Changes for next week

[Pilchard_Adams]

our injuries have affected our depth players more than our front line players.

Geelong beat Richmond by 100 pts minus Gablett, Corey, Scarlett, Rooke & Stokes

We struggled against a richmond team, that was even lower on relative strength minus: Knights, MacKay, Dangerfield & Hentschel.

not exactly apocalyptical now is it?

the mistake people make talking about our injuries is that they overstate the importance of our lesser/fringe players, and they ignore the injuries to other teams.

Geelong have had worse injuries than us, Hawthorn have had much worse than us, Freo has debuted more young players than us...

in other years we wouldn't even be talking about these things.

Difference is Geelong have a lot more players in the 24 - 29 (peak) age group. They have 16 with a few in and out with injuries. All bar Stokes and Lonergan are selected every week. We have 12 players in this age group made up of 3 long term injuries / spuds, 4 who have missed most this season, and 5 fit players. We have 1 28/29 year old who was out for weeks with concussion. They have 8. Geelong are playing 3 players a week average with less than 50 games experience. Usually between Lonergan, Hogan, Duncan and the 28 year old Pod. We usually have about 9 playing.

See what im getting at? Geelong are a peak aged, settled, experienced list with proven depth players. We are not.

 

[Pilchard_Adams]

I think the people dismissing the injuries as a small problem are simply negative people. I have never seen a positive post from Crow-Mo.

Just look at Tippett, Porps and Bock. All suffered injuries through the preseason. All have had little output in their first few games. Bock looked lost on the weekend, but now Porps and Tippett are stringing a few games together, their fitness and form are coming along.

If one person was to start fitness training, running, weights etc in January, and another identical person was not going to start until February, of course the person training in January is going to be fitter and more match ready than the other. Preseason is VITAL!

I also think this FSI stuff is crap. How can they judge that Davis is now in the top 22 at the expense of Otten? Otten was 10 times the player Davis currently is. Moran was the best back up ruckmen to Maric and Sellar wouldnt have gotten a game if Moran didnt do his knee. What next? Cook is ranked higher than MacKay in this FSI crap? Just because Cook is playing and MacKay isnt?

I dont think injuries are the sole reason for our start, but a stat of losing a player for at least a week every 4 days since january is pretty bad. Playing Jaensch, Davis and Schmidt in the back 6 means 50% of our defense has less than 10 AFL games. Many players are playing well below their best and they are the ones who have been injured.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

16 possessions, 6 marks, 3 goals. Interesting.

I agree with the poster .......Walker nothing out of the ordinary to warrant a recall

Buy that I mean he did what he does very well ....mark and kick
But there were a lot of cheating going on .......hanging off the back of packs .....just pure lazy stuff he can get away with at SANFL level

And I didn't see any improvement in his off the ball stuff

 

[WaynesWorld19]

People calling for Burton to be dropped are just expressing their "wish" list based on current popularity .......he's not going to be dropped even though he can't hit the side of a barn

Cook also won't be dropped .....he's actually developing nicely, but I agree he needs to get more of the ball as wingman

North have 3 big ruckman/forwrds ......I'd suggest we'll bring in Griffin, keeping Tippett as the permanent forwrd supported by Dangerfield & Burton

Sloane needs more game time after a long stint out of the game

My guess:

In: Griffin & Dangerfield

Out: Johncock & Jeansch

 

[Allefgib]

the reason people have wanted to blame injuries for everything (no matter how nonsensical) is that it provides a quick fix.

as soon as player x, y or z comes back all our problems are solved.

When it was shown that we had a stable lineup of the majority of our best side (how often does anyone ever all their players available); then it became all about interrupted pre-seasons (as if that applied to no other club); next it was how many new players we were introducing - except others had done more.

as you've rightly noted, our problems are deeper than this which I why keep arguing that we need to stop making that excuse, and in turn stop hoping for that magic bullet.

Not sure its so much a 'quick fix' as a denial of bigger issues. Effectively the same thing I guess.

What I find interesting is Craigy is now happy to talk about injuries, lack of prepration and discuss it. But also more willing to talk about other factors as well; game plan tweaks etc. I admire the fact he acknowledges the supporters need to hear this stuff - just curious change of behaviour that he wouldn't feel comfortable discussing it previously.

 

[Allefgib]

But are either of those "worse" than us? That was the original claim.

At least as bad I would suggest given the quality of the players for Geelong (varcoe, stokes, scarlett, ottens, corey would all walk straight into our side and most straight back into Geelongs) and the structure impacts to Hawthorn (no rucks, only experienced 'key' defeneder gone; also burgyone, mitchell, sewell are high quality players and would walk straight back into Hawthorn's lineup if fit))

 

[Huntercrow]

Very good post James 37!

No ranting or raving or baying for blood just a clinical and sensible look at what has transpired so far.

