How important is McLeod?

[AAMI]

Lots of things went wrong against West Coast but Macca missing from the backlines was a massive loss. We've covered injured players very well so far this year but maybe the number 23 is harder to replace than anyone else.

 

[kimirocks]

Obvious had some impact on today, but i seriously doubt his presence would have had too much effect on our loss today. The whole team was flat, so why would he be any different.

 

[*PAF]

Immensely important.
What the AFC lacks is truly skilful players. That is still the domain of a few of your older players.

 

[Mad Dog]

Macca is very important - but wouldn't have changed the way our on-ballers and rucks were brushed aside yesterday.

 

[*PAF]

Macca is very important - but wouldn't have changed the way our on-ballers and rucks were brushed aside yesterday.

But if he was there to create rebounding pressure your on-ballers and rucks wouldn't have been tested as much as they did. Creating pressure and forcing turnovers is the main weapon of Craig's gameday strategy this year. McLeod is a big big part of that.

 

[Mad Dog]

But if he was there to create rebounding pressure your on-ballers and rucks wouldn't have been tested as much as they did. Creating pressure and forcing turnovers is the main weapon of Craig's gameday strategy this year. McLeod is a big big part of that.

Point taken - but it's difficult to have an influence from the HBF when we are getting bent over at the centre bounces.....that's where most of the damage was done yesterday.

 

[*PAF]

Point taken - but it's difficult to have an influence from the HBF when we are getting bent over at the centre bounces.....that's where most of the damage was done yesterday.

I only saw bits of your game, but the Crows this year have usually absorbed a lot of pressure down back (not too different to yesterday) only to return it in kind up the other end with swift and precise movement of the ball.
IMO I have said before that your danger will be if the other team forces your "second tier players" that Craig has got playing at a higher level to succumb to pressure. That is your Achilles heel and IMO without your usual rebound that is what exactly what happened in the bits I saw.

However with only McLeod missing I am sure Craig will devise a strategy to counter it and thus do not take too much notice of this week's game from a supporter point of view.
Should you lose one more key player such as Stiffy or Goodwin and you will be in trouble, but at this stage that is one of those "if my auntie had balls ..." type of things.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

McLeod is still very important to us as an attacking HBF'er. His loss was exacerbated by Mattner being under the weather, Hart underdone, Bassett having a bad day & Stiffy with his hands full. ie. We had a lack of run from defence & generally everywhere yesterday.