Analysis Crowley and Dawson

[gungho]

Just wondering what some of you other Freo supporters now think of the role of Crowley and Dawson. If Crowley becomes free to play and Dawson gets fit, do they come back into the side?
The side has been far more attacking this year, particularly rebounding from defence. Is there still a role to play for these two? Or, is their departure from the side now seen to be more of a help than a hindrance?
Should be an interesting discussion anyway.

 

[Sweetback]

Even if Crowley gets back, I think his days are numbered, in the context of this: http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2015-05-05/tagging-out-of-fashion

I think Ross might have planted a seed there.

 

[Sweetback]

Dawson will have a role, but like Mzungu, he's going to have to bide his time.

 

[beetz]

In hindsight, we could of done with out Crowley the last couple of years. He was just so durable and good at his role that we never got a chance to play without him.

Dawson needs to come back to free up Johnson.

 

[Kram]

Dawson will have a job to do and slot back in at some stage.

Crowley is finished.

 

[dockerfemme]

I think Crowls being gone has worked for us. Of course things might change if our midfield wasn't in such super form, or we had an injury to our top class midfielders.

I am less sure about Dawson. MJ struggles against really big bodies and is so creative when he has freedom maybe there is a place for Dawson. I do not know who I would replace. I do think Spurr's kicking is a significant weakness and he also doesn't seem to be able to close down good small forwards (maybe few can) but his courage and intercept marking are excellent. I would probably try Dawson in for Spurr.

 

[Eski3]

I think there is a role for Dawson, as having him in simply frees up Johnson to play on the third tall, a role I believe he is better suited to (even though he has done very well this season on the second tall)

Crowley I struggle to see a spot for to be honest. We would have to drop Clancee, who has been in really good form, particularly in the last couple of weeks. I would only bring Crowley in through the WAFL if his form and Clancee's form warranted it

 

[ydraw]

Crowley was a liability last year. Our midfield is much better without him in it.

 

[Sweetback]

I think a player like Crowley is needed when your midfield lacks the requisite balance or class. When you only have elite midfielders, having a tagger becomes pointless.

 

[couldhavebeen]

Dawson will have a role, but like Mzungu, he's going to have to bide his time.[/QUOTE

Mzungu is one player I want back in the team because of his elite running , contested marking ,reading of the game (knows where to run to , to make a contest ) goal kicking and the support he gives to both the back 6 and forwards .
So many times we see him giving the backline assistance and when the ball moves into the forward line there he is taking a mark in the forward line and slotting a goal . He had a weakness in his tackling early in his career but not any more .

 

[malpaso]

Crowley is not going to come back.

Dawson will come back into the team at the expense of one of the following: Ibbo, Duffield (Johnson moves into their role)
Our best 6 has Dawson in the team:
Spurr, Dawson, Johnson
C.Pearce/Sutcliffe, McPharlin, Ibbo/Duffield

Mzungu will come back in as well and most likely for MDB.

Injuries are inevitable and will dictate a lot of the decisions.

 

[freoextra]

I think Crowls being gone has worked for us. Of course things might change if our midfield wasn't in such super form, or we had an injury to our top class midfielders.

I am less sure about Dawson. MJ struggles against really big bodies and is so creative when he has freedom maybe there is a place for Dawson. I do not know who I would replace. I do think Spurr's kicking is a significant weakness and he also doesn't seem to be able to close down good small forwards (maybe few can) but his courage and intercept marking are excellent. I would probably try Dawson in for Spurr.

The bolded bit has always been my assumption, but I have seen no evidence this year that Johnno struggles as a key defender or on big bodies. I know our defence is about pressure from all players, but at the moment Johnno playing on the big bodies appears to be giving us additional run and mobility from defence. I remember in one interview Johnno was keen for Dawson's return, not so sure the coach will be in a hurry though.

 

[democritus]

The bolded bit has always been my assumption, but I have seen no evidence this year that Johnno struggles as a key defender or on big bodies. I know our defence is about pressure from all players, but at the moment Johnno playing on the big bodies appears to be giving us additional run and mobility from defence. I remember in one interview Johnno was keen for Dawson's return, not so sure the coach will be in a hurry though.

It's working currently because our midfield dominance means that there are:

a) fewer inside 50s
b) when the ball does go inside 50 it usually does so under pressure
c) teams are forced to kick sideways, meaning the key forward rarely takes marks in the corridor and is forced into taking low percentage shots.

Currently it's working fantastically, but I'm not sure that it will hold up when the heat is on in finals footy. If we lose our stranglehold on the clearances, I fear that a KPF will dine out on us.

I've said it before but Dawson is one of our best big game performers. The coaches think so too as he has won finals player of the year at least twice whilst with us. He comes back in. I feel more comfortable having him there when the whips are cracking.

Dawson's availability also gives us the added luxury of resting Johnno or McPharlin during the season.

 

[poshman]

It's working currently because our midfield dominance means that there are:

a) fewer inside 50s
b) when the ball does go inside 50 it usually does so under pressure
c) teams are forced to kick sideways, meaning the key forward rarely takes marks in the corridor and is forced into taking low percentage shots.

