Our defence

[just maybe]

The Neil Craig (Blighty?) 'build team from defense' plan continues...

After 4 rounds we are comfortably the tightest defense in the competition - conceding 274 points after 4 games.

The next closest is Fremantle with 300, then Eagles with 302, then a further jump to the Roos with 327.

Very impressive work by our 'no-name' defense, even with no Hart.

 

[just maybe]

Oh, and we have the best percentage in the competition by a clear straight as well...

And who has the worst?...



We've got the ... to win....

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Oh, and we have the best percentage in the competition by a clear straight as well...

And who has the worst?...



We've got the ... to win....

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

The Neil Craig (Blighty?) 'build team from defense' plan continues...

After 4 rounds we are comfortably the tightest defense in the competition - conceding 274 points after 4 games.

The next closest is Fremantle with 300, then Eagles with 302, then a further jump to the Roos with 327.

Very impressive work by our 'no-name' defense, even with no Hart.

The launching of attacks from defence is important.

How badly is Kenny injured though?

 

[Gets!]

He looked alright when they were singing the song, and AFL.com.au reckon the Crows came out of the game without any injuries. Touch Wood.

 

[snakebite01]

The defence has started the season brilliantly.

Not only looking after their direct opponents but leaving their men to help out a team mate and create 2 on 1's. The rebound has been superb as well. Got a great mix in there at the moment, and all are very cool heads. (except for Bass after he gives away frees )

 

[EagleEye]

A.McLeod looked very much at home in defence too, Hawthorn did it with Crawford last year, McLeod being a champion is going to be heavily tagged each week, so it was a brilliant move by Craig to put McLeod into the back half, and he mopped up and set up play really well.

 

[just maybe]

A.McLeod looked very much at home in defence too, Hawthorn did it with Crawford last year, McLeod being a champion is going to be heavily tagged each week, so it was a brilliant move by Craig to put McLeod into the back half, and he mopped up and set up play really well.

Hold on a second...when Ayres did it he was abused and harangued and told he was mistreating McLeod...but it's a stroke of genius by Craig?

 

[Stiffy_18]

I absolutely love our backline. It provides plenty of rebound and attack. We finally have good strong players playing in key defensive positions. We have a lot of flexibility there.

We have a VERY good backline and I would feel comfortable backing them against any forward line.

 

[dA Crow]

Hold on a second...when Ayres did it he was abused and harangued and told he was mistreating McLeod...but it's a stroke of genius by Craig?

But he seems to have alot more freedom to attack from there now; without fear of being dragged.

 

[DB10]

And Essendon are last. Even better

 

[-VC-]

Defence has been rock solid. Hopefully McGregor's injury is only a niggle.
We've still got Hart to come back into the side as well. I believe Hart's next game would see him surpass Nigel Smart for all time games played for the Crows (soon to be surpassed by one M.Ricciuto).

 

[SBR_04]

Defence has been rock solid. Hopefully McGregor's injury is only a niggle.
We've still got Hart to come back into the side as well. I believe Hart's next game would see him surpass Nigel Smart for all time games played for the Crows (soon to be surpassed by one M.Ricciuto).

Hart playing for a record makes it even more important for our boys to win

Defence has been great, clearly the best in the AFL at the moment and in great form...Ken is playing some absolute blinder games.

The defence has also been a big key to our success as of late, so hopefully the boys keep it up!

 

[RoosterLad]

The defence has been awesome, today we were under the pump a fair bit at times but they held firm. Rutten, Bassett and co are running from defence, today Rutten kept running up the ground while Hall just sat back in the forward lines, fantastic work.

I loved the bit of play just after Thompson kicked that miracle goal, we refused to even rush a behind and just kept handballing around, before a clearing kick ended up with a Goodwin goal.

 

[conVINCEd]

I've thought for a while now that our best back six is up there with the best in the comp.

My first choice defence would be;

Torney - McGregor - Begley
Bassett - Rutten - Hart

Obviously injury and form have knocked this unit for six over the last 18 months, but even without Hart there we have looked awsome lately. Johncock in defence has been brilliant.

I think I would like to be the first to give Stiffy the moniker of Graham 'He Who Cannot Be Tackled' Johncock.

 

[outback jack]

i was a little disappointed with rutten today, for someone of his bulk he shouldnt be out bodied by anyone, even if it is B hall. He needs to lift his aggression levels too, one swans player gave it to him at the eng of a quarter and he did nothing. Bassett saved rutten a few times today.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

i was a little disappointed with rutten today, for someone of his bulk he shouldnt be out bodied by anyone, even if it is B hall. He needs to lift his aggression levels too, one swans player gave it to him at the eng of a quarter and he did nothing. Bassett saved rutten a few times today.

