Round 1

[Exeter]

I know it's early days but I was just wondering how Crows fans think your boys are tracking?

Eagles v Crows in round 1 at footy park - not traditionally a happy hunting ground for us but we're looking ok at the moment

genuine query by the way.

 

[Jars458]

Shapes to be a ripper of a game

Normally we would be firm favourites at home but you guys are looking very good in my view.

Your midfield is superb, now yuo have added Stenglein to the side to give it another dimension in the form of quick clearences.

My only question would be whether WC can kick enough goals if Matera is held.

THe Crows would want a good first up showing thouhg and I think we may just scrape over the line. If we lose it will be a very long start to the season given the draw we have.

 

[Bockchoy67]

It will be a very interesting game to say the least.

The AFC have a gameplan right now that will struggle to win us games, even at AAMI. We have the players, but I'm unsure whether we know what to do with them.

On the other hand the Eagles have been very impressive so far throughout the pre-season, and with their midfield, strong backline and developing forward line, will pose a real threat.

I also believe the teams will be a large factor, with the Crows to (hopefully) regain its stars in Edwards and Goodwin. Maybe even Thompson (though at this stage it looks doubtful).

If fact, who expects Thompson to play in Round 1?

 

[Mong]

How's Stenglein going? Has he played yet? In the midfield or in defence?

 

[meh]

stenglien is probly wondering why he went to the eagles this year, when you got to shape up against your former side at your old home ground is your first match.

 

[Exeter]

Stinger has made a seamless tranistion into the Eagles starting 22. mainly coming of a half back, but with some midfield work. I expect him to be a more or less permanent half back.

he's a class act that who just looks rock solid to me. Doesn't flinch or shirk a contest and looks to be very cool under pressure.

I'm a big fan of his - but then I always was.

A common mistake that a lot of people seem to make is to jump to simplistic analyses of other teams strengths and weaknesses.

It's like if you're deemed to be have a crap backline, no spine or no forward line, it's somehow set in stone - it's always been the case, always will be which is why team X are doomed to failure. This type of world view only serves to reinforce people's narrow judgements and denies the obvious existence of change.

Footy is dynamic - teams rise and fall according to the stages of their lifecycle. I'm confident that our emerging forward line and KPPs can kick enough goals to be competitive - we are no longer so heavily dependant on Matera up forward. Similarly, our backline is starting to take shape and while certainly not yet up to Lions standard, will go from strength to strength. Darren Glass IMO is one of the most underrated defenders in the comp.

All that said, I'm always wary of playing at footy park, our record there is poor - and I just don't know enough about where the Crows are at to be confident of predicting victory.

 

[jc67]

IMHO the Eagles will be the new brisbane!
If we win just 1 quater in round 1 I will be happy with that
I cant think of even one position that we will clearly win.

 

[Stiffy_18]

IMHO the Eagles will be the new brisbane!
If we win just 1 quater in round 1 I will be happy with that
I cant think of even one position that we will clearly win.

CHB???? FB????

 

[mickyj]

Come on guys dont write the Crows off just yet .
We lost to The Power by 15 points with our backline sidelined and Biglands out part way thro the first quarter etc etc.
We hung on to beat the cats and they started to straighten up on the way to goals .

With players coming back and the form of some youngsters we cant be as bad as the Vic punsters are saying surely.

Anyway give them ago its only feb/march not september yet any club could fallover yet

 

[jc67]

Come on guys dont write the Crows off just yet .
We lost to The Power by 15 points with our backline sidelined and Biglands out part way thro the first quarter etc etc.
We hung on to beat the cats and they started to straighten up on the way to goals .

With players coming back and the form of some youngsters we cant be as bad as the Vic punsters are saying surely.

Anyway give them ago its only feb/march not september yet any club could fallover yet

I haven't written them off by a long long way
I merely rate the toasters very highly, IMO the new powerhouse of the comp.
If we were playing any other team in round 1 I would have something much more optimistic to say.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

My only question would be whether WC can kick enough goals if Matera is held.

With no Benny Hart who will we play on Matera? Begley or perhaps start Edwards in the backline, given his lask of preparation.

Exeter, how do you think the Eagles will structure their forward line? Gardiner CHF, McDougal FF, with Seaby in a FP? Notice Lynch played a game @ CHF, but gather the preference is to play him @ CHB?

We need a fit Goody, Edwards & Thompson back, as the Weagles midfield is about the best in the business ... otherwise we could be in danger of getting smashed.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Thompson IS looky shaky for Round 1

 

[johnnypanther]

I also believe the teams will be a large factor, with the Crows to (hopefully) regain its stars in Edwards and Goodwin. Maybe even Thompson (though at this stage it looks doubtful).

