Our Depth

[Stiffy_18]

I was thinking about this today and we certainly have some depth. Our KPP and ruckmen depth (those that are actually ready for full time AFL role) is pretty thin but our depth in the midfield/flank/utility department is pretty good. We have some decent talent there and while not many (if any) have the potential to be the next Roo or McLeod, there is certainly some youngsters with potential to be long term AFL players. I went through the exercise of selecting what I believe to be our best 22 players. There are just too many to fit in.

For what its worth, this is my best 22.

 F:   17. Scott Welsh       37. Trent Hentschel      23. Andrew McLeod
HF:   32. Mark Ricciuto     16. Ken McGregor         22. Ian Perrie
 C:   24. Brett Burton      5. Scott Thompson        39. Martin Mattner
HB:   15. Jason Torney      44. Nathan Bock          36. Simon Goodwin
 B:   8. Nathan Bassett    25. Ben Rutten            18. Graham Johncock
1R:   35. Rhett Biglands    12. Robert Shirley       9. Tyson Edwards

INT:        4. Matthew Clarke                21. Chris Knights
           33. Brent Reilly                 34. Ben Hart

REST:   7. Nathan Van Berlo   10. Matthew Bode   11. Michael Doughty   
          14. Hayden Skipworth  20. Ivan Maric        27. Scott Stevens
          28. Bernie Vince         30. Luke Jericho      38. John Hinge
          40. Jason Porplyzia     3. Kris Massie          2. John Meesen

The lads in the "REST" are not listed in any particular order but IMHO, they could push for selection or see some game time this year. I didn't includ Douglas, Pfeiffer, Gibson and Griffin on purpouse because IMHO, they will be given some time in the SANFL and this will be their development year.

As I said, our ruck and KPP depth is a bit ordinary but in terms of running players, we have options that have proven to be capable of playing decent footy at AFL level along with a couple of youngsters that might be pushing for selection.

It will be very interesting to see how the AFC's view on best 22 varies from mine but there are certainly some options there which is always a good position to be in

Thoughts??????

 

[NikkiNoo]

Interesting post stiffy. The only thing I would change is swap Ricciuto with Mcleod. I think Roo works better in the forward line closer to goal and macca is more suited to the flank, but can't really disagree with the other placements.

What has impressed me with what I have seen from the one training run I witnessed and the two 'practice' games is the ability of those 'flanker'/midfielder types to swap with each other/rotate. We have the spine worked out and have a little depth with reshuffling if there are any injuries to those integral players. With those 3 to 4 talls in the forward line that are very mobile players makes them hard to match up against and our ability to field depth through the middle will help this year. The pressure for spots will be a great asset I believe.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Interesting......Pfeiffer was regarded as ready year 1........yet we haven't heard a peep about him, the PR machine is silent and all us suporters have forgotten him.

Gee Douglas is upposed to be longterm and Pfeiffer short term particularly as he played well for Norwood last year.

Whats happened???

 

[Stiffy_18]

Interesting......Pfeiffer was regarded as ready year 1........yet we haven't heard a peep about him, the PR machine is silent and all us suporters have forgotten him.

Gee Douglas is upposed to be longterm and Pfeiffer short term particularly as he played well for Norwood last year.

Whats happened???

Its the hype that happens every year "our recruit is better than yours as he is ready to play straight away"

Quite simply, a fact is that its rare for players who are not taken really early in the draft to play many games in their first year. Sure there are exceptions to that rule like Van Berlo last year and a few others around the place.

I don't understand why there is a rush with this. So if a player doesn't play in his first year, does that mean he is no good?????? Of course not. These are kids. 18 year olds that have a lot of maturing to do both as footballers and as human beings.

Pfeiffer might have the body capable of playing a couple of games this year but I honestly don't know is he had the game. I have seen him play 1 shortened quarter of footy against his SANFL side where he did a couple of nice things together with a couple of rookie mistakes.

