Round 19 preview: Eagles v Crows

[Mr Q]

http://eagles.newman-knights.com/news.php?newsid=89

The Eagles looked like a rabble last week for the second time in three weeks last weekend against St Kilda, conceding the first goalless quarter of the season, and losing by ten goals for the second time for 2003. The Eagles are looking tired, and injuries are biting deep, and the Crows are coming to town, looking ominous in second place on the ladder. The Eagles form needs to pick up dramatically from last week to keep the Subiaco fortress unbreached, and the Crows are an opposition that could prove a difficult challenge.

Changes

The biggest surprise of the season at the selection table has been brought out this week with forgotten big man David Sierakowski brought back for his 101st game of AFL football and only his eighth since switching to the Eagles at the beginning of 2001. The Eagles have also added a first game player with Adam Selwood from the Bendigo Pioneers named to make his debut and to round out a trio of players playing their first game of 2003 the Eagles have recalled Callum Chambers to the midfield.

Going out of the side for this week are Drew Banfield with a groin injury, Trent Carroll who has apparently done a knee and Damien Adkins who has been omitted.

In a bit of a surprise, full forward Troy Wilson has been named in the emergencies - perhaps there's life in the big full forward's career yet!

Click here for the squad

Lead up
The Eagles are coming off an absolute first class undeniable shocker (I've calmed down a bit since last weekend), quite clearly the worst performance of the 2003 season so far. Added to the Port capiulation three weeks ago, the Eagles look shaky. However the home form has not been bad in recent weeks, with the last victim Hawthorn by nearly ten goals a fortnight back. The Eagles form though does not look all that special and is not what you want to approach a big game with.

The Crows on the other hand have resurrected their season recently, with six wins from their last seven outings, the only loss a one point margin on their last visit to Subiaco to face the Dockers. Last week however they just scraped past the Swans at home, a game that many would have expected to see a bigger margin, the Swans good position notwithstanding.

Injuries and Suspensions
The Eagles injury list has not improved this week, with Michael Gardiner and Chad Fletcher not available for recall, Andrew Embley continuing to be absent and additional injuries to Drew Banfield and Trent Carroll. Additionally, Ashley McIntosh continues to be a non-starter and Josh Wooden is again not available for selection. The only positive news is the availability of David Wirrpunda who looked like he had sustained a serious injury last week against St Kilda.

The Crows will miss Scott Welsh who is a week away from returning, howeverthere are no other serious injury worries for the Adelaide side.

Match Ups
For a change the Eagles' opposition have the more potent looking midfield, the Crows probably having one of the best (and most available) running brigades in the competition with the likes of Andrew McLeod, Mark Bickley, Mark Ricciuto and Brett Burton; all served well by former Lion Matthew Clarke in the ruck. The Eagles have a depleted looking center square with Ben Cousins leading the out of sorts Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr, and the newly recalled Callum Chambers. Ruckman Dean Cox will need to stand tall again in the absence of Gardiner.

One of the biggest matchups named is the meeting between 90s rivals Glen Jakovich and Wayne Carey. Jako is one of the few players who has probably beaten Carey more times than he's lost, and another win by the Eagles veteran would go a long way toward improving the Eagles' chances.

The Eagles small forward structure has fallen down over recent weeks, and a resurgence is needed up forward to compete with the Crows, if the service is good from the midfield the forwards must make the most of it. Rowan Jones and Andrew McDougall in particular must back up well fromm last week, should the Crows stop Jones and McDougall the Eagles forward line will indeed look shaky.

2002 - 2003
One thing about Eagles/Crows clashes is the tendency for the home team to take home the points; only three clashes from twenty have gone to the away side. Over the last two years there has been little change:

2003, Round 4, Football Park
Adelaide 4.3 5.9 10.14 15.16 (106)
West Coast 3.0 6.4 7.8 10.13 ( 73)

2002, Round 13, Subiaco
West Coast 5.2 10.7 15.11 20.15 (135)
Adelaide 3.2 4.3 9.7 18.9 (117)

Head to Head
Overall: Played 20; West Coast 10, Adelaide 10, Draws 0.
At Subiaco: Played 7; West Coast 6, Adelaide 1, Draws 0.
Biggest Margin - West Coast: West Coast 26.21 (177) d Adelaide 5.12 (42), 135 points, Subiaco, R19 1995.*
Biggest Margin - Adelaide: Adelaide 16.10 (106) d West Coast 4.7 (31), 75 points, Football Park, R14 1997.

