Our expectations and how do you think we are going?

[crowsarethebest]

What are your expectations now after our good start and how well are we going ATM do you think?

 

[birdmanptr]

What are your expectations now after our good start and how well are we going ATM do you think?

I still dont think we will make the 8 only cause of our non marking foward line.Unless Meesen ,Maric,Watts or Gibson make BIG STRIDES or when Clarke comes back and hudson can make FF his spot.That was part of our problem Saturday night the ball still went in to our foward and came out very quickly.

 

[mymansyd]

On a pure win-loss basis, we are probably one match ahead of expected schedule. A win against the Roos this week we'll keep us ahead of schedule...a loss will see us at 3-3, which is where I hoped and thought we would be after the first 6 rounds.

Curiously, we've lost the 2 matches I thought we would win, and we've won the 3 games I thought we'd lose.

On the player-development front...Skippy, Mattner, Reilly, Shirley have all improved out of sight.

I'd say the Crows are travelling well at the minute, however, it only takes a couple of losses in a row to get the doomsdayers going again!

 

[Stiffy_18]

Going better than I expected but in all honesty our depth is yet to be tested. If injuries come (and they are bound to) then I doubt we could make the 8 but if our run continues then I think we can make the 8.

We might have a better win-loss ratio than I expected but we are relying on many things to go right for us to make the 8 and from that aspect nothing has changed.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

In the main, it has been a good start to the year. I loved the aggression we showed against Port and Sydney. The loss against the pups was disappointing but we have to expect inconcistincies with a young side.

POSITIVES:

The excellent improvement of Mattner and Hudson,

Scott Thompson ( future captain ) and Stiffy showing much needed mongrel,

The fast aggressive game plan against Port and Sydney,

Jason Thorney - I love the way he plays. Some had him on the "iffy" list at the start of the year - surely you're havin a laff,

Mcleods form up until last week,

Benny Rutten - As said in other threads, it's amazing how quickly he has made full back his own. Playing with the poise of a 100+ game player.

Craigies coaching in the Port, Sydney and Collingwood wins.

Reilly - Coming along quite nicely,

Kenny's mark against Port.

NEGATIVES:

Still no marking forward. Ground Hog day. I'm now convinced we will not be a top 4 team with Perrie as our mian target. His strong hands, his only redeeming feature, no longer exist,

Craigies coaching against the Bullies - everyone has a bad day occassionally,

Injuries to Ben Hart, Kruger and Schuie - I had really hoped K and S would get some game time this year -time is a running out,

James Begley, Massie, Ladhams and Smith - the fat lady is about to break into song, if she hasn't already. I will bet Stiffy's third nipple they will be delisted.

This weaks omission of The Count - Another 50 games in the sanfl will do wonders for his confidence ,

Matthew Bode - When I urinate up against a wall I often spell out "pick 12"

Rhett Biglands - Maybe this is as good as it gets.

 

[Bockchoy67]

In the main, it has been a good start to the year. I loved the aggression we showed against Port and Sydney. The loss against the pups was disappointing but we have to expect inconcistincies with a young side.

POSITIVES:

The excellent improvement of Mattner and Hudson,

Scott Thompson ( future captain ) and Stiffy showing much needed mongrel,

The fast aggressive game plan against Port and Sydney,

Jason Thorney - I love the way he plays. Some had him on the "iffy" list at the start of the year - surely you're havin a laff,

Mcleods form up until last week,

Benny Rutten - As said in other threads, it's amazing how quickly he has made full back his own. Playing with the poise of a 100+ game player.

Craigies coaching in the Port, Sydney and Collingwood wins.

Reilly - Coming along quite nicely,

Kenny's mark against Port.

NEGATIVES:

Still no marking forward. Ground Hog day. I'm now convinced we will not be a top 4 team with Perrie as our mian target. His strong hands, his only redeeming feature, no longer exist,

Craigies coaching against the Bullies - everyone has a bad day occassionally,

Injuries to Ben Hart, Kruger and Schuie - I had really hoped K and S would get some game time this year -time is a running out,

James Begley, Massie, Ladhams and Smith - the fat lady is about to break into song, if she hasn't already. I will bet Stiffy's third nipple they will be delisted.

