Round 3 v Swans

[MarksGirl-kbcrowgirl]

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This week against Sydney will be a real test for us and I am actually really looking forward to seeing how we go with some tough opposition. The key as usual is the midfield. I hope that Roo is up and running on his injured ankle this week and he can play as we will need his presence to tackle the swans in the middle. If we can be first at the ball and attacking then we will be able to limit Barry Hall's chances. He is a good player and you can almost guarantee he will get 3 goals but we have to limit his opportunitys. I think Nathan will start on him but we have the choices of Hart, Smart and if we could move Stevo or maybe Rhett could have a go.

I think that probably Bryan Beinke is the one under the most pressure to hold his spot this week if Roo comes back, or maybe Ben Nelson may draw the short straw.

I am looking forward to the game and I am confident we can come away with another win on the board.

Go Crows!!!!

k
xx

 

[Damp Squarie]

QBE – quite brilliant eh!
That’s the only way to describe the Swans fantastic win over Carlton. A lot of people are saying Carlton were ordinary, but hey; youve still gotta beat the 22 on the park.

17 goals 9 and holding the Blues goal less after half time and kicking a record winning margin will make Adelaide sit up and take notice!!

Young players such as Bennett and Stevens were most impressive. Goodes and Mott showed Allen and Prendegast a clean set of heels,Cresswell closed down Ratten and well, I don’t think Sydney had a passenger – perhaps Daffy.

Who would think a team without Lockett (Who I wouldn’t bring back in),Schwass, Dunkley, Warfe and Ball could carve up Carlton like that.

From memory, Sydney spoilt the Adelaide party last year at Footy Park when we opened our new stand. Will the Crows make amend? – Only if they kick straight.
Gee its going to be tough.

Where Sydney beat Carlton IMHO, was with their direct play straight down the ground; and to put the icing on the cake, Hall with 7 goals from 13 possessions, which included 11 marks was just sensational. I think Hart or will get this crucial job.- Do you remember the great clash between Hart and Hall in the 97 Grand Final?- What a clinker.

Mott against Biglands shapes as an important duel. Both players have similar builds and go straight at the contest in the center of the ground. Burton may need to nullify Goodes high leaping taps from stoppages around the ground.
To use an old cliché, whoever wins it out of the middle will go a long way to winning the match.

Two old back line teammates, Eade versus Ayres will have a big bearing on this game too. I reckon Eades rotation through the midfield against Carlton worked a treat last week.
Both teams have an abundance of willing midfielders. Bode and Bickley shone for the Crows and were in Adelaides top 3 last week along with Kane Johnson.
Cresswell on Ricciuto will be like granite on granite – If Roo plays that is.
Can Barry and Saddington close down Schell and Fitzgerald? Fitzy will be keen to do well against his old club. He has been leading really well and marking even better but sadly his kicking has been pretty ordinary the last two weeks.

Who will score the unenviable job on McLeod? Although he had a quiet game against the Cats he still managed to farm out a few goals. Its not likely he’ll be quiet 2 weeks in a row.

And finally, tackling. This could be crucial to Adelaide’s chances. Turnovers that end up straight down the throat of Hall will cut Adelaide apart if they’re not careful.
Good Luck to both teams in what should be a nailbiter.
Hate saying it, but Sydney by 2 points.
Yep, I think the Crows will drop this one but I hope Im wrong and hope Carlton were ordinary

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Possible Matchups

I agree k that it should be a great test for the boys this week as Sydney are travelling quite well at the moment & should be confident after last week's demolition of the Blues. Also, they are a side that plays well away from home.

Sounds like Plugger probably wont play with injury & he doesn't like to travel. Also, Shauble doing a hammy is a big loss. Does anyone know whether Dunkley is likely to come back?

Will Ayres use Stinger on O'Loughlin or give the job to Smart to allow him to match up on one of the Swan's midfielders? I have listed below some potential matchups.

