Unofficial Preview Changes & discussion v the Crows Round 13 @ Adelaide Oval

[M Malice]

Tough bloody matchup, just the way we like it.

Outs- Darcy Gardiner

27

Darcy Gardiner

Age

30

Ht

192cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.6

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

4.1

4star

T

2.1

4star

G

0.0

1star

D

10.7

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

2.9

2star

M

3.7

4star

T

2.1

3star

G

0.0

1star

D

10.2

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

4.2

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.8

4star

G

0.0

1star

(omit), Darcy Fort

32

Darcy Fort

Age

32

Ht

204cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.6

2star

K

5.8

2star

HB

2.9

3star

CL

2.9

4star

HO

17.8

5star

D

9.2

2star

K

6.0

2star

HB

3.2

2star

CL

3.6

4star

HO

21.2

5star

D

7.6

2star

K

5.4

2star

HB

2.2

2star

CL

2.2

4star

HO

15.6

5star

(omit), Levi Ashcroft(managed).

Ins- Oscar McInerney

46

Oscar Mcinerney

Age

31

Ht

205cm

Wt

110kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.1

2star

K

4.1

2star

HB

3.9

3star

CL

1.4

4star

HO

14.3

5star

D

6.9

1star

K

4.1

2star

HB

2.7

2star

CL

1.9

4star

HO

16.4

5star

D

7.6

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.6

3star

CL

0.4

3star

HO

11.2

5star

, Keidean Coleman, Dev Robertson.

Sub- Sam Marshall or James Tunstill.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Oscar for Dizzy. Our forward structure has been really terrible since Days injury.

Can't rely on the smalls kicking 10 plus every week

If fit bring in Kiddy for Dev and either Kiddy or Levi as the sub

 

[knaf]

Just watched the VFL, Doedee might be ready!

 

[KissKiss]

Changes I think will happen:

• Oscar in for Fort. Not disgraced but its pretty clear a fit Oscar is our preferred first ruck
• Kiddy in. Likely for Dev, push Levi to sub and Fletcher back to the wing.

Changes I would like:

• Gardiner out for Gallop or ZZ. I think our forward combination is wrong with Gardiner and Morris too similar and we are losing out with Hipwood getting cooked in the ruck. We need a different option upforward and should test the young guys until Day is back
• Maybe controversially but think some pressure should be on Rayner and Charlie still (maybe not dropped but told they are on notice). Their best is great but they are some of the biggest culprits for lazy defensive efforts. When they switch off teams just rebound at will going forward and it flows through the rest of the team. I know Fagan's loyalty has been one of his biggest attributes but I still feel that the safety of knowing they will never be dropped means they slack off too much in games against lower opposition

 

[Tom14]

Oscar for Dizzy. Our forward structure has been really terrible since Days injury.

Can't rely on the smalls kicking 10 plus every week

If fit bring in Kiddy for Dev and either Kiddy or Levi as the sub

Levi to sub, kiddy starts the game. Forward 50 efficiency is our biggest problem - Jaspa further forward should help, and having both kiddy and zork to progress the ball.

Better forward 50 efficiency will help us defend - poor entries leading to trampoline turnovers is a massive issue.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Levi to sub, kiddy starts the game. Forward 50 efficiency is our biggest problem - Jaspa further forward should help, and having both kiddy and zork to progress the ball.

Better forward 50 efficiency will help us defend - poor entries leading to trampoline turnovers is a massive issue.

Yeah and obviously assuming Kiddy is fit

Peatling did a good job shutting down Zorko in the GWS final last year so another good kick down back would be handy

Of course if Clug has another 20 inside 50s that would be handy too

 

[Clarkythelion]

Just watched the VFL, Doedee might be ready!

Agreed he is, his first instance decision making stands out.

Will McLachlan keeps knocking the door down for an extended stint just cant see the spot yet unless Loman's ankle is stuffed again.

And my smokey - Zane ZAKOSTELSKY. he can play forward and back as a key position, well in the VFL he has and he is now playing in the ruck out of necessity but he is holding his own. Re-invented as a very versatile tall like Gardnier. Not saying this week but it's pleasing he is coming on now and a crack sometime this season may be on.