 

[Huntercrow]

FSI Seems to be the Now word of the "Me" generation

 

[Drummond]

I agree with the poster .......Walker nothing out of the ordinary to warrant a recall

Buy that I mean he did what he does very well ....mark and kick
But there were a lot of cheating going on .......hanging off the back of packs .....just pure lazy stuff he can get away with at SANFL level

And I didn't see any improvement in his off the ball stuff

I appulade you for travelling all the way from Melbourne just to see him play for Norwood. Now that's dedication.

Oh wait...

 

[Wood_Duck]

I think the people dismissing the injuries as a small problem are simply negative people. I have never seen a positive post from Crow-Mo.

Crow-mo is a bullshit cop. He spots it a mile off and doesnt let people get away with it. Dont get it confused with negativity.

 

[Wood_Duck]

I appulade you for travelling all the way from Melbourne just to see him play for Norwood. Now that's dedication.

Oh wait...

Excellent post Drum. Some of the first hand analysis around here is rather interesting.

 

[Allefgib]

Crow-mo is a bullshit cop. He spots it a mile off and doesnt let people get away with it. Dont get it confused with negativity.

Spot-on. If people actually try to respond with some sensible discussion and debate he is typically forthcoming with his own thoughts and not just calling BS. If you add more BS.....

 

[razorsedge]

Ironical that since TEx has played at Norwood they are 3 zip with massive wins over Sturt and Glenelg ! He obviously straightens them up an takes a couple of defenders and this allows several other players to come into the game, One thing you would notice if you were actualyy at the game WW yjay it is not about him and he works to a team structure. In only 29 games at the Legs he has kicked 93 goals which is consistent for someone his age and pushed,demoralised,scapegoated ay AFC.
On NC list of criteruia he will have to drop Tippeyy ! Noy ONE tackle in the last three games where is his defensive pressure ? What do Stevens do on sunday to warrant another game ? Burton is copping it but observations in the last two games suggest that when his position is high the results are room to move and more one on one and magic.......Tippett and Porpshave kicked goals ! Professor Julius Sumner Miller said why is it so ?
On a sidemote it was interestingto see Carlton play a zone then go one on one after the initial kick....hope NC and panel were watching !!

 

[jackster83]

Ironical that since TEx has played at Norwood they are 3 zip with massive wins over Sturt and Glenelg ! He obviously straightens them up an takes a couple of defenders and this allows several other players to come into the game, One thing you would notice if you were actualyy at the game WW yjay it is not about him and he works to a team structure. In only 29 games at the Legs he has kicked 93 goals which is consistent for someone his age and pushed,demoralised,scapegoated ay AFC.
On NC list of criteruia he will have to drop Tippeyy ! Noy ONE tackle in the last three games where is his defensive pressure ? What do Stevens do on sunday to warrant another game ? Burton is copping it but observations in the last two games suggest that when his position is high the results are room to move and more one on one and magic.......Tippett and Porpshave kicked goals ! Professor Julius Sumner Miller said why is it so ?
On a sidemote it was interestingto see Carlton play a zone then go one on one after the initial kick....hope NC and panel were watching !!

Me fail English? That's umpossible!

 

[Elite Crow]

People calling for Burton to be dropped are just expressing their "wish" list based on current popularity .......he's not going to be dropped even though he can't hit the side of a barn

Cook also won't be dropped .....he's actually developing nicely, but I agree he needs to get more of the ball as wingman

WW do you think Burton's form warrants his position in the team?

Our call to have him dropped has nothing to do with wish lists or popularity, it has to do with what most punters observe as an out of form older footballer with no future who is receiving the benefit of Craigs double standards.

 

[SydCrow]

WW do you think Burton's form warrants his position in the team?

Our call to have him dropped has nothing to do with wish lists or popularity, it has to do with what most punters observe as an out of form older footballer with no future who is receiving the benefit of Craigs double standards.

Have you planned your next campaign yet? Maybe global warming or disarming North Korea?

 

[craig crowing]

Have you planned your next campaign yet? Maybe global warming or disarming North Korea?

Syd crow I wonder how many free kicks you would go in a game attacking the man not the ball

 

[shawshankin]

I have quite reliable info saying that danger is very very low chance of playing this week - and possibly longer, and that stiffy and mcleod are both high chances of pulling up fine, just low grade AC's that needed ice and a couple of days off....may be wrong on those 2 but reasonably certain on danger.

This considered, any changes made are likely to be tactical; maybe McKernan in for either Stevens or if we're lucky Burton to go with Hale and McIntosh. I havent seen much of McKernan but surely better than griffin because he can also go forward??

 

[NTRabbit]

I have quite reliable info saying that danger is very very low chance of playing this week - and possibly longer, and that stiffy and mcleod are both high chances of pulling up fine, just low grade AC's that needed ice and a couple of days off....may be wrong on those 2 but reasonably certain on danger.

This considered, any changes made are likely to be tactical; maybe McKernan in for either Stevens or if we're lucky Burton to go with Hale and McIntosh. I havent seen much of McKernan but surely better than griffin because he can also go forward??

Stevens isn't going anywhere, especially if Petrie makes his return, and McKernan still needs to find consistent SANFL form. Sloane a chance to replace Cook or Schmidt, but they might want him to go around again in the SANFL one more time just to make sure.