AFC FF: Edwards Fitzgerald Welsh
SFC FB: Crouch Bennett Barry

AFC HF: Burton Stevens Bode
SFC HB: Kirk Saddington Mathews

AFC C: Johnson Riccuito Doughty
SFC C: Maxfield Bolton Kennelly

AFC HB: Stenglein Perrie Smart
SFC HF: O'Loughlin Stevens Nicks

AFC FB: Hart Bassett Bickley
SFC FF: Goodes Hall Kelly

AFC R: Biglands Goodwin McLeod
SFC R: Mott Cresswell Williams

AFC I (from): Clarke Schell Johncock Beinke Massie Gallagher Crowell Shirley Nelson
SFC I: (from) Fosdike Seymour Daffy McPherson Doyle Ablett Brockman Buchanon

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

This is always one of my favourite fixtures in the footy calender

There have been some excellent stoushes in the past and Saturday will be no different.

There will be no Lockett or Schauble on Saturday, Dunkley still has a week of suspension to serve out and although fit and ready, Schwass is most likely to get a run in the VFL this week.

So that pretty much leaves the Swans as they lined up last week against Carlton.

I'm still struggling to pick a winner, mainly because I haven't seen much of the Crows this year, but good wins over Geelong and Bulldogs suggests the team is travelling quite well, certainly better than they have at this of the season in the past.

Footy Park holds no fear for the Swans. The record at this ground is 5 Crows 4 Swans so we know the ground well and enjoy playing it. Last year we beat youse rather convincingly but I think Adelaide will put up more of a fight this time.

You are right to be worried about Hall. Please don't repeat the mistake Carlton made last week - put your biggest and strngest defender on him right from the start.

Ben Hart could be the go - but you may find you have to consider somebody of the bulk of, say, Biglands to try and get a good match-up.

Watch out for our midfield also - with Ricky Mott superbly tapping then ball down to our followers, our midfield is playing some great footy atm.

Not having Riccuito could be the key to the game, If he is fit and lines up then it will be a most interesting afternoon. If you don't have Riccuito it could get torrid.

oh, and TopJars - thanks for posting your rap on RedandWhiteOnline - a great read, I really enjoyed it.

I'll agree with TopJars - Sydney but not by very much, perhaps 2-3 goals.

cheers

 

[ok.crows]

Originally posted by Bloodstained Angel
This is always one of my favourite fixtures in the footy calender

There have been some excellent stoushes in the past and Saturday will be no different.

There will be no Lockett or Schauble on Saturday, Dunkley still has a week of suspension to serve out and although fit and ready, Schwass is most likely to get a run in the VFL this week.

So that pretty much leaves the Swans as they lined up last week against Carlton.

I'm still struggling to pick a winner, mainly because I haven't seen much of the Crows this year, but good wins over Geelong and Bulldogs suggests the team is travelling quite well, certainly better than they have at this of the season in the past.

Footy Park holds no fear for the Swans. The record at this ground is 5 Crows 4 Swans so we know the ground well and enjoy playing it. Last year we beat youse rather convincingly but I think Adelaide will put up more of a fight this time.

You are right to be worried about Hall. Please don't repeat the mistake Carlton made last week - put your biggest and strngest defender on him right from the start.

Ben Hart could be the go - but you may find you have to consider somebody of the bulk of, say, Biglands to try and get a good match-up.

Watch out for our midfield also - with Ricky Mott superbly tapping then ball down to our followers, our midfield is playing some great footy atm.

Not having Riccuito could be the key to the game, If he is fit and lines up then it will be a most interesting afternoon. If you don't have Riccuito it could get torrid.

oh, and TopJars - thanks for posting your rap on RedandWhiteOnline - a great read, I really enjoyed it.

I'll agree with TopJars - Sydney but not by very much, perhaps 2-3 goals.

cheers

Ricciuto could be a key, or Hall, or it could be the missing players for Sydney that turn out to be critical. Blues attack is not much atm but who are you going to play on Fitzgerald, Welsh, Burton and Stevens? Sydney need to consider all of these matchups carefully if they don't have Schauble & Dunkley in the backline. Saddington is your best IMO.

Also, who is your matchup for McLeod? Crows will have to watch Kelly, Bolton & Cresswell but they have the midfielders to do that in Goodwin, Johnson & Stenglein. Where I would then worry if I were Eade would be who is left for Mcleod & Roo (if he plays)? I like the look of Kenelly & Kirk but all things considered I think if Roo plays Crows can match up against Sydney all over the ground fairly well.

