Preview Changes vs Sydney

[Southerntakeover]

I want our on-field captain and on-field leaders to do the following:
1) Provide direction and organisation for team mates in the heat of battle
2) Step up with quality play at the key times

With the first one I never saw it with Goodwin. He just quietly went about his role (very well). I can't remember him ever pointing, gesturing, in people's ear, encouraging anyone, getting the mids together, blocking for McLeod's tagger, talking to players etc. van Berlo the same. He just plays.

The three I do see providing this on-field encouragement, support and direction are Walker (forward line), Rutten (defence) and Dangerfield (midfield). Now, VB and Goodwin may well have been barking instructions the whole time and this isn't picked up on tv but I'm just not seeing it.

With respect to this... I know I'm not taken as a credible observer when it comes to vB, but I'm surprised by this criticism. It has always been something that I've noticed vB doing, dating back to his early days as a player. I've seen him give players a spray for not holding up their defensive assignments etc. Equally, he's usually the first one in if a young player kicks a goal. This is actually one of the things I credit with van Berlo being recognised as a leader at a historically young age (for our club).

 

[King Elvis]

I'd agree - but add that it could apply to both sides of the argument

 

[Southerntakeover]

I think the very fact you that the club needs to come out and explain to the supporter base why he is such a great leader, in itself, probably suggests that we're on the wrong track with this one.

Are you using the existence of your criticism as the support for your criticism again?

 

[King Elvis]

If VB is a great Captain, then he will remain our Captain next year.

I'd wager that he won't.

 

[Southerntakeover]

If VB is a great Captain, then he will remain our Captain next year.

I'd wager that he won't.

Out of interest what would you wager?

If you bet this every year you'll eventually be correct.

 

[King Elvis]

Out of interest what would you wager?

If you bet this every year you'll eventually be correct.

$100?

Confident I'll be right this year. He has been a good Captain during some difficult times, but I think we have better options now - we didn't previously.

 

[smoovy]

We have a problem in that no one is consistently bad enough to be dropped. Thankfully McKay's injury solves a bit of a problem in my view.

Conversely there are about 6-8 players who are far from cemented in the side in my view and are probably 2-3 sub par games in a row from being dropped or sub, these are;

Brown (his position to lose)
Petrenko (already on notice)
Kerridge (unlucky, but doesn't want too many sub 10 touch games)
Lyons (could be the one for Crouch)
Martin (needs a full game with 20+ touches to keep spot)
Porplyzia (on edge)
Laird (hasn't done too much wrong)

In my view any one of the above can easily be interchanged with

Henderson
Crouch
Jaensch
Johncock
Grigg
Riley
Callinan

 

[ftmch]

Are you using the existence of your criticism as the support for your criticism again?

I think, therefore I am.

 

[Silkman]

Leadership has been an issue at the club for a while IMO. Predates van Berlo and is not confined to the captain.

I don't give two shits about the mid-week stuff. If someone is great at training and speaks well to the players that's fine but they don't need to be captain to do that. And if it isn't backed up during the game then it isn't worth a pile of beans anyway.

I want our on-field captain and on-field leaders to do the following:
1) Provide direction and organisation for team mates in the heat of battle
2) Step up with quality play at the key times

With the first one I never saw it with Goodwin. He just quietly went about his role (very well). I can't remember him ever pointing, gesturing, in people's ear, encouraging anyone, getting the mids together, blocking for McLeod's tagger, talking to players etc. van Berlo the same. He just plays.

The three I do see providing this on-field encouragement, support and direction are Walker (forward line), Rutten (defence) and Dangerfield (midfield). Now, VB and Goodwin may well have been barking instructions the whole time and this isn't picked up on tv but I'm just not seeing it.

And as for the second one, we make the comparison with Maxwell but in that 2009 semi final with us less than a kick up and a minute remaining it was crappy Maxwell who got the all-important centre clearance that Anthony won his free kick from.

