Preview R10: Changes vs. Collingwood

[CrowBloke]

Go back and watch the close losses in the Collingwood games and you will see the same coaching failures we saw against Port. As soon as we get in front, we stop playing and running. We all stand still while we kick long high balls.

I do not understand for the life of me how/why Nicks thinks that's a good strategy .
It robs the team of their energy/drive, puts them on a defensive mindset and takes away their we-got-in-front momentum.
Ten points up with 90seconds/2 minutes to play?
OK, fine, hold the ball, criss-cross short pass and eat up the time.

It allows the opposition to get on the front foot and attack until they get a mark, or lucky free and win the game.
Deliberately putting your defence under as much pressure as possible is not a winning strategy at then end of close games.

Especially against a side which is Top 4, playing well and renowned for fighting back to win close games.

Off the back of a glorious tap by RoB to Dawson:


Rankine then put the score at 87-66 with his shinned goal (I said previously we were 25 up, but that's wrong):



The mental boost/charge from 2 goals like that in about 20 seconds fires everybody up.
Why take it away?? USE it. Even only one more goal would have flattened PA.

That's the time to pile it on. All-out attack, fired up by the energy and momentum of a lead that would take them 4 goals to overcome (let the team know to do that before it happens and tell them if they're tired, stiff shit, they can rest that night and tomorrow while celebrating a 5- or 6-goal win).

 

[CrowBloke]

And yet I see in his interview last week he reckons he probably wouldn’t be on an AFL list if he played for another club after the early struggles he had

Do you have the link for that please? All I could find was a Michalanney interview.

Highlights how people view what’s happening from the outside is not relevant to what’s actually going on.

I'll bet that applies to many things that get posted in here.

 

[CrowBloke]

WOW, these are damning stats for Milera wrt the rest of the Comp's defenders.

Disposal efficiency - 97th - 5.4
Kicking efficiency - 88th - 4.9
Metres gained/disposal - 119th - 6.6
Threat/Kick - 78th - 4.3
Score involvement/disposal - 75th - 4.2
Defensive 1on1 contests lost - 142nd - 7.9
Pressure acts - 67th - 3.7
One percenters - 148th - 8.2
Tackles - 48th - 2.7
Intercept marks - 101st - 5.6

I wanna say I like Milera whose career has been cruelled by injury. At his best, years ago, he used to twinkletoe his way out of traffic beautifully and he might have been a gun.
But now ...?
You're right, he is average . His infrequent good is excellent; his bad is woeful.
His centering kick (under NO pressure) in the last 1/4 straight to an unattended Port player on Saturday was a horrorshow, adding to their comeback.
I still think Nicks selects him on the basis of flashes of brilliance (Milera's old self, pre-injury), ie innate talent while he waits and waits for Milera to be the player that he was.
Sadly, he's not.

 

[1970crow]

When you ignore the main point of the post…defenders that stop their opponents from getting the ball and scoring seem to be oddly underrated.

How he performs there is a judgement call, but 147 of 182 for contests lost suggests he's not that flash compared to the other players playing behind the ball. You brought a simplistic and misleading statistic into the discussion when you compared his DE to mids and forwards. I was just providing a more relevant statistical comparison to those playing the same role.

 

[jo172]

Really tend to think we need to get Pedler into the team.

He's finally fit and in form, give him the chance to recover that 2023 form.

 

[Geoffa32]

Really tend to think we need to get Pedler into the team.

He's finally fit and in form, give him the chance to recover that 2023 form.

What role though?

Would have to take one of Rachele/ANB/Keays spot. He is in that depth chart.


Maybe take Curtin or Tex out and have Pedlar play as a pure forward.

Which is essentially what he did in the SANFL Showdown. And was brilliant.

He looks in form and is a first round pick so should get a chance. Just not sure how.



Draper needs to play this week as well. Experience at the G for our guys us invaluable.

 

[DJ75]

I do not understand for the life of me how/why Nicks thinks that's a good strategy .
It robs the team of their energy/drive, puts them on a defensive mindset and takes away their we-got-in-front momentum.
Ten points up with 90seconds/2 minutes to play?
OK, fine, hold the ball, criss-cross short pass and eat up the time.

Especially against a side which is Top 4, playing well and renowned for fighting back to win close games.

