Premiership Window is open.....but for how long?

[Paladin]

macca was outstanding in the 2nd half of the year - he has never tackled better. goody was all australian. Birdman was great after a knee until his corkie and will only get better. The big three are 34. wow who cares the game dosent know how old you are. they will dominate again. we will finish top 2 easy. grand final this year. save your pennies. keep bagging them.

 

[Huntercrow]

I think one can only be optimistic about the coming season. Compare us to say Carlton (and I`m not having a go at them) it would be fair to say their supporters have little to look forward to this season, they have lost their number one forward with no obvious replacement, they have a pretty tough draw, the retirement of Nick Stevens, add to that their midfield may not be as strong as they hoped (see round 22 09).
Perhaps their only saving grace is that expectations are not very high. Anything above what was achieved last year would be seen as a success and the club has reason to downgrade their optimism.
Adelaide on the other hand have a different problem. If we do not go on to better things (just making the finals would not be good enough), if we don`t produce new "Stars" to carry on from the likely retirees at years end, if we don`t bury the finals curse once and for all, and if we continue to lose the unlosable games we could say that we have over estimated the potential of our squad and may have to rethink our direction.
There are a lot of "ifs" there but safe to say we could take a bigger tumble than Carlton.
But back to my first point, I am optimistic that this will be a defining year for the club, with all that could go wrong I see a squad that can cope with unforeseen problems or the threat of injury.
There seems to be (according to our excellent training reports) a maturing of the younger players to the point where it could be difficult to select an obvious future captain. Perhaps we have in the squad the ability to win the close or unlosable games that we have lacked in the past.
I also see that Neil is in "premiership mode" when speaking of our chances this year and I don`t think he has taken that stance lightly.

 

[amer]

Need to get a few things off my chest:

There are some annoying mentalities out there amongst Adelaide supporters - that we are always outclassed by other lists, cannot ever consider ourselves a serious premiership threat, and apparently nothing is ever going to measure up to the sides we had in 1997 and 1998.

We are one of the powerhouse clubs of the competition, we have an excellent recruiting division at the moment, a coach who has instilled nigh on competition leading discipline and professionalism into his players and a batch of young footballers as exciting as we've seen at West Lakes. Stuff the doubters, I believe we are going to walk into the top 4 this year and have our best look at a grand final appearance since the stars aligned in the late 90s. It's okay to dare to believe we could be building the best list in the competition. Optimism when you see rare talent out there is not a sin.

I keep hearing about how we're going to lose 1000 games of experience next season; newsflash, that's just a number; do you need a roll call of the premiership sides who've romped flags in without that sort of experience on the park? It's about having gamebreaking talent out there that is experienced -enough- to play big stage football, and we have plenty of that brewing. Might also pay to remember that by the time a player cracks the 300 game mark, their best footy is more often than not behind them. The sooner people see what is right in front of their noses and realise that the Goodwin/Edwards/McLeod combination is no longer the primary driving force in our team, discussion on this board is going to become a lot easier.

Another newsflash, people need to stop hanging onto the fading memories of those 97/98 flags like they are some sort of unmatchable feat. Crazy though it might seem to some, those sides that took the field all those years ago weren't invincible, untouchable units that we can never match for talent again for as long as our club operates. The names of those players will forever be etched in our history because they started the ball rolling, but it's not blasphemy to look at the exceptional collection of players we are currently developing and entertain the idea that we might, just might, be on the verge of something special again.

Roll on the next generation Adelaide.

 

[Weekend of Bernie]

Yet another excellent post Amer.

 

[afc1991]

Are you sure we arent reacting too much to the flannels pathetic jibes about our finals record too much? where its supposedly worse that a young side misses out on a prelim by a freekick than a side thats supposedly a 'revolution' rebuild that hasnt put in a yelp for a number of years now?

the only reason the smears finals record isnt much worse is that they are so far from a finals side its not funny - even after rebuilding. Id always rather that our kids lose out in a prelim and keep that hunger for next year than have a side that bends over for everyone, cops hidings, misses the finals and can only mock its rivals for being superior to them.