*Eagles' biggest ever winning margin

Milestones
No major milestones this week for the Eagles

Summary
There is a case for both sides this week. The case for the Eagles looks a little slim though - the Crows historically don't like Perth and the Eagles are undefeated at home this season. The case for the Crows is a little more compelling, with better form and less injuries going into the game. Woosha will be geeing up the boys to not repeat last week's debacle at home, and its unlikely that the Eagles would put in that sort of performance again, but the task could be too much for the undermanned Eagles this week. Sadly I'm tipping Fortress Subi to be breached this week, but not by much.

My prediction: Crows by five points

 

[Mead]

Good preview as always, but anyone who tips against their own team needs a good kick up the arse

I'm really excited about Selwood getting a game- make no mistake, this kid is orright- I don't think this will be the last time we see him in Eagles colors this year.

 

[noodle]

i still don't think wirra will line up for us (fingers crossed though). with so many of our top line players out it looks to be going the way of adelaide but if our boys can show some heart after last week then i think that we have a chance.

 

[Voice of Reason]

After that tip, you'd better shout the House down in Block 315 this week.

I don't think we'll die wondering - expect a full-on effort by the boys and we'll test Adelaide's mettle.

 

[Port01]

The best way to beat Adelaide is to deny them any kind of contested ball in their forward line.

Solid tall defenders and good small defenders is enough. The crows can get burnt badly on the rebound, and their delivery into the forward line is mostly second rate and wide, unless you let McCleod get away on his own.

The crows also lack answers for good small forwards. Talls don't normally chop them up, but at ground level they lack pace in the backline, especially to a leading small.

Provided your tall backs can prevent contested marks, I think Phil Matera and Wirrpunda will be two very important players. The crows midfield will give you space provided you can rebound effectively. That space often leads to them losing games when they have the majority of the ball because their delivery always gives the backs a chance, and its not far from one end to the other when no-one is manned up.

 

[noodle]

Originally posted by Port01


Solid tall defenders and good small defenders is enough.

besides wirra we don't have any.

 

[maccas_no1]

This will be a great game and beleive The Crows will be heading to Perth with alot of confiedence,we were unlucky against Freo a few weeks back,the fortress has to be stormed sometime and this week will be it

Crows by 13 for me

Carey to kick three and Perrie to have a day out with seven,you heard it here first

 

[llosis]

Originally posted by Port01
Solid tall defenders and good small defenders is enough.

Great. We're stuffed.

But going on what Port01 has said we do actually have some good rebounders - Wirra (if he plays), also note Jako being named at CHB (remember the Caaarlton game?). I do remember the AAMI game earlier this year where Mcleod smashed us at the stoppages in or around the crows 50. That contested play killed us.

Which leads to another q. who will play on mcleod this week? Wooden Josh played on him earlier in the season and then got dropped from memory. That's going to be a problem area for us. But I'm sure woosha and his men have it in hand....

 

[llosis]

Originally posted by maccas_no1
Perrie to have a day out with seven,you heard it here first

you have shot any credibility you may have had to bits.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by Port01
The best way to beat Adelaide is to deny them any kind of contested ball in their forward line.

Solid tall defenders and good small defenders is enough. The crows can get burnt badly on the rebound, and their delivery into the forward line is mostly second rate and wide, unless you let McCleod get away on his own.

The crows also lack answers for good small forwards. Talls don't normally chop them up, but at ground level they lack pace in the backline, especially to a leading small.

Provided your tall backs can prevent contested marks, I think Phil Matera and Wirrpunda will be two very important players. The crows midfield will give you space provided you can rebound effectively. That space often leads to them losing games when they have the majority of the ball because their delivery always gives the backs a chance, and its not far from one end to the other when no-one is manned up.

Sorry Eagle supporters from hijacking your board, but this needs responding too.

I agree that our delivery into the forward line can be ordinary at times, but we straighten up a bit with both Carey & Perrie playing. We have no standout forwards this year & have had a very even spread of goals between smalls & talls. To say we have no smalls though is crazy stuff - we have got plenty of goals from Stiffy, Macca/Roo/Edward (when playing forward), Ladhams, etc. We would be stuffed if we hadn't!

Crows backline lacking pace is comedy stuff coming from a Port supporter with the likes of Hardwick & Paxman.

BTW, McLeod is a champion so get his name right!

 

[llosis]

I am assuming stiffy is Graham John****'s nickname...

Thought so

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by llosis
I am assuming stiffy is Graham John****'s nickname...

Thought so

Sure is, no prizes for guessing why.