Roach and Jars get it right

[bigman]

Roadkill and outhouse
By GEOFF ROACH
22may06

AS for the Crows, the most charitable spin that can be woven around their Saturday swoon is that every team has an off day. Even the best. It's part of the modern ethos.

But the truth is that Adelaide had what can most accurately be called an OUT day.

Let us list just some of the areas in which they were so comprehensively outed.

Outsmarted. Outplayed. Out-coached. Out-toughed. Out-manoeuvred. Outflanked. Out-tackled. Outrun. All of which added up to Outhouse, Out to lunch and Out of town.

Theirs was an abysmal, dumb and careless performance, made more culpable by the fact threatening signs of decline were obvious early.

Even more disturbing was the complete lack of intelligent response when the maligned Richmond contingent, led so coolly by seemingly unchallengeable Joel Bowden, adopted Adelaide's own stalling process so effectively.

Terry Wallace will dine out on Saturday's win for a long time and so he should. Assigning young Andrew Raines to Mark Riccuito (who seemed all day to lead way too early, perhaps perturbed by Raines' pace) was a master stroke. So was using Troy Simmonds as a linkman. Most of all though, he contrived to smash the Crows' dominance of clearances and stoppages.

Unhappily, Neil Craig's response was hardly proactive under duress.

Clearly, he kept faith with players and positions he trusted to work things out. And, but for a couple of late defensive disasters, it almost paid dividends.

But it's hard to believe Riccuito's fitness is not up to at least short stints on the ball. That a too-loose Graham Johncock might not have made a difference up front.

Or that someone who can propel the football more than 40 metres might not have been at least worth trying at centre half-forward. Because Ken McGregor looked like he was roosting a watermelon.

The brains trust might also have deduced that the rucking education of Ivan Maric must now proceed apace if the Crows are to count come September.

When Rhett Biglands and Matthew Clarke can manage only six kicks, two handballs and three marks between them, it's time to look to the future.

'Terry Wallace dismantled the Crows game plan, both of them'
By ANDREW JARMAN
22may06

I'VE had two days to digest Adelaide's performance and what I witnessed, as a football purist, was . . . BORING, BORING BORING.

It was undoubtedly the most boring game of Australian Rules footy I've seen in the past 25 years.
It was so bad I even went outside to clean the gutters of my little house. It's happened to all senior coaches, including me, and, I'm telling 'ya, Craigy, the mastermind, was out-foxed.

Terry Wallace dismantled the Crows game plan, both of them.

Now, this is only a suggestion but surely the Crows boys could have been accountable and picked up the closest Richmond jumper and stopped worrying about zoning off and protecting space. Richmond had 295 kicks and 181 marks and most of them were uncontested.

Who the hell was standing Joel Bowden, the bloke who ducked his head in a pre-season game? He had 28 kicks and 20 marks playing virtually as a quarter-back.

Who will put his hand up to say 'he was my opponent and I didn't pay him enough respect'?

The next thing. In the first quarter Adelaide had 19 clangers, the Tigers had 21. In the second quarter the Crows had 22 and Richmond 21, by my count, but Adelaide's clangers included 16 rubbish kicks to Richmond's 14.

That was 26 clanger kicks in a half to 22 so the Tigers were better with the foot skills and I was taught if you can't kick you can't play. Richmond hit the Crows harder than any other team in the competition and the Crows didn't handle it. There were 14 other opposition coaches watching who now know how to dismantle the Crows. I don't want to hear any Crows supporter saying "we've got injuries" - that's just an excuse.

I saw too many Crows miss tackles, fall over at the contest and I didn't see any real aggression around the ball.

That'll be top of the agenda in the coaches' meeting today.


Two very good articles that most people would have to agree with.

Lets hope we as a coaching panel and player group can have a better day next SATURDAY.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Yes very astute articles. However with Roach he's on the bandwagon when we win and off when we don't.

Like a lot of reporters that wouldn't know what the football was made of, they will ridicule when it suits them and bow and scrape when it also suits them. Case in point was his article last week. All positives, and look out for September, but one week on they just cannot wait to get their poison pens out.

I repect people like Jars more because he has the knowledge and skills to explain to the masses his thoughts. His is a much better written article.
He knows clubs can have off days.

I dont disagree with Roach, but it's his and most reporters approach when they look foolish by their predictions.

