Preview Face Off - Round 15 - Adelaide V Carlton

[Rabman]

Also Carlton have been terrible for 15 years. How are they in front 18-17?

Damage done in the first decade of our existence, since 2001 its 14-6

 

[rezagun]

FOUR PLAYERS THE GAME HAS OVERHYPE

Ben Cassanella - SEN

AFL footy thrives on hype. But sometimes it can be misplaced, particularly when assessing a player’s standing in comparison to his peers.
One good game can have people raving but it’s a body of work, and ability to consistently influence the flow of games, that sets the genuine stars apart.

We look at four players who are good, but might not be good enough to carry the tag of 'genuine superstars'.

RORY SLOANE
The fact the Crows’ best midfielder – by some margin – isn’t in the top 20 midfielders in the league is perhaps exhibit A as to why the club isn’t as close to this year’s premiership as some might think.
While lauded for his courage – of which he has an abundance – and commitment to the cause, there is little else that sets the 27-year-old apart from a host of second stringers at various clubs.
Sloane doesn’t boast elite pace, and while skills are adequate, they are highlighted by a lack of kicking penetration and precision. When targeted this year by opponents, the Crow ball-winner has failed miserably to rise to the challenge.
He is said to be a poor man’s Joel Selwood, but in compiling a list of the AFL’s best 20 midfielders, Sloane’s isn’t within 20 spots of Selwood. Those ahead – in no particular order – are: Dustin Martin, Dylan Shiel, Josh Kelly, Nat Fyfe, Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett, Trent Cotchin, Ollie Wines, Dayne Beams, Adam Treloar, Bryce Gibbs, Marcus Bontempelli, Scott Pendlebury, Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker, Callan Ward, Marc Murphy and Jack Steven.
Sloane is good, but more workhorse than game-changer.

JAKE STRINGER
It is almost embarrassing that 12 months ago some had the audacity to compare the Bulldog forward to Gary Ablett Snr – he is not fit to carry Ablett Snr’s bag.
Stringer's coach thought as much late last year when dropped him to the VFL only to earn a reprieve for a finals series in which he played a cameo role at best.
In 2017 the 23-year-old is averaging 14 disposals and less than two goals per game.
After back-to-back howlers against Sydney and Melbourne, the former top 10 draft pick's position in the side was again being questioned.
What seduces the masses with Stringer is talent, and he has plenty of it – but without consistency, workrate and an expanded football package the half forward will continue to flash in and out of matches.
As it stands right now a myriad of other options, including Toby Greene, Tom Lynch, Jack Gunston, Jack Watts and Jamie Elliott sit comfortably ahead of the former Bendigo Pioneer on a list of dangerous mid-sized options.
When Stringer gets it right he will be a dynamic force, but right now he doesn't do it enough to be in the conversation when it turns to assessing the game's stars.

JOSH JENKINS
Rated by former Geelong vice-captain Tim McGrath as the game’s most overrated forward, Jenkins is a polarising figure when it comes to assessing his standing in the 'star forward' pecking order.
Those lauding the 28-year-old point to 81 goals from his past 33 matches at an average of 2.5 per game – including bags of eight and seven.
Others highlight a disastrous finals series last year in which the key forward totalled seven kicks, including two in a tough and physical encounter against Sydney at the SCG.
Of the 62 goals kicked by the Crow forward in 2016, only nine came against sides the finished top four (from five matches) at the end of the home and away season.
For a player standing 200cm, Jenkins is a more dangerous option at ground level – and an over-the-back specialist – rather than a pack-splitting power forward who pulls down pack marks.
Perhaps it’s the reason why the former basketballer has struggled at times in tough, dour contests that require more than a healthy dose of physicality.

LACHIE NEALE
For pure ball winning, there are few that rival the diminutive Docker but the remainder of the package lacks punch.
The fact a player who is averaging 28 disposals in 2017, and led the league in total disposals in 2016, rarely draws a tag suggests rival coaches aren't enamoured with his capacity to influence matches.
He has hit the scoreboard more this season - on track to top 16 goals for the first time in his career - but is yet to grab the attention of the game's best stoppers.
Neale plays what is known as “budget airline baggage footy”- where it goes no one knows – hence a penchant for handballing at a ratio of one kick to every two handballs.
He is a handy and willing soldier, but gets pumped up as much more by some believing he is in the top echelon of midfield talent.




marty36 loves this

I hope both sloane and jj read this.

 

[Crow54]

I hope both sloane and jj read this.

It's a pretty damning read, isn't it?

At the beginning of the year, I would've thought the Crows would be a shoe-in for this game, but now I'm thinking:

"It's going to be freezing. At the MCG with a small crowd. Carlton will come out firing, as other teams have since they've seen the way we've been beaten. Do the Crow boys care? Are they hungry?"

Add to that, Lynch has a virus. How many of the others have/will succumb?

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Crows lose by a lot.

 

[Deaneus!]

only half an hour til meltdown

 

[CrowBloke]

My flabber is gasted.
My Gob is smacked.

They've recalled Mackay!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO==> ad infin.

 

[GrommoT]

 

[Vhaluus]

* you Crows.

* you Pyke.

* you Campo.

*!

 

[Rabman]

It's a pretty damning read, isn't it?

At the beginning of the year, I would've thought the Crows would be a shoe-in for this game, but now I'm thinking:

"It's going to be freezing. At the MCG with a small crowd. Carlton will come out firing, as other teams have since they've seen the way we've been beaten. Do the Crow boys care? Are they hungry?"

Add to that, Lynch has a virus. How many of the others have/will succumb?

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Crows lose by a lot.

I'd be surprised if we don't smash them by a least 50pts.

 

[Punchy Bassett]

Oh * Pannell umpiring load up on the blues people

 

[Firewalker]

Look out whoever's tagging Sloane, Dmac's back & he's ready for the tough stuff

 

[Moonwatcher]

Look out whoever's tagging Sloane, Dmac's back & he's ready for the tough stuff

Did you hack Dmac's phone?

 

[footy4ever]

So, I drove into Melbourne like a boss. Here to do some damage, just like the Crows.

 

[arrowman]

Checking in. Scrubber teams have vacated the G. Vewy cold in Melb. Time to shine.

 

[Rankine2Rachele]

At the airport now to fly in for the game. Seems to be a reasonable number of other Crows fans here to do the same. Let's do this thing!

Sent from my SM-T113 using Tapatalk

 

[Crow54]

I'd be surprised if we don't smash them by a least 50pts.

Feeling surprised yet?