this season and the results are showing. He is less likely to get dropped if he is performing, yes? Perhaps the lesson has been learned.

VB said it himself on 5aa

 

[dude316]

Gunston is/was a dead-eye dick at Centrals. He's a beautiful kick of the footy.

Dude316, wash your mouth out with soap and water young man.

I hope you're right. He looks like he's got a really good kicking style, a thousand times better than Gill, just needs to nail the gettable ones.

(can i write out a hundred lines rather than wash my mouth with soap?)

 

[jenny61_99]

VB said it himself on 5aa

VB demanded Craig select Walker?

 

[Slippery Pete]

(can i write out a hundred lines rather than wash my mouth with soap?)

Your punishment is to watch the 1978 SANFL Grand Final.

 

[srv23]

VB demanded Craig select Walker?

The week Craig resigned, VB and the leadership group went in to Bicks and demanded Walker be selected rather than play at Norwood (where according to Rowe he was told by Craig that he would need to play for a month before being considered for selection) VB said this in an interview on 5aa the week after the Port game.

 

[jenny61_99]

Oh ok, never heard that before.

 

[Slippery Pete]

VB demanded Craig select Walker?

Don't be silly, VB isn't a miracle worker.

SRV23 is referring to when Bickley took over. It has been said that the leadership group requested the noose be removed from Walker's neck.

Also - see my quote from VB on Triple M. It pays to read the thread, Jen.

 

[Vader]

Also - see my quote from VB on Triple M. It pays to read the thread, Jen.

It also pays to keep in mind that not all of the posters around here are based in Adelaide.

Yes, it has been stated several times that the leadership group approached Bicks, demanding Walker's selection - but this is the first time anyone has provided a source to back that statement up. Prior to srv23's post, providing a source, the statement had no more authenticity than your average urban legend.

 

[Slippery Pete]

Prior to srv23's post, providing a source, the statement had no more authenticity than your average urban legend.

You don't think the Triple M quote signalled a significant change in attitude towards the selection policy re Walker?

 

[Southerntakeover]

I think demand may be overstating it.

Still, van Berlo certainly did say that the leadership group had requested the selection of several players (Vince? Knights?) of which walker was an one.

 

[jenny61_99]

Don't be silly, VB isn't a miracle worker.

SRV23 is referring to when Bickley took over. It has been said that the leadership group requested the noose be removed from Walker's neck.

Also - see my quote from VB on Triple M. It pays to read the thread, Jen.

I don't read every thread, because for the most part, I couldn't stand the constant bagging of everything and everyone.

It's certainly telling if it's an accurate quote and quite opposite to my personal experience of interaction between the two.

 

[srv23]

I think demand may be overstating it.

Still, van Berlo certainly did say that the leadership group had requested the selection of several players (Vince? Knights?) of which walker was an one.

Yeah you're right. He said they requested his selection. It is still a pretty big statement that several days after Craig has gone, the leadership group feel the need to address the new coach about players they wanted to be selected in the side.

 

[Southerntakeover]

If I recall correctly, I think Roo mentioned during the 1st quarter that Tex and Craigy didn't have a great relationship.

He did in the pre-game.

How we can still be debating whether a rift existed or not is beyond me.

 

[SydCrow]

Yeah you're right. He said they requested his selection. It is still a pretty big statement that several days after Craig has gone, the leadership group feel the need to address the new coach about players they wanted to be selected in the side.

somehow I couldn't see them doing it if Malthouse had taken over

but it sounds like Bicks was looking for all the help he could get - one of the players said after the Showdown that Bicks was nervous before the game

 

[Slippery Pete]

How we can still be debating whether a rift existed or not is beyond me.

Stop it, it's getting tiresome.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

And why is that? Why was Craig unable to get this effort from him? Unless Walker comes out and announces he hated craig no one other than those close to him will ever really know, but as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words..........

Didn't you hear Mark Riccuto say during the broadcast that Taylor Walker and Neil Craig disliked each other?

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

The week Craig resigned, VB and the leadership group went in to Bicks and demanded Walker be selected rather than play at Norwood (where according to Rowe he was told by Craig that he would need to play for a month before being considered for selection) VB said this in an interview on 5aa the week after the Port game.

Demanded?

are you sure it was demanded. I know I'm maybe being a bit pedantic, but I'm sure it wasn't demanded. Too strong of a word.

Maybe it was he 'suggested' that he get selected, but not demanded.

The thing in question for me is the choice of word, not the action. I agree with the action of VB suggesting he get selected and the 4 weeks at Norwood.

EDIT: Answered or fixed up in post 237.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Yes, it has been stated several times that the leadership group approached Bicks, demanding Walker's selection - but this is the first time anyone has provided a source to back that statement up. Prior to srv23's post, providing a source, the statement had no more authenticity than your average urban legend.

Yes it has been, it was posted the Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning after Van Berlo was on MMM to be certain. It was skimmed over because a select few were still not ready to listen to any sour grapes about Neil Craig - in fact, some still are not ready.

 

[Slippery Pete]

^^
Well said.

 

[CrowFan83]

Didn't you hear Mark Riccuto say during the broadcast that Taylor Walker and Neil Craig disliked each other?

That would be a No! Thought Roo did a good job though, does anyone know if that was his first shot commentating on TV? I don't recall him doing so previously but might have just missed those games..

But no need to convince me, have heard from other sources they didn't get on, the post was more for those who refuse to believe Craig could possibly have made mistakes/mismanaged certain players.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

That would be a No! Thought Roo did a good job though, does anyone know if that was his first shot commentating on TV? I don't recall him doing so previously but might have just missed those games..

It was his first Crows TV game and first TV season but has done a game each week. A few WA games but it's been mostly that twilight game on fox.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

But no need to convince me, have heard from other sources they didn't get on, the post was more for those who refuse to believe Craig could possibly have made mistakes/mismanaged certain players.

No need to try and convince you mate, been saying it for week/months that he was leaving if Neil Craig was coach next year. And as long as my arse points to the ground, I'll stick with that assessment.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Taylor played like an unhappy man at Adelaide and I wouldnt have blamed him if he did leave. Taylor was his own worst enemy though by not playing well and giving craig amunition. Surely even he can admit that.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Taylor played like an unhappy man at Adelaide and I wouldnt have blamed him if he did leave. Taylor was his own worst enemy though by not playing well and giving craig amunition. Surely even he can admit that.

Well he'd be very irresponsible if he didn't. Being part of any team, he has to own his own behavior before starting to blame others.

 

[Vader]

Yes it has been, it was posted the Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning after Van Berlo was on MMM to be certain. It was skimmed over because a select few were still not ready to listen to any sour grapes about Neil Craig - in fact, some still are not ready.

I've seen plenty of posts where this was quoted as fact. srv23's post was the first time that I recall seeing a source for the comment. I could be wrong.. but it's the first time I remember seeing someone provide a source for this information.

You don't think the Triple M quote signalled a significant change in attitude towards the selection policy re Walker?

I think you're misunderstanding me. It has been commonly stated as fact on this board that the leadership group approached Bickley re: Walker. However, as far as I was aware, this was based on nothing more than hearsay - a rumour, quite possibly without any actual basis in reality.

I, like Jenny, was unaware that it had been stated on MMM. This changes the integrity of the information, upgrading it from "unreliable rumour" to "reliable information coming directly from the playing group via Adelaide radio".

It was not my intention to make any comment regarding a change of selection policy under Bicks.