 

[braddsey]

Can't rely on the smalls kicking 10 plus every week

Assuming we put the height cutoff for a player being "small" at 189cm then over the past 3 seasons our smalls kick about 60% of our goals:
2023: 59% of goals (211 out of 359).
2024: 61% of goals (224 out of 365).
2025: 61% of goals (86 out of 142).

and this season:
rd12 vs Ess (win): 13.12. 4 tall, 9 small. 10 goalkickers.
rd11 vs Haw (win): 14.9. 2 tall, 12 small. 7 goalkickers.
rd10 vs Mel (loss): 13.10. 8 tall, 5 small. 8 goalkickers.
rd9 vs North (draw): 10.11. 3 tall, 7 small. 6 goalkickers.
rd8 vs GC (win): 9.12. 2 tall, 7 small. 5 goalkickers.
rd7 vs StK. (win): 17.16. 9 tall, 8 small. 9 goalkickers.
rd6 vs Pies (loss): 7.11. 5 tall, 2 small. 4 goalkickers.
rd5 vs WB (win): 18.10. 9 tall, 9 small, 7 goalkickers.
rd4 vs Rich (win): 18.10. 4 tall, 14 small, 11 goalkickers.
rd3 vs Gee (win): 10.10. 3 tall, 7 small. 10 goalkickers.
rd2 vs WC (win): 14.10. 6 tall, 8 small. 8 goalkickers.
rd1 vs Syd (win): 12.14. 5 tall, 7 small. 8 goalkickers.

In our 2 losses, it's our smalls who have not scored (5 goals vs Melbourne, 2 goals vs Pies). So we clearly rely on our smalls to kick the majority of our goals. This is a fair expectation when you consider the smalls on our list are some of the best in the comp. Our talls (other than the backline) are solid, but not topline.

 

[KissKiss]

Assuming we put the height cutoff for a player being "small" at 189cm then over the past 3 seasons our smalls kick about 60% of our goals:
2023: 59% of goals (211 out of 359).
2024: 61% of goals (224 out of 365).
2025: 61% of goals (86 out of 142).

and this season:
rd12 vs Ess (win): 13.12. 4 tall, 9 small. 10 goalkickers.
rd11 vs Haw (win): 14.9. 2 tall, 12 small. 7 goalkickers.
rd10 vs Mel (loss): 13.10. 8 tall, 5 small. 8 goalkickers.
rd9 vs North (draw): 10.11. 3 tall, 7 small. 6 goalkickers.
rd8 vs GC (win): 9.12. 2 tall, 7 small. 5 goalkickers.
rd7 vs StK. (win): 17.16. 9 tall, 8 small. 9 goalkickers.
rd6 vs Pies (loss): 7.11. 5 tall, 2 small. 4 goalkickers.
rd5 vs WB (win): 18.10. 9 tall, 9 small, 7 goalkickers.
rd4 vs Rich (win): 18.10. 4 tall, 14 small, 11 goalkickers.
rd3 vs Gee (win): 10.10. 3 tall, 7 small. 10 goalkickers.
rd2 vs WC (win): 14.10. 6 tall, 8 small. 8 goalkickers.
rd1 vs Syd (win): 12.14. 5 tall, 7 small. 8 goalkickers.

In our 2 losses, it's our smalls who have not scored (5 goals vs Melbourne, 2 goals vs Pies). So we clearly rely on our smalls to kick the majority of our goals. This is a fair expectation when you consider the smalls on our list are some of the best in the comp. Our talls (other than the backline) are solid, but not topline.

