Not so scathing Age Report: Crows build for 09 premiership

[King Elvis]

Is it just me, or does the Victorian media view of Adelaide change with Melbourne's weather? I know football journalism is always reactive, but i've noticed it moreso with the Crows.

Well written article though, shows a greater depth of knowledge than most journo's who just chuck a few names in and spurt out the same crap. And + 1 to whoever said the Crows can challenge if you make top 4. An upset in the first qualifying final, and suddenly you're automatically favourite for the preliminary final, which would be played at AAMI. Still a long way to go before that though, who knows who'll get fourth spot at this stage.

Kinda - but the thing is they tend to underrate us so hugely, that when we come good, it's a massive swing to overrating.

If they rated us reasonably, say a side with the potential to finish 8-10 this year, and were now suggesting we could finish 5th or 6th, it wouldn't seem so stupid.

Without being a dick about it, it's a bit the same with the Power - they overrate you hugely every pre-season, then, if you don't come good, they change their opinions to the complete opposite and pile onto you like crazy.

 

[gnomepadua]

i recon that we can get to and win the GF, due to my 1997 stars lining up theory.

Just look at the similarities in 97 it had been four years since we were knocked out in the prelim in 93. 09 it has been four years since we were knocked out in 05.
In 97 we had a young team with like an average age of 24. 09 we again have a young team with an average around 23 and a half.
97 we had a new coach in Blight, in 09 we have a new coach in Vinne.
97 we had a new game plan, 09 we have a new game plan.
97 we played 3 tall's, 09 we now play 3 tall's.
In 97 Saints and Geelong were both up there in contention for the premiership, in 09 they are both the front runners.

so with all those similarities could the stars line up again

 

[cmndstab]

Kinda - but the thing is they tend to underrate us so hugely, that when we come good, it's a massive swing to overrating.

If they rated us reasonably, say a side with the potential to finish 8-10 this year, and were now suggesting we could finish 5th or 6th, it wouldn't seem so stupid.

Without being a dick about it, it's a bit the same with the Power - they overrate you hugely every pre-season, then, if you don't come good, they change their opinions to the complete opposite and pile onto you like crazy.

This is pretty much true, and it's not just Melbournian media. The SA media is the same, not necessarily always in the same direction but always exagerrated. It's either serious premiership contenders or massive crash to the bottom of the ladder, and when we turn out to be pretty good it's automatically a shock.


I think people in Melbourne just bought into the "they've been up for too long so now they'll have a crash" line combined with the fact that we've not played a huge number of youngsters in previous years and don't have great draft pick numbers. I'm sure there's such a massive focus on early draft picks with teams like Carlton and Richmond going around that anyone who doesn't have those picks is considered to be years away from having decent kids.

 

[Ferris_rules]

One word will probably dictate our season from this point onwards.

INJURIES

Sadly I think we were robbed a flag a few years back due to injuries/illness and suspensions.

I will never forget the time when we lost Burton and McLeod due to injuries and Roo to the Parvo, I was gutted. The Footy Show did a sketch on us "Dead Men Walking". That hurt.

 

[jenny61_99]

i recon that we can get to and win the GF, due to my 1997 stars lining up theory.

Just look at the similarities in 97 it had been four years since we were knocked out in the prelim in 93. 09 it has been four years since we were knocked out in 05.
In 97 we had a young team with like an average age of 24. 09 we again have a young team with an average around 23 and a half.
97 we had a new coach in Blight, in 09 we have a new coach in Vinne.
97 we had a new game plan, 09 we have a new game plan.
97 we played 3 tall's, 09 we now play 3 tall's.
In 97 Saints and Geelong were both up there in contention for the premiership, in 09 they are both the front runners.

so with all those similarities could the stars line up again

Only one problem with this - since when was Viney our "new coach"? Like the rest of it though!

 

[PrideOf]

I think people in Melbourne just bought into the "they've been up for too long so now they'll have a crash" line combined with the fact that we've not played a huge number of youngsters in previous years and don't have great draft pick numbers. I'm sure there's such a massive focus on early draft picks with teams like Carlton and Richmond going around that anyone who doesn't have those picks is considered to be years away from having decent kids.

There's also the fact that most footy followers in Melbourne have bought into the myth that every club HAS to bottom out. They don't realise that we're too proud a club to accept mediocrity as the only way forward.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

Lyon's cooment on Otten was fantastic and will hopefully raise more awareness

Otten is averaging more touches and greater efficiency than any other rising star nomination

 

[sbenno]

i recon that we can get to and win the GF, due to my 1997 stars lining up theory.

