Preview Changes and pre match discussion vs Adelaide [Thursday teams - no change!]

[shintemaster]

Some people just don’t like him.

I honestly don’t think our run off half back was the problem this game. I think polish going into 50 was. We clearly got it in enough but didn’t capitalise. They were more efficient and accurate.

We also did make enough errors that gave goals we could have prevented so we got it on both ends. That’s the polish we hope we can add.

I don't know how you can type that with a straight face. Our run and delivery off half back was bad, very predictable and static. Part of the reason delivery forward is so bad is because we take so long getting it forward our options aren't there by the time the ball is.

 

[Twangler]

There's a real let down game coming I feel. A lot seems to have been poured into the last three weeks and I think there's a chance it all comes crashing down at some point. Over there feels like a perfect time for a down game from some of the prime movers.

I’m not so sure. There’s something different about this team this year, we seem so much more mature and hardened. While we may well lose, I’m not expecting a belting - certainly not while we have LDU, McKercher, Sheezel, FOS and Wardlaw in the middle doing their thing.

 

[Ry009]

Would have thought chucking it in the last quarter against Geelong was a let down game.

I understand the mental scarring the last 10 years has given us though.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Mate… 15 years without a win at Adelaide Oval. The Crows literally just need to rock up to the game on time. It’s a pitifully embarrassing record that we will just keep extending.

There is absolutely no reason for optimism. We still lose games and we don’t win at Adelaide Oval.

The Adelaide Oval hoodoo is not like GMHBA though. It feels mostly psychological.

AO's dimensions are almost exactly the same as Marvel.

Geelong has lost once at home across the 2025-26 seasons, and that was against the eventual premiers.

Over the same period, Adelaide's lost five times at AO. Yes that's still a decent home advantage, but not as extreme as Geelong's.

Our midfield is significantly better than theirs. TBF, their forward line has better exposed form over a longer period, and obviously their backline does too.

But unlike Sydney and arguably Geelong, they haven't been playing like a top 4 side this season. If anything I reckon this game's slightly less difficult than yesterday's.

 

[Masked Avenger]

Because he can’t defend and his unaccountability ruins our defensive structure. He constantly sags off his opponent but he isn’t an intercept threat.

Not to mention his kicking is about as damaging a pee-pee gun in a war zone.

I don't think Daniel's unaccountability has ruined our defensive structure.

Our defensive structure was well and truly ruined before he arrived. Years before.

As long as we keep playing blokes like McDonald, Logue and Zurhaar down there, we're getting the results we deserve

Penetration or not, I think his distribution is underrated. I expect him to hit his kicks. Can't say that about the other three.

 

[FlyHigh18]

Trembaths last quarter might have saved him. Been extremely poor the past three weeks and if we want to set standards ...

Is it because his good performance has now attracted a better defender?

 

[Caracas]

Think Kerch in the backline without the run and carry

So, a taller version of Caleb?

 

[apollo_creed]

The Adelaide Oval hoodoo is not like GMHBA though. It feels mostly psychological.

AO's dimensions are almost exactly the same as Marvel.

Geelong has lost once at home across the 2025-26 seasons, and that was against the eventual premiers.

Over the same period, Adelaide's lost five times at AO. Yes that's still a decent home advantage, but not as extreme as Geelong's.

Our midfield is significantly better than theirs. TBF, their forward line has better exposed form over a longer period, and obviously their backline does too.

But unlike Sydney and arguably Geelong, they haven't been playing like a top 4 side this season. If anything I reckon this game's slightly less difficult than yesterday's.

But that’s kind of the thing. Despite the midfield advantage it’s never relevant against them. I’d argue we have had a better midfield for the majority of the past 15 years (ignoring their superiority in every other area) and it has amounted to nothing.

Not sure this group has it in them to win interstate in a hostile atmosphere.

Can’t be ignored that we lost against West Coast who are absolutely ****ing terrible. That was interstate in what is a very similar atmosphere and environment.

 

[Caracas]

Lmac hate isn't the word. We need more attacking run from the backline. Who else do you think is the logical player to make way? He can be doing an ok job and still need to move.

Realistically of the players to go from that backline these blokes are the most like for like
Lmac
Zurhaar

I'd be going the one likely to finish up that is struggling over one that is trying to play a new role, but either or will work.

What we need is exactly what we got yesterday, minus the 2 goals in the last 60 seconds of the first quarter. In a nutshell, that’s the difference between headlines stating “Swans too classy for Roos” and “Roos deliver statement win”. Wardlaw’s ignored brilliant tackle makes it all the more galling. Everyone of our 23 players had their moments yesterday. Nobody deserves to be rubbished out of hand. Case in point, Jy gave two hospital passes in the middle. On the other hand, he was sublime on a few occasions. He’s a sight to behold when he slices across the ground. We were unlucky, pure and simple.

 

[Caracas]

There were so many times yesterday where our hopes were shattered. However, we never let our heads drop. Remember the Darling “goal” that was rubbed out? It absolutely should have been 50 metres as well. The Wardlaw tackle. The Spargo slip. The Comben free kick out of the blue when Logue marked. Winners are grinners, however.