 

[Crow-mo]

why such the big fuss over Craig not being pro-active in the box, outsmarted, whatever. He's not a great match day coach, never has been, and has achieved strong results so far without it.

why the big deal now? it was one game, it happens.

 

[NikkiNoo]

why such the big fuss over Craig not being pro-active in the box, outsmarted, whatever. He's not a great match day coach, never has been, and has achieved strong results so far without it.

why the big deal now? it was one game, it happens.

I'm like you crow-mo, I can't believe the crap for the past two days on here - I was at the game and at the end, I and my father were oh well we lost and didn't play so well in patches but Richmond played very good accountable football and produced a flood of biblical proportions that most teams would struggle to score against.

Craig did actually try some moves which didn't quite work, the only real fault I saw though was that I believe that he should have swapped Stevens for McGregor who is a much more accountable backman. Hindsight tells us that if we went man on man earlier the result may have been different, and Hindsight is a fabulous thing

 

[afc9798]

why such the big fuss over Craig not being pro-active in the box, outsmarted, whatever. He's not a great match day coach, never has been, and has achieved strong results so far without it.

why the big deal now? it was one game, it happens.

Yes it was a bad day, but the worry is what is going to happen under finals pressure, when we need to make the moves to arrest another sides run. I think Craigy has swung a little too far in allowing the players to dictate what happens on the field and he definitely needs to respond quicker. The final against the Saints last year was a case in point. I don't know about you, but there doesn't seem much point in getting good results, if you don't get to the last hurdle.

That said, I think more good than bad will come from this loss in the long term and I think Craigy and the players will be better prepared when these tactics occur against us, as they obviously will. It's a bit rich that Roach sinks the boots in after one bad game, but what more do you expect from the Ragvertiser. Personally, I think we just had an off day, we looked flat and tired and the Tiger tactics were perfect for this situation. We only needed one player to really stand up and we would have got over the line, but it was that sort of day. As long as the club has learnt from it, then I'm OK with it and I don't quite see the need for panic in the rank and file.

 

[- PC -]

Grrr I had this great post that highlighted that Roach reads BF

The outplayed etc came from me Sat night in the Well Done Tigers thread on the Tigers board

McGregor cant kick 40m is WWs effort Saturday night as well and his Ivan Maric time has come call is from this whole board ( well most of us)

So Hi Geoff loved your stuff when I was living in Adelaide

 

[macca23]

Hindsight tells us that if we went man on man earlier the result may have been different, and Hindsight is a fabulous thing

Sorry Nikki, it has nothing to do with hindsight.

I was screaming at the TV for Craig to get the players to man up from the start of the second quarter onwards, as I'm sure most Crows supporters were.

That move came more than 2 quarters later. That's not good enough.

I have no doubt in my mind - absolutely none - that if we had manned up from the 2nd quarter onwards we would not only have won, we would have won comfortably.

It's no good people shrugging the loss off, as it was a stupid loss that could have and should have been avoided.

We'll lose our share of games without helping the opposition to win.

 

[bigman]

I'm like you crow-mo, I can't believe the crap for the past two days on here - I was at the game and at the end, I and my father were oh well we lost and didn't play so well in patches but Richmond played very good accountable football and produced a flood of biblical proportions that most teams would struggle to score against.

Craig did actually try some moves which didn't quite work, the only real fault I saw though was that I believe that he should have swapped Stevens for McGregor who is a much more accountable backman. Hindsight tells us that if we went man on man earlier the result may have been different, and Hindsight is a fabulous thing

its not crap Nickinoo, its what I was saying at the time when the game was on. I have played and coached a considerable amount of good quality football, and clearly plans A and B were not working.

Playing man on man suggests you are better than the opposition. I have no doubt that we are better man for man than the team Richmond had on the field on Saturday atcm. Sometimes you just have to back your team in. If you take on the opposition and have faith in your ability its marvellous what you can do. When we did this in the last quarter the evidence was there to be seen, particularly as it was Richmond, who in years past have always been susceptible to pressure when the ball carrier has been corralled.

Bowden is a classic case in point. He coughs uo the ball regularly if you put pressure on him when he has the ball. Hentschell either under instructions or of his own voilition decided to play 30 to 50 metres away from him for most of the day, when they had the ball.