Off the back of a glorious tap by RoB to Dawson:
View attachment 2312239

Rankine then put the score at 87-66 with his shinned goal (I said previously we were 25 up, but that's wrong):

View attachment 2312234

The mental boost/charge from 2 goals like that in about 20 seconds fires everybody up.
Why take it away?? USE it. Even only one more goal would have flattened PA.

That's the time to pile it on. All-out attack, fired up by the energy and momentum of a lead that would take them 4 goals to overcome (let the team know to do that before it happens and tell them if they're tired, stiff shit, they can rest that night and tomorrow while celebrating a 5- or 6-goal win).

You don't have to go all out attack, you just reduce your risk.
Maybe throw 1 extra behind the ball or 1 extra on ball to clog it up. When you get the ball, you still move it fast, but you don't take the really risky kicks.

What you don't do is sit back and wait for the opposition to run at you and hope they miss. It's so unbelievably stupid.
We won, not because of the tactic used by Nicks, but in spite of it. Had Rozee kicked a very easy snap goal, we would have lost yet another close game.

 

[DJ75]

What role though?

Would have to take one of Rachele/ANB/Keays spot. He is in that depth chart.


Maybe take Curtin or Tex out and have Pedlar play as a pure forward.

Which is essentially what he did in the SANFL Showdown. And was brilliant.

He looks in form and is a first round pick so should get a chance. Just not sure how.



Draper needs to play this week as well. Experience at the G for our guys us invaluable.

I really do think that last point is important. Curtin and Draper should experience it. Nank as well.

 

[CrowBloke]

You don't have to go all out attack, you just reduce your risk.

With respect, I prefer all-out attack which is always balanced by sound defence anyway.
It was all-out attack that got us ahead to begin with.

Maybe throw 1 extra behind the ball or 1 extra on ball to clog it up. When you get the ball, you still move it fast, but you don't take the really risky kicks.

I agree eg like the Milera kick to the centre of the ground, straight to a (happy, grateful) PA player which gifted them a F50 entry through NO effort of their own?

What you don't do is sit back and wait for the opposition to run at you and hope they miss. It's so unbelievably stupid.
We won, not because of the tactic used by Nicks, but in spite of it.

Yes, yes and yes .

Had Rozee kicked a very easy snap goal, we would have lost yet another close game.

Uhhh ... had he kicked that goal and nothing else changed, it would have been a draw.

 

[BRL121]

With respect, I prefer all-out attack which is always balanced by sound defence anyway.
It was all-out attack that got us ahead to begin with.

I think the real point is that the pattern of the match was little bursts from each side, followed by comebacks from the other.
If that pattern had continued, it would have been their turn, so I think there is a case for slowing it down, but not in the all-out way we did, as the other poster suggested.

This is based on the historical feeling that the Crows would have been unable to sustain the scoring without the oppo upping theirs.

When we went up by 21, my immediate thought was that the match was won and we just had to avoid stuffing it up.

 

[PeterSalt]

Do you have the link for that please? All I could find was a Michalanney interview.

Player Watch - Josh Worrell

Also in his after match press conference noted that Jordan Dawson showed him how to prepare to be a more professional athlete and he wouldn't be the player he is today without that help. So we needed to bring a player from outside to show younger players how to prepare. Speaks well of our...

www.bigfooty.com

Post #1038

 

[weekend at bernies]

I do not understand for the life of me how/why Nicks thinks that's a good strategy .
It robs the team of their energy/drive, puts them on a defensive mindset and takes away their we-got-in-front momentum.
Ten points up with 90seconds/2 minutes to play?
OK, fine, hold the ball, criss-cross short pass and eat up the time.

Especially against a side which is Top 4, playing well and renowned for fighting back to win close games.

Off the back of a glorious tap by RoB to Dawson:
View attachment 2312239

Rankine then put the score at 87-66 with his shinned goal (I said previously we were 25 up, but that's wrong):

View attachment 2312234

The mental boost/charge from 2 goals like that in about 20 seconds fires everybody up.
Why take it away?? USE it. Even only one more goal would have flattened PA.