I must take you to task on that post Jack. He is still learning the position and he only had 2 goals kicked against him. It could have been more, but it wasnt.
Remember he is still a rookie and will bulk up further. He doesnt have to have the mongrel in him to be a great FB. Hall has also lost a lot of agression but playing smarter, he started 8-9 years ago remember. Just give him a go.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

But he seems to have alot more freedom to attack from there now; without fear of being dragged.

That goes for all the players as well. Take a risk and if it doesnt come of neither will you. It gives them the confidence to keep attacking and at the minute it is paying off.

 

[outback jack]

I must take you to task on that post Jack. He is still learning the position and he only had 2 goals kicked against him. It could have been more, but it wasnt.
Remember he is still a rookie and will bulk up further. He doesnt have to have the mongrel in him to be a great FB. Hall has also lost a lot of agression but playing smarter, he started 8-9 years ago remember. Just give him a go.

I dont think he will bulk up anymore, he practically can go physically with anyone, he was very good with lynch last yr. I thought it was the way he used his body was a little disappointing. There was three times when hall got to the back, and had beaten rutten but bassett came in for the spoil. I'm happy with how its going though, he uses his brain alot, and just needs to get a few finer points right i think. We dont want unnecessary aggression either, but he could do more, most good FB’s at least have some intimidation factor. Its good that we have someone who is atleast able to stand up to the big FF's.

 

[slappy]

have to say i dont think our defence is overly fantastic. the tackling and the run out of defence is superb but i think youll find the swans had plenty of marks inside fifty ... certainly goodes and olouglin took uncontested marks right in front of goal = not good

we also have a problem with slightly taller middle sized forwards like nick davis and caracella who both played really well against us. it seems doughty and reilly have been getting the jobs at different times and have struggled to match these types in the air.

i guess you take the good with the bad

 

[snakebite01]

have to say i dont think our defence is overly fantastic. the tackling and the run out of defence is superb but i think youll find the swans had plenty of marks inside fifty ... certainly goodes and olouglin took uncontested marks right in front of goal = not good

we also have a problem with slightly taller middle sized forwards like nick davis and caracella who both played really well against us. it seems doughty and reilly have been getting the jobs at different times and have struggled to match these types in the air.

i guess you take the good with the bad

They're going to take some marks, Hall is one of the best forwards in the comp and so is O'Loughlin when he's fit. Sometimes our defenders will be caught out of position or just plain read a contest wrong, they're not going to win every single duel or else we would hold the team to no score. I'd say the fact that we have the least points against us per week (at just 68.5) would suggest we are not only good rebounding, but pretty bloody sound defensively aswell.

 

[crowsarethebest]

Another win on the board 18 games to go Well done to all the guys. I think our defense is seriously underated

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

i was a little disappointed with rutten today, for someone of his bulk he shouldnt be out bodied by anyone, even if it is B hall. He needs to lift his aggression levels too, one swans player gave it to him at the eng of a quarter and he did nothing. Bassett saved rutten a few times today.

Jack jack jack just when I thought you might not of been as big of a tool as I had you pigeonholed you as you come up with this.
I am getting sick of your constant negativity even on the thread about supporting breast cancer you went all negative on it.

Rutten has played less than 15 odd games and he was playing against one of the premier forwards in the comp and kept him to 2 goals.
Who cares if he had help from Nathan Bassett on occasions, so he should, thats what good defences do.

Rutten not only held BBB to 2 goals but he also provided plenty of run out of the back lines while BBB just sat on his arse while the game was there to be won. On many occasions Rutten lead BBB to the ball, he is a rookie for FS and you are still critisizing his game.

I saw the incident you are referring too about the Swan player getting into his face after the siren. What do you reccomend? hit him? start a fight? The siren had gone, play had stopped, Truck just walked off and I think that was the best thing to do.

If that is the best you can do Jack I suggest you give it a rest for a while because that is a ******** poor attempt.

 

[slappy]

I'd say the fact that we have the least points against us per week (at just 68.5) would suggest we are not only good rebounding, but pretty bloody sound defensively aswell.

hmmm let me put it this way then, i think the swans had enough set shots to win that game. ditto for the collingwood game.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

hmmm let me put it this way then, i think the swans had enough set shots to win that game. ditto for the collingwood game.

They didnt! If that actually mattered to who should win the game why even bother kicking for goal just mark it inside 50 and your job is done.

Last time I checked I didnt realise there was a stat colum for "what ifs"