Crows in SANFL this weekend

[Jerome]

Crows duo pass trial
By ANDREW CAPEL
19mar05

ADELAIDE hopes to have all but two of its senior players available for the start of the AFL premiership season after Ben Hart and Scott Thompson got through SANFL trial games last night.

Hart and Thompson played three quarters and a half for North Adelaide and the Port Adelaide Magpies respectively at Alberton Oval.
Crows coach Neil Craig hasn't ruled either player out of contention to take on the West Coast Eagles in round one at AAMI Stadium on Easter Sunday.

"We'll see how they pull up but if they are okay then they will be considered," Craig said. "We're not thinking they have to play a certain amount of games in the SANFL to be ready."

This is despite yesterday's hit-out being their first for the pre-season because of hamstring and shin injuries respectively. Hart, who is closing in on 300 AFL games, played in defence for the Roosters and Thompson, the Crows premier off-season recruit from Melbourne, in the midfield. Hart, who had 13 disposals, was pulled from the ground at the start of the final term by the Crows. He told Roosters coach Andrew Jarman he wanted to play another quarter but Craig, who was watching from the stands, had seen enough and sent development coach Alan Stewart to tell Jarman to get him off the ground.

Thompson was terrific in the first half for the Magpies with 14 possessions.

While Craig, who said he faced a selection "dilemma" next week, admitted both players lacked match fitness, he said Hart, in particular, had done plenty of game simulation which would stand him in good stead.

Craig expects Mark Stevens (ankle) and Scott Welsh (corked thigh) to definitely play in round one while he rates Brett Burton (hamstring) a better than 50-50 chance. The only senior players already ruled out of round one are star midfielder Simon Goodwin (suspension) and defender Jason Torney (back).


** I'm going down to the Bay to watch the Tiges v Dogs. I'll put up some player reviews when I get back.

 

[jo172]

Crows are probably nervous after all those last quarter injuries last week Vs Melbourne. Jars would be p1ssed though! Good news though

 

[mymansyd]

Fantastic news to read that Benny and Thommo got through.

Mmmmm....very tempting to pick them versus West Coast.

Even if they come off the bench and play 2 quarters, maybe they'll be better value than a Shirley or a Bock, etc...

Not quite sure which way the Crows will go. I'm in 2 minds me-self.

At least we have pretty much a full squad to choose from. Only Goody and Torney aren't available for round 1 & SG is back for R2.

First 4 games are soooo crucial, let's hope the AFC gets it right at the selection table. If we are 2-2 after 4 rounds, IMO, we'll definitely give the 8 a shake. If not, then...gosh...mmm...

 

[Alex99]

Fantastic news to read that Benny and Thommo got through.

Mmmmm....very tempting to pick them versus West Coast.

Even if they come off the bench and play 2 quarters, maybe they'll be better value than a Shirley or a Bock, etc...

Not quite sure which way the Crows will go. I'm in 2 minds me-self.

At least we have pretty much a full squad to choose from. Only Goody and Torney aren't available for round 1 & SG is back for R2.

First 4 games are soooo crucial, let's hope the AFC gets it right at the selection table. If we are 2-2 after 4 rounds, IMO, we'll definitely give the 8 a shake. If not, then...gosh...mmm...

I would be tempted to play one but not both. By the sounds of it Ben Hart will be given the nod and play against the WCE. Thompson will play round 2 if he playes a full game in the SANFL

IMO

 

[noddy]

I would be tempted to play one but not both. By the sounds of it Ben Hart will be given the nod and play against the WCE. Thompson will play round 2 if he playes a full game in the SANFL

IMO

Think Benny will play if he survives this week on the track (sounds bloody terrible don't it )

Craigy might even play Thommo as well.

 

[- PC -]

Ben has played for Adelaide before Thompson hasnt. Harsh but I get the feeling the Match Committee would prefer to see a Thompson in SANFL mode before selection to the main group

 

[Jerome]

The Bays beat Centrals in the reserves and seniors. They won by small margins in both games and fought back contol of the match from Central in each one. I havent seen a Bays team this good since the trial against the Crows last year. Hopefully this year they can continue their good pre season form.

I think Schuback was out with an ankle injury.

I did not see Hinge out there, I dont quite know what the story with him is.

For some reason I didnt really look out for Rowan Andrews in the seniors. I cant say I really noticed him until he had a run in with the Gowans (yes both of them and what a surprise to see their names come up) in the last quarter.

The guy I was watching in the seniors was Josh Krueger. He looked fit and moved well, but he just didnt do anything all day. He started at CHB on Cowan in the first half, sat on the bench on the third and then played at half forward in the last. Not too many touches for Josh.

I arrived at half time of the ressies and saw Griffen ruck for Centrals. He was on the bench in the last so I can only report on his third quarter efforts. The Dogs kicked 6 -7 goals in 20 minutes in the third. Griff's ruck work and efforts around the ground (getting down on the ground and getting it out, then running in to kick a goal a few minutes later) was quite good. Needs to work on his positioning and at ruck contests around the ground but does well in the centre. He's very mobile - something the Dogs senior ruckmen ain't. I think his mobility and his work rate will get him into the seniors.

Should you hear any complaints about the umpires from Bays/Dogs supporters this week, please bear in mind we were stuck with Richard Williams.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Great to hear both went well and pulled up OK.

Personally, I would only play 1 of them in round 1. You can't have underdone players against quality opposition.

I get the feeling Hart will get picked if he gets through the training this week. I think Thommo will either be back in round 2 or the Showdown the following week.

 

[jo172]

Thanks Jerome, signs not to encouraging

 

[Stiffy_18]

Thanks for the report Jerome

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Really appreciate the feedback Jerome

 

[macca23]

Good work Jerome, although there were some pretty disappointing efforts there, particularly Krueger.

However it keeps us all informed on what's really happening, and much appreciated.

 

[LBJ23]

Jerome, Krueger actually played worse in his trial against North, he is starting to play better every trial game, Andrews is another story i think there are a couple of others i would have in front of him down at the bay & that says a lot, only my opinion though as many of the other bay fans think he is our no1 option in the ruck...

How bad is Richard Williams ey Jerome, hahaha.....

 

[Bockchoy67]

Thanks for the report Jerome. A little disappointing to hear about the performance of Krueger and Andrews, but good to hear that Griffen was solid.

I think both Thompson and Hart will at least be ready by Rounds 2-3. However they MUST be 100% fit, as both of their injuries will continue to hamper them if not treated right.

Does anyone know how Maric went? Did he play with Thompson?

 

[Jerome]

Cheers Guys!

LB ...he's played worse than he did today? That's scary, he was a waste of space today.

Williams...the amount of stuff this guy lets go or gets wrong for both sides is unreal. At least we didnt get Broadbridge. I heard he has hurt his knee and wont be umpiring this year. I'm sorry to hear that but hey dwarf throwing is a contact sport.

The one ruckman that stood out today was number 4 for the Bays the redhead Daniel Kirk. he was taking marks all over the place.