Adelaide's 2003 report card
15 September 2003 Herald Sun
By JON ANDERSON
Jon Anderson sums up Adelaide's season.
COACH
Gary Ayres is undemonstrative and seemingly unflappable. He seems to coach to a formula, and while not regarded as an innovator, he will enter his 10th season in the caper in 2004 with his greatest challenge yet. 6/10
DEFENCE
Ken McGregor has done the job asked of him, something Nigel Smart and Ben Hart have been doing for a combined tally of 542 games. Only Port had less points kicked against them. 8/10
MIDFIELD
As good as any in terms of balance. Mark Ricciuto, Andrew McLeod, Brett Burton, Tyson Edwards and Chris Ladhams are also goalkickers; Tyson Stenglein runs with the best; Mark Bickley was hard.8/10
RUCK STRENGTH
Another positive. Rhett Biglands and Matthew Clarke could take more contested marks and kick more goals, but as a hit-out duo they are supreme.7/10
FORWARDS
Their best combination (Ronnie Burns, Burton, Wayne Carey, Graham Johncock, Ian Perrie, Mark Stevens and Scott Welsh) could be electric, but was never available (injury). Carey, who had a dismal final game against the Lions, will play again after showing real signs earlier in the season.6/10
LEADERSHIP
Ricciuto is seen as inspirational and hard. Clearly there is no lack of experience (six players with more than 200 games, Collingwood has one), but where is the next leader coming from?6/10
LIST MANAGEMENT
How many players has Ayres developed in his time at Adelaide? And where are their new stars? Seventeen on the list are 26 or over, meaning some planning for the future is urgently required. The club is in real danger of some bleak seasons, given it tried to steal a flag this year with Dad's Army.5/10
MEDIA
The Crows are not a club that is pro-active in this area. Their coach is perfunctory at best.5/10
MEMBERSHIP
The envy of the competition. How can you go wrong when the 46,620 rises slightly to 46,998? 9/10
FINANCES
The club spent plenty this season on its Crows Tavern at AAMI Stadium, but should still announce a profit. Winning the pre-season cup provided a nice bonus.8/10
TOTAL GRADE: 68/100
FIRST-CLASS HONOURS
TYSON EDWARDS and ANDREW McLEOD
Edwards has played 93 of 94 games in the past four years, whether it be back, forward or midfield, and is invaluable. McLeod is judged by his own sublime standards, which were slightly down on 2002.
QUIET ACHIEVERS
KEN McGREGOR and BRETT BURTON
McGregor has taken all the big names and done OK, as evidenced by Friday night's comeback on Jonathan Brown. Burton was less spectacular than previously, but more effective in a midfield/forward role.
RISING STARS
GRAHAM JOHNCOCK and IAN PERRIE
Johncock from Port Adelaide (SANFL) was an inspired selection at 67 in the 2000 draft and led the Crows' goalkicking. Perrie's form tapered off, but he was excellent early in the year as a key forward.
MISSING IN ACTION
WAYNE CAREY and MICHAEL DOUGHTY
Carey played 16 games for 29 goals and at times looked the part. But when it mattered most on Friday night, he was missing. Doughty, a regular on the wing in 2002, spent most of the year with South Adelaide.
SEE YOU LATER
Mark Bickley is tipped to announce his retirement today.
Possible delistings: Daniel Schell, Ben Marsh, James Gallagher, Ben Nelson.
TRADE TEASER
Matthew Bode to Melbourne for Peter Walsh and pick No.20
ORDER OF DRAFT PICKS: 12, 26, 42, 58, 74 (subject to trades)
The age of the Crows' list makes trading difficult, with most of their players in the twilight of their careers and therefore in the unwanted basket.
But one player sure to create some interest is Matthew Bode, who went backwards this year after a great 2002.
At 24, they may be forced to offload him for a crack at a high draft pick.
The Demons are unlikely to give up picks No. 3 and 5, but pick No. 20 is sure to be on the table for a player of Bode's ability.
They could throw in former West Adelaide player Peter Walsh to get the deal done.
RANKINGS
1 Mark Ricciuto 3083
2 Andrew McLeod 2552
3 Tyson Edwards 2428
4 Mark Bickley 2017
5 Graham Johncock 1974
GOALS
1 Graham Johncock 30
2 A. McLeod, W. Carey 29
3 Ian Perrie 26
OTHERS
Kicks Mark Ricciuto 333
Marks Ian Perrie 115
Handballs Mark Ricciuto 232
Clearances Mark Ricciuto 105
Clangers Andrew McLeod 56
Tackles Mark Bickley 73
Goal assists McLeod, Carey 17
Hitouts Matthew Clarke 537
Marking spoils Nathan Bassett 79
Most benchings Rhett Biglands 76
Game time McLeod 2718min
Players used 37
The Good
Ranked second in clearances with 860 during the regular season and won the fourth most hardball gets, led by Mark Ricciuto's 69.
The Bad
Adelaide's 248 marks inside 50 ranked equal 13th, despite having the fifth most forward 50 entries.