 

[Roos29]

The Kont out
Hardeman in

Zurhaar replaces Kont up forward, Hardeman replaces CZ down back.

 

[Caracas]

Dovaston/Konstany/Banch are interchangeable right now. From my point of view, we should just persist with Dovaston and challenge the other guys to unseat him. We seem to be playing musical chairs with the three of them right now. Hardeman and Whitlock will come in soon enough.

 

[King Hansen]

Because he can’t defend and his unaccountability ruins our defensive structure. He constantly sags off his opponent but he isn’t an intercept threat.

Not to mention his kicking is about as damaging a pee-pee gun in a war zone.

This is just another example of confirmation bias. Probably also influenced by the trade capital we gave up for him.

If Caleb should be playing 2s, after having the fantastic year he's having, then so should about 16 of the players that played yesterday.

An intercept threat? That's extremely unfair IMO. That's not his role. That's like saying Colby should be in the trenches digging it out to Comben who can use his outside run and kicking skills.

 

[apollo_creed]

What we need is exactly what we got yesterday, minus the 2 goals in the last 60 seconds of the first quarter. In a nutshell, that’s the difference between headlines stating “Swans too classy for Roos” and “Roos deliver statement win”. Wardlaw’s ignored brilliant tackle makes it all the more galling. Everyone of our 23 players had their moments yesterday. Nobody deserves to be rubbished out of hand. Case in point, Jy gave two hospital passes in the middle. On the other hand, he was sublime on a few occasions. He’s a sight to behold when he slices across the ground. We were unlucky, pure and simple.

Don’t think you can just gloss over than hand-pass. For a veteran like he is to do that to a player (when Jy himself has sufficient time to assess things) who was only ever going to get tackled and turn it over was beyond stupid. The problem with Jy isn’t his unreliable disposal it’s that combined with his football IQ which has consistently cost the team over the years.

Of course he has good traits and has been a good servant of the club but you can’t ignore mistakes like that like they’re nothing.

 

[apollo_creed]

I definitely wouldn’t bring him back in based on form/output but we all know when Powell is fit he is straight back in.

 

[Skarrz]

I definitely wouldn’t bring him back in based on form/output but we all know when Powell is fit he is straight back in.

Prefer to play Daniel as our ruck than bring Powell back in unfit and shit

 

[DuckYeah]

Must win next week.

Im watching the game and this team is in some shocking form. Adelaide are in all sorts

 

[7577969923]

Prefer to play Daniel as our ruck than bring Powell back in unfit and shit

If he's not right, and there's plenty of evidence he's been struggling physically for 3 or 4 weeks, then it would be stupid to rush him back. Get him right and let him find some touch and confidence in the VFL before he is considered.

 

[Chadwiko]

I definitely wouldn’t bring him back in based on form/output but we all know when Powell is fit he is straight back in.

I genuinely don't buy the "he's out injured" line.

I know he didn't play VFL this week but I have to believe he plays VFl before he plays AFL.

I have to. Otherwise I might just snap.

 

[DuckYeah]

Otherwise I might just snap

 

[roos_fanatic08]

This is just another example of confirmation bias. Probably also influenced by the trade capital we gave up for him.

If Caleb should be playing 2s, after having the fantastic year he's having, then so should about 16 of the players that played yesterday.

An intercept threat? That's extremely unfair IMO. That's not his role. That's like saying Colby should be in the trenches digging it out to Comben who can use his outside run and kicking skills.

It’s not confirmation bias, I’ve given him enough kudos across the first month of the season, but in recent weeks his lack of accountability is glaring.

I’m fine with him if he plays on a wing or across half forward, but behind the ball he completely ruins our setup because he can’t defend one on one and he isn’t accountable.

Intercepting isn’t his role…fair, but no other
Top 6 club carries a player like him behind the ball.

A critical part of the modern game is based on intercepting. By removing him from
Our back 6 and replacing him with someone who is accountable and can intercept will make us inherently better.

 

[scottywiper]

Marstermind, how does no wins in Adelaide against Crows in 23 years stack up? Is that some kind of record?
Poor Adelaide based fans....haven't beaten Port there since 2011 either.

 

[Chadwiko]

Marstermind, how does no wins in Adelaide against Crows in 23 years stack up? Is that some kind of record?
Poor Adelaide based fans....haven't beaten Port there since 2011 either.

Why do you think I left.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Why do you think I left.

Funnily enough, my favourite thing about Adelaide is the kangaroos.

Big alpha bastards. Some have a good foot on me, and 25% heavier too.

Laze around in the hills, bang smack in the middle of the trails, don't move an inch as you approach. They let you go on your merry way without any trouble so long as you keep on running away from them.

A more imaginative poster might be able to fashion a relevant metaphor out of that somehow.

 

[shinboner magic]

Well a win in Adelaide is long overdue.
Day game over there should be much easier than a night game.
Think we will win it