Its not just the flannels but the wider footy world, even our own supporters. The fact that being close without taking out the flag while maintaining a high standard is somehow perceived as worse than bottoming out and enduring periods like we have seen from melbourne freo port etc. Its crap and Im sick of it. Particularly as our club seems to cop it hard, whereas say the bullies and collingwood are excused. Hell, even the cats lost a gf.

 

[Ferris_rules]

Its not just the flannels but the wider footy world, even our own supporters. The fact that being close without taking out the flag while maintaining a high standard is somehow perceived as worse than bottoming out and enduring periods like we have seen from melbourne freo port etc. Its crap and Im sick of it. Particularly as our club seems to cop it hard, whereas say the bullies and collingwood are excused. Hell, even the cats lost a gf.

I agree, I am proud our club has never really bottomed out.

Thats why when the window is opened we need to seize the day.

hell even the Cats were our bitches only less than 4 years ago.

2006R13Adelaide3.6 10.12 14.17 21.21 (147)dftdGeelong2.4 4.5 5.6 8.7 (55)AAMI StadiumJul 2 (Sun 1:10pm)

 

[moogerfooger]

hell even the Cats were our bitches only less than 4 years ago.

2006R13Adelaide3.6 10.12 14.17 21.21 (147)dftdGeelong2.4 4.5 5.6 8.7 (55)AAMI StadiumJul 2 (Sun 1:10pm)

I remember Bomber Thompson saying after that match he thought the Crows were almost unbeatable. Of course soon after that our players started dropping like flies and we could barely field a team come finals time. The so-called premiership window can be quite elusive - here one day, gone the next.

 

[Ferris_rules]

I remember Bomber Thompson saying after that match he thought the Crows were almost unbeatable. Of course soon after that our players started dropping like flies and we could barely field a team come finals time. The so-called premiership window can be quite elusive - here one day, gone the next.

Agreed. That is why we it is imperative we play well in every game this year and seize the opportunity.

 

[Art OF war]

The general consensus of the Adelaide faithful seems to be that Adelaide are not in a Holy Grail window now?!?

The above statement vexes me. I'm terribly vexed.

My dear Adelaide supporters, last year was the foreplay. We all know foreplay can be quite tedious but unfortunately it sometimes just has to happen. Some wins, some losses but a general increase in form and consistency throughout the 2009 season. Having watched the final against the Pies again just recently on 10HD The infamous free kick was probably there. However, you lost the game in the first quarter where you absolutely dominated but did not put enough goals on the board.

Adelaide dominated games by systematically disembowelling their opponents towards the end of the season. What you did to Fremantle, I'm surprised you are not still in court defending Rape charges. This is not to mention what you did to Carlton, WCE, Hawthorn, Port and importantly Essendon in a FINAL.

You have a great game plan that is suited for finals football, a team that has a lot more potential to improve (Tippet, Knights, Otten, Vince, Porpus and someone called Dangerfield???). Adelaide also has some cool, calm collected heads such as the quartet of 30+ which will provide consistency and leadership for the youngsters.

My dear Adelaide faithful, next year you get to benefit from the foreplay in 2009 and you get to have sex with the rest of the competition. I only hope you use protection when you play the WCE.

AOW

 

[Ferris_rules]

The general consensus of the Adelaide faithful seems to be that Adelaide are not in a Holy Grail window now?!?

The above statement vexes me. I'm terribly vexed.

My dear Adelaide supporters, last year was the foreplay. We all know foreplay can be quite tedious but unfortunately it sometimes just has to happen. Some wins, some losses but a general increase in form and consistency throughout the 2009 season. Having watched the final against the Pies again just recently on 10HD The infamous free kick was probably there. However, you lost the game in the first quarter where you absolutely dominated but did not put enough goals on the board.

Adelaide dominated games by systematically disembowelling their opponents towards the end of the season. What you did to Fremantle, I'm surprised you are not still in court defending Rape charges. This is not to mention what you did to Carlton, WCE, Hawthorn, Port and importantly Essendon in a FINAL.

You have a great game plan that is suited for finals football, a team that has a lot more potential to improve (Tippet, Knights, Otten, Vince, Porpus and someone called Dangerfield???). Adelaide also has some cool, calm collected heads such as the quartet of 30+ which will provide consistency and leadership for the youngsters.

