Went yesterday hoping to see a Westies victory alas not to be.
The first half was all West really and in my book the only two players making a real impact on the game for the Crows were Beech and Wigg.
Wigg was everywhere, played on the ball, does have tendency to go sideways with many of his kicks but he alone kept driving the Crows forward. Beech is such a good mark, was a threat every time the ball went near him. In the first half Jenkins was the player of the last two weeks and easily beaten by Tom Keough. His effort was in a word crap, needs to buy a dictionary and learn the word 'chase.'
Second half a different Crows team turned up. O'Brien started to dominate the centre bounces and the back line in Doodee and Cheney began to show their obvious poise and class.
Wigg was still running a muck and Beech took a pearler of a pack mark (definite highlight reel). Keath chipped in for a goal with a strong mark and the Crows were on their way.
West were poor in front of goals, Rankine should have kicked an easy left foot goal but chose the stupid right foot banana on the run( not Eddie yet!) and Carger missed a monty.
Jenkins became transformed as the ball started falling his way and his effort improved. He is a classy footballer and only needs a small opening to make a difference. His second half was full of merit, four goals but I wouldn't be elevating him just yet.
West poor kicking at goals continued in the last quarter, Middleton the culprit. The Crows got it out the centre in the last quarter with ease, Wigg again the mainstay.
Overall Wigg was BOG by a mile, Beech definitely needs a chance because in the air he's such a threat, (one game wouldn't hurt selectors).
O'Brien came into the game and gave the Crows first use,definitely another player who needs a chance.
Doodee is a solid player...safe, but he doesn't provide much rebound. When he gets over his injuries and has a chance in the AFL he'll be a dependable back. It's up to him to take the game on more.
Dear played fullback because of Jenkins inclusion and looked out of sorts early, goes to ground too often. Improved as game went on.
A mention of Ben Jarman; small but a good decision maker, he gave off the ball to all the right targets well worth persisting with.
No way Crows win a premiership with that mixture of AFL players and local top ups, too hard to form a cohesive unit with so many changes each week.