Unless Johncock or McLeod miss, or in the unlikely event that Dangerfield or Mackay are available, I forsee no changes to the side this week.

 

[Alex99]

The Crows facebook page suggests Andrew McLeod is a 60/40 chance at playing this week.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I appulade you for travelling all the way from Melbourne just to see him play for Norwood. Now that's dedication.

Oh wait...

You can tell enough off the clips as they record a majority of possessions including those off Young's clips

I am not bottling the lad ...all I am saying is that his strengths were on show but also that I couldn't see any improvement in any other areas

BTW did I read that you passed comment on a players performance based on a radio broadcast .....surely not

 

[WaynesWorld19]

WW do you think Burton's form warrants his position in the team?

Our call to have him dropped has nothing to do with wish lists or popularity, it has to do with what most punters observe as an out of form older footballer with no future who is receiving the benefit of Craigs double standards.

If you watch the replay again....and I have a couple of times, Burton was dangerous in terms of getting possessions and where he got them.

Problem is his kicking is woeful and sub-AFL standard AP

The club will opt to view his danger in getting the ball positively and rationalize that his kicking will be back to an acceptable standard .......this is where brownie points over a career favors Burton that wouldn't be accepted of a young player

Walkers kicking has been mediocre compared to his normal excellent foot skills ......his problem has been getting enough ball

Besides Burton offers more flexibility in roles compared to Walker who even posters agree ATS that he is simply a one position player ......and if he fails there's no plan B with him as far as alternative roles

 

[relapse]

If you watch the replay again....and I have a couple of times, Burton was dangerous in terms of getting possessions and where he got them.

Problem is his kicking is woeful and sub-AFL standard AP

The club will opt to view his danger in getting the ball positively and rationalize that his kicking will be back to an acceptable standard .......this is where brownie points over a career favors Burton that wouldn't be accepted of a young player

Walkers kicking has been mediocre compared to his normal excellent foot skills ......his problem has been getting enough ball

Besides Burton offers more flexibility in roles compared to Walker who even posters agree ATS that he is simply a one position player ......and if he fails there's no plan B with him as far as alternative roles

Your point may be more relevant if Burton was 28, but he is 32 and more than likely in his final season.

Given the context of the season there is nothing to gain by persisting with Burton. Honestly do we carry him for another 6-8 weeks in hope that he might play a good game or two in an effort to try and finish 8-14 instead of 6-16 ??

If that is the mentality that Craig has as coach then he is not the coach to lead us after this year. Our squad is entering a period where we need development and not finishing, if Craig cannot see the long term benefits of development against chasing mediocrity then we are going to have some serious problems for the remainder of his tenure as coach.

 

[LC40]

Stevens isn't going anywhere, especially if Petrie makes his return, and McKernan still needs to find consistent SANFL form. Sloane a chance to replace Cook or Schmidt, but they might want him to go around again in the SANFL one more time just to make sure.

Unless Johncock or McLeod miss, or in the unlikely event that Dangerfield or Mackay are available, I forsee no changes to the side this week.

Petrie still a few weeks off according to Goldstein in an interview.

You seem to be of the very firm opinion that players must find their feet in the SANFL which is a valid point however at times I think we need to be more flexible in our attitude.

I'm of the opinion that these men have shown that they have the tools to succeed in the AFL and if their SANFL form is solid then try them in the AFL.

Davis is a point in question, he hasn't got the type of game that is going to tear a game apart .

Very early on in his SANFL career he showed he loved to dish off the ball with a handball first and I questioned his ability to be a rebounding running defender but his composure is normally first rate for such a young player.He just isn't an eyecatcher.

He needs runners around him who can carry the ball for him but my point was that nothing was ever going to be achieved by having him learning his craft in the SANFL.

As previously stated in other posts I believe we need another ruckman as our number one priority therefore why not try McKernan in the AFL.
He can take a mark,is quick and mobile and only needs to be used initially in burst to give Maric a rest and sometimes drift forward to cause matchup problems.

He had a stellar game in the SANFL when he kicked five goals but he hasn't torn up the league consistently . I just think sometimes horses for courses and the match committee need to show some faith in young players to rise to the occasion. Otherwise players are left week in week out to slog it out in the SANFL. It's a good league where dominating continuously is tough.

Opposition coaches in the SANFL aren't fools they will certainly clampdown on any players who begins to tear up the league as their main aim is also to win.
I'm not saying disregard SANFL form as players must definitely show something but fortune sometimes favours the brave.

 

[amer]

where you go wrong is that your FSI is measured against yourself, and then compared against your opposition.

for example 90% of geelong isn't worth 90% of Melbourne, but it is highly relevant when comparing the round by round contest.

what it shows is how much of the Geelongs best are you getting, versus how much of the best of Melbourne are you getting in round xyz.

the key variable you should be focusing on is that use of the champion data ranking, not pointless dead ends.

It's of little to no use. Defending it is futile.