In all those dreadful finals there have been periods of the game where it gets away from us and the other team gets on a roll. These are the moments that your leaders need to stand up. If Goodwin, Thompson or Edwards had just got ONE centre clearance each in that horror 3rd quarter in 2009 we would have won that game. Instead the ball just kept on sailing down the Magpies end and our defence was on the hop the entire quarter. They still all get their numbers by the end of the game but it's when that counts.

Our leaders (more than just the captain) aren't making the decisive plays when the game is on the line. They do not do enough to alter the momentum. That doesn't mean that they have to be BOG and get 40 touches. But it means when the other team are hot this is when they step up and win a clearance or force a stoppage or find the boundary or show some composure. They are the first to react, they are the first to respond, they are the first to recognise the seriousness of the situation and they are the first to do something about it... or in other words, they lead the team. Ours don't and haven't since Ricciuto. I do have high hopes for Dangerfield and Walker though.

The answer is simple - Danger as Captain and Sloane as vice in 2014 - both are guns and natural leaders on the field. Same with Taylor, but it will more difficult from his position. The Roo was fearsome and commanded respect and got the most from himself as well as from the team. What he did against Carlton at their dung heap in heavy conditions many years ago was inspirational - just like Danger is doing now. Roo somehow always managed to kick the "Captain's" goal at the time one was needed. Danger and Sloane routinely are doing this. VB I see as a very PC Captain - wont rock the boat on the field and doesnt have the fearsome reputation like a Selwood does.

Also if Goodes or Jetta are permitted to play loose without hard tags - sack the entire coaching staff. Time after time players like Buckley, Harvey were permitted to roam around on their own like they had BO. Man up and make Sydney accountable. Make that Judas Zippit think twice about meeting up with his former "teamates". Phoooeee! Our club has paid a heavy price in keeping him happy and content eating friggen Balfours donuts!

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

With respect to this... I know I'm not taken as a credible observer when it comes to vB, but I'm surprised by this criticism. It has always been something that I've noticed vB doing, dating back to his early days as a player. I've seen him give players a spray for not holding up their defensive assignments etc. Equally, he's usually the first one in if a young player kicks a goal. This is actually one of the things I credit with van Berlo being recognised as a leader at a historically young age (for our club).

Maybe I'm missing it. Also now that he's out of the centre square more often he misses the little 'team huddles' before each bounce which are often the visible signs of leadership.

In the three groups they had on the weekend at the 1/4 and 3/4 breaks (defence, mids, forwards) van Berlo was actually with the forward line group.

He seems a little bit like a player without a home at the moment. Has played a bunch of different roles and doesn't "own" a position or a role. Filling in wherever the team needs him but I'd rather he was a rock in the structure somewhere.

 

[Elite Crow]

Why aren't we playing him in the guts as our tagger? Perfect for the role, hes shown he can play it and if he could take out the oppositions best player that's going to lift the team.

Seeing him on the wing getting 18-20 possessions shits me.

 

[Vader]

I think the very fact you that the club needs to come out and explain to the supporter base why he is such a great leader, in itself, probably suggests that we're on the wrong track with this one.

Not at all. I do think there's a massive disparity between what the club considers to be "leadership" and what Joe Public in the back of the stands considers to be "leadership". I think the club has a very good idea of what it thinks "leadership is" - and VB personifies that definition (whatever it is).

 

[King Elvis]

He seems a little bit like a player without a home at the moment. Has played a bunch of different roles and doesn't "own" a position or a role. Filling in wherever the team needs him but I'd rather he was a rock in the structure somewhere.

I think that is his biggest issue at present. He's been forced aside by other players, and now we don't appear to know exactly what position/role he should be playing.

I agree that a tagging role in the middle is probably best suited to him; when we play a genuine tagger through the middle.

Otherwise, where can we put him?

His tackling has fallen off a cliff this year, and I don't know that his ball sense is good enough (which is why I think he benefits from being led to the footy) for a defensive forward.