Sydney carved Crows up badly last year. Crows are a different proposition this year. Different forward structure, better marks & taller (but only a little better at kicking yet). More settled defence. Some fresh talent floating about in Doughty & Johncock. A lot more of an even spread of contribution across the whole team. Any non-performer is this year in peril of losing a place - not so last year.

I'm predicting a close game. Hope it is a beauty!

 

[Jerome]

In with the Roo

ADELAIDE v SYDNEY
Saturday, 2.40pm AEST, Football Park

Adelaide
B: Bickley, Bassett, Hart
HB: Goodwin, Smart, Johncock
C: Johnson, Ricciuto, Doughty
HF: Burton, Stevens, Edwards
F: Fitzgerald, Schell, Bode
Foll: Clarke, Stenglein, McLeod
Inter: Biglands, Nelson, Perrie, Welsh
Emerg: Beinke, Massie, Shirley
In: Ricciuto
Out: Beinke

Sydney
B: Crouch, Schauble, Bennett
HB: Mathews, Barry, Saddington
C: Maxfield, Cresswell, Williams
HF: M.O’Loughlin, Goodes, Nicks
F: Fosdike, Hall, Stevens
Foll: Mott, Kelly, Bolton
Inter: Kennelly, Kirk, McPherson, Seymour
Emerg: Brockman, Doyle, Schwass
In: Seymour
Out: Daffy


Roo is in. If he is not 100% I reckon he may spend time up forward, maybe in rotation with Welsh or Bode? Another handy forward option...I heard Eade on Tv tonight responding to the idea that Hall is the key to this weeks match. RE replied that he didnt play last year and we still beat them. Sad But True...I'm tipping Crows by 2 goals or less.

Jerome

 

[Damp Squarie]

Its great Roo is back in.
I dont want to hear any complaints from people if Nelson is dropped next week- even if he does get amongst the best players
I hope Beinke is not in for an "in /out " season

 

[mattylloydsbuttock]

Would think Saddington and at times goodes will play fitzy. Barry is possiable as he has the strength to push him around. all these players have the ability to rebound with accuracy (maybe not goodes) Crows forwards will need to beat their minders or swans will stream down the middle like they did to blues and they have the forwards to kick a winning score.
swans by 5 goals

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Matchups

Defence: Bassett should get 1st crack at Hall, as he has been fantastic so far this year. Perrie on Goodes when he plays up forward. Hart on the promising Stevens & Smart on the under-rated Nicks. Stengein to take the Swans most dangerous player in O'Loughlin. Bickley on the experienced Kelly (/Bolton/resting midfielder).

Midfield: Anything could happen, but whoever gains ascendency is likely to win the game. I agree with Jerome that Roo should spend more time forward, even @ FF if he can take advantage of the matchup (so I reckon Matthews may pick him up). Johnson on Maxfield (who's influence needs to be curbed). Goodwin would be a good matchup for Cresswell who just accumulates possesions. Reckon Williams may take on McLeod, as I don't think any of the other Swannies have enough pace. That would leave probably a Bolton & Bode matchup, which would be most interesting.

Attack: I'm pretty sure Shauble did a hammy, so I would be suprised if he lines up. Reckon Saddington as their best defender will take Stevens, as he has the mobility to matchup well. Fitzy could be a problem with the Swans without Shauble & Dunkley. Think Eade would prefer Goodes forward & relieve Mott in the ruck, so Seymour may be the go (although if Doyle comes in for Shauble, Goodes may be used). That would leave Bennett to take Schell & probably Barry to take Welsh.

Should be a great game, although I'm going to have to leave early to allow for the West Lake Saturday shopping traffic. Crows by 15pts.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Ant - where are you? We need your tip or we may be jinxed!

 

[ant]

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
Ant - where are you? We need your tip or we may be jinxed!

I actually posted somewhere last night on the AFL board regarding this game.....JohnD wasn't sure who to tip in the Adelaide v Sydney game and I just told him the truth......Sydney look to be in great form, they have a key forward sparkling in Hall, plenty of depth of talent all over the ground and they love playing at Footy Park. Plus they have a masterful coach in Eade who gives me and the Adelaide Crows coaching box nightmares...Rocket will be switching players around, he'll have a few surprise tactics and frankly, as much as I love Ayresy, I reckon he struggles tactically and is slow to respond. It all points to a Swans win by 4 to 5 goals.

