Some thoughts on the game...

[just maybe]

1. It's all well and good that McLeod produced that performance, but sadly what it says to me is how lazy he's been for the last 1.5 seasons - only when his personal pride was put on the line by Jars did he actually bother to turn on some effort.

2. Scott Thompson is a gun. Exactly what we needed and we definitely came out winners in that trade scenario.

3. It seems to me that Mark Stevens shouldn't have played on. He just looks out of the game - completely out of the game - and easily shut down. Didn't do much over the pre-season and has done zilch in the first two games.

4. Biglands is not a great forward, but he does have a role to play - putting him down there stopped Wakelin's mark-fest and helped Perrie get into the game. Just the sheer fact of his big body makes him annoying for opposition defences.

5. Bode is unfairly maligned, he did some great things in this game, was always in the clinches putting his head over the ball and disposed of it quite reasonably IMO.

6. I don't understand why McGregor wasn't on Rocca from the start. He has his number, what was Craigy thinking wasting him on a dud like Walker? You don't put your best defender on their weakest forward.

7. Johncock was all class down back. Definitely looking settled in one position.

8. Rutten did well when put on Tarrant, wasn't too badly outpaced and played him well in the marking contests.

9. Reilly is suffering a few sopohomore blues I think - he is back to how he looked when he first played - slow, soft and average.

10. Neil Craig seemed a bit guarded with the media.

11. Funny to see Scott Thompson singing the team song after 'those comments'. You could see the wry smile on his face.

 

[jo172]

1. It's all well and good that McLeod produced that performance, but sadly what it says to me is how lazy he's been for the last 1.5 seasons - only when his personal pride was put on the line by Jars did he actually bother to turn on some effort.

2. Scott Thompson is a gun. Exactly what we needed and we definitely came out winners in that trade scenario.

3. It seems to me that Mark Stevens shouldn't have played on. He just looks out of the game - completely out of the game - and easily shut down. Didn't do much over the pre-season and has done zilch in the first two games.

4. Biglands is not a great forward, but he does have a role to play - putting him down there stopped Wakelin's mark-fest and helped Perrie get into the game. Just the sheer fact of his big body makes him annoying for opposition defences.

5. Bode is unfairly maligned, he did some great things in this game, was always in the clinches putting his head over the ball and disposed of it quite reasonably IMO.

6. I don't understand why McGregor wasn't on Rocca from the start. He has his number, what was Craigy thinking wasting him on a dud like Walker? You don't put your best defender on their weakest forward.

7. Johncock was all class down back. Definitely looking settled in one position.

8. Rutten did well when put on Tarrant, wasn't too badly outpaced and played him well in the marking contests.

9. Reilly is suffering a few sopohomore blues I think - he is back to how he looked when he first played - slow, soft and average.

10. Neil Craig seemed a bit guarded with the media.

11. Funny to see Scott Thompson singing the team song after 'those comments'. You could see the wry smile on his face.

1. Bit Harsh, Lets face it he's getting old and his knees have been buggered for about 3 seasons now. Let him play out the rest of his days as a forward line crumber who can pinch hit in midfield.

2. Yep in games like these he proved the diffrence, If Stenglein was in for Thompson this game the result would of been in the other direction, I'm now officially in his fanclub

3. Unfortunately I agree, Might as well play Jericho or Watts in his posistion to give the youngsters some experience.

4. Completely true, Today he played the role of Wayne Carey for us, a decoy forward, when Biglands was put down there the biggest defender went to him and the Crows were better off for it.

5. Pffft We no longer need him. All of the established midfielders were better than him ie Roo, Macca, Goodwin and Edwards as well as Thompson as well as Mattner and Reilly. About par with Skipworth but ahead of Doughty

6. True, from the start it looked like Rocca was going to kill us but as soon as Kenny was put on him in slowed the flow and the Crows defence looked good again.

7. Yes

8. Again I agree but this was mostly due to Collingwood's poor delivery without Buckley to there forwards. However Rutten looked alot better on him than Basset did.

9. Bit harsh, he does look a tad like he first played but is picking up more possesions and is starting to come good, have faith he's gonna end up alright.

