Strategy Ryan Crowley

[Unique Name]

Thought we could do with a thread to discuss what Crowley did today.

Not really sure what the plan was, he was everywhere and nowhere while trying to play defensively and offensively.

IMO if Crowley isn't putting a hard tag on then he should be dropped. He doesn't have the skills to compete as a midfielder. His skill set is being able to nullify one opponents impact. If Ross just wanted another mid out there then I think De Boer or Suban would have been more suited.

Thoughts??

 

[_007_]

Rightly or wrongly, will not be dropped.

Edit: spose I should at least try to add something.

Everyone has bad games and Crowley was quite ineffective today. I'm sure he'll do better against Port/Richmond at home. IMO he should never be played in any role other than a hard tag. The mistake was having him try to play a looser or more offensive role, not his inclusion in the side.

 

[Kram]

Had far bigger problems out there than him today.

 

[Taylor]

We are always going to be waiting for the shut down player who gets 25 touches in our direction each week.

 

[StingBitten]

Thought we could do with a thread to discuss what Crowley did today.

Not really sure what the plan was, he was everywhere and nowhere while trying to play defensively and offensively.

IMO if Crowley isn't putting a hard tag on then he should be dropped. He doesn't have the skills to compete as a midfielder. His skill set is being able to nullify one opponents impact. If Ross just wanted another mid out there then I think De Boer or Suban would have been more suited.

Thoughts??

Kinda glad this has been brought up, as I mentioned in the Autopsy thread I feel he's had very little impact with the ball this year. His impact off the ball has been as good this year as it was last year, but last year he was able to influence centre clearances (win them), take some strong contested marks in forward (plus strong kicking for goal from outside 50) and set up some fairly damaging plays.

Doesn't do too much of this anymore, and I wonder if he needs a major restructuring of his role. Feels like we've got 1 less player in our side at times (whilst the opposition probably has half a less player in theirs).

 

[Unique Name]

We are always going to be waiting for the shut down player who gets 25 touches in our direction each week.

No my point is that I'm not expecting him to get any touches. I expect him to fulfill his role as a tagger and shutdown one of their key mids. Whether he gets 1 disposal or 30 is irrelevant. If we're not going to use him as a tagger than I don't think he is good enough to just be a midfielder.

 

[Taylor]

No my point is that I'm not expecting him to get any touches. I expect him to fulfill his role as a tagger and shutdown one of their key mids. Whether he gets 1 disposal or 30 is irrelevant. If we're not going to use him as a tagger than I don't think he is good enough to just be a midfielder.

I see your point. I'm not a big fan of giving up out last mid (Crowley) to shut out their best, I'd like it if he was just as damaging as the opponent he brings down to his level.

I think it would take Tom Rockliff.

 

[Lost_Deputy]

If he's not tagging he shouldn't be out there

 

[yakamoto]

Usually the commentators go on and on about who Crowley is tagging. Don't remember hearing that today. As others have said his ball skills are poor and he seems a real liability in the centre square where slick handling is essential. Very slow over the ground and hence does not give us any run. Earlier in the season someone posted some stats showing that Crowley's targets were getting a lot more of the ball than in previous seasons. Haven't seen anything recently to back that up but maybe we are looking at a bit of mythology in terms of value to the team.

 

[Unique Name]

I see your point. I'm not a big fan of giving up out last mid (Crowley) to shut out their best, I'd like it if he was just as damaging as the opponent he brings down to his level.

I think it would take Tom Rockliff.

Yep, agreed. I would prefer we drop the tagging role and just go head to head, midfield on midfield.

 

[mattis117]

Actually agree with this. He didnt seem to have a real role today.

As a normal midfielder, should definitely not be playing.

 

[Freo Dr]

I agree but part of it is the changing nature of the game. I think Ross wants him to cover the outside runner at clearances but with more teams like Sydney and Hawthorn switching this around during the course of the game it makes it hard - my understanding anyway.

It could be that we are seeing the demise of the midfield tagger role, not sure. For this game it was also trying to still get use out of his big body at contests. In the same situation next year it could be we go in without a tagger and play a general utility player like Sheridan instead.

 

[Lost_Deputy]

I don't see how the role of the tagger is becoming irrelevant?! The Hawks/Cats final everyone was losing their minds about Mitchel and Selwood. No way would they get off the chain against us. Hill for Hawks ripped Cats apart while Hill for us was tagged out of the game. Crowley is a great tagger but his in close skills are horrendous. If we think we have a player that can do a shut down role close to as well as Crowls plus has a few skills to boot then I'm all for it.
Personally I'd like Zung taking the role and Mora running off HB.

 

[SHill Shall]

Point 1 - Crowls has been fantastic for us in the Lyon era. Love him to bits.

However, even before this game I was developing a theory that perhaps it's his impact (and maybe Balla's - although less so of recent) that is giving us a bad rap with the umpires and is therefore the main cause of lopsided free kick counts against. If that's the case, would we do better conceding to the opposition's best player, but having a better ball player of our own and taking away the "FREO are dirty" stigma (and getting a better run with the umpires). It was really the Geelong game where I started having these thoughts. Every time Crowley got involved it was free kick against (and often wrongly).

Admittedly the theory needs more work, but yesterday's game has me pondering this even more, although from a different perspective.

 

[Patty_Moz]

I don't rate the hard tag and I so don't rate Crowley. He's been beaten on numerous times this year yet his form never seems to be questioned. If you can't kick the ball you shouldn't be playing and I think having in the side costs us goals.

 

[freoextra]

Point 1 - Crowls has been fantastic for us in the Lyon era. Love him to bits.

However, even before this game I was developing a theory that perhaps it's his impact (and maybe Balla's - although less so of recent) that is giving us a bad rap with the umpires and is therefore the main cause of lopsided free kick counts against. If that's the case, would we do better conceding to the opposition's best player, but having a better ball player of our own and taking away the "FREO are dirty" stigma (and getting a better run with the umpires). It was really the Geelong game where I started having these thoughts. Every time Crowley got involved it was free kick against (and often wrongly).

Admittedly the theory needs more work, but yesterday's game has me pondering this even more, although from a different perspective.

Very interesting theory that you couldn't say is wrong but just difficult to prove until they move on. There will usually be that home town bias of course but a couple of teams like the Eagles appear to be kissed on the d$&@ by the umpires for no good reason.

 

[freoextra]

I don't rate the hard tag and I so don't rate Crowley. He's been beaten on numerous times this year yet his form never seems to be questioned. If you can't kick the ball you shouldn't be playing and I think having in the side costs us goals.

Funny, I find it hard to rate Crowley's kicking. Up and under floaters mixed with beautiful goals from outside 50, really hard player to rate, but I would just say an inconsistent kick.

 

[Lost_Deputy]

Funny, I find it hard to rate Crowley's kicking. Up and under floaters mixed with beautiful goals from outside 50, really hard player to rate, but I would just say an inconsistent kick.

That's just it tho. He has hardly ever pushed into an offensive position this year.

 

[freoextra]

That's just it tho. He has hardly ever pushed into an offensive position this year.

Handy overhead as well, before he was a tagger he was a bit of a threat in the forward line. Don't see him going back to that role, he will wring every bit of effort out of himself but probably only has a year or so left.

This is why I want DeBoer to stay. Can't prove it but IMO DeBoer would probably be as much value now as Crowley in the tagging role, DeBoer is a very disciplined player.

 

[La Vache]

Has his tackling gone down hill a bit? He's been dropping off a few lately and on Saturday missed some crucial ones.