If fact, who expects Thompson to play in Round 1?

i think Goodwin is out of round 1 due to suspension from last year's R22
and Thompson & Hart seem almost certain to miss as well

 

[Exeter]

Exeter, how do you think the Eagles will structure their forward line? Gardiner CHF, McDougal FF, with Seaby in a FP? Notice Lynch played a game @ CHF, but gather the preference is to play him @ CHB?

Good question - I don't know.

McDougall will be short of a gallop come round 1 so I suspect they might start Lynch at FF. Gardiner or Hansen at CHF. Matera too hasn't played preseason but is expected to be fit for round 1. Seaby will interchange with Cox in the ruck and should take 1 FP with Matera in the other. HFFs should be Embley and Sampi both of whom are in rare, albeit pre-season, form.

I think Staker or Hunter will take CHB if Lynch is at FF. Throw in the feed from Judd, Cousins, Fletcher (who to my mind is more damaging than Judd), Kerr, Braun and possibly Stenglein and it looks good from where I sit.

 

[theorangeapple]

we have a shocking record at AAMI and it wont take much for us too loose this game.

you guys really need someone to stand up in the forward line and kick 5-6 and you will win. the midfields match up pretty well and our forward line will get the job done most of the time (somehow).

matera wont be fully match fit so he wont be in his best form.

 

[Stiffy_18]

matera wont be fully match fit so he wont be in his best form.

Unfortunately we have a history of running Matera types into form . He is one player I fear the most from your mob. I know Judd is a gun and is your best player but IMHO Shirley has a good record in negating him so I feel a bot more comfortable with that match up. Fido is the one that can hurt us real bad.

 

[ok.crows]

I know it's early days but I was just wondering how Crows fans think your boys are tracking?

Eagles v Crows in round 1 at footy park - not traditionally a happy hunting ground for us but we're looking ok at the moment

genuine query by the way.

The genuine answer would be - tip the Eagles at this stage.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Being a realist I firmly believe we will beat the Eagles in round 1.

You have to look at history and the Crows are a 5 goal better side at footy park.

Think we'll have a pretty good side on the park first up - although I would prefer Thompson on the park, but he'll want to play in the last practice game IMO

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Unfortunately we have a history of running Matera types into form . He is one player I fear the most from your mob. I know Judd is a gun and is your best player but IMHO Shirley has a good record in negating him so I feel a bot more comfortable with that match up. Fido is the one that can hurt us real bad.

Shirley will get taken to the cleaners by Matera.

The most recent match-ups by most teams has been to play a tallish player on Matera - I'd go with Begley.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Shirley will get taken to the cleaners by Matera.

The most recent match-ups by most teams has been to play a tallish player on Matera - I'd go with Begley.

I am suggesting that Shirley takes Judd not Matera, since he has a good record against Judd

 

[macca23]

I am suggesting that Shirley takes Judd not Matera, since he has a good record against Judd

Correct Stiffy. Begley has done the job on Matera before as well.

Personally I think that West Coast are a top 4 team this year, but for some obscure reason they play well below their best at Footy Park - well below.

I genuinely believe that we are a tremendous chance to win this one.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I am suggesting that Shirley takes Judd not Matera, since he has a good record against Judd

He has but if Matera is too quick for Shirley how does it work against Judd ?
No height or pace or mental advantage for Shirley.

Besides he has to make the team first - and from what I've seen and heard he's no shoe in.

 

[macca23]

He has but if Matera is too quick for Shirley how does it work against Judd ?
No height or pace or mental advantage for Shirley.

Besides he has to make the team first - and from what I've seen and heard he's no shoe in.

He'd never be a shoe-in, but his past record on cutting out Judd has been first class. I'd pick him, and I think they will too.

 

[NikkiNoo]

It is quite strange how West coast do struggle at footy park - I'm hoping that this form continues as I will actually be at that game

I agree stiffy it seems that shirley has done a good job on judd before and matera can be dangerous (although i do remember edwards stiching him up a time or two as well)

 

[Stiffy_18]

He has but if Matera is too quick for Shirley how does it work against Judd ?
No height or pace or mental advantage for Shirley.

Besides he has to make the team first - and from what I've seen and heard he's no shoe in.

The same reason why I think Rutten can play on quicker forwards. Shirley knows how to position himself and sticks to his player not giving him room to move. He doesn't give Judd a lot of space to run into and thats why he is capable of negating him. Shirley will be used as our #1 tagger this year so says the coach, based on that I would expect him to be there come round 1 and lining up on Judd or Cousins. Most likely Judd