I would have taken them on from the first kick of the day to be honest, because of the fact they are a young side and they need to be pressured early. Give young sides a sniff and they are hard to beat. Give ordinary players like Simmonds a few cheap kicks and everyone starts to play like a superstar, even Kellaway played a game like he did many years ago.

I too hope Craigy, the match committee and the players learn from this game. If they do it will be a positive.

I have already stated before the other moves I would have made. The Stevo for Kenny move may have worked too.

This week I would say to the players the same thing as above. Take them on show me how well we can play. Use the ball well. Make good decisions. Be first to the ball. Hit the ball and body hard and smash them whenever they get the ball.

And id this does not work lets then go to plan B.

Im backing you boys. Go out there and show me this confidence is not misplaced.

 

[bigman]

Sorry Nikki, it has nothing to do with hindsight.

I was screaming at the TV for Craig to get the players to man up from the start of the second quarter onwards, as I'm sure most Crows supporters were.

That move came more than 2 quarters later. That's not good enough.

I have no doubt in my mind - absolutely none - that if we had manned up from the 2nd quarter onwards we would not only have won, we would have won comfortably.

It's no good people shrugging the loss off, as it was a stupid loss that could have and should have been avoided.

We'll lose our share of games without helping the opposition to win.

Could not agree more Macca 23, except I was at the game. The record took a bit of a beating I must say.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Sorry Nikki, it has nothing to do with hindsight.

I was screaming at the TV for Craig to get the players to man up from the start of the second quarter onwards, as I'm sure most Crows supporters were.

That move came more than 2 quarters later. That's not good enough.

I have no doubt in my mind - absolutely none - that if we had manned up from the 2nd quarter onwards we would not only have won, we would have won comfortably.

It's no good people shrugging the loss off, as it was a stupid loss that could have and should have been avoided.

We'll lose our share of games without helping the opposition to win.

What he said

Hindsight has nothing to do with it. Everyone could see that we needed to go man on man after quarter time. When we did go man on man we won the quarter.

We were dumb enough to play right into Richmond's hands.

 

[RoosterLad]

Jars is always right.

 

[Crow-mo]

Yes it was a bad day, but the worry is what is going to happen under finals pressure, when we need to make the moves to arrest another sides run. I think Craigy has swung a little too far in allowing the players to dictate what happens on the field and he definitely needs to respond quicker. The final against the Saints last year was a case in point. I don't know about you, but there doesn't seem much point in getting good results, if you don't get to the last hurdle.

See, here's the thing. I agree with you 100%

my point is Craigy is never going to be much in the box, so it's just something we have to wear. rough with the smooth, if you will.
I am greatly concerned about finals pressure, and yes the game against St Kilda was a real worry.

BUT, here's the thing: we are credible when we weren't expecting to be, we are flying higher than we thought; but yes, maybe, who knows, are we equipped for a final tilt at it all? in the Blight era, we had all the preparation, but also a genius in the box.

I can't fault craig for his match day sluggishness, because that's what we signed on for - he was in the box with ayres as well.

 

[Crow-mo]

didn't everyone use to scream at Ayres for not having any tactical nous, when all he wanted to do was play man on man?

 

[GoSarge]

2 losses for the season and we're still looking ok even though we still have no Welsh, Torney, Hudson, Perrie or Bock.

Some perspective is needed here, we have one very bad game and lose by 3 points. Sure Craig probably should have made some moves earlier and the players skills were down somewhat, but we're travelling ok (even without 5 of our best 18). Hopefully some good things are taken out of this loss by the players and coaching staff alike.

 

[CrowMagnum]

See, here's the thing. I agree with you 100%

my point is Craigy is never going to be much in the box, so it's just something we have to wear. rough with the smooth, if you will.
I am greatly concerned about finals pressure, and yes the game against St Kilda was a real worry.

BUT, here's the thing: we are credible when we weren't expecting to be, we are flying higher than we thought; but yes, maybe, who knows, are we equipped for a final tilt at it all? in the Blight era, we had all the preparation, but also a genius in the box.

I can't fault craig for his match day sluggishness, because that's what we signed on for - he was in the box with ayres as well.

He may not be great on match day tactics but he does have a horde of assistants advising him. Are they all as non-reactive or is he such an autocrat that they are scared to tell him things? Can't really believe either of those.

