Selection, finishing, and speculations.

[Crows.ok]

Yet another game that Crows should have won has slipped away. Again crows had more scoring shots than their more fancied opponents, but blew it with woeful accuracy. Crows could have been 4-2 by now, but instead languish at 2-4.

Everyone agrees the problem is the forward line and conversion of possession into goals. Do Crows have a fix?

Anyway, players who might be considered this week are Vardy (possible return from hamstring, he would be handy), Richardson (12.0 goals on the weekend, making his tally in the last three weeks in the SANFL 21.7, surely he rates a go given Crows are lamenting lack of forward finishing), and Basett. Eccles had a run with Norwood reserves and probably requires two more weeks in SANFL gaining form. Johnson is still two weeks away from a return.

My thought is that the fixes (this week) for Crows are fairly obvious: select Vardy and Richardson, and let Jarman have the occassional short stints up forward. Do that and if it works now, and later Crows get Johnson back and perhaps include Eccles if in form, maybe Crows could be as much as a 5 goals better side. Thats good enough to beat the better sides.

So anyway, if this week Crows get Vardy back and select Richardson, who misses out?

My tips for round 7 matches would be: Melbourne, Essendon, Adelaide, Hawks, Collingwood, Carlton, Brisbane & Power. If that happens Crows would be 10th and out of the 8 on percentage. Crows aren't done yet.

After Freo this week, Crows face Richmond then Brisbane in consecutive away matches. One would think that Crows would need to win at least two of these next three matches to remain in contention. Given that Crows were at least competitive with the unbeaten Hawks, perhaps this isn't beyond the Crows.

Following that in rounds 10 and 11 (to get to the half-way point of the season) Crows face Geelong and Bulldogs both at Footy Park. Both of those games are eminently winnable. At round 11 if Crows have reached 6-5 and repaired their percentage somewhat, then Crows would be right in the mix for a final eight spot, and 13 wins for this season is still quite attainable.

I wonder if pessimist Macca agrees?

 

[Macca19]

hmm, well i agree that Richo should get a game. I also agree that your forward line has a few problems as it is at the moment. Beinke is performing well. And thats about it...its left to the midfielders to score goals. Welsh hasnt done much...Hewitt has been a waste of money at this stage, and Jarman is playing down back.

I think youll easily win this game...richmond one will be very tough with the form they are showing at the moment. Brisbane is always tough at brisbane. Then Geelong and Bulldogs here...bulldogs tend to play well here against the crows...geelong are just crap.

So i think either 5-6 or 4-7.

 

[QT]

Macca, that is OFFICIALLY the nicest thing youve ever said about the crows,


We will be 7-4

 

[Crows.ok]

Re: Re: Selection, finishing, and speculations.

Originally posted by Macca19
hmm, well i agree that Richo should get a game. I also agree that your forward line has a few problems as it is at the moment. Beinke is performing well. And thats about it...its left to the midfielders to score goals. Welsh hasnt done much...Hewitt has been a waste of money at this stage, and Jarman is playing down back.

I think youll easily win this game...richmond one will be very tough with the form they are showing at the moment. Brisbane is always tough at brisbane. Then Geelong and Bulldogs here...bulldogs tend to play well here against the crows...geelong are just crap.

So i think either 5-6 or 4-7.

Bienke is performing well, as was Vardy. No reason to think Vardy won't do well again if he returns this round. Welsh and Hewitt are indeed in questionable form - but Crows do need to replace two players if they are to bring in Vardy and Richardson - draw your own conclusions.

Crows beat Bulldogs at Footy Park last outing - in the Ansett cup this year.

Richmond will be a difficult ask, but no more so than was Hawthorn away. Crows showed that they are right up there competitive with teams of this caliber and able to match them even in away games.

With a modicum of luck, I think Crows can snag one of the two difficult games (Richmond & Brisbane) and the remainder they are well capable of winning, on current form.

So, as I say, 6-5 by round 11 is within reach. I don't even think its too wildly optimistic.

But, admittedly, it is all just opinion. Heres hoping the Crows can achieve what I believe is within their grasp.

 

[ant]

I know I shouldn't look too far ahead crows.ok but I'll admit I've done the same pondering about the future. If results go our way we could be close to the eight after this week, but footy is a strange game and things could go all wrong if we lose this weekend and a couple of upsets occur. It's all very possible.

I too have looked at the side and feel Vards and Richo should be inclusions this week. Who is to come out though?? I reckon Welsh is a chance to be dropped, as is..... I'm not sure Crowell maybe, drop Biglands, play Robran as second ruckman maybe... all options. If Johnson can come back and string some games together he's a great addition to the midfield, gives a little more flexibility, while I still rate Eccles, but he's been so affected by injury in the past two years.

If we can just get these guys on the park, fit and firing, for 3 or 4 games in row, all together, I have no doubt we're a very competitive side, as you said Crows.ok. The thing is we haven't been able to do that. Vards comes back this week, someone else will do a hammy or a quad, Kane returns and someone breaks a hand or a leg, it never fails I really hope our luck turns around.

I think realistically one win from those couple of away games is the best scenario, while we MUST win both those home games. It'll be tough, but with a bit of luck, which all footy teams need, it's achievable.

It's hard to say, but I reckon maybe 5-6 at the half way mark, hopefully with a reasonable percentage, round about 90%.

 

[Spogs]

I agree that the forwards haven't been great but the main problem is that we're playing as if we've got Tony Lockett standing at full forward to take a strong grab.
At least Richo will give us some body on body strength up forward and even if he doesn't mark it at least compete. We then also need Vardy in to take advantage of that.

Before the season started I had us down for a 2-4 standing after round six ,although I expected us to beat Hawthorn and lose to Carlton, and eventually win 11 games for the season so I'm reasonably happy at this stage. There has certainly been an improvement in attitude and this has led to better use of the ball in the midfeild and defence. I think we'll beat Freo, Dogs and Geelong and should be 5-6 at the halfway mark. That means we would have to go 7-4 in the second half to win the 12 games that will probably be needed to make the eight. Tough!!

 

[Jars458]

be 5-6 at the halfway mark. That means we would have to go 7-4 in the second half to win the 12 games that will probably be needed to make the eight. Tough!!
[/B][/QUOTE]

Tough but possible because after the Essendon game we can win every one after that

Not saying we will but we can which means 7-4 is entirely possible.

I am going to the Richmond game and I have never seen us lose in Melbourne (3 from 3) so that must be a good omen!!