10. Yeah but he's always like that

11. Didn't spot him to be honest!

 

[Stiffy_18]

1. It's all well and good that McLeod produced that performance, but sadly what it says to me is how lazy he's been for the last 1.5 seasons - only when his personal pride was put on the line by Jars did he actually bother to turn on some effort.

2. Scott Thompson is a gun. Exactly what we needed and we definitely came out winners in that trade scenario.

3. It seems to me that Mark Stevens shouldn't have played on. He just looks out of the game - completely out of the game - and easily shut down. Didn't do much over the pre-season and has done zilch in the first two games.

4. Biglands is not a great forward, but he does have a role to play - putting him down there stopped Wakelin's mark-fest and helped Perrie get into the game. Just the sheer fact of his big body makes him annoying for opposition defences.

5. Bode is unfairly maligned, he did some great things in this game, was always in the clinches putting his head over the ball and disposed of it quite reasonably IMO.

6. I don't understand why McGregor wasn't on Rocca from the start. He has his number, what was Craigy thinking wasting him on a dud like Walker? You don't put your best defender on their weakest forward.

7. Johncock was all class down back. Definitely looking settled in one position.

8. Rutten did well when put on Tarrant, wasn't too badly outpaced and played him well in the marking contests.

9. Reilly is suffering a few sopohomore blues I think - he is back to how he looked when he first played - slow, soft and average.

10. Neil Craig seemed a bit guarded with the media.

11. Funny to see Scott Thompson singing the team song after 'those comments'. You could see the wry smile on his face.

1. Now THATS the sort of McLeod I want to see. He could have easily kicked 7 today. I like him at the HFF with an occasional run on the ball

2. Tough and commited. If not for the bad bounce he would have kicked one of the goals of the season. His addition in the midfield allows us to play McLeod as a crumber. An area we are really lacking in.

3. I wanted Stevo to play on but in the 2 games he has looked slow. Unless he marks it, the game is just too quick for him. Maybe one year too many

4. Agreed. He is just there to throw off the opposition. Moving him to FP gave a bit more freedom to Perrie who bailed us out with a couple of goals after 3 very average quarters.

5. Couldn't have said it better. He is small in statue, his disposal is not great but he was very good today and when it counted. If some had his heart they would be champions.

6. The way Kenny has been going this year you can't blame him. Took a fantastic mark in the 4th but he is badly out of form. He needs to lift. I would think twice before giving him a job on Tredrea next week. Very low on confidence at the moment IMHO.

7. I have said he needs to play in the backline. He was superb, especially in the 2nd quarter.

8. I have said it before and I will say it again. Ben Rutten is a football smart player. He will beat his opponents by playing the angles and pushing them out wide. I thought he did a very good job on Tarrant. Rutten is smart enough to play to his strengths rather than worry about the strength of the opponent he is playing on.

9. Very disappointed with him. Needs to lift.

10. Not really an issue. Media can go and jump in the lake.

11. He had a big smile too


Just some more points:

These sort of games are not good for my health . Doughty was very average and soft on occasions. Kenny McGregor needs to lift. Goodwin was bloody sensational. Bassett continues to be greatly under-rated. He continues to save our backsides a lot at the last line fo defence. Hart was sensational but it looks like he pulled a hammy again.

Some positive signs but boy did we play some ********house footy at times. Standard of umpiring keeps getting worse game by game. They were pathetic today as they were last night in Port Vs Brisbane game.

 

[just maybe]

11. Didn't spot him to be honest!

He was in the middle of the circle being sprayed with drinks as 'initiation'...how could you miss him?!

 

[jo172]

So that was him!

So you mean pppl like Van Berlo and Smart we're in the huddle but Thommo wasnt! Oh well doesn't matter about the song, as long as he was an integral part of the victory it's all good!

 

[snakebite01]

The Good
1) Seeing Goodwin & Thompson return to the side (& McLeod ). Thompson will be so much better for the run, looked very classy, unlucky not to have 2 goals. His toughness was very noticeable too. Doesn't take any ********, pushes guys out of the way if they're in his way. Goodwin is an absolute star - midfield is just so much stronger with him there.

