Neil Craig's selection thoughts

[Mad Dog]

Craig to protect his aces
By ANDREW CAPEL
08feb05

ADELAIDE'S elite players will spend less time in their customary positions this season as coach Neil Craig looks to reinvigorate his squad.

And his plan to inject more youth into the team and make it less predictable could prolong the careers of ace midfielders Mark Ricciuto, Andrew McLeod, Simon Goodwin and Tyson Edwards.
"That could be an upshot of it. We want them to play at our club for as long as they can," Craig said.

With the Crows relying on their star quartet for far too long, Craig said the time had come to take some of the heat off them and spread the workload. The Big Four will likely start most games in the midfield but captain and Brownlow Medallist Ricciuto will spend more time in attack than in past years, Edwards will rotate off half-back, most likely with Brent Reilly, and McLeod and Goodwin will also have specialised duties outside the centre square. And other senior players Mark Stevens and Nathan Bassett are no longer expected to take on key positions.

Stevens, on the comeback trail from a chronic knee injury, could hand the tough centre half-forward role over to emerging star Trent Hentschel while Bassett will play primarily as a back pocket, where he finished last year so well after the development of Ben Rutten. "Our senior core players obviously have played a lot of footy in key positions," Craig said. "I'm mindful of the fact we have to balance that and include some youth - I've got to play some kids."

That means giving more opportunities and responsibility to an exciting new wave of youngsters like Reilly, Hentschel, Rutten, Hayden Skipworth, Graham Johncock, Matthew Bode, Luke Jericho and Fergus Watts, not to mention key off-season acquisition Scott Thompson and promising newcomer Nathan Van Berlo.

Most of these players made giant strides under Craig last year and have benefited from another pre-season under their belts. "They will be given a chance," Craig, who inherited an ageing list from predecessor Gary Ayres, insisted. "And we know our (senior) players can play forward or back. That will give us some more flexibility."

Ricciuto, who turns 30 in June, gave Craig's plan the thumbs up.

"Certainly our young players are ready to get more game time and experience," he said.

"We've been saying all pre-season we want to spread the workload and not be so predictable. Having more players rotate through the midfield, which is what all clubs are looking for, will certainly help us and it could improve our forward line and defence as well. There's plenty of players itching to have a crack in there (the midfield)."



an interesting read........4 points stood out for me......the fact that he does not expect Bassett and Stevo to play KPs this year......so that sounds like Stevo will be a lurking/roaming forward - maybe in the pocket....(thanks for the memories Rhett.... )
Another was a bit of a concern for me....Trentschell @ CHF.. ...I think he is clever enough......but not big enough. Hopefully it is a bit of a smokescreen, otherwise I reckon it's too much pressure for Trent.
Another was Bode's name being mentioned in the sentence about the "wave of youngsters".....WTF ?????
Lastly...The Count gets a mention.....

 

[drakeyv2]

From what I have read on this board I would think that Perrie would be having an early crack at CHF.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Surely it is a smoke screen with NC suggesting potential will play at CHF As you said Mad Dog he has the skill but not the body.

I was disappointed not to read naything about Ian Perrie, I know I called for his head last year but by the sounds of it he has worked his ring off during the pre season and IMO deserves first shot at CHF. I think this will only help Potential with Perrie and Stevens taking arguably the 2 best defenders, throw in scotty Welsh and then we have a formidible attack on our day.

This way Potential might be able to fly under the radar a little bit and step up to play that crucial 3rd tall in attack.

 

[Mad Dog]

From what I have read on this board I would think that Perrie would be having an early crack at CHF.

I agree - all the drills point to this

 

[Fergus]

The way I read it is that it was more the reporter suggesting Hentschel would play at CHF - not Neil Craig. All Craig really said was that the core senior players had played a lot of footy on key positions and that it was time to get youth in there.

I would be surprised if Sarge wasn't given first crack at CHF given the way he finished last season and the reports of his pre season.

 

[No 1 Draft Pick]

The way I read it is that it was more the reporter suggesting Hentschel would play at CHF - not Neil Craig. All Craig really said was that the core senior players had played a lot of footy on key positions and that it was time to get youth in there.

I would be surprised if Sarge wasn't given first crack at CHF given the way he finished last season and the reports of his pre season.

Agree Sarge first crack at CHF but Craigs comments are a little bemusing. The following is out of another article from the Tiser this morning



Discussing the pros and cons of whether to play Mark Stevens or the man dubbed "Trent Potential", Trent Hentschel, at centre half-forward, Craig said: "I'm sure we're going to have this question for the whole year - is it Mark Stevens or is it Trent Hentschel?

