Crows v Pork : Wrap

[PAfolwr]

Originally posted by macca23
I thought Goodwin and Edwards were the Crows best and Stevens and Brogan for Port. Chad Cornes was outstanding for the first 2 and a half quarters, until Smarty quietened him somewhat from then on.

Apart from Brogan, don't agree with your comment that your better players were "different" players. Stevens, Wanganeen, Chad Cornes, James and Schofield are surely established players.

As an outsider, Brogan has always looked like the one on Port's list that would step up. Lade looks to be finished and a sprint between him and Rutten would be agony to watch. Ackland just doesn't do enough and can't ruck. But Brogan will be a genuine asset to Port this year.

Also agree that Thurstans and Morgan need to do more if they intend to be there in 2004. Thurstans does look the more likely of these 2 though.

Pickett showed glimpses of why he can be a matchwinner while Cochrane was steady.

Kane Cornes did a great job on McLeod for the first half, but McLeod gave him a lesson in the second, while Junior Burger showed his versatility with a good game in defence.

All fair comments, but Wanganeen did what he always does, and thus doesn't count , Stevens and Schofield didn't punish you at all. Possessions alone do not mean much.
Our best forward was Cornes, our best midfielder was James followed by Kane Cornes, our best tall back was Bishop, and of course Brogan. None of them rookies, not even Brogan, but usually it is something like Tredrea, Francou, Primus and Wakelin.
It all depends what one means by a statement I suppose.
McCleod also did what he always does, unlike Stevens he does punish you if he has half a chance.
This will be another year where the Cornes boys will improve. Year after year after year. Will they ever stop?

 

[Macca19]

Originally posted by macca23

Also agree that Thurstans and Morgan need to do more if they intend to be there in 2004. Thurstans does look the more likely of these 2 though.

I dont think Thurstans has to do more. I thought he was brilliant. Looked very calm and knew what he was doing. The best tall defender out of both sides on the night in my opinion.

Morgan...was only given a quarter which was dissapointing...he made one error, but also did some nice things.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by PAfolwr
McCleod also did what he always does, unlike Stevens he does punish you if he has half a chance.
This will be another year where the Cornes boys will improve. Year after year after year. Will they ever stop?

Your first point is absolutely spot on and probably the difference between either winning or losing for both sides in the end. McLeod really hurts the opposition when he gets the ball. I thought the Crows were going down the gurgler until Macca took that freak mark in the 3rd quarter, which seemed to lift his teammates.

Chad Cornes just keeps stepping up a notch each year. The Crows would give their right arm (or Ben Marsh's anyway ) to have a forward that can either mark in a contest like Chad does or provide a strong contest at ground level. He's a beauty!!

While Kane is more of a tagger at this stage, he is likely to end up being a quality mid-fielder in his own right.

Would love to have them both.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by Macca19
I dont think Thurstans has to do more. I thought he was brilliant. Looked very calm and knew what he was doing. The best tall defender out of both sides on the night in my opinion.

Morgan...was only given a quarter which was dissapointing...he made one error, but also did some nice things.

Accept your comments on Thurstans as you would have watched him more closely than I did.

Do you think that one or both of them will crack it for a regular spot by the end of the year?

 

[ajmart]

A few comments:

1. At the ground, the umpires' orange tops with black shorts blended in with the Crows strip. In a crowded situation it was difficult to pick the umpire out. I wondered whether an umpire could have been contacted by a player, who then would have been reported.

2. I thought Port played much better once Treadrea left the ground ! Pickett would be a better player if he concentrated on the ball rather than trying to be an enforcer. I thought Port lost the game because they flooded in the last 10 minutes. At one stage every player was between our half forward and full forward line and when the ball came out there was nowhere to kick it-don't know whether this was apparent on the TV.

3. I thought Perrie provided a real target in the forward line. Unlucky not to have had a shot for goal from 30m out due to a disgraceful umpiring decision after Edwards kicked the ball. Pretty high class match for the first one of the season, pretty good intensity.

4. I think the AFL will be unhappy with the attendance of 25,500

Cheers, a.j.

 

[DaveW]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
18. Graham John****:

Looks like Stiffy has put on a bit of muscle. Played mainly in defence and did a very good job. Did the hard stuff and provided run from the defence. A solid game from Stiffy.

Good summary there Stiffy, but you've surely been lenient on your namesake. I was disappointed with a couple of mistakes he made including that disasterous attempt to take on Wanganeen. (mind you, Wanganeen did get him around the ankles so it probably should've been a trip, but that's irrelevant)

Of course that was absolutely nothing compared to Crowell, who tonight had a complete shocker with his turn-overs and loose checking. I was also dismayed by McGregor's inability to really get into the game tonight.