I'd also suggest we have a lot more smalls on the field at anyone time. All the mids and half backs who push up to 50 can take shots. But generally we would only have three tall forwards and a ruck in range of goals. So probably needs to be weighted a little to account for that

 

[ZoBlitz]

Assuming we put the height cutoff for a player being "small" at 189cm then over the past 3 seasons our smalls kick about 60% of our goals:
2023: 59% of goals (211 out of 359).
2024: 61% of goals (224 out of 365).
2025: 61% of goals (86 out of 142).

and this season:
rd12 vs Ess (win): 13.12. 4 tall, 9 small. 10 goalkickers.
rd11 vs Haw (win): 14.9. 2 tall, 12 small. 7 goalkickers.
rd10 vs Mel (loss): 13.10. 8 tall, 5 small. 8 goalkickers.
rd9 vs North (draw): 10.11. 3 tall, 7 small. 6 goalkickers.
rd8 vs GC (win): 9.12. 2 tall, 7 small. 5 goalkickers.
rd7 vs StK. (win): 17.16. 9 tall, 8 small. 9 goalkickers.
rd6 vs Pies (loss): 7.11. 5 tall, 2 small. 4 goalkickers.
rd5 vs WB (win): 18.10. 9 tall, 9 small, 7 goalkickers.
rd4 vs Rich (win): 18.10. 4 tall, 14 small, 11 goalkickers.
rd3 vs Gee (win): 10.10. 3 tall, 7 small. 10 goalkickers.
rd2 vs WC (win): 14.10. 6 tall, 8 small. 8 goalkickers.
rd1 vs Syd (win): 12.14. 5 tall, 7 small. 8 goalkickers.

In our 2 losses, it's our smalls who have not scored (5 goals vs Melbourne, 2 goals vs Pies). So we clearly rely on our smalls to kick the majority of our goals. This is a fair expectation when you consider the smalls on our list are some of the best in the comp. Our talls (other than the backline) are solid, but not topline.

Interesting stats! It would interesting to know how that compares to other sides...

 

[Nathan Barley]

Assuming we put the height cutoff for a player being "small" at 189cm then over the past 3 seasons our smalls kick about 60% of our goals:
2023: 59% of goals (211 out of 359).
2024: 61% of goals (224 out of 365).
2025: 61% of goals (86 out of 142).

and this season:
rd12 vs Ess (win): 13.12. 4 tall, 9 small. 10 goalkickers.
rd11 vs Haw (win): 14.9. 2 tall, 12 small. 7 goalkickers.
rd10 vs Mel (loss): 13.10. 8 tall, 5 small. 8 goalkickers.
rd9 vs North (draw): 10.11. 3 tall, 7 small. 6 goalkickers.
rd8 vs GC (win): 9.12. 2 tall, 7 small. 5 goalkickers.
rd7 vs StK. (win): 17.16. 9 tall, 8 small. 9 goalkickers.
rd6 vs Pies (loss): 7.11. 5 tall, 2 small. 4 goalkickers.
rd5 vs WB (win): 18.10. 9 tall, 9 small, 7 goalkickers.
rd4 vs Rich (win): 18.10. 4 tall, 14 small, 11 goalkickers.
rd3 vs Gee (win): 10.10. 3 tall, 7 small. 10 goalkickers.
rd2 vs WC (win): 14.10. 6 tall, 8 small. 8 goalkickers.
rd1 vs Syd (win): 12.14. 5 tall, 7 small. 8 goalkickers.

In our 2 losses, it's our smalls who have not scored (5 goals vs Melbourne, 2 goals vs Pies). So we clearly rely on our smalls to kick the majority of our goals. This is a fair expectation when you consider the smalls on our list are some of the best in the comp. Our talls (other than the backline) are solid, but not topline.

Just pulled that figure out of nowhere. Seems I was close

 

[braddsey]

I'd also suggest we have a lot more smalls on the field at anyone time. All the mids and half backs who push up to 50 can take shots. But generally we would only have three tall forwards and a ruck in range of goals. So probably needs to be weighted a little to account for that

Yes, but then the numbers don't support my position, so we won't be doing that.

Interesting stats! It would interesting to know how that compares to other sides...

...but not interesting enough for me to do my shitty manual calculation efforts in excel for any other clubs!

Just pulled that figure out of nowhere. Seems I was close

Your statement was factually correct - we can't rely on our smalls to kick 10+ every week because they've only done it twice this season.

 

[ZoBlitz]

...but not interesting enough for me to do my shitty manual calculation efforts in excel for any other clubs!

Correct decision.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Yes, but then the numbers don't support my position, so we won't be doing that.