 

[Crow-mo]

He may not be great on match day tactics but he does have a horde of assistants advising him. Are they all as non-reactive or is he such an autocrat that they are scared to tell him things? Can't really believe either of those.

funny you should say that

 

[just maybe]

He may not be great on match day tactics but he does have a horde of assistants advising him. Are they all as non-reactive or is he such an autocrat that they are scared to tell him things? Can't really believe either of those.

And I can't believe a box of experienced coaches would 'forget' to go man-on-man when every fan on this board was screaming for it.

 

[just maybe]

why such the big fuss over Craig not being pro-active in the box, outsmarted, whatever. He's not a great match day coach, never has been, and has achieved strong results so far without it.

why the big deal now? it was one game, it happens.

Talk about living in fairyland. If our coaching panel thinks like that, I'm very worried.

A good team should not lose a game like this.

 

[The Crows Truth]

See, here's the thing. I agree with you 100%

my point is Craigy is never going to be much in the box, so it's just something we have to wear. rough with the smooth, if you will.
I am greatly concerned about finals pressure, and yes the game against St Kilda was a real worry.

I can't fault craig for his match day sluggishness, because that's what we signed on for - he was in the box with ayres as well.

what an absolute crock CM

Craig had a bad day. End of story. So did Roo - does that make him a 'sluggish, never gonna amount to much player'? Of course it doesnt FFS

General perception from fans and media alike that ive seen is that Craig is regarded as a astute and proactive game day tactician. Didnt he outsmart your mate Malthouse just a few weeks back?

We have lost 3 of out 19 last minor round games - by a grand collective margin of less than 2 kicks

Wake up and smell the roses sunshine

 

[Crow-mo]

what an absolute crock CM

Craig had a bad day. End of story. So did Roo - does that make him a 'sluggish, never gonna amount to much player'? Of course it doesnt FFS

General perception from fans and media alike that ive seen is that Craig is regarded as a astute and proactive game day tactician. Didnt he outsmart your mate Malthouse just a few weeks back?

We have lost 3 of out 19 last minor round games - by a grand collective margin of less than 2 kicks

Wake up and smell the roses sunshine

So who are these fans and media experts who say he's a great tactical match day coach? better stop listening to the voices, they're not real

 

[Crow-mo]

Talk about living in fairyland. If our coaching panel thinks like that, I'm very worried.

A good team should not lose a game like this.

where have you been this last season and half? not watching this football team that's for sure

 

[The Crows Truth]

So who are these fans and media experts who say he's a great tactical match day coach? better stop listening to the voices, they're not real

Let me say this again very slowly for your benefit

3 losses out of 19 minor round games by a combined margin of less than 2 kicks

He must be doing something right

Call me old fashioned but I prefer cold hard fact rather than the subjective bull$hit offered up here by amateurs

 

[- PC -]

Let me say this again very slowly for your benefit

3 losses out of 19 minor round games by a combined margin of less than 2 kicks

He must be doing something right

Call me old fashioned but I prefer cold hard fact rather than the subjective bull$hit offered up here by amateurs

I think the frustration is more that a solution we mostly believe would have worked ie manning up would have created pressure on Richmond

It is frustrating to see ( on your tv screen) a ball chipped around and your teams players standing their like netballers arms akimbo waiting for the ball to be kicked to an area close to them.

(serious question coming up)
Can someone tell me what manning up would have done in a negative sense. ie if we manned up would we have lost by more?

 

[Crow-mo]

Let me say this again very slowly for your benefit

3 losses out of 19 minor round games by a combined margin of less than 2 kicks

He must be doing something right

Call me old fashioned but I prefer cold hard fact rather than the subjective bull$hit offered up here by amateurs

exactly as I thought.

oh, and in case the imaginary voices come back to you, a fact you seem to be claiming but isn't - the change in 'tempo' in the 3rd quarter against the pies was instigated by the players and not the coaching box.

 

[macca23]

Let me say this again very slowly for your benefit

3 losses out of 19 minor round games by a combined margin of less than 2 kicks

He must be doing something right

Call me old fashioned but I prefer cold hard fact rather than the subjective bull$hit offered up here by amateurs

And quite right too.

Paul Roos, who is no amateur, said that it was Adelaide who should have been booed for Saturday's display, not Richmond, as they had the power to end it at any time. Cold hard fact.

So I'll take the opinion of that professional over your amateur one.

Craig is the best thing that ever happened to the Adelaide footy club in recent years - but as the experts say, he fkd up big time on Saturday.