I think you guys have been harsh on Rutten. This was the first time I've seen him and I thought he did ok to get himself into things a few times. He was certainly more impressive than other newbies Burns and Bock, who were rather quiet.

 

[Macca19]

Originally posted by macca23
Accept your comments on Thurstans as you would have watched him more closely than I did.

Do you think that one or both of them will crack it for a regular spot by the end of the year?

Id say Thurstans is as close to getting a game as he is ever gonna be. He was brilliant tonight. Showed poise, seemed to have a lot of time, and thoroughly beat his opponent.

Morgan has a bit more to go - seems to lack a bit of confidence. Hopefully he might be given a go up forward, where he has played well with North, given that Tredrea is gonna miss a few weeks.

Id be planting Thurstans at CHB for Round 1. Id rather see Thurstans in the side than Paxman. Mark wants a three tall forward line, and with White injured, and Lade and Ackland unimpressive, Morgan should be given a shot there.

 

[Port01]

Originally posted by Macca19

Morgan has a bit more to go - seems to lack a bit of confidence. Hopefully he might be given a go up forward, where he has played well with North, given that Tredrea is gonna miss a few weeks.

Id be planting Thurstans at CHB for Round 1. Id rather see Thurstans in the side than Paxman. Mark wants a three tall forward line, and with White injured, and Lade and Ackland unimpressive, Morgan should be given a shot there.

Morgan strained a hamstring some time early in the second I believe.

 

[noddy]

Originally posted by DaveW
Good summary there Stiffy, but you've surely been lenient on your namesake. I was disappointed with a couple of mistakes he made including that disasterous attempt to take on Wanganeen. (mind you, Wanganeen did get him around the ankles so it probably should've been a trip, but that's irrelevant)

Of course that was absolutely nothing compared to Crowell, who tonight had a complete shocker with his turn-overs and loose checking. I was also dismayed by McGregor's inability to really get into the game tonight.

I think you guys have been harsh on Rutten. This was the first time I've seen him and I thought he did ok to get himself into things a few times. He was certainly more impressive than other newbies Burns and Bock, who were rather quiet.

Have to disagree with you on Stiffys game Dave thought he played very well & he sure does have a go won't take a backward step against anyone, as for him getting caught by Wangas loved it at least it shows he has the confidence to try it & will become more successful when he learns a bit more & who not to try it on, just hope the coaching staff don't reign him in,

Crowell had a poor one as did Burns, Ronnie looked very hesitant when going for the ball & when he did manage to get hold of it lost the plot completely, maybe it was just nerves & he'll come good soon, [will have to]

Rutten at least did present himself at chf & kept competing for most of the game but besides his lack of pace [did you see Brogan run away from him] is to easily pushed under the ball, will improve as still a kid,

Like the look of Reilly who showed poise & touch when he had hold of the ball his delivery into the forward lines was pretty good also, had the better of the duel with Cassisi,

Didn't see enough of Bock to make a fair judgment could do with a bit more umph though,

Liked Torneys game will not take sh*t from anyone as Stevens found out,

Felt for poor old Nigel in the first half but he came back strongly in the second kept the the young stud relatively quiet & did provide a bit of run from the backlines at times,

My best players were,
1 S Goodwin, [ made those uneducated papsies look silly]
2 C Ladhams, backed his judgment & will have a very good year
3 A McLeod, reasonable in the first half, pure Macca in the second
4 M Clarke, dominated early & kept trying
5 T Stenglein, had the wood on Francou for most of the game,

Of the Paps, C Cornes bloody brilliant in first half but lost his way a bit in the second when used as the main focal point in attack, could be a Hird/Kouta like type player in the future, [ how could this happen "sons of Stud playing for the Paps"]

Kane done ok on Macca but was made to look a bit nonplussed by the champ on a few occasions,

Brogan a great game will more than hold his own in the big league,

Salopec 2 kicks 2 goals what a start! has to live up to it now, noticed Williams did not over do his time on the ground,

Pickett was just Pickett there when needed,

Cochrane was marginally better than Burns,

Wanganeen still has it hope injuries will not hinder him this year, well at least when they don't play us,

All up a great game to watch from both sides & the result could have gone either way, but still only a pre-season game but what the heck i'll take a 1pt win over the Paps any day.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by DaveW
Good summary there Stiffy, but you've surely been lenient on your namesake. I was disappointed with a couple of mistakes he made including that disasterous attempt to take on Wanganeen. (mind you, Wanganeen did get him around the ankles so it probably should've been a trip, but that's irrelevant)

Of course that was absolutely nothing compared to Crowell, who tonight had a complete shocker with his turn-overs and loose checking. I was also dismayed by McGregor's inability to really get into the game tonight.