Lets give these youngsters time to develop. Lets not expect too much too early.

PS. Not having a go at you, its just a bit of a pet peeve or mine when people expect first year players to crack a side thats is expected to make top 4 by many people out there

 

[macca23]

Interesting......Pfeiffer was regarded as ready year 1........yet we haven't heard a peep about him, the PR machine is silent and all us suporters have forgotten him.

Gee Douglas is upposed to be longterm and Pfeiffer short term particularly as he played well for Norwood last year.

Whats happened???

Nothing WW.

I think Stiffy covered that well. He's in a pack of players all competing for the same spots and there ain't enough spots.

As the new boy on the block, his job this year will be to consolidate his spot at SANFL level, then play so well in the SANFL that the Crows selectors are forced to eventually pick him.

In truth, that might take a couple of years to achieve, not one.

Douglas is in a slightly different position as he has to do the above and build his body up.

No panic, WW. They're a pair of likely lads.

 

[macca23]

Well said, young Stiffmeister!!

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Good looking team Stiffy. Looks the same as the one I had in mind, including the same bench players. I'm excited!

 

[Eggzoi]

I like that 22, no Doughty makes me a happy chappy. I just wish there was a place to squeeze VB into, quite like him.

 

[Nige_Bix]

As I said, our ruck and KPP depth is a bit ordinary but in terms of running players, we have options that have proven to be capable of playing decent footy at AFL level along with a couple of youngsters that might be pushing for selection.

I agree with this - still think we might be a tall defender or two short on the list - if Scott Stevens is our best back up option.

 

[AdelUniCrowFan]

That's pretty much what I had come up with (just different positions)
My best 22

F:  Knights   Hentschel  Welsh
HF: Perrie    McGregor   Thompson
C:  Goodwin   Ricciuto   Mattner 
HB: Torney    Bock       Hart
B:  Bassett   Rutten     Johncock
R:  Biglands  McLeod     Edwards
INT: Burton Shirley Clarke Reilly

JUST MISSING (last 6 competing with Reilly - in order of how I'd select them): Maric, Van Berlo, Skipworth, Doughty, Bode, Porplyzia, Massie

REST (no order): Obst, Meesen, Griffin, Pfeiffer, Douglas, Stevens, Vince, Gibson, Jericho, Hinge, Hudson (inj)

Which shows there are 2 in contention for the 2nd ruck spot, and 7 small-mediums in contention for a midfield/utility role (I listed them in my order of selection).

I was just surprised when I came to doing the squad that the Count couldn't make the 22.

If we lose a midfielder. Who do we replace them with? Any of Van Berlo, Skipworth, Doughty, Bode, Porplyzia.

If we lose a general backman Van Berlo, Doughty, Massie can come in and cover.

If we lose a key backman McGregor can always drop back (losing two could be different, if Stevens has to cover).

This then leaves the problem of our forward line. Who would cover for a tall loss. I'd say Jericho ahead of Stevens. I haven't seen Gibson, Obst and Griffen too make comment, but it seems they are having development years.

This does show how poor our forward depth is. However if we had this scenario this year, my solution if only temporary would be to move Ricciuto up forward and add a midfielder to the squad, or rest Biglands down forward instead of on the bench. As this appears to be the best way to stretch our depth rather than rely on Jericho and Stevens. Though I'd gladly be proved wrong if one or both of Jericho and Stevens could prove their worth sometime.

For our best finish, naturally we'll need a run like last year in terms of injuries, if we get hit hard, it could be an interesting year, depending on the type of players injured.