This weaks omission of The Count - Another 50 games in the sanfl will do wonders for his confidence ,

Matthew Bode - When I urinate up against a wall I often spell out "pick 12"

Rhett Biglands - Maybe this is as good as it gets.

Great post mate, agree with everything except the Van Berlo statement.

I started the year with this aim and this aim only: For the AFC to show signs that they will be a force to be reckoned with in future years.

The win-loss ratio never mattered at the start of the year, and despite our great form nothing has changed for me. I want to see 100% commitment and signs that we are improving and will be a good team in 2006 and onwards. A win is just a bonus.

Having said that I'm very happy with the position we are in now.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Great post mate, agree with everything except the Van Berlo statement.

I started the year with this aim and this aim only: For the AFC to show signs that they will be a force to be reckoned with in future years.

The win-loss ratio never mattered at the start of the year, and despite our great form nothing has changed for me. I want to see 100% commitment and signs that we are improving and will be a good team in 2006 and onwards. A win is just a bonus.

Having said that I'm very happy with the position we are in now.

Yep, I agree, apart from the forward line, the future is looking promising. Meeson and watts, come on down.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Yep, I agree, apart from the forward line, the future is looking promising. Meeson and watts, come on down.

I thought you didn't rate Watts or do I have you confused with someone else??????

 

[macca23]

Great post mate, agree with everything except the Van Berlo statement.

I started the year with this aim and this aim only: For the AFC to show signs that they will be a force to be reckoned with in future years.

The win-loss ratio never mattered at the start of the year, and despite our great form nothing has changed for me. I want to see 100% commitment and signs that we are improving and will be a good team in 2006 and onwards. A win is just a bonus.

Having said that I'm very happy with the position we are in now.

Well said, and echoes my sentiments.

I also agree with SpringChoke that the one area that still needs a tidy up is the forward line. Watts and Meesen are the long term hopes, along with Hentschel, but we could still do with another young natural forward.

Overall, my long-term optimism is about 10 times what it was at the same stage of 2004.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I thought you didn't rate Watts or do I have you confused with someone else??????

I don't rate watts as a backman. However, he looked quite damaging when he went forward last week. I see he is named at fullback this week.

Why not give him another go. I can't see how playing at full back is developing him as a forward.

Mind you, I still have my doubts about Watts being a 1st tier forward but surely he has more of an upside then perrie.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Well said, and echoes my sentiments.

I also agree with SpringChoke that the one area that still needs a tidy up is the forward line. Watts and Meesen are the long term hopes, along with Hentschel, but we could still do with another young natural forward.

Yep. Macca dont we have a young guy with the name of Smith on our list that could do the job.

 

[noddy]

In the main, it has been a good start to the year. I loved the aggression we showed against Port and Sydney. The loss against the pups was disappointing but we have to expect inconcistincies with a young side.

POSITIVES:

The excellent improvement of Mattner and Hudson,

Scott Thompson ( future captain ) and Stiffy showing much needed mongrel,

The fast aggressive game plan against Port and Sydney,

Jason Thorney - I love the way he plays. Some had him on the "iffy" list at the start of the year - surely you're havin a laff,

Mcleods form up until last week,

Benny Rutten - As said in other threads, it's amazing how quickly he has made full back his own. Playing with the poise of a 100+ game player.

Craigies coaching in the Port, Sydney and Collingwood wins.

Reilly - Coming along quite nicely,

Kenny's mark against Port.