15 September 2003 Herald Sun
By JON ANDERSON
Jon Anderson sums up Adelaide's season.
COACH
Gary Ayres is undemonstrative and seemingly unflappable. He seems to coach to a formula, and while not regarded as an innovator, he will enter his 10th season in the caper in 2004 with his greatest challenge yet. 6/10
DEFENCE
Ken McGregor has done the job asked of him, something Nigel Smart and Ben Hart have been doing for a combined tally of 542 games. Only Port had less points kicked against them. 8/10
MIDFIELD
As good as any in terms of balance. Mark Ricciuto, Andrew McLeod, Brett Burton, Tyson Edwards and Chris Ladhams are also goalkickers; Tyson Stenglein runs with the best; Mark Bickley was hard.8/10
RUCK STRENGTH
Another positive. Rhett Biglands and Matthew Clarke could take more contested marks and kick more goals, but as a hit-out duo they are supreme.7/10
FORWARDS
Their best combination (Ronnie Burns, Burton, Wayne Carey, Graham Johncock, Ian Perrie, Mark Stevens and Scott Welsh) could be electric, but was never available (injury). Carey, who had a dismal final game against the Lions, will play again after showing real signs earlier in the season.6/10
LEADERSHIP
Ricciuto is seen as inspirational and hard. Clearly there is no lack of experience (six players with more than 200 games, Collingwood has one), but where is the next leader coming from?6/10
LIST MANAGEMENT
How many players has Ayres developed in his time at Adelaide? And where are their new stars? Seventeen on the list are 26 or over, meaning some planning for the future is urgently required. The club is in real danger of some bleak seasons, given it tried to steal a flag this year with Dad's Army.5/10
MEDIA
The Crows are not a club that is pro-active in this area. Their coach is perfunctory at best.5/10
MEMBERSHIP
The envy of the competition. How can you go wrong when the 46,620 rises slightly to 46,998? 9/10
FINANCES
The club spent plenty this season on its Crows Tavern at AAMI Stadium, but should still announce a profit. Winning the pre-season cup provided a nice bonus.8/10
TOTAL GRADE: 68/100
FIRST-CLASS HONOURS
TYSON EDWARDS and ANDREW McLEOD
Edwards has played 93 of 94 games in the past four years, whether it be back, forward or midfield, and is invaluable. McLeod is judged by his own sublime standards, which were slightly down on 2002.
QUIET ACHIEVERS
KEN McGREGOR and BRETT BURTON
McGregor has taken all the big names and done OK, as evidenced by Friday night's comeback on Jonathan Brown. Burton was less spectacular than previously, but more effective in a midfield/forward role.
RISING STARS
GRAHAM JOHNCOCK and IAN PERRIE
Johncock from Port Adelaide (SANFL) was an inspired selection at 67 in the 2000 draft and led the Crows' goalkicking. Perrie's form tapered off, but he was excellent early in the year as a key forward.
MISSING IN ACTION
WAYNE CAREY and MICHAEL DOUGHTY
Carey played 16 games for 29 goals and at times looked the part. But when it mattered most on Friday night, he was missing. Doughty, a regular on the wing in 2002, spent most of the year with South Adelaide.
SEE YOU LATER
Mark Bickley is tipped to announce his retirement today.
Possible delistings: Daniel Schell, Ben Marsh, James Gallagher, Ben Nelson.
TRADE TEASER
Matthew Bode to Melbourne for Peter Walsh and pick No.20
ORDER OF DRAFT PICKS: 12, 26, 42, 58, 74 (subject to trades)
The age of the Crows' list makes trading difficult, with most of their players in the twilight of their careers and therefore in the unwanted basket.
But one player sure to create some interest is Matthew Bode, who went backwards this year after a great 2002.
At 24, they may be forced to offload him for a crack at a high draft pick.
The Demons are unlikely to give up picks No. 3 and 5, but pick No. 20 is sure to be on the table for a player of Bode's ability.
They could throw in former West Adelaide player Peter Walsh to get the deal done.
RANKINGS
1 Mark Ricciuto 3083
2 Andrew McLeod 2552
3 Tyson Edwards 2428
4 Mark Bickley 2017
5 Graham Johncock 1974
GOALS
1 Graham Johncock 30
2 A. McLeod, W. Carey 29
3 Ian Perrie 26
OTHERS
Kicks Mark Ricciuto 333
Marks Ian Perrie 115
Handballs Mark Ricciuto 232
Clearances Mark Ricciuto 105
Clangers Andrew McLeod 56
Tackles Mark Bickley 73
Goal assists McLeod, Carey 17
Hitouts Matthew Clarke 537
Marking spoils Nathan Bassett 79
Most benchings Rhett Biglands 76
Game time McLeod 2718min
Players used 37
The Good
Ranked second in clearances with 860 during the regular season and won the fourth most hardball gets, led by Mark Ricciuto's 69.
The Bad
Adelaide's 248 marks inside 50 ranked equal 13th, despite having the fifth most forward 50 entries.