 

[tinman]

That's pretty much what I had come up with (just different positions)
My best 22

F:  Knights   Hentschel  Welsh
HF: Perrie    McGregor   Thompson
C:  Goodwin   Ricciuto   Mattner 
HB: Torney    Bock       Hart
B:  Bassett   Rutten     Johncock
R:  Biglands  McLeod     Edwards
INT: Burton Shirley Clarke Reilly

JUST MISSING (last 6 competing with Reilly - in order of how I'd select them): Maric, Van Berlo, Skipworth, Doughty, Bode, Porplyzia, Massie

REST (no order): Obst, Meesen, Griffin, Pfeiffer, Douglas, Stevens, Vince, Gibson, Jericho, Hinge, Hudson (inj)

Which shows there are 2 in contention for the 2nd ruck spot, and 7 small-mediums in contention for a midfield/utility role (I listed them in my order of selection).

I was just surprised when I came to doing the squad that the Count couldn't make the 22.

If we lose a midfielder. Who do we replace them with? Any of Van Berlo, Skipworth, Doughty, Bode, Porplyzia.

If we lose a general backman Van Berlo, Doughty, Massie can come in and cover.

If we lose a key backman McGregor can always drop back (losing two could be different, if Stevens has to cover).

This then leaves the problem of our forward line. Who would cover for a tall loss. I'd say Jericho ahead of Stevens. I haven't seen Gibson, Obst and Griffen too make comment, but it seems they are having development years.

This does show how poor our forward depth is. However if we had this scenario this year, my solution if only temporary would be to move Ricciuto up forward and add a midfielder to the squad, or rest Biglands down forward instead of on the bench. As this appears to be the best way to stretch our depth rather than rely on Jericho and Stevens. Though I'd gladly be proved wrong if one or both of Jericho and Stevens could prove their worth sometime.

For our best finish, naturally we'll need a run like last year in terms of injuries, if we get hit hard, it could be an interesting year, depending on the type of players injured.

With the team you have shown, there is no problems covering a key forward position. Perrie to CHF and bring in a smaller player to play HFF.

 

[The Crows Truth]

That's pretty much what I had come up with (just different positions)
My best 22

F:  Knights   Hentschel  Welsh
HF: Perrie    McGregor   Thompson
C:  Goodwin   Ricciuto   Mattner 
HB: Torney    Bock       Hart
B:  Bassett   Rutten     Johncock
R:  Biglands  McLeod     Edwards
INT: Burton Shirley Clarke Reilly

JUST MISSING (last 6 competing with Reilly - in order of how I'd select them): Maric, Van Berlo, Skipworth, Doughty, Bode, Porplyzia, Massie

REST (no order): Obst, Meesen, Griffin, Pfeiffer, Douglas, Stevens, Vince, Gibson, Jericho, Hinge, Hudson (inj)

Which shows there are 2 in contention for the 2nd ruck spot, and 7 small-mediums in contention for a midfield/utility role (I listed them in my order of selection).

I was just surprised when I came to doing the squad that the Count couldn't make the 22.

If we lose a midfielder. Who do we replace them with? Any of Van Berlo, Skipworth, Doughty, Bode, Porplyzia.

If we lose a general backman Van Berlo, Doughty, Massie can come in and cover.

If we lose a key backman McGregor can always drop back (losing two could be different, if Stevens has to cover).

This then leaves the problem of our forward line. Who would cover for a tall loss. I'd say Jericho ahead of Stevens. I haven't seen Gibson, Obst and Griffen too make comment, but it seems they are having development years.

This does show how poor our forward depth is. However if we had this scenario this year, my solution if only temporary would be to move Ricciuto up forward and add a midfielder to the squad, or rest Biglands down forward instead of on the bench. As this appears to be the best way to stretch our depth rather than rely on Jericho and Stevens. Though I'd gladly be proved wrong if one or both of Jericho and Stevens could prove their worth sometime.

For our best finish, naturally we'll need a run like last year in terms of injuries, if we get hit hard, it could be an interesting year, depending on the type of players injured.

good post

 

[Crowked]

Comfortably the best depth we have had for 5 years IMO. There arent too many who are automatic delistings at the seasons end.