My dear Adelaide faithful, next year you get to benefit from the foreplay in 2009 and you get to have sex with the rest of the competition. I only hope you use protection when you play the WCE.

AOW

Agree with the comments.

Im sure though we will find a club where we are their bitches.

As we WC bitches in 05 and 06.

At the moment its the Saints and Cats.

 

[footy4ever]

Another newsflash, people need to stop hanging onto the fading memories of those 97/98 flags like they are some sort of unmatchable feat. Crazy though it might seem to some, those sides that took the field all those years ago weren't invincible, untouchable units that we can never match for talent again for as long as our club operates. The names of those players will forever be etched in our history because they started the ball rolling, but it's not blasphemy to look at the exceptional collection of players we are currently developing and entertain the idea that we might, just might, be on the verge of something special again.

Roll on the next generation Adelaide.

I believe we will figure significantly at the pointy end of the season, so some interesting stats for the ageist cult.

Average age of premiership sides since ...'89 (no particular reason for '89 as a starting place)

91 1989 Hawthorn 26.36
92 1990 Collingwood 25.15
93 1991 Hawthorn 26.45
94 1992 West Coast 24.45
95 1993 Essendon 24.29
96 1994 West Coast 25.32
97 1995 Carlton 26.77
98 1996 Nth Melb 26.13
99 1997 Adelaide 24.78
100 1998 Adelaide 25.09
101 1999 Kangaroos 25.66
102 2000 Essendon 25.66
103 2001 Bris Lions 25.41
104 2002 Bris Lions 26.36
105 2003 Bris Lions 26.72
106 2004 Port Adel 27.00
107 2005 Sydney 25.77
108 2006 West Coast 25.23
109 2007 Geelong 25.49
110 2008 Hawthorn 24.60
111 2009 Geelong 26.71

Crows last game (coll. final) average age 26.0

As you will notice, this is not unusual. It is slightly over the total average.

You can theorise and fantasise about playing all our young 'superstars' all you like, but give me a side this year with grandpas Goodwin, Macca, Edwards and Burton able to hold their spot,... any day.

Take particular note of possibly the greatest modern era side - Brisbane...who were finally defeated by an even older side. Seriously, choose your best side in any final. And if those guys are still in our best 22, then they simply play - home and away or finals.

In the meantime, manage their number of games played and gametime, properly, give the younger guys a good taste of it all when 'resting' the oldies, and stop panicking about losing them all at once. Another year of developing for the youngies under these four can only be a good thing for the AFC.

 

[Ferris_rules]

If all our "older" players over 30 can hold their spot then Im happy for them to play.

That would mean we are playing some damn fine footy.

Only problem is in September we need a good balance of tough strong bodies (veterans) and speed (youth).

What I have noticed at the start of most AFL seasons is that "Speed Kills".

ie. Having a stronger youth contingent in the first few weeks wouldnt hurt us by no means. But it will not last as the season progresses.

 

[relapse]

I remember Bomber Thompson saying after that match he thought the Crows were almost unbeatable. Of course soon after that our players started dropping like flies and we could barely field a team come finals time. The so-called premiership window can be quite elusive - here one day, gone the next.

Our training schedule cost us, we were the best team in the comp until the over training then we couldnt even play out a game of football. Good to see Neil Craig put that theory to bed after it failed dismally in 2006 and never brought it out again. The Eagles easily ran over the top of us despite us having the week break, I remember being at the game that our players were out on their feet by the last quarter.

 

[relapse]

If all our "older" players over 30 can hold their spot then Im happy for them to play.

That would mean we are playing some damn fine footy.

Only problem is in September we need a good balance of tough strong bodies (veterans) and speed (youth).

What I have noticed at the start of most AFL seasons is that "Speed Kills".

ie. Having a stronger youth contingent in the first few weeks wouldnt hurt us by no means. But it will not last as the season progresses.

I recon our problem in September is a lack of quality in our 27-30 bracket, I think we are 2-3 years from a premiership winning balance.