NEGATIVES:

Still no marking forward. Ground Hog day. I'm now convinced we will not be a top 4 team with Perrie as our mian target. His strong hands, his only redeeming feature, no longer exist,

Craigies coaching against the Bullies - everyone has a bad day occassionally,

Injuries to Ben Hart, Kruger and Schuie - I had really hoped K and S would get some game time this year -time is a running out,

James Begley, Massie, Ladhams and Smith - the fat lady is about to break into song, if she hasn't already. I will bet Stiffy's third nipple they will be delisted.

This weaks omission of The Count - Another 50 games in the sanfl will do wonders for his confidence ,

Matthew Bode - When I urinate up against a wall I often spell out "pick 12"

Rhett Biglands - Maybe this is as good as it gets.

My thoughts exactly Springy especially the continued improvement in Hudson.

I'll still stick with my prediction of a 6-8 finish come round 22.

 

[Cap]

i'm quite happy so far - only one game which we have relied on the old firm and we lost (WB)

I am happy that VB has been let back into the SANFL to get some game time and see how 3 games in the big time has effected his ability (hopefully inprove greatly)

what i wont be happy with is if we get to rounds 20 and VB is the only player to have been given a crack (saying that if they haven't earnt the spot then I suppose there is no point playing them)

Personally I think I would like to see Fergus, S Stevens and Bock att given at least 3 games this year to see where they stand

I would also like to see meeson get a game when Norwood have the bye and Chad gibson thrown in rd 18-22 to get him a crack

 

[Wood_Duck]

Great post by Springy, I think that sums it up pretty well and I note most of us are in agreement.
At the start of the year I really couldnt have given a rats clacker about our win loss ratio. From my point of view if the likes of Watts, Jericho, Van Berlo, Meeson dont play 10+ games this year we will have achieved stuff all as a club. I'd rather finish 14th and have a group of youngsters that we a) have decided are no good and we can get rid of them or b) are ready for a real crack at AFL football in 2006 and can step up and play 17-22 games next year.

 

[Mad Dog]

I think we're going very well....

Win/Loss ratio is > 50%.....so that's a positive.

Attitude around the club is refreshing

Playing style has definately changed for the better.

Truck Rutten has been one of the most positive stories...heading for a 150+ game career at FB.

Mattner has been great - (but no surprise to me...Choo Choo... )

Shirley, Skipworth, Doughty, Perrie, all have been serviceable ....... lifting the strength of the weakest links is just as important as good players playing well. These members of the transition group have contributed well to our good start.

Back 6 have been fantastic - even without Benny

The Count showed signs he will be an ACE

Thommo has added some spine to our midfield - Roo can't do it all.

NC at least is prepared to TRY stuff on gameday....and more importantly - be big enough to put his hand up when he makes a blue.

Gave the Paps a good fathering.....always puts a spring in one's step

All in all....I'm pretty happy so far

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

i'm quite happy so far - only one game which we have relied on the old firm and we lost (WB)

I am happy that VB has been let back into the SANFL to get some game time and see how 3 games in the big time has effected his ability (hopefully inprove greatly)

what i wont be happy with is if we get to rounds 20 and VB is the only player to have been given a crack (saying that if they haven't earnt the spot then I suppose there is no point playing them)
Personally I think I would like to see Fergus, S Stevens and Bock att given at least 3 games this year to see where they stand

I would also like to see meeson get a game when Norwood have the bye and Chad gibson thrown in rd 18-22 to get him a crack

Yep - I agree.

 

[macca23]

Yep. Macca dont we have a young guy with the name of Smith on our list that could do the job.

Smith?

Smith?

Smith?

Nope, doesn't ring a bell with me!!

 

[- PC -]

I remember doing my years game W/L and coming up with 14 wins??? I amended that to 12-14 and still think its achievable..but if it comes at a price of not playing or introducing the next younger brigade then it wont be worth it.

I do like seeing the 2nd tier show some improvement...now we need to see consistency from them. If the second tier players continue with their consistent start, then I would like to see a fresh face every week..eg a VB for a 3-4 week block, then a Meeson for a 3-4 week block.

I would happily sacrifice 2 of those 14 wins if it means we are blooding the next group