I think you guys have been harsh on Rutten. This was the first time I've seen him and I thought he did ok to get himself into things a few times. He was certainly more impressive than other newbies Burns and Bock, who were rather quiet.

Have to agree that Stiffy's summary was pretty good.

Overall Stiffy's game wasn't too bad at all Dave - did some good things. I agree with Noddy about his attempt to get past Wangas - loved the confidence, but has to learn to pick his mark and Wangas certainly wasn't the one to try it on.

Players like Crowell will always get found out in these tough hard really competitive games. As did Burns away from the safety of the forward pocket.

Mcgregor didn't play CHB last night. Played as the 3rd tall in defence and did a couple of good things in the last quarter when it really counted. I thought that he did okay given that he had limited opportunities. Much prefer him at CHB.

I don't think that any of us criticized Rutten for effort. He certainly gives us a real contest when he is where the ball is. BUT 4 possessions for a CHF that played all game is not good enough and he was certainly exposed for a lack of pace. I accept that he was only filling in at CHF, but he is more likely to succeed in the backlines at this stage where he can run straight at the ball.

Bock only got limited time on the ground, but I can see him making the grade in time as he gives a good contest either in the air or at ground level, and can play forward or back.

Kane Cornes had done a great job in cutting Mcleod out of the game in the first half. I thought the move of Macca onto a HB flank was a match-winner as he carved young Cornes up in the 2nd half with some telling possessions.

I just hope that we never ever consider starting Bassett at FF again. I was totally opposed to it even before the game. He is a defender who you might consider switching to FF in a game under dire circumstances, but to start him there - pftttt. It won't work against good sides, and unbalances the defence as well

I thought Edwards was good all game - not just the 2nd half. His stats were 13 posessions in the 1st half and 10 in the 2nd. He and Ladhams will make up for the loss of Johnson in the mid-field.

I also thought that Stiffy was a bit kind to Biglands and a bit harsh on Clarke. I was disappointed with Biglands ruck work, and while he was rucking Port got on top. On the other hand Clarke set us up in the first quarter and made a real mess of Lade and Ackland, while his duel with Brogan was a beauty

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

congrats lads.was most impressed with the crows.with carey to come into the side id say on that form last night you are capable of matching it with brisbane.
you have the 2nd best midfield in the comp and now you have a key fwd to kick to.
cheers!

 

[Damp Squarie]

Originally posted by macca23

I just hope that we never ever consider starting Bassett at FF again. I was totally opposed to it even before the game. He is a defender who you might consider switching to FF in a game under dire circumstances, but to start him there - pftttt. It won't work against good sides, and unbalances the defence as well

Your last point is the sole reason your first point is so spot on
Our defence ( for all its worth ) looks better with Bassett there even though he struggles against a larger player.

On another note, without trying to inflame anything, did anybody see CCornes gloved eyegouge attempt on McGregor?

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by topjars
On another note, without trying to inflame anything, did anybody see CCornes gloved eyegouge attempt on McGregor?

I saw that and I wasn't very impressed. Its OK to have a fair crack at your opponent but to try eyegouging him while he is on the bottom of the pack, Thats not ON.

One thing I forgot to mention in my summary is that we did not get rid of our bad habit from years before. When ever we are under pressure we ALWAYS go wide and mess around on the wings a lot. Our delivery to the forward line at one stage was alwaus to the pocket and this sort of play reminded me of the 2000 and 2001 season when our conversion rate was shocking due to this. We kicked some rippers from difficult angles but I would much rather prefer to stick to last years game plan of kicking to the top of the square, create a contest and let the crumbers come into play. Although Perrie provided a great contest, he always led to the pocket which is a big NO NO IMHO.

Hope we fix this before Round 1, simply because I think that this style of footy cannot win you games on a regular basis during regular season and especialy finals against top opposition.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by topjars

On another note, without trying to inflame anything, did anybody see CCornes gloved eyegouge attempt on McGregor?

I didn't notice at the time, but have since watched the game again, and I nearly fell over when I saw this. Chad will be a very lucky boy if he doesn't get invited to see the tribunal - it was a definite attempt to eye gouge.