 

[Vader]

It is a very good thing that we now have an abundance of youngsters pushing for that midfield/flanker role. Infact it is absolutely vital. The reason for this being that Adelaide's senior midfielders are all approaching retirement age (Roo, Goody, Macca & Edwards will all be gone by 2009).

Down back, Hart & Torney aren't getting any younger. However, our KPPs in Bock & Rutten are both young and should be around for 8-10 more years.

Our forward line is the youngest of the three departments, with Welsh being the "senior citizen" and he's only 27.

I think Craig has done a remarkably good job of cleaning out the dead wood left behind by Ayres. In reality, there's really only Stevens & Massie left fitting that category with a big cloud hanging over the head of Jericho.

The future after the premiership heroes depart is looking a lot brighter than it did 18 months a go.

 

[AJ_No.4]

I was thinking about this today and we certainly have some depth. Our KPP and ruckmen depth (those that are actually ready for full time AFL role) is pretty thin but our depth in the midfield/flank/utility department is pretty good. We have some decent talent there and while not many (if any) have the potential to be the next Roo or McLeod, there is certainly some youngsters with potential to be long term AFL players. I went through the exercise of selecting what I believe to be our best 22 players. There are just too many to fit in.

For what its worth, this is my best 22.

 F:   17. Scott Welsh       37. Trent Hentschel      23. Andrew McLeod
HF:   32. Mark Ricciuto     16. Ken McGregor         22. Ian Perrie
 C:   24. Brett Burton      5. Scott Thompson        39. Martin Mattner
HB:   15. Jason Torney      44. Nathan Bock          36. Simon Goodwin
 B:   8. Nathan Bassett    25. Ben Rutten            18. Graham Johncock
1R:   35. Rhett Biglands    12. Robert Shirley       9. Tyson Edwards

INT:        4. Matthew Clarke                21. Chris Knights
           33. Brent Reilly                 34. Ben Hart

REST:   7. Nathan Van Berlo   10. Matthew Bode   11. Michael Doughty   
          14. Hayden Skipworth  20. Ivan Maric        27. Scott Stevens
          28. Bernie Vince         30. Luke Jericho      38. John Hinge
          40. Jason Porplyzia     3. Kris Massie          2. John Meesen

The lads in the "REST" are not listed in any particular order but IMHO, they could push for selection or see some game time this year. I didn't includ Douglas, Pfeiffer, Gibson and Griffin on purpouse because IMHO, they will be given some time in the SANFL and this will be their development year.

As I said, our ruck and KPP depth is a bit ordinary but in terms of running players, we have options that have proven to be capable of playing decent footy at AFL level along with a couple of youngsters that might be pushing for selection.

It will be very interesting to see how the AFC's view on best 22 varies from mine but there are certainly some options there which is always a good position to be in

Thoughts??????

Excellent Post and team Stiffy.........

I quite like the idea of Macca in the forward pocket. We have really struggled for a good consistent crumbing forward since we traded Vardy away.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Excellent Post and team Stiffy......... I quite like the idea of Macca in the forward pocket.

Only in a burst role IMO.
McLeod added something to the backline last year and I think his value of running out the ball as a linking player should not be discarded altogether.
Depending on match-ups he will become a true utility if he hasnt already

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I agree with your 22 Stiff and I also agree thin ruck stocks are our achilles heal. But I don't agree with various comments that we are particularly vulnerable with regard to KPP stocks. We have 5, 6 if you include Welshy, and of that 6, 4 have proven themselves ( Kenny, Welsh, Perrie and Rutts ) and the other 2 are coming along nicely ( Trent and Bock ). We have more KPP depth than most teams in the comp - ie - Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Freo, Geel, Hawth, etc etc. Along with Brisbane, Saints and to a lesser extent Port we have the deepest KPP depth in the comp.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I agree with your 22 Stiff and I also agree thin ruck stocks are our achilles heal. But I don't agree with various comments that we are particularly vulnerable with regard to KPP stocks. We have 5, 6 if you include Welshy, and of that 6, 4 have proven themselves ( Kenny, Welsh, Perrie and Rutts ) and the other 2 are coming along nicely ( Trent and Bock ). We have more KPP depth than most teams in the comp - ie - Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Freo, Geel, Hawth, etc etc. Along with Brisbane, Saints and to a lesser extent Port we have the deepest KPP depth in the comp.