Running HBF'r would be good, but as above, his ability to read the play isn't brilliant, and his decision making and foot skills aren't good enough to make him a weapon off the half back line. Can run all day though, which is obviously a plus.

Defensive winger perhaps? Mid sized defender?

Help?

 

[crowsarethebest]

At the end of the day I guess it depends what the club is looking for in a 'captain'. A big name/popular guy who can I guess promote our 'brand' more like a Sloane or Danger, or a guy who goes about his business, is an honest player but has excellent leadership skills. I'm not to saying that Danger/Sloane don't have better leadership skills than VB, it's just that I think the reason we're having this conversation is because VB's not a gun player. If he was a gun then we wouldn't be here discussing this. I don't really have a problem with VB's captaincy at all, however I can understand why people would maybe want him to step aside for a Sloane or a Danger.

 

[ftmch]

Not at all. I do think there's a massive disparity between what the club considers to be "leadership" and what Joe Public in the back of the stands considers to be "leadership". I think the club has a very good idea of what it thinks "leadership is" - and VB personifies that definition (whatever it is).

I don't think the disparity would or should be that big at all. Granted, Joe Public won't be across all of the elements that form the basis of the clubs decision, but there are some important traits that the club and the supporters should universally expect from our Captain. None more so than consistency, reliability and effectiveness. vB simply does not meet that criteria.

Not through lack of want, application or endeavor. He's just not that good a player.

And therein lies the issue.

 

[Swanhotels]

Tippett will fake injuries so he never has to come back to Adelaide. He's that type of guy he is. Oh and we have Balfours pies here....far too good to through at people like him LOL.

And yes, that is a genuine nickname....I think you can work out how he got it LOL.

Its very funny I like it. If I was a Crows fan id hate Tippett as well, obviously a great get for the Swans but his character is certainly in question after the saga.

 

[Silkman]

Its very funny I like it. If I was a Crows fan id hate Tippett as well, obviously a great get for the Swans but his character is certainly in question after the saga.

In Round 13, the Powda will be playing Sydney - they will get 45K at that game - 20K Powda supporters and 24.5K Crows fans just to let that Judas "know all about it". No need for tarps that day -bring your Balfours and Credit Cards -phooee!

Only another GF win by the AFC can erase the pain!

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I doubt a single Crows fan will actually go to the game

 

[rayven]

I think Talia should be the next captain. Dangerfield is to moody. Talia would work out how to stop a train and then commit himself to train everyday to do whats required.

We'd end up a hard nosed club.

 

[fairfooty]

I think that particular Power game would be a complete waste of my time - and I'm certainly not going to honour that 'turkey' with my presence. A 'swan' he ain't!

 

[fairfooty]

I think Talia should be the next captain. Dangerfield is to moody. Talia would work out how to stop a train and then commit himself to train everyday to do whats required.

We'd end up a hard nosed club.

Interesting suggestion... next captain or next but one?

 

[1970crow]

Yes, I do. I wouldn't be overly surprised if Dangerfield or Sloane replaces him, but my gut feel is that VB will be Captain for at least 2-3 more years. I would be shocked if Thompson were named Captain.

Jesus, you've managed to narrow it down to just a field of 4 for next year. Well done, marvellous insight.

 

[Silkman]

I doubt a single Crows fan will actually go to the game

What would you rather see? Crows fans Booing at BOTH the Powda and Tippit or tarps all over the place? The Powda media should give away free Balfours Donuts at half time. Tippit is going to get crunched! Bring it. The bugger went to the highest bidder. Home sick my culobacter! Phooeee!

 

[rayven]

Interesting suggestion... next captain or next but one?

Probably leading our best and fairest at this point? I would say once he's learnt how to handle the extra commitments being captain brings.

 

[RUNVS]

In Round 13, the Powda will be playing Sydney - they will get 45K at that game - 20K Powda supporters and 24.5K Crows fans just to let that Judas "know all about it". No need for tarps that day -bring your Balfours and Credit Cards -phooee!

Only another GF win by the AFC can erase the pain!

Tippett might be an atheist