That's the time to pile it on. All-out attack, fired up by the energy and momentum of a lead that would take them 4 goals to overcome (let the team know to do that before it happens and tell them if they're tired, stiff shit, they can rest that night and tomorrow while celebrating a 5- or 6-goal win).

100% agree. We had all the momentum, Poort havent won a 4th qtr all year. Foot on throat and we could/should of smashed them. Instead Nixs does a Nixs and almost costs us the game.

 

[CrowBloke]

I think the real point is that the pattern of the match was little bursts from each side, followed by comebacks from the other.
If that pattern had continued, it would have been their turn, so I think there is a case for slowing it down, but not in the all-out way we did, as the other poster suggested.

Good point. Yes, it was a game that ebbed and flowed, but that lead of 21 points was the highest for the game (previous highest was +14 to the Crows about halfway through the first 1/4 --- see scoreworm in link below).
Another goal ==> 27 points up in the last might have broken their back but, yeah, who knows for sure?

Port Adelaide Power vs Adelaide Crows - AFL Round 9, 2025

www.foxsports.com.au

This is based on the historical feeling that the Crows would have been unable to sustain the scoring without the oppo upping theirs.

That 'feeling' might also be based on previous games when we have shut up shop to protect a lead, and lost ...?

When we went up by 21, my immediate thought was that the match was won and we just had to avoid stuffing it up.

My immediate thought was that we'd sustain it, run on and win by 6 or 7 goals, to be honest. Deadset.
I should have known better.

I was horrified when Nicks got those cards held up and told them to go defensive.
4 goals with 15 minutes of play-time left is very achievable in today's games, well, except for Nicks-Coached Crows which have never come back from 4+ goals down to win.
I'm horrified that those cards even exist --- a decent Coach would have instructed and trusted his on-field leaders to take charge of slow-down tactics when necessary.

In fact, to that end, Nicks could also allow senior players to make heat-of-the-moment moves eg send or allow Thilthorpe to go into the back 50. His physical presence, groundwork and marking ability would have been useful in the last 5-8 minutes.
As it turned out, Keane and RoB took very strong, timely, defensive marks either of which might have been game-savers.
OR
better yet, keep attacking and turn that 21 point lead into 27, then 33 etc .

 

[CrowBloke]

Player Watch - Josh Worrell

Also in his after match press conference noted that Jordan Dawson showed him how to prepare to be a more professional athlete and he wouldn't be the player he is today without that help. So we needed to bring a player from outside to show younger players how to prepare. Speaks well of our...

www.bigfooty.com

Post #1038

Thank you.
I loved this:
"“But I just remember (in Cairns) at halftime I was like ‘I don’t know how I’m going to play the second half, this is ridiculous’.”"
and the rest of it.

 

[CharlieCrow]

Going to be interesting how Collingwood deal with Thilthorpe. I'd imagine they'll be on high alert after last week and have Moore on him with Howe playing the intercept player. That leaves just Frampton as a defensive tall and he'll probably be on Fog. Its a good opportunity to pop Curtin in the forward line - assuming Tex is rested.

Houston will probably show up to justify his dollars with another crunch on Rankine and Maynard, as usual, will just pi55 everyone off but do little else.

I think it would be fun to give Bond a go on Daicos. He can come in for Tex and perhaps Edwards gets a go with one of Milera or Taylor taking a break. I'd like to see Berry stay in. I know he's not that speedy but remember how he was a tackling superman in his first year? I 'd like to see some of that around the stoppages - particularly if its going to rain.

 

[Crow till I die]

What role though?

Would have to take one of Rachele/ANB/Keays spot. He is in that depth chart.


Maybe take Curtin or Tex out and have Pedlar play as a pure forward.

Which is essentially what he did in the SANFL Showdown. And was brilliant.

He looks in form and is a first round pick so should get a chance. Just not sure how.



Draper needs to play this week as well. Experience at the G for our guys us invaluable.

If Tex is stuffed and needs the rest, then this week might not be the worst week to bring Pedlar in for him. Have the extra pressure and burst type player that can kick a goal. We would still have Dan who can play forward if we want the 3 talls. If Soligo is also carrying an injury or needs a spell, Pedlar can assist by pinch hitting in the middle and Taylor can also play the midfield role too.

 

[DJ75]

With respect, I prefer all-out attack which is always balanced by sound defence anyway.
It was all-out attack that got us ahead to begin with.