"Mark is towards the end of his career, he's got a lot of experience, we all know what Mark can do. But I am mindful of the fact it is my responsibility as senior coach to make sure we start to get some junior people into our football club, not only from recruiting purposes, but I've got to start to play them. Otherwise what will happen is that in another 12 months we've got all these juniors and they haven't had any experience. Performance will play a big part in all that (who gets the nod), age and injuries and experience will play a big part in all that, but I am mindful of the fact that I've got to play some kids."

 

[conVINCEd]

Agree Sarge first crack at CHF but Craigs comments are a little bemusing. The following is out of another article from the Tiser this morning



Discussing the pros and cons of whether to play Mark Stevens or the man dubbed "Trent Potential", Trent Hentschel, at centre half-forward, Craig said: "I'm sure we're going to have this question for the whole year - is it Mark Stevens or is it Trent Hentschel?

"Mark is towards the end of his career, he's got a lot of experience, we all know what Mark can do. But I am mindful of the fact it is my responsibility as senior coach to make sure we start to get some junior people into our football club, not only from recruiting purposes, but I've got to start to play them. Otherwise what will happen is that in another 12 months we've got all these juniors and they haven't had any experience. Performance will play a big part in all that (who gets the nod), age and injuries and experience will play a big part in all that, but I am mindful of the fact that I've got to play some kids."

It is strange that Neil didn't mention Perrie in there.

You would think its simply a smoke-screen, and the Pez will be given a run at CHF.

 

[macca23]

One thing about Neil Craig that has pleased me no end, is that where it's important not to show your hand, such as in the draft, he's quite masterly at leading the media up the wrong path.

Tricked us all in the National draft, and again in the rookie draft with some brilliant mis-information. He might just have taken lessons from the Iraqui statesman for that portfolio

The same will apply to the structure of the team IMO. He'll only give away what he wants to -and rightly so.

 

[Crowked]

One thing about Neil Craig that has pleased me no end, is that where it's important not to show your hand, such as in the draft, he's quite masterly at leading the media up the wrong path.

Tricked us all in the National draft, and again in the rookie draft with some brilliant mis-information. He might just have taken lessons from the Iraqui statesman for that portfolio

The same will apply to the structure of the team IMO. He'll only give away what he wants to -and rightly so.

Agreed, he seems to be pretty good at media manipulation. With the extensive media coverage and the professionalism of all clubs these days, you cant afford to give the opposition anything to work on via press conferences/statements.

 

[Stiffy_18]

On a serious note, I am pleased to hear this from Craigy. We need to bring youngsters along over th enext 2-3 years in what is proving to be a bit of a transition period.

I expect Perrie will be given a first crack at CHF bit those of you claiming that Hentschel is not big enough to hold it have short memories. He played CHF on a few occasions last year and did very well. He has bulked up and is looking bigger than last year. Having said that I don't expect him to play CHF permanently this year but I do expect him to spend some time there.

For those thinking its the end of Biglands in the FP, I hate to burst your bubble, he will be played there if Craig has anything to do with it

 

[Mad Dog]

Tricked us all in the National draft, and again in the rookie draft with some brilliant mis-information. He might just have taken lessons from the Iraqui statesman for that portfolio

.

that guy was a comedic genius......I was sort of hoping he would be captured while giving a press conference.......

......."oh - this is not what it seems - this is a drill I have authorised for practice. The American Satan Dogs have been defeated and chased into the oceans as we speak...God is Great"....

Seriously - it is a little known fact that this Iraqi Minister was actually responsible for penning the "King Arthur vs The Black Knight" scene in "The Holy Grail".......

 

[macca23]

that guy was a comedic genius......I was sort of hoping he would be captured while giving a press conference.......

......."oh - this is not what it seems - this is a drill I have authorised for practice. The American Satan Dogs have been defeated and chased into the oceans as we speak...God is Great"....

You must have the same warped sense of humour as me MD

I had the same hopes that his parting press release would be given in just those circumstances!!

 

[- PC -]

Soooo if Macca is asked/told to play back flank will Eddie get another call?

 

[Mad Dog]

You must have the same warped sense of humour as me MD

I had the same hopes that his parting press release would be given in just those circumstances!!

..... ....I ended up hoping he would survive the whole ordeal....no one with that much optimism deserves to die

Certainly an untapped resource in terms of motivational speaking.......

....*3 quarter time address in a Grand Final...we're 15 goals down....1 fit man on the bench*...

