Preview Practice Match: Crows vs Port, Saturday Feb 27/2/21 @ 11am

[Betts are off]

Don't do it to yourself.

Other than a couple of nice bits of play from Hamill and Keays, we were back to playing like we did early on in 2020. The midfield in particular was completely uncompetitive.

Cheers, Yeah the 10 mins I saw was a midfield bloodbath. I think i'll skip it and just wait for next week.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Hodge and Mitchell absolutely elite by foot, create space and time and have elite vision. Sloane is D grade in those attributes, his value was in his junk yard doggedness and gut running ability. It's laughable to place him with that company, totally footballers. Sloane's next best role is back to elite fitness and working up and back from half forward. His other point of difference is he's well better than average above his head.

Exactly what I’m saying , and there isn’t a comparison in talent but the role change that should happen

 

[WeedsMullet84]

So after the internal and Port trials surely the best forward combo at this point is Frampton and Thilthorpe as the two deep forwards with Berg, Walker, Fog and Lynch fighting out for the 2 high forward roles.

Sloane, Jones, Schoenberg weakest contributors in the middle with Berry putting his hand up for a role with Pedlar slightly behind.

Worrell and Borlase knocking on the door

Fair description?

No. Walker by far the standout of all in the FWD line, Frampton a close 2nd and the rest fighting it out. Thilthorpe should be given a crack in the seniors this weekend, he was unplayable in the trial match. So versatile that he could replace Fog or Lynch.

Tex showed in the first trial match that he's still got the goods as long as the supply to the FWD line is adequate. But just wait for the boo-boy posters to come on BigFooty when he can't seem to work miracles with a lack of quality supply.

My guess is that Berg won't get a R1 game, Thilthorpe will light it up this weekend but we'll still pick Fog to see what he does in a season-proper setting.

We have plenty of players knocking on the door, and i'm surprised that we've been so conservative with our selections so far.

 

[BlackGun1]

I know I’m biased seeing I know Keays personally (hence my interest in this forum and the Crows in general) but for what it’s worth, he actually would have been picked higher than 24 if he wasn’t an academy selection. A lot of mock drafts at the time had him from 16-21. Although it’s clear everyone appreciates his high level play so far, don’t sleep on the fact this could be the norm from now on. Forget the whole rookie pick/delisted thing

 

[Vader]

Yes but I'd still back Fogarty before McAsey

Based on what? Neither of them have shown anything to date. At least McAsey has only been in the system for 1 interrupted season. Fogarty is rapidly running out of excuses.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

I know I’m biased seeing I know Keays personally (hence my interest in this forum and the Crows in general) but for what it’s worth, he actually would have been picked higher than 24 if he wasn’t an academy selection. A lot of mock drafts at the time had him from 16-21. Although it’s clear everyone appreciates his high level play so far, don’t sleep on the fact this could be the norm from now on. Forget the whole rookie pick/delisted thing

He looks to have backed up his 2020 form better than most so I doubt you'll find too many detractors on here.

 

[hey shorty]

Based on what? Neither of them have shown anything to date. At least McAsey has only been in the system for 1 interrupted season. Fogarty is rapidly running out of excuses.

Fogarty has shown plenty, just not as often as he should.

The back end of his 2019 was very good.

 

[Vader]

Fogarty has shown plenty, just not as often as he should.

The back end of his 2019 was very good.

Meh... he showed less yesterday than McAsey did, and Fogarty has been in the system a lot longer.

I really hope he does make it, but so far there are very few positive signs as far as Fogarty is concerned.

 

[Scorpus]

Fogarty has shown plenty, just not as often as he should.

The back end of his 2019 was very good.

He's gotta take more steps forward otherwise he'll be the next Mackay that we all look back on as having that one good game ages ago

 

[SellarStardom]

He's gotta take more steps forward otherwise he'll be the next Mackay that we all look back on as having that one good game ages ago

The reality for Fog and Walker is that they won't play deep forward moving forward. With Thilthorpe and Berg/Frampton we have 2 x 200cm forwards that will be hard to match up on like Geeolong and Brisbane have opted for.