2) Johncock rebounding out of defounce - brilliant. He and Bassett hardly put a foot wrong today.

3) Hentschel and Perrie stepping up when we needed forwards to take marks and kick goals.

4) Bode's efforts today were good I thought - very tenacious and didn't directly turnover the ball on any occassions.

5) Finally winning a close game.

The Bad
1) Welsh - sucked today. Couldn't get in front, couldn't bring the ball to ground, couldn't compete basically. Day to forget.

2) Stevo - Gotta do something soon or else he may be back at Eagles.

3) Our inability to keep our feet. Jesus boys, I know it feels safe but you don't win footy games on the ground. I'd prefer to see them stay on their feet and screw up than fall over and be helpless. Happened far too often today.

The Ugly
1) Doughty's effort to spoil against Rowe. Absolutely pathetic.

2) Anthony Rocca

 

[afc9798]

1. It's all well and good that McLeod produced that performance, but sadly what it says to me is how lazy he's been for the last 1.5 seasons - only when his personal pride was put on the line by Jars did he actually bother to turn on some effort.Harsh, but true. i think this could be a turning point for him mentally.

2. Scott Thompson is a gun. Exactly what we needed and we definitely came out winners in that trade scenario.Poor disposal resulting in a number of turnovers in the middle, two directly led to opposition goals. He is good, but needs to hold on to the ball more. will be a great addition once he fits in with those around him.

3. It seems to me that Mark Stevens shouldn't have played on. He just looks out of the game - completely out of the game - and easily shut down. Didn't do much over the pre-season and has done zilch in the first two games.Disagree, i think he's just a bit out of game touch and I thought his pace at the ball was fine. He'll be OK after a few runs.

4. Biglands is not a great forward, but he does have a role to play - putting him down there stopped Wakelin's mark-fest and helped Perrie get into the game. Just the sheer fact of his big body makes him annoying for opposition defences.Agree and he may develop given more time down there, I think he will prove a critical addition to the forwards.

5. Bode is unfairly maligned, he did some great things in this game, was always in the clinches putting his head over the ball and disposed of it quite reasonably IMO.Jury still out, but he was great when it got tight.

6. I don't understand why McGregor wasn't on Rocca from the start. He has his number, what was Craigy thinking wasting him on a dud like Walker? You don't put your best defender on their weakest forward. i think McGregor has gone backwards. His disposal was ordinary today and he looked really slow. Apart from the speccy he took, I think his game was not one he would want to look at again.

7. Johncock was all class down back. Definitely looking settled in one position.
Brilliant, composed and lightning quick-top class 2nd B.O.G. to mcLeod.

8. Rutten did well when put on Tarrant, wasn't too badly outpaced and played him well in the marking contests.Still has concerns against genuine leading forwards, needs a bit more game craft, but still young.

9. Reilly is suffering a few sopohomore blues I think - he is back to how he looked when he first played - slow, soft and average.Disagree with the slow and soft, but his disposal was certainly terrible today.

10. Neil Craig seemed a bit guarded with the media. seemed nervous rather than guarded, i don't think that's the aspect of his role he really likes that much, but he'll grow into it.

11. Funny to see Scott Thompson singing the team song after 'those comments'. You could see the wry smile on his face.

being involved in that type of win was the ultimate bonding experience for Thompson. I think that this win will really make him feel a part of it. If he continues in the same vain as today and improves his decisiveness a fraction, I think we would have won on the Stenglein trade.

A great win, but it still shouldn't paper over the cracks that we have in the team and the fact that we led all day and were nearly beaten again. i think our fitness is a worry, our forward structure is still unconvincing and our defence has to do far too much work, due to loose checking in the midfield. Anyway it's all good when you win, but I hope they don't get complacent. This win was the ideal motivation, but can we carry on with it. well coached Craigy-right moves at the right time

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

1. It's all well and good that McLeod produced that performance, but sadly what it says to me is how lazy he's been for the last 1.5 seasons - only when his personal pride was put on the line by Jars did he actually bother to turn on some effort.