I agree eg like the Milera kick to the centre of the ground, straight to a (happy, grateful) PA player which gifted them a F50 entry through NO effort of their own?

Yes, yes and yes .

Uhhh ... had he kicked that goal and nothing else changed, it would have been a draw.

They had tails up, a centre clearance to come and time to score again. We absolutely would have lost it.

 

[DJ75]

Going to be interesting how Collingwood deal with Thilthorpe. I'd imagine they'll be on high alert after last week and have Moore on him with Howe playing the intercept player. That leaves just Frampton as a defensive tall and he'll probably be on Fog. Its a good opportunity to pop Curtin in the forward line - assuming Tex is rested.

Houston will probably show up to justify his dollars with another crunch on Rankine and Maynard, as usual, will just pi55 everyone off but do little else.

I think it would be fun to give Bond a go on Daicos. He can come in for Tex and perhaps Edwards gets a go with one of Milera or Taylor taking a break. I'd like to see Berry stay in. I know he's not that speedy but remember how he was a tackling superman in his first year? I 'd like to see some of that around the stoppages - particularly if its going to rain.

Every team - tag Daicos, reduce his impact.

Nicks:

 

[PeterSalt]

Thank you.
I loved this:
"“But I just remember (in Cairns) at halftime I was like ‘I don’t know how I’m going to play the second half, this is ridiculous’.”"
and the rest of it.

Interesting game for memories that 1 - and 4 stick out to me:

1. The rain/slog
2. Josh's debut
3. Thilthorpe's game winning goal over his head
4. Mad dog Mackay's bump on Hunter Clarke

 

[BRL121]

Interesting game for memories that 1 - and 4 stick out to me:

1. The rain/slog
2. Josh's debut
3. Thilthorpe's game winning goal over his head
4. Mad dog Mackay's bump on Hunter Clarke

Are you sure? Mad Dog was at St Kilda, was it not?

 

[GreyCrow]

Are you sure? Mad Dog was against St Kilda, was it not?

Correct 2021 Worrell debuts

Round 13​

Jun 12​

Saints​

Win 66-60​

2​

1​

3​

0​

0​

0​

2​

0​

 

[VKCrow]

I know it’s cool to bash Nicks and I get it, however I wonder how much responsibility we need to place on the players in all this? They’re professionals and know what needs to be done in those instances. The leaders should have led on the front foot and went all out attack after Rankine kicked the second in 20secs.
That culture needs to be instilled into them all year round….oh wait, that’s on Nicks and the coaching fraternity

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Thought cumming was quite poor tonight but has credits in the bank.

Surely give pedlar a crack and rest Tex

Cumming is an interesting one, are/should his credits be that high?
Think he has only got 20+ touches once this season, hes hardly set the world alight.

Sholl was booted nearly immediately after a quiet patch, despite being able to average over 21 touches last season.

Not saying Sholl is a better player, or should be in over him but I find the distinct responses to each players outputs interesting.

Maybe its just a honeymoon period type thing for Cumming, shiny new toy.

 

[Cromulant]

Cumming is an interesting one, are/should his credits be that high?
Think he has only got 20+ touches once this season, hes hardly set the world alight.

Sholl was booted nearly immediately after a quiet patch, despite being able to average over 21 touches last season.

Not saying Sholl is a better player, or should be in over him but I find the distinct responses to each players outputs interesting.

Maybe its just a honeymoon period type thing for Cumming, shiny new toy.

Sholl was booted as much for his lack of a defensive game than anything. Disposals are largely irrelevant.

Plus he's not damaging by foot.

Wasnt a great game by Isaac Saturday night, but its worth noting he's not a natural winger either.

 

[BRL121]

Cumming is an interesting one, are/should his credits be that high?
Think he has only got 20+ touches once this season, hes hardly set the world alight.

Sholl was booted nearly immediately after a quiet patch, despite being able to average over 21 touches last season.

Not saying Sholl is a better player, or should be in over him but I find the distinct responses to each players outputs interesting.

Maybe its just a honeymoon period type thing for Cumming, shiny new toy.

Cumming is less soft, makes fewer errors, and has much better disposal. It's still difficult to accumulate on the wing, as Cook is finding in the twos.