Walker and Fog need to play on the 50 and further upfield. This could actually help Fog as he then gets the third best defender and gets to be around the contest more.

Having Walker and Fog delivering into the forward line is the best use of their skill set

 

[Geoffa32]

With Tex looking fitter, he can play Lynch's role. Albeit differently.

Let Fog play closer to goal.

Tillthorpe, wherever. He looks smart enough to play a role regardless of designated position. A great third tall (for now) who can run

Frampton/Hberg second Ruck/Forward.

Next two years are developing years. Structure not that important. Fog and Tillthorpe have to play as much as possible.

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[GrommoT]

...
Next two years are developing years. Structure not that important. Fog and Tillthorpe have to play as much as possible.

Within reason ... the next few years are development/rebuild years for the club and I don't reckon they should run Tilly into the ground - play him but as soon as his body gets weary, give him plenty of rest to recover before going again. Slow and steady is the way to go.

 

[Geoffa32]

Within reason ... the next few years are development/rebuild years for the club and I don't reckon they should run Tilly into the ground - play him but as soon as his body gets weary, give him plenty of rest to recover before going again. Slow and steady is the way to go.

Agree, don't flog him.



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[arrowman]

Oh God I'm depressed.
Will we ever get the Neil Craig stain off the club sheets? How did this bloke, who had zero success, still have such a lasting impact on the club??

Craig didn't have this terrible "lasting impact". It's just that every time BF posters see a selection or tactical decision they don't like, it's all "Oh, it's Neil Craig all over again". Those decisions are made by the current coaches for their own reasons, right or wrong, and not because they are feeling some "impact" from Neil Craig.

 

[BRL121]

Agree, don't flog him.



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And don't Fog him.

 

[StonesThrow]

Thought Hinge looked alright in the 2s. Lot's of aggression.

Also thought Himm played as well as he could have.

 

[LC40]

Just finish watching the 'SANFL' Crow's trial game and really like the game of Berry and Thilthorpe.
Newchurch does have something special in the open field.
I really liked Himmelberg's endeavor especially his first half, he did a lot of work that went unnoticed by the commentators.
Still double grabbed too much in this game but towards the end of last year he was taking strong one grab marks.
His ruck work is more than serviceable.
Borlase got beaten early but really tightened up on his opponent and Ace Taylor did some good things.
Pedlar was called Hinge the whole first quarter and while he was on the field he did well.

No player absolutely dominated but some promising signs in this game.

 

[Coopers]

Craig didn't have this terrible "lasting impact". It's just that every time BF posters see a selection or tactical decision they don't like, it's all "Oh, it's Neil Craig all over again". Those decisions are made by the current coaches for their own reasons, right or wrong, and not because they are feeling some "impact" from Neil Craig.

Thanks Obama

 

[arrowman]

Thanks Obama

Hope 'n Change, my friend - Hope 'n Change

 

[Jeffcrowe]

True, but should we be trying Berg as an option in the backing too... as would be good to have some flexibility.

Given what I see in sanfl trial we are

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Has anyone talked up Newchurch yet? Thought there were some very good signs.

Our 2020 draft class is the highlight of our pre season so far , won’t pay dividends for a while but it will eventually

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Hodge and Mitchell absolutely elite by foot, create space and time and have elite vision. Sloane is D grade in those attributes, his value was in his junk yard doggedness and gut running ability. It's laughable to place him with that company, totally footballers. Sloane's next best role is back to elite fitness and working up and back from half forward. His other point of difference is he's well better than average above his head.