2. Scott Thompson is a gun. Exactly what we needed and we definitely came out winners in that trade scenario.

3. It seems to me that Mark Stevens shouldn't have played on. He just looks out of the game - completely out of the game - and easily shut down. Didn't do much over the pre-season and has done zilch in the first two games.

4. Biglands is not a great forward, but he does have a role to play - putting him down there stopped Wakelin's mark-fest and helped Perrie get into the game. Just the sheer fact of his big body makes him annoying for opposition defences.

5. Bode is unfairly maligned, he did some great things in this game, was always in the clinches putting his head over the ball and disposed of it quite reasonably IMO.

6. I don't understand why McGregor wasn't on Rocca from the start. He has his number, what was Craigy thinking wasting him on a dud like Walker? You don't put your best defender on their weakest forward.

7. Johncock was all class down back. Definitely looking settled in one position.

8. Rutten did well when put on Tarrant, wasn't too badly outpaced and played him well in the marking contests.

9. Reilly is suffering a few sopohomore blues I think - he is back to how he looked when he first played - slow, soft and average.

10. Neil Craig seemed a bit guarded with the media.

11. Funny to see Scott Thompson singing the team song after 'those comments'. You could see the wry smile on his face.

1. Think there have been varying reasons for Macca's poor form, but all I care from now on that we see more performances like today.

2. Thompson looks the goods - hard at the ball & usually a good disposal. Just what we need to supplement our midfield. Will be better for the run too.

3. Stevo probably needs to go back to the SANFL to get some confidence, but te problem is that who do we bring in his place?

4. Yep, though I would prefer playing someone like Watts in the Biglands role.

5. Bode had a great last quarter, but was average up until then.

6. Matchups changed because the Pies forwards changed position. Kenny has had a slow start to the season, but what a crunch mark in the last few minutes!

7. I thought Stiffy was BOG.

8. Yep. Has footy smarts.

9. Reilly did a few good things, but not in the game enough.

10. NC wasn't keen to talk before the game, but no issue after.

11. I didn't see it that way.

 

[Stiffy_18]

What the hell id wrong with Welsh. He used to be one of the best kicks for goals. I remember in the past when ever he marked anywhere inside 50 I always felt comfortable he would kick it. It was "put down your glasses / Lick your pencils" type stuff. Now he is as iffy as Perrie was some 3-4 years ago

 

[MarksGirl-kbcrowgirl]

SCOTT THOMPSON


I love him. I think he is going to be tremendous. Tough, hard, skillful and footy smart.

A real asset and I look forward to a long career from him in the triple hoops!

k
xx

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

1. Now THATS the sort of McLeod I want to see. He could have easily kicked 7 today. I like him at the HFF with an occasional run on the ball

2. Tough and commited. If not for the bad bounce he would have kicked one of the goals of the season. His addition in the midfield allows us to play McLeod as a crumber. An area we are really lacking in.

3. I wanted Stevo to play on but in the 2 games he has looked slow. Unless he marks it, the game is just too quick for him. Maybe one year too many

4. Agreed. He is just there to throw off the opposition. Moving him to FP gave a bit more freedom to Perrie who bailed us out with a couple of goals after 3 very average quarters.

5. Couldn't have said it better. He is small in statue, his disposal is not great but he was very good today and when it counted. If some had his heart they would be champions.

6. The way Kenny has been going this year you can't blame him. Took a fantastic mark in the 4th but he is badly out of form. He needs to lift. I would think twice before giving him a job on Tredrea next week. Very low on confidence at the moment IMHO.

7. I have said he needs to play in the backline. He was superb, especially in the 2nd quarter.

8. I have said it before and I will say it again. Ben Rutten is a football smart player. He will beat his opponents by playing the angles and pushing them out wide. I thought he did a very good job on Tarrant. Rutten is smart enough to play to his strengths rather than worry about the strength of the opponent he is playing on.
9. Very disappointed with him. Needs to lift.

10. Not really an issue. Media can go and jump in the lake.

11. He had a big smile too


Just some more points:

These sort of games are not good for my health . Doughty was very average and soft on occasions. Kenny McGregor needs to lift. Goodwin was bloody sensational. Bassett continues to be greatly under-rated. He continues to save our backsides a lot at the last line fo defence. Hart was sensational but it looks like he pulled a hammy again.