Currently it's working fantastically, but I'm not sure that it will hold up when the heat is on in finals footy. If we lose our stranglehold on the clearances, I fear that a KPF will dine out on us.

I've said it before but Dawson is one of our best big game performers. The coaches think so too as he has won finals player of the year at least twice whilst with us. He comes back in. I feel more comfortable having him there when the whips are cracking.

Dawson's availability also gives us the added luxury of resting Johnno or McPharlin during the season.

I think these are the keys. He is also underrated in his ability to know when to leave his man and offer support, make the spoil and win the ball back. Dont know who he will replace but I think he will come back in immediately. Especially with players like Johnson saying he cant wait to have him back. Shows how the player group rates him also.

 

[democritus]

I think these are the keys. He is also underrated in his ability to know when to leave his man and offer support, make the spoil and win the ball back. Dont know who he will replace but I think he will come back in immediately. Especially with players like Johnson saying he cant wait to have him back. Shows how the player group rates him also.

I think Duffield could be in the line of fire. Has had some pretty good matches and some average ones.

Sutcliffe can play on dangerous players and provide run. Ibbo is an excellent intercept marker and is starting some great passages of play from half-back, even pushing up for a couple of inside 50s and making decisions much quicker. Spurr is taking the dangerous small forwards and has ironed out the defensive deficiencies that affected him last year. McPharlin is Mcpharlin. Johnson can play tall and is probably our most creative defender, can also be swung forward.

Hill, Mundy, Mzungu (if he comes back in), Sheridan (if he comes back in), Clancee can all rotate into the backline and perform Duff's role quite effectively. The added bonus being that they can run through the middle as well.

 

[Freoforever86]

Agreed, Dawson will be straight in when he's fit. Not sure who for but. Tough decision.

Crowley no.. Loved his service to the club, but I think he's done

 

[Banker]

I reckon the demolishing of Sydney last year by the Hawks has caused Ross to change his view on ultra defensive.

If Crowley is in top shape, there is a good chance he might return if injuries/ players are out of form. We forget that he hasn't had the opportunity to play as a non tagger. Question then remains is he better than Suban as a non tagger?

 

[Kram]

Crowley is bordering on useless if he's not minding someone. Love the bloke and what he's done but for mine he's almost certainly played his last game for Fremantle.

 

[Alfonz]

If Crowley is in top shape, there is a good chance he might return if injuries/ players are out of form. We forget that he hasn't had the opportunity to play as a non tagger. Question then remains is he better than Suban as a non tagger?

Crowley played as a non tagger in the final against Sydney, and was terrible.

Suban, DeBoer, Clancee, Sheridan, Mzungu, Crozier ... All ahead of him as non-taggers, and most by a long way. I'd even play Blakeley and Weller ahead of Crowley.

 

[mustlovepurple]

If creepys days are numbered.I would heartily endorse his value as the team..runner!..just when stevie,and boomer think..Thank god..he gone..on runs ryan with a beaming smile...the look on there faces would be priceless,and that would be just enough to send there brains to mush.

 

[calaisking]

If creepys days are numbered.I would heartily endorse his value as the team..runner!..just when stevie,and boomer think..Thank god..he gone..on runs ryan with a beaming smile...the look on there faces would be priceless,and that would be just enough to send there brains to mush.

I like this idea so much

 

[Harry Reems]

Dawson is needed to give Luke a rest. We won't have Silvagni for 3 months, so Dawson is definitely a required player there.

Ibbo at least doesn't turn the ball over coming out of defence, even if he does lack height.

Crowls unfortunately will now be made redundant.

 

[freoextra]

If creepys days are numbered.I would heartily endorse his value as the team..runner!..just when stevie,and boomer think..Thank god..he gone..on runs ryan with a beaming smile...the look on there faces would be priceless,and that would be just enough to send there brains to mush.

Fantastic idea - thought of the day for mine.

Perhaps (since he got blamed anyhow) he could lay a few hundred pinches on Harvey as they passed each other

Ha - imagine him out there as the runner and pretending to duck everytime the opposition players does not go hard for a mark.

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

Dawson will provide excellent cover for when McPharlin/Johnson need rests.

Hard to see a role for Crowley. He'd be a good runner though - sending out messages to players (on both sides)

 

[TheInjuryFactory]

Had this discussion with the old man this morning. The old man backed Crowley to win his own ball and reckons he is really good overhead, but for mine he hasn't got a spot in the side as a ball winning mid, as others have mentioned the likes of Suban, MDB, Clancee have shown they are in front of him in this regard and he is no longer required. Has done a great job until this point, but I won't miss his back to the play and self preserving "there's the ball but here's my man, I'm just going to play my man" mentality. The amount of times during games where he is completely unaware of the ball for the sake of his direct opponent, I'm surprised he was never falconed in the back of the scone.

Dawson will probably come straight in, although I'm not sure if that is necessarily a good thing. Should really have a few weeks in the magoos to get some form first. Definitely has a role to play however and is great on the monsters.

Sounds like I'm anti-creepy, I'm not, just think our offensive mentality this year highlights the drawbacks of relying on a shutdown tagger. Maybe it is a case of perfect timing, unfortunately for Crowley our midfield group has blossomed right at the wrong time for his role to survive.