Yes we got all those players but I was talking about our KPP depth in regards to our structure.

We all saw that absence of one of our KPP messed up our structure big time especially in the forward line. In the final against St. Kilda we were one tall short in the attack and it was very noticable. Fact is that none of our Key forwards are A caliber forwards. None of those boys are good enough to have the whole forward line structured around them which is fine as you don't want to be over-reliant on any player. We make up for that lack of A caliber forward but playing more talls than any other side out there. Take one of those away and our supposed strength becomes out weakness.

If one of our KPP misses with injury or suspension, we need to replace them with another KPP. Welsh is not really a KPP. His role now is being shared by Burton and Jericho. Neither are KPP. Welshy is more of a medium forward, the same way Hart is more of a medium defender than a Key defender.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Only in a burst role IMO.
McLeod added something to the backline last year and I think his value of running out the ball as a linking player should not be discarded altogether.
Depending on match-ups he will become a true utility if he hasnt already

That was more out of neccessity than anything else. McLeod didn't start playing as a HBF until Johncock broke his leg against Melbourne at the MCG.

McLeod's role from last year can easily be handled by Johncock who was in exceptional form before the injury. If Johncock re-discovers that sizzling form again, having McLeod in the backlines becomes a bit redundant. He becomes of much greater improtance as a crumber in the forward line. He is our best crumber who can kick goals and that position is still our biggest weakness.

 

[AJ_No.4]

Only in a burst role IMO.
McLeod added something to the backline last year and I think his value of running out the ball as a linking player should not be discarded altogether.
Depending on match-ups he will become a true utility if he hasnt already

I wan't disregarding it altogether, except I would like to see him play in the forward pocket for majority of the year. I think he is the sort of player that could kick around 40 goals for the season from a forward pocket..... and be that really damaging crumbing forward that breaks games open that we haven't had since Vardy's exit..... or some could say have never had.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

If you break our list down things are really quite rosy at the moment:

Proven Players:

Bassett,
Biglands,
Burton,
Clarke,
Edwards,
Goodwin,
Hart,
Johncock,
Mattner,
McGregor,
McLeod,
Perrie,
Roo,
Rutts,
Shirls,
Thompson,
Thorney,
Welsh.

18.

Promising unproven youngsters who will play in 2006:

Bock,
Trent
Knights,
Maric,
Meeson,
Reilly,
Porp,
VB

8



Handy Depth Players ( in order):

Bode,
Doughty
Skipworth

3

2006 developing in the SANFL:

Douglas
Griffen
Gibson
Obst
Pfeiffer
Vince
Hinge

7

Long Term Injury:

Hudson
1

Meh's:

Massie,
Jericho
Stevens

3

Thinking back to the end of 2004 we had about a 1/3 of our list in the make or break category and things weren't looking good past our first 22. Now we have depth which goes from 1-28 ( Proven, Promising youngsters in 06 and handy depth players ).

Which also begs the question where do Bode, Doughty and Skippy sit with in the scheme of things. I reckon Craigy might just have Bode ahead of VB, Knights, Porp and Reilly becuase of his in and under qualities. However, I reckon Skippy and Doughty will be behing these 4 in the pecking order, which makes them about 26-28.

 

[Allefgib]

Only in a burst role IMO.
McLeod added something to the backline last year and I think his value of running out the ball as a linking player should not be discarded altogether.
Depending on match-ups he will become a true utility if he hasnt already

hahaha.. play him forward.. no play him back.. how about the midfield??

If only we had 3 of him