Crows to get competitive: Craig

[Stiffy_18]

Crows to get competitive: Craig
3:41:36 PM Thu 4 March, 2004
afc.com.au
Adelaide assistant coach Neil Craig predicts the Crows will be much more competitive against West Coast in the Wizard Regional Challenge Series match at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

“We are looking to play with a bit more intensity – it is one area of our game that we have been a little disappointed with,” Craig said after training on Thursday.

“When we get that area of our game right (playing with intensity and competitiveness), we are a better side, so our aim tomorrow night is to certainly see a significant improvement in that area.

“If we do that, then hopefully a few other things we have been trying will fall into place.”

Responding to a question about the standard of training, Craig said: “The intensity on the track from day one, right through pre-season and leading into the Wizard Cup, has not been an issue, so we have been very happy with training form. We want to see that taken out on to the field.”

The Crows will be bolstered by the return of Ken McGregor, Andrew McLeod and Brett Burton, who were rested from last weekend’s match against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.

“They are experienced players and part of our structure so it will be good to get them back into the fold, give them a chance to play some footy and give the players a chance to play their normal positions,” Craig said. “It is all part of our preparation so it will be good to have those boys back.”

Craig said the Crows would be ‘playing to win’ against the Eagles after successive losses to St Kilda and Fremantle.

“It is always important to go out with a mentality that you are doing your absolute best to win the game,” he said. “I think that is part of the culture of any club at AFL level.

“You want to make sure that players go with the attitude that, all things being equal, ‘we are trying to win this match’.”

The Crows have made some slight modifications to their game plan over the summer and Craig is confident that, with time, these changes will be successful.

“It is like when trying anything new – it takes a while to get good at it,” he said. “It is not going to happen overnight so we will try to continue to experiment with it at certain stages throughout the match.

“One thing we do know is that we are good at playing man-on-man so that can be our fall-back position, but it is always nice for any footy club to be able to play different styles of play.”

Adelaide has introduced some new and relatively new players during the practice matches, and Trent Hentschel is among those who have impressed.

Craig was full of praise for the 21-year-old who made his AFL debut against Sydney in round three last season and also played against Melbourne in round 12 and Fremantle in round 16.

“We have been pretty pleased with Trent,” Craig said. “He is an exceptional talent and he has shown some very positive signs playing in defence. There will be some situations tomorrow night where we have a look at Trent up forward.

“While we don’t expect huge things from him, if he continues to play the way he has, not only will the footy club be very pleased, the supporters will get to see someone with genuine talent.”

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Craig was full of praise for the 21-year-old who made his AFL debut against Sydney in round three last season and also played against Melbourne in round 12 and Fremantle in round 16.

“We have been pretty pleased with Trent,” Craig said. “He is an exceptional talent and he has shown some very positive signs playing in defence. There will be some situations tomorrow night where we have a look at Trent up forward.

“While we don’t expect huge things from him, if he continues to play the way he has, not only will the footy club be very pleased, the supporters will get to see someone with genuine talent.”

Exceptional talent?????? Thats a pretty big rap from Craig.

I wonder how will Trent go up forward at AFL level. In the games that he played as a forward for the Crows he looked lost. I think he will develop his game as a defender before being thrown up forward in a few years time where he will be handy.

If someone is going to the trial tommorrow, can you please post a brief report on how we go (especially youngsters)

 

[macca23]

Re: Re: Crows to get competitive: Craig

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Exceptional talent?????? Thats a pretty big rap from Craig.

I wonder how will Trent go up forward at AFL level. In the games that he played as a forward for the Crows he looked lost. I think he will develop his game as a defender before being thrown up forward in a few years time where he will be handy.

If someone is going to the trial tommorrow, can you please post a brief report on how we go (especially youngsters)

Not a problem young Stiffmeister.

I'm going to the game and I'll put a report up when I get home - even though that might be a bit late at night.

I'm looking forward to the game. The one thing that has really stuck out so far is that we have carried our lack of intensity on the training track pre-season into the trial games (in spite of Craig's denial about that). The club is upping the ante in that area this week and I'm expecting a big improvement in our play.

Anything less than a win will be a concern.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Re: Re: Crows to get competitive: Craig

Originally posted by macca23
Not a problem young Stiffmeister.

I'm going to the game and I'll put a report up when I get home - even though that might be a bit late at night.

I knew I could count on you for an in depth analysis

Anything less than a win will be a concern.

I disagree. If we are to experiment as we have up to now there is a chance the final score is not what we are really after.

I will be concerned if we lose in round 1.

 

[macca23]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Crows to get competitive: Craig

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
I knew I could count on you for an in depth analysis

I disagree. If we are to experiment as we have up to now there is a chance the final score is not what we are really after.

I will be concerned if we lose in round 1.

Where's the experimentation Stiffy?? We are putting our best available 22 onto the ground while West Coast are resting 4 or 5 of their topliners.

As for playing down the centre of the corridor rather than via the hot dog stand on the HF flank and actually LOOKING for a team-mate - whoopee!! That "experiment" is the same one that U/9 coaches expect of their valiant charges!!