..opening line ....."ok boys we've got these bastards right where we want them....."....

 

[Mad Dog]

Soooo if Macca is asked/told to play back flank will Eddie get another call?

this is my concern.....don't upset the genius.

hopefully my cynicism is illfounded

 

[Stiffy_18]

..... ....I ended up hoping he would survive the whole ordeal....no one with that much optimism deserves to die

Certainly an untapped resource in terms of motivational speaking.......

....*3 quarter time address in a Grand Final...we're 15 goals down....1 fit man on the bench*...

..opening line ....."ok boys we've got these bastards right where we want them....."....

 

[pext]

Craigy has been talking a lot of schitt over the last few months. A while ago I recall him saying that Stevo will be played where it best suits the team regardless of his injury history, implying that he was definately going to play KP (I assumed CHF). THen he says that he likes a big body like Biglands in the FP to create miss matches. Now he says that Trentschel will be played at CHF and Stevo in a cameo role which leaves Biglands in no-mans-land.

I've no idea what he is going to do!

The only thing he hasn't said is that Perrie will play CHF. And thank Christ for that!

 

[Mad Dog]

Craigy has been talking a lot of schitt over the last few months. A while ago I recall him saying that Stevo will be played where it best suits the team regardless of his injury history, implying that he was definately going to play KP (I assumed CHF). THen he says that he likes a big body like Biglands in the FP to create miss matches. Now he says that Trentschel will be played at CHF and Stevo in a cameo role which leaves Biglands in no-mans-land.

I've no idea what he is going to do!

The only thing he hasn't said is that Perrie will play CHF. And thank Christ for that!

I think that Pez should, and will play CHF pext...

 

[Alex99]

Craigy has been talking a lot of schitt over the last few months. A while ago I recall him saying that Stevo will be played where it best suits the team regardless of his injury history, implying that he was definately going to play KP (I assumed CHF). THen he says that he likes a big body like Biglands in the FP to create miss matches. Now he says that Trentschel will be played at CHF and Stevo in a cameo role which leaves Biglands in no-mans-land.

I've no idea what he is going to do!

The only thing he hasn't said is that Perrie will play CHF. And thank Christ for that!

Then I will take it that Ian Perrie will actually play CHF.

 

[pext]

I guess we will find out over the next fortnight.

I'm not as sure as many of you are. If I were a betting man I would guess that Hentschel will get CHF for large portions of the scratch matches as this is part of the youth strategy. Perrie and Stevo will be the back ups if he starts to struggle.

Come round 1 I have no idea who will get the gig. I'm just hoping Hentsch stars during the pracky matches to spare us another Sarge debacle!

 

[Crowked]

I've no idea what he is going to do!

Its a good thing. Williams, Pagan, Sheedy, Matthews and the like dont know either. I think we are quickly becoming an unknown quantity, I like it.

 

[Mad Dog]

I guess we will find out over the next fortnight.

I'm not as sure as many of you are. If I were a betting man I would guess that Hentschel will get CHF for large portions of the scratch matches as this is part of the youth strategy. Perrie and Stevo will be the back ups if he starts to struggle.

Come round 1 I have no idea who will get the gig. I'm just hoping Hentsch stars during the pracky matches to spare us another Sarge debacle!

Trentschell is a little undersized for CHF......and Sarge looks "born-again" and quite ominous on the track....so while I've been critical in the past - he certainly looks a different prospect this year

 

[pext]

Rowdy Hentschel is not under-sized. He's 193cm, which is a good height, and about 90kgs, which is not bad for a KPP. Stop looking for excuses not to play Rowdy and look at the many positives i.e. He's not Perrie!

Stop being a part of the establishment man and join the new wave!

 

[Mad Dog]

Rowdy Hentschel is not under-sized. He's 193cm, which is a good height, and about 90kgs, which is not bad for a KPP. Stop looking for excuses not to play Rowdy and look at the many positives i.e. He's not Perrie!

Stop being a part of the establishment man and join the new wave!

there's a lot of things I am........but establishment ain't one of them..

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Rowdy Hentschel is not under-sized. He's 193cm, which is a good height, and about 90kgs, which is not bad for a KPP. Stop looking for excuses not to play Rowdy and look at the many positives i.e. He's not Perrie!

Stop being a part of the establishment man and join the new wave!

IMO, there is room for Perrie, Henstchel & M Stevens in our forward line - gives us plenty of options & all bring different attributes ... Biglands on the other hand, I cannot find room for & is nowhere near the others in terms of quality as a forward.