Some positive signs but boy did we play some ********house footy at times. Standard of umpiring keeps getting worse game by game. They were pathetic today as they were last night in Port Vs Brisbane game.

I thought Rutten was easily in the best today. Didn't I recently read on here how some had already written off after a poor pre-season game?? This kid has footy smarts, and like you said, plays the angles brilliantly.
Actually, if Kenny can find form, and Doughty is moved from the backline our back 6 looks quite good. Johncock was sensational.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

What the hell id wrong with Welsh. He used to be one of the best kicks for goals. I remember in the past when ever he marked anywhere inside 50 I always felt comfortable he would kick it. It was "put down your glasses / Lick your pencils" type stuff. Now he is as iffy as Perrie was some 3-4 years ago

Can't comment on his kicking - started OK last week, before losing the plot. However, don't underate Clement, who is about the best in the business.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

SCOTT THOMPSON


I love him. I think he is going to be tremendous. Tough, hard, skillful and footy smart.

A real asset and I look forward to a long career from him in the triple hoops!

k
xx

He is already a favourite of mine. Tough, skillful and has a fair degree of mongrel. About bloody time.

 

[jo172]

Well worth the trade for Stenglein, if Chad Gibson turns out any sort of a player we can finally put the Crows back on the winners board for trades

 

[Stiffy_18]

Can't comment on his kicking - started OK last week, before losing the plot. However, don't underate Clement, who is about the best in the business.

Not under-rating Clements at all. I happen to rate hiim VERY VERY highly. He beat Welsh fair and square today. I guess my comments on Welshy's kicking has been something I have been thinking about the last couple of weeks. Even in the pre-season and last week, also a couple of times today he missed some very getable goals. Those sort of oppotunities are the ones he usually nails but for some reason he hasn't been doing it this year.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Not under-rating Clements at all. I happen to rate hiim VERY VERY highly. He beat Welsh fair and square today. I guess my comments on Welshy's kicking has been something I have been thinking about the last couple of weeks. Even in the pre-season and last week, also a couple of times today he missed some very getable goals. Those sort of oppotunities are the ones he usually nails but for some reason he hasn't been doing it this year.

Kicking for goal is a confidence issue - just ask Gehrig - so I expect Welshy will come good.

 

[Rach]

Not under-rating Clements at all. I happen to rate hiim VERY VERY highly. He beat Welsh fair and square today. I guess my comments on Welshy's kicking has been something I have been thinking about the last couple of weeks. Even in the pre-season and last week, also a couple of times today he missed some very getable goals. Those sort of oppotunities are the ones he usually nails but for some reason he hasn't been doing it this year.

Perhaps it's the new boots

Seriously though, his kicking for goal hasn't been the best. I thought when Jars was the forwardline coach, Welshy's kicking was quite good (especially in 2002) but this year....

 

[Punchy Bassett]

Big plus today Scott Thompson, going to be a gun and should lead to Burton going back down forward where he could be a big plus for us remember in 2002 he kicked over 50 goals for us what would we give for that right now!

 

[beagle2]

A wins a win but they finished below us last year and have gone backwardssince then

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

A wins a win but they finished below us last year and have gone backwardssince then

Sure, but it was an away win against a team who we haven't beaten in yonks. Hopefully it gives us some more confidence.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Perhaps it's the new boots

Seriously though, his kicking for goal hasn't been the best. I thought when Jars was the forwardline coach, Welshy's kicking was quite good (especially in 2002) but this year....

Maybe it is the new boots.

Speaking of new boots, if Hentschel is going to play like that every week, he sure as hell can wear those ugly purple boots he had on today

 

[Stiffy_18]

Sure, but it was an away win against a team who we haven't beaten in yonks. Hopefully it gives us some more confidence.

Correct.

It was an ugly win against an ordinary side but we haven't beaten Collingwood for 4 points in Melbourne since 1998. Our record against them going into the game was 5 wins and 16 losses. It was a good win for the side.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Correct.

It was an