A bit of guts, go and intensity is what has been lacking in our efforts to date. The club has said it's cranking that up this week. The players have said they intend to win this one.

I WILL be disappointed if we don't win this one at home.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Crows to get competitive: Craig

Originally posted by macca23
Where's the experimentation Stiffy??

To start of with, playing Hentschel as a forward and Burns as a midfielder. Then there is that chipping style that we appear hell bent on getting right.

Honestly, I don't get the concern after a couple of bad pre-season games. They are trial games nothing to worry about.

 

[Jerome]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Crows to get competitive: Craig

Originally posted by macca23
Where's the experimentation Stiffy?? We are putting our best available 22 onto the ground while West Coast are resting 4 or 5 of their topliners.

As for playing down the centre of the corridor rather than via the hot dog stand on the HF flank and actually LOOKING for a team-mate - whoopee!! That "experiment" is the same one that U/9 coaches expect of their valiant charges!!

A bit of guts, go and intensity is what has been lacking in our efforts to date. The club has said it's cranking that up this week. The players have said they intend to win this one.

I WILL be disappointed if we don't win this one at home.

Spot on! I'll be there and I'll post a review as well.

In regards to the Hentschell comments... I wish they would stop hyping him up.

This isnt a dig at him, but it would be much more fun for all concerned if they would keep quiet and just let him play. Let him go about his business and let his performances do the talking.

 

[Stiffy_18]

BTW, macca23, can you keep an eye on Mark Seaby (14) and Sam Butler (26) from the Eagles.

Cheers

 

[ok.crows]

"we have been very happy with training form. We want to see that taken out on to the field.”

Hm.

Looks like the AFC wants to see some form also.

 

[Crow-mosone]

Re: Re: Re: Crows to get competitive: Craig

Originally posted by macca23


Anything less than a win will be a concern.

why?

 

[macca23]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Crows to get competitive: Craig

Originally posted by Crow-mosone
why?

That was the last line of the post. Read the rest of the post.

 

[Fergus]

I agree with you macca23 - anything less than a win will be a concern. The result of the game will fall out based on how we play. If we play with the right intensity and execute the game plan then we will win regardless of any experiments.

 

[noddy]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Crows to get competitive: Craig

Originally posted by macca23

I WILL be disappointed if we don't win this one at home.

I'm with Stiffy on this one macca, not that worried if we get beat as long as the intensity/skill are a marked improvement on what's been shown so far & our young hopefuls are given enough game time to make an impression one way or the other.

I will be more than concerned if our mid-field gets out muscled at the stoppages again as has been happening the last 2 weeks, especially with the Coasters having some of their regular on-ballers resting on the sidelines.

 

[maccas_no1]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Crows to get competitive: Craig

Originally posted by Jerome
Spot on! I'll be there and I'll post a review as well.

In regards to the Hentschell comments... I wish they would stop hyping him up.

This isnt a dig at him, but it would be much more fun for all concerned if they would keep quiet and just let him play. Let him go about his business and let his performances do the talking.

I totally agree with this if they keep hyping him up in the media then, he is going to go out and play with a bighead make mistakes and as a result lose conidence, LET THE KID PLAY

 

[Crow-mosone]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Crows to get competitive: Craig

Originally posted by macca23
That was the last line of the post. Read the rest of the post.

Sorry,
it was just I didn't think that sort overreaction was properly explained.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Its QTR time and it sounds like the Crows are smashing the Eagles. Hentschel, Reilly and Hudson playing well. Hentschel playing up forward, took a good mark but missed the goal. Apparently he has worked well to keep the ball in the area and is combining well with Scotty Stevens who has 4 or 5 marks so far.

Reilly is staring and fom West Coast Mark seaby is playing well in the ruck. I said it last year we should have gone for this boy.

Converting to in fron of goal is a bit of a worry 4.8 at QTR time.

Still going wide and still delivering the ball into forward line wide.

And Stiffy is playing really well. Perrie has started on th e bench.

 

[Stiffy_18]

It looks like Reilly has injured his shoulder

Hentschel kicks a goal.

 

[coasting]

Any chance of telling us some of the bigman match ups? esp Eagles in defense and how they are playing...

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by coasting
Any chance of telling us some of the bigman match ups? esp Eagles in defense and how they are playing...

Lynch has played on Carey and done OK so far despite Carey kicking 2 goals. Seaby has been very good in the ruck and has kicked the only goal for West Coast so far.

Eagles not getting their hands on footy. At half time Eagles are down by 50 points and could have been even further down if Crows converted well in front of goal (8.10).

Kerr got a bit of footy but he is burning it by all accounts. They say he wasted 95% of his possesions. Eagles getting hammered everywhere.

Thats all I can help you with I am afraid.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Update on Reilly: Sprained shoulder, should be ready for round 1.

 

[macca23]

Final scores

Adelaide 17 -16

West Coast 4 -6

A final margin of 88 points in what proved to be a very one-sided game.