...but not interesting enough for me to do my shitty manual calculation efforts in excel for any other clubs!


Your statement was factually correct - we can't rely on our smalls to kick 10+ every week because they've only done it twice this season.

If we look at 14 goals being a decent score and the amount of goals our talls have been kicking especially recently. It seems we need at least 8-10 from our smalls. With Hipwood rucking it seems closer to 10 or more

 

[Berrygood]

No changes unless the fitness of Kiddy n Oscar is up to it.

The sooner we can get Fletcher back on the wing the better.

Gardiner staying in the team for me. With the Crows 3 big talls he would be handy if one of them is giving either Andrews, Payne or Lester a bath. Id even look at playing Dizzy down back instead of Lester. Not a great deal of difference in height between the two, but i think Gardiner is more robust.

Rachelle and Rankine will need a close eye kept on them too. Answerth will get Rachelle I think, Rankine will play some midfield time so the other boys will have to be ready for him when he goes fwd. We really miss Starce here.

Those criticising Charlie and Rayner are watching only them, every second of the game, to make such claims I hope. Or are goals scored and possessions the only indicators taken into account. I'd reckon both are doing much more off the ball that isn't noticed or recognised.

The 8 day break will do wonders for the team, hopefully. It will be a tough game, it shouldn't take much motivation to get up for it. Switch on like the Hawks game and we should be right. We have a really tough run home gotta start being more consistent.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Out: Gardiner, L.Ashcroft (managed)
In: McInereney, Robertson
Sub: Doedee

I think we need to keep Hipwood at home in the forward line. Two genuine Rucks is the way to go.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Really wanting Hipwood permanently back in the forward line.

My changes would be

Gardiner out for Big O
Kiddy in for Levi

 

[Perrip]

No suspensions or fines from last night judging by the silence of MRO content today.

 

[braddsey]

If we look at 14 goals being a decent score and the amount of goals our talls have been kicking especially recently. It seems we need at least 8-10 from our smalls. With Hipwood rucking it seems closer to 10 or more

Absolutely agree. Hipwood is wasted in the ruck - he’s better value playing forward and having others pinch hit in the ruck as needed.

 

[acuguy]

Shagger has something special about him, time to play the kid and with the greatest and utmost respect, give Cameron the time to get his confidence back.

 

[martinson]

Dunno why we thought Hipwood in the ruck might be a good idea and why we would persist when it obviously isn't.

Don't like Dizz as a forward either especially with our current structure. Would rather Oscar there. At least he can take the rucking.

I suppose Kiddy comes in and Dev gets demoted for his limited time on the field across 2 games.

Obviously Levi is getting queried but unless he really needs a rest I'm happy to persist.

 

[braddsey]

Shagger has something special about him, time to play the kid and with the greatest and utmost respect, give Cameron the time to get his confidence back.

Disagree. Charlie has kicked 8 goals in our last 5 games. He may not have the output he had from a couple of seasons ago, but he’s still playing a role, and doing it better than I expect McLachlan will at this stage. Dropping Charlie won’t help his confidence in any way i can think of.

 

[martinson]

Disagree. Charlie has kicked 8 goals in our last 5 games. He may not have the output he had from a couple of seasons ago, but he’s still playing a role, and doing it better than I expect McLachlan will at this stage. Dropping Charlie won’t help his confidence in any way i can think of.

Likewise I haven't minded Charlie's form recently which is an improvement on earlier in the year.

I think there's still a good margin between he and McLachlan .

 

[Lace Out]

Easy to see Lohmann and Will Mc operating together in the forward 50 for 8 of the next 10 years

 

[BrisVegasDru]

Out: Gardiner, L.Ashcroft (managed)
In: McInereney, Robertson
Sub: Doedee

I think we need to keep Hipwood at home in the forward line. Two genuine Rucks is the way to go.

The champion data guy On youtube is calling people who support 2 rucks 'flat earthers' basically saying 2nd ruck attends 1 centre bounce per quarter, so overated role.

Big worry against the crows though as Tilthorpe rucks better than their main guy, have never seen a big guy better at handling the sherrin below his knees!