He’s definitely a good enough player to read it across half back and mark it and kick it well out of there with good decision making , forward or back but not much time in mid is how I’d play him

 

[BRL121]

Just finish watching the 'SANFL' Crow's trial game and really like the game of Berry and Thilthorpe.
Newchurch does have something special in the open field.
I really liked Himmelberg's endeavor especially his first half, he did a lot of work that went unnoticed by the commentators.
Still double grabbed too much in this game but towards the end of last year he was taking strong one grab marks.
His ruck work is more than serviceable.
Borlase got beaten early but really tightened up on his opponent and Ace Taylor did some good things.
Pedlar was called Hinge the whole first quarter and while he was on the field he did well.

No player absolutely dominated but some promising signs in this game.

Berry did much better than Pedlar this week. I rewatched the first quarter carefully and noticed that Pedlar was a starting mid, but he did nothing at all in his first stint, mainly because he seemed to be very closely checked by the oppo. Then he was off for 10 minutes, came back on and was back to his normal self until the end of the quarter, mainly because he was more in the open, allowing his left foot to shine.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Just watched the whole thing. Kept a close eye on McAsey and Hately.

Port were clinical for 95%. They're confident and know their game plan. The younger guys are still coming through seamlessly. Butters is a key player imo.

I didn't think we were terrible considering how outclassed we were and that we had a hard time getting uncontested footy. Still managed to create opportunities. Some good and bad signs.

Good:

Keays easily our best with ROB not far behind.

Have to say McHenry has surprised me so far. Looks handy and had a decent game.

Tex looking pretty good for a cooked old man.

Frampton has also surprised. I like Berg still, but he hasn't done heaps wrong tbh.

Hamill and Sholl had their moments but were in and out. They're our future play makers. Hamill not as sharp as Sholl, but he makes up for that with dash. Good picks from that draft.

Didn't think fog was too bad considering his opportunities. He makes the most of his touches.

I like Rowe. He'll be a player I reckon.

Bad:

It feels like Hately should come in and make a difference. He was a first round pick and has big biceps. The problem is he's very much a rookie on the field. He looks as inexperienced as he is. He's also not as strong as he looks. Had a couple of nice handballs but apart from that doesn't look too be close to it atm. Needs experience.

I've commented a lot on McAsey but one more thing I noticed was that he goes to ground at almost every contest. He's diabolical at keeping his feet and has a glacial recovery. In a normal team he would be sitting in the reserves for a few years imo. I would honestly rather try and throw Borlase to the wolves at this point. Can't be any worse.

Schoenbergs kicking has been poor so far. Good in traffic but needs to tidy that up.

Sloane is almost a non entity.

Jones looked back to his 2020 self already. Still focusing on too much and it doesn't suit him. Get the ball and run.

McPherson was okay but he's been sloppy so far. Not like him.

Milera huge loss given where his career is at and what he was looking to bring to our one dimensional and poorly skilled
Midfield.

Seedsman's numbers are too close together. Looks like a 1 from the distance.

Smith looking a bit like an old man so far.


Overall we're a bottom side who are very much in the midst of a rebuild not only of the playing group, but the staff as well. I think we'll do better than last year given a more stable game plan, but we won't do that much better. TT, Pedlar and Berry need to come in for half a season. It sounds like none of them had the pre season required to play a full year, but they're physically ready to get exposure and will probably add decent value to the 22.

I thought McPherson was close to BOG in internal but you’re right he wasn’t as good on sat

our midfield is by far the worst in the comp and Port dominated that part of the ground

I don’t think any of our first choice mids would start in centre square for any of the top 8-12 sides

notice Re Shoenberg that they are playing him as a high half forward trying to get some connection from him and a bit more run in that part of the ground . Wont be an easy position to play for him given he’s a natural ball hunter inside

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Berry did much better than Pedlar this week. I rewatched the first quarter carefully and noticed that Pedlar was a starting mid, but he did nothing at all in his first stint, mainly because he seemed to be very closely checked by the oppo. Then he was off for 10 minutes, came back on and was back to his normal self until the end of the quarter, mainly because he was more in the open, allowing his left foot to shine.

Did they rest him alot? I only saw glimpses of first game and he seemed to play limited minutes

would not surprise me if it was because he’s earmarked to play in main game this Sunday