Adelaide's mid-field dominated from the very first bounce and in the first quarter it was all the Crows with them leading 4-7 to 1-0 at the first change.

Adelaide's intensity was first class, West Coast's deplorable. my only criticism was that there was still far too many leads to the boundary rather than down the corridor.

Surprisingly Perrie started on the bench and the forward 6 were Welsh, Hentschel, Stevens, Carey, Johncock and McLeod. Johncock was outstanding in this first quarter, with all the forwards with the exception of Welsh very prominent.

The second quarter produced one of the poorest spectacles ever seen at this level. Totally error-ridden with Adelaide playing wider than you could possibly imagine. I was 25 rows back and I was involved in 3 passages of play myself!!! We managed a mere 6 scoring shots (4-2) from 20 entries into the forward line for the quarter. As a spectacle - disgraceful.

On top of that Reilly copped one to his bad shoulder and had to go off after burning on his wing. The official word is that it is only a ligament sprain and he should be right by round 1. Hope so because he was oozing class and was the best user of the ball on the ground.

West Coast came out to play after half time but could not find a winner in attack. McGregore slaughtered McDougall - I mean slaughtered - and Ben Hart was superb on the last line of defence with top support from Bassett and Edwards. I should have mentioned Massie who was as mean as cat sh*t and absolutely fearless while Smarty ran himself into form.

Doughty, who replaced Reilly, grabbed his chance with both hands and was as physical as I've ever seen him while getting a lot of the ball and using it well. Ronnie Burns came on in this quarter and added great zip from the forward pocket setting up 2 of our 4 goals for the quarter.

Perrie came on during this quarter and played a very stupid one and a half quarters at FB from that point on. He is not a defender's ********.. Skipworth joined the mid-field party and let the selectors know he was around as did Torney who looked all class from HB

The last quarter was all Crows who by this stage had fully deteriorated into their round the boundary game at all costs. The criss-crossing in defence was kept to a minimum and done well when it was done. The biggest disappointment was a failure in general to centre the ball when ahead of center, which really was my only criticism of the night, with teh exception of Perri's placement at FB

Best Players

Goodwin - Outstanding with 34 disposals,. Back to his very very best.
Roo - dominant with 30 disposals but leads to the pockets too much. the only flaw in his game
Macca - at his magical best for the 3 quarters he played
Hart - did he make an error all night?? If he did I can't remember it.
Johncock - the best forward all night and did well well running on the ball.
Mcgregor - did a number on McDougall. They're still picking up the bits of theWest Coast CHF who was craved into little pieces.
Hentschel - looked every bit an AFL player and offered a target all night at FF.

One could virtually say all played well - except Perrie.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
West Coast Mark seaby is playing well in the ruck. .

Seaby was one of the rare bright lights for the Eagles. They have another topline ruckman for the future in this boy. He seriously can play.

Fletcher tried hard, but Daniel Kerr must have been hallucinating - his usage with the ball was nothing short of stupid. A bad night for someone who normally is very very good.

 

[DaveW]

Originally posted by macca23
Totally error-ridden with Adelaide playing wider than you could possibly imagine. I was 25 rows back and I was involved in 3 passages of play myself!!!

Gold.

Gameplan is obviously still rather concerning though.

Perrie came on during this quarter and played a very stupid one and a half quarters at FB from that point on. He is not a defender's ********..

Don't we know it. I hope not to see him there in round one.

Interestingly we've now beaten West Coast five times in just over 12 months.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
Hentschel - looked every bit an AFL player and offered a target all night at FF.

Firstly, thanks for an excellent report.

I was listening to the radio and they were giving credit to Hentschel for the little things he did that resulted in goals. They said he has a fantastic footy brain and explained on a couple of occasions what he did. First there was a clever tap to Ronnie for his 1st goal, and then there was a clever shepard when Burton went for a mark that made the work easier for Birdman.

From the sound of things he didn't get a whole lot of possesions but still played well. Is this correct??????

Rowey was very impressed with both Reilly and Hentschel. I must say from what I have seen so far this year Reilly is set for a ripper. For years we have lacked a true wingman and he provides us with that. Very skillful, balanced and doesn't mind going in hard.

By the sounds of things Hudson did well as well. Is this true??????

Cheers.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
Totally error-ridden with Adelaide playing wider than you could possibly imagine. I was 25 rows back and I was involved in 3 passages of play myself!!!

GOLD

However as DaveW said this is rather concerning. I was hoping to see more direct football even if we lost.

In regards to us playing a chipping and short game plan for the past two week, I think we might be practicing that for an odd occasion against sides like Collingwood who play well against our rather predictable plan. Personally, I don't think it will work but time will tell.

Boys on 5AA drew the conclusion that Perrie is out of favour and I must say that it was strange that he didn't start on the ground. I think his lack of form when playing in the same forward line as Carey might cost him a spot in the 22 and someone like Stevens, Hentschel or even Rutten could leap frog him if he is not careful. He better pull his finger out or it could be a long season for Sarge.