Just look at the similarities in 97 it had been four years since we were knocked out in the prelim in 93. 09 it has been four years since we were knocked out in 05.
In 97 we had a young team with like an average age of 24. 09 we again have a young team with an average around 23 and a half.
97 we had a new coach in Blight, in 09 we have a new coach in Vinne.
97 we had a new game plan, 09 we have a new game plan.
97 we played 3 tall's, 09 we now play 3 tall's.
In 97 Saints and Geelong were both up there in contention for the premiership, in 09 they are both the front runners.

so with all those similarities could the stars line up again

Those are some pretty good similarities...

 

[RocknRoll]

Re: Unscathing Age report on Adelaide - Dangerfield mentioned

The week Before Bock came back from injury, he was 2nd only behind R.Shaw. But Shaw was like Double Bock.

Awesome!

 

[cmndstab]

Re: Unscathing Age report on Adelaide - Dangerfield mentioned

Awesome!

Hahahaha this beer is awesome

 

[DirrtyBee]

He is pumping up our tyres after bagging us 4 weeks ago. I don't thik Lyon really believes what he is writing here, but it makes a good article.
What I like most though is this bit.

The Crows were ahead of their time with the full-ground zone, taken to a fanatical level last year by the Hawks, and it was a major cornerstone of their success

Only the second Melbourne commentator that I have heard acknowledge Craigy for pioneering the full field zone before Clarkson tweaked it with the Hawks.

As far as winning the premiership? Well the reality is the problem is Geelong. I personally would not fear us not being able to win against any side on any ground...other than Geelong.

I agree with this... I actually read this at the airport yesterday evening and whilst I was smiling and feeling quite happy that the boys were getting some recognition over the boarder I only had to think of who was actually writing what I was reading and I dunno... he seems to never have anything good to say about Crows. I rekon he's just jumping on early. mixed feelings.

 

[Macjoe]

Not going to predict our result this year - too much like bringing on the rain (injuries, suspensions, kids running out of puff...) by washing the car.

But isn't it great to be following a team that Vic journos are writing about, with 3 (soon to be 4 I guess) rising star noms, and best of all - those '97 parallels!

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Does Hutchy get co-contributor credits for this?

Lyon's article is basically a fleshed-out version of two points Hutchinson made last Monday night. 1, that Andy Otten is statistically ahead of the raging hot favourites for the rising star and 2, that the Crows are the 'real deal.'

Is anyone else not convinced yet? Next three games are very winnable but even if we sweep the three that only gives us 10 wins. The five games that follow are bloody tough. We could play good footy and lose the lot of them.

 

[macca23]

Does Hutchy get co-contributor credits for this?

Lyon's article is basically a fleshed-out version of two points Hutchinson made last Monday night. 1, that Andy Otten is statistically ahead of the raging hot favourites for the rising star and 2, that the Crows are the 'real deal.'

Is anyone else not convinced yet? Next three games are very winnable but even if we sweep the three that only gives us 10 wins. The five games that follow are bloody tough. We could play good footy and lose the lot of them.

Right on the money Carl, which only makes these next 3 games more important.

If we drop one or more of these I wouldn't like to have money on our finals chances.

 

[RealSlimShady]

Re: Unscathing Age report on Adelaide - Dangerfield mentioned

I'm a crows fan I really do'nt see how we could win the Flag.

I think just making the finals will be a challenge.

If we beat Sydney, Richmond and Freo and then slot on wins against Port and West Coast and we make the 8 for sure with 12 wins. We could get in on 11 wins but our percentage is not the best.

Best case scenario we get some bonus away wins against the pies and hawks (who we have beaten this season) and we make a serious tilt at a top 4 slot.

So yes any season is a challenge but I dont think making the finals is as improbable as you are making it out to be.

 

[WALL-e]

I agree with this... I actually read this at the airport yesterday evening and whilst I was smiling and feeling quite happy that the boys were getting some recognition over the boarder I only had to think of who was actually writing what I was reading and I dunno... he seems to never have anything good to say about Crows. I rekon he's just jumping on early. mixed feelings.

It came across to me as more of a watch out, they've got 4 in a row.

HEY! can anyone tell me if their good?

Openly says he doesn't know much about our young midfield.

As smoovy said, bagged us out 4 weeks ago, but he had many friends there.

We'll start getting more and more attention weekly over the course of the next 3 years, though it will become more informed as we become more of a premiership chance.

 

[SugarShane]

That article was a good read, though I'm not usually a big fan of Lyon. He just seems to rate himself far too highly for what he actually is. Wouldn't surprise me if he wrote a story like that about every team from 3-10 on the ladder and then when one of them makes the GF goes "Look, i wrote that months ago!"