 

[Ferris_rules]

I recon our problem in September is a lack of quality in our 27-30 bracket, I think we are 2-3 years from a premiership winning balance.

Make no doubt about it we will do well for the minor round.

However expect our favorite columnist in the Advertiser to burst out bubble when we win during the season warning us of our finals record on a weekly basis.

I just hope that Craigy has us mentally prepared for September.

 

[afc1991]

Our training schedule cost us, we were the best team in the comp until the over training then we couldnt even play out a game of football. Good to see Neil Craig put that theory to bed after it failed dismally in 2006 and never brought it out again. The Eagles easily ran over the top of us despite us having the week break, I remember being at the game that our players were out on their feet by the last quarter.

I would have put it down to losing roo and hentschel- numbers 1 and 2 on the goalkicking. From, memory burton and mcleod were missing for a period too, only to make it back into the losing prelim final side, obviously underdone. We may have suffered from a heavier training load, (we certainly did struggle for a while) but we did win in round 22, and the 1st final. In fact the last quarter in the final vs freo produced 5 goals to none.

 

[Ferris_rules]

I would have put it down to losing roo and hentschel- numbers 1 and 2 on the goalkicking. From, memory burton and mcleod were missing for a period too, only to make it back into the losing prelim final side, obviously underdone. We may have suffered from a heavier training load, (we certainly did struggle for a while) but we did win in round 22, and the 1st final. In fact the last quarter in the final vs freo produced 5 goals to none.

The irony is that the team we have now would beat the team we had back in 05 and 06, but yet in those years we were damn lot closer to a flag compared to now esp considering the level of the opposition. At that time Sydney where our bitches.

As for now the window is open but we have yet to prove we are capable of going through it.

 

[Crow-mo]

The irony is that the team we have now would beat the team we had back in 05 and 06,

not sure about that.

 

[Cap]

not sure about that.

It would atleast be an interesting game

I think our '05 and '06 midfield would probably be superior.

 

[Vader]

It would atleast be an interesting game

I think our '05 and '06 midfield would probably be superior.

The defence hasn't changed much and we have a superior forward line now.

Looking back, the 2005/2006 period was a transition era, between the great teams of the Angry Teddy Bears and the Cats. There really weren't any truly great teams around during that brief window of opportunity.

 

[afc1991]

The defence hasn't changed much and we have a superior forward line now.

Looking back, the 2005/2006 period was a transition era, between the great teams of the Angry Teddy Bears and the Cats. There really weren't any truly great teams around during that brief window of opportunity.

Although that centre square combo of Judd, Cousins, Kerr and Cox was pretty nice.

 

[amer]

Although that centre square combo of Judd, Cousins, Kerr and Cox was pretty nice.

The fact that a side that only really excelled in the midfield - no forward line to speak of and only an adequate defense - was considered the strongest outfit over that two season period really puts things in perspective.

 

[afc1991]

The fact that a side that only really excelled in the midfield - no forward line to speak of and only an adequate defense - was considered the strongest outfit over that two season period really puts things in perspective.

The Q kicked over 60, Hunter did alright. Embley as a goalkicking mid, Glass is a quality fullback. They were more than the big 4, but get your point. Not as good as brisbane 01-03 or the cats of this era.

 

[eastcoastcrow]

The Q kicked over 60, Hunter did alright. Embley as a goalkicking mid, Glass is a quality fullback. They were more than the big 4, but get your point. Not as good as brisbane 01-03 or the cats of this era.

I think it was more related to supply and demand. Hence the reason why Q et al did well.

But geez the Eagles did have a killer midfield!

 

[amer]

The Q kicked over 60, Hunter did alright. Embley as a goalkicking mid, Glass is a quality fullback. They were more than the big 4, but get your point. Not as good as brisbane 01-03 or the cats of this era.

Lynch was and is very, very average. Hunter was a decent swing man, but not a deadset gun in either position; cameo specialist. Embley was a mid who snuck forward to stir up the match ups. Glass is quality yes, give you that one. But I maintain the only area that could be considered a weapon for them was the midfield. Clear evidence of that has been their horrific slide out of finals contention (let alone top 4), after losing Cousins and Judd, when all the talk was of a 4-5 year dynasty.