 

[ok.crows]

Midfield: Anything could happen, but whoever gains ascendency is likely to win the game. I agree with Jerome that Roo should spend more time forward, even @ FF if he can take advantage of the matchup (so I reckon Matthews may pick him up). Johnson on Maxfield (who's influence needs to be curbed). Goodwin would be a good matchup for Cresswell who just accumulates possesions. Reckon Williams may take on McLeod, as I don't think any of the other Swannies have enough pace. That would leave probably a Bolton & Bode matchup, which would be most interesting.

So if Roo plays forward, where does the under-rated Edwards play, and who do Swans put on him? If Edwards doesn't get a minder he will easily become the top possession winner on the ground. Williams on McLeod I don't mind at all. Williams in his own right can be damaging on occassions but if he is not focussed on McLeod then McLeod can be damaging all day.

In the balance I think Crows migh just have the edge in the midfield. Just. That may be enough to get them up in a close game.

Finally, for you Sydney fans who keep mentioning that Sydney have a good record at Footy Park ... while that is true and more so in recent years than longer ago, you do realise that Crows have a better record at Footy Park than Swans do?

 

[Blues_Girl]

Just on the news Roo won't play and Beinke will stay in the line up!

 

[ant]

Originally posted by Blues_Girl
Just on the news Roo won't play and Beinke will stay in the line up!

I actually don't think it's the worst news in the world....no doubt we'd be a better chance of beating Sydney with Roo but I'd like to see the midfield depth tested against a quality side. With Roo out everyone will have to lift that extra notch and it'll be interesting to see whether Mick Doughty or Bode can continue their good form against a top 4 team. And of course Roo should be 100% for the following week's match against the Bombers.

 

[Blues_Girl]

Originally posted by ant


I actually don't think it's the worst news in the world....no doubt we'd be a better chance of beating Sydney with Roo but I'd like to see the midfield depth tested against a quality side. With Roo out everyone will have to lift that extra notch and it'll be interesting to see whether Mick Doughty or Bode can continue their good form against a top 4 team.

I couldn't agree with you more. This week will be the biggest test for us to prove if we are as good as what we've played the previous 2 weeks. Our midfield really need to stand up this week against the test of Sydney's midfield, in preparation for Essendon next week.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Roo out is a big loss, but it is not worth risking further damage to the ankle this weekend when we have a few big games in upcoming weeks. Similar to how the selectors didn't rush in an underdone Beinke or Gallagher for the Bulldogs game. It's good to see that they are being cautious with a view to the long-term.

PS Ant - Thanks for your tip, as I feel better now!

 

[ant]

Originally posted by bluecrow
Going well 10 mins in. 3.1 to 0.1. Nice work boys!

Hart, McLeod and Burton absolutely killing them. Nice to see we have 2 on Hall when the ball gets down to the Sydney forward line. Stevens has gone down to the rooms with an eye/cheek injury.

Fitzgerald just took a great mark up forward, with 3 Sydney players on him. Haha. Good stuff.

And also, I'm very pleased there's none of that man-on-man bull****e at the kick outs. The zone set up is working a treat! I spose that Jars doing, as forward coach.

How was McLeod's goal?! Sydney had no where to kick - just chipping it around...he comes in, cuts it off.

Keep it boys!

BTW, I think my enthusiasm for footy is well and truly back!

It took you until round 3 bluecrow?? I was pumped right from the first training session back in November....been following it eagerly, but glad you've jumped back on the bandwagon

And yes, right from the first Wizard Cup game we've gone to a zone defence....Jars is a goalkicking and forwards coach, so I don't think he'd have much to do with it....

 

[Crow54]

The first half of the game yesterday was the best play I've seen from the Crows for a while now. It was what I call "pure Blight footy", lol

The crowd at Footy Park was also the most vocal for a few years, obviously responding to the great effort put in by the players. Not a full-house, but only two thousand less than last week? Someone has got their sums wrong with crowd-counting I think. Hopefully the first showdown will be jam-packed, and we will really give those Power boys something to think about.