Concerns leading into round 1...

[No 1 Draft Pick]

After the high most of us have been on since Oct last year with all the positives with the club (drafting, trading, preseason training etc) it seems now that things arent quite as smooth.

I am concerned leading into round 1 for a few reasons. Injuries - we have 10 players out this week, including a number of quality players who have had interrupted preseasons (Thompson, Hart etc). If Hart doesnt come up it will hurt us badly - perhaps a couple of wins even as he is our one CLASS backline player. Last Sundays game was hardly a disaster in my mind but it wasnt as positive as many had hoped for in a number of facets of our game. We need to iron out some issues pretty bloody quickly.

After a poor 2004 we need to hit the ground running in the new season. Anything less than that and we will be 0-4. At 0-4 it becomes pretty hard to make the finals in reality - you would need to win 12-13 games from the last 18 which is possible with a talent laden side (eg Crows 97), not a probable middle of the road side. As a reminder we play:

WC (H) - they are 5th favourite for the flag
Col (A) - 6th favourite for flag and we havent beaten them for yrs
PA (H) - favourite for the flag
Syd (A) - 8th favourite for the flag

Footy is a funny game and anything can happen. Based on the above odds (market intelligence) the Crows wont start any of the first four games as favourite - with the possible exception of R1.

IMO we need to get a couple of wins pretty quickly in the preseason games to get confidence high as well as hope for some luck with the injuries in coming weeks. If not, and we start 0-4 we can almost say goodbye to the finals after only a month of footy.

I hope I am not being to pessimistic with the above - we just really need to get off to a good start with at least 1 (if not more) wins from the first 4 games

 

[macca23]

I don't think that any of us really saw Adelaide as a contender for the flag this year - not being realistic.

We finished 12th last year with an abysmal game plan and a stack of injuries in an unsettling season with a change of coach mid-year.

What we were all hoping from Craig is for him to change the Adelaide game plan to a much more efficient one, and for a reasonable run with injuries.

Given both of those factors most of us still could only see us finishing somwhere between 7th and 10, depending on many factors.

Craig is certainly trying to change the game plan. What Sunday told us is just how much work and time will be necessary to get there.

The one thing that does bother me at present is the run of injuries that we are having, Yes, it's only the pre-season, but this is where players get their base and conditioning from which to have a good year.

When we look at key players like Welsh, Clarke, Thompson, Hart, Doughty, Biglands, Edwards and others like Schuback, Krueger, Knights, Maric, Jericho, Watts (a third of the list) who have either had interrupted or very restricted programs, and you have to wonder when is our luck going to change in this area?

THAT is a worry.

 

[Stiffy_18]

In fairness a lot of those players that are listed on injury list would play this week if it was a game for premiership points. Biglands, Doughty, Hart, Thompson, Maric and Knights would be unavailable if round 1 was played this weekend. Thats probably 3-4 players from the best 22.

I am concerned that quite a few players have had interupted pre-seasons and those players are mainly youngsters who we had some sort of expectations for this season.

I think as afar as game plan is concenred we need to undrstand that it cannot be changed overnight. Old habits die hard. You can train all you like in playing more direct football but it really gets tested when you are up against the opposition that are applying an immense pressure on you. The only way you can improve this is by playing games against strong opposition. I am confidents we will change this and we will be better at it this time next year.

As I said at the end of last season, this is not fixable over short period of time. I don't care what term you want to use but fact is we need to rebuild and rebuilding takes anywhere between 3-5 years. We need to accpet that there will be some pain in the next few years. Sure aim to win but be realistic of our limitations and prospects.

Patience is all I ask for

 

[Mong]

I think people will remain patient for this year. But it's year 2 and 3 that that patience will be tested if things are progressingly slowly.

 

[- PC -]

WC (H) - they are 5th favourite for the flag
Col (A) - 6th favourite for flag and we havent beaten them for yrs
PA (H) - favourite for the flag
Syd (A) - 8th favourite for the flag

Isnt it a joke when Collingwood are 6th favourite?

I will take WC and Sydney as 2 wins and possibly Collingwood

I agree the injury issues concern me . More the unknown long term ones. S Thompson? What the hell is going on with him? Will he be a millstone around our necks?

I would like to see Thompson getting some game time very soon

 

[drakeyv2]

More injuries to injury plagued players like Welsh, Thompson & now Hart are a real concern.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Isnt it a joke when Collingwood are 6th favourite?

I will take WC and Sydney as 2 wins and possibly Collingwood

I agree the injury issues concern me . More the unknown long term ones. S Thompson? What the hell is going on with him? Will he be a millstone around our necks?

I would like to see Thompson getting some game time very soon

Thommo has some stress fractures in his foot last year and as a result his running action has changes somewhat and this resulted in shin fractures. Apparently he is back running and training but he is a couple of weeks away from getting a game. Thats what Schwerdty said last night on 5AA.

 

[Damp Squarie]

As a reminder we play:

WC (H) - they are 5th favourite for the flag
Col (A) - 6th favourite for flag and we havent beaten them for yrs
PA (H) - favourite for the flag
Syd (A) - 8th favourite for the flag

It wont be easy getting off to a good start but here's some biased reasons why things could be worse
Round 1

PROS
Adelaide has a great record against the West Coast and given that this is at home where our record is even better, we should win to kick-off our season.

CONS
None I can think of.

Round 2

PROS
Playing Collingwood at the Dome would be our preferred Melbourne venue in my opinion. Like Adelaide, Collingwood have yet to play here for premiership points this year and have a shorter break having played Monday in Round 1

CONS
Collingwood seem to have a mental edge over Adelaide in recent times.

Round 3

PROS
Playing Port after their grand final replay has got to be a good thing.
Crows home game too where we will be keen to keep our winning games at home on the right side of the ledger.
The fact we would be underdogs.
The Byron factor.

CONS
Port have a longer break than Adelaide leading into this game.
Port are the current Premiers and will be keen to remain the hunted – but not captured.
Ports past record over the Crows is far superior.


Round 4

PROS
We like the SCG and play OK here.
Sydney meet the Lions in the den the week prior.
An inspired Crows victory over the Smears will negate any short break we were dealt.

CONS

Shorter break and road trip.


At best...3 W and 1 L

 

[Stiffy_18]

We might have a very good record against WC at footy park but records are there to be broken and WC are a gun side IMHO.

 

[Damp Squarie]

We might have a very good record against WC at footy park but records are there to be broken and WC are a gun side IMHO.

So if you had $100 to lay on the winner (right now) who would it be on.....be honest

 

[Stiffy_18]

So if you had $100 to lay on the winner (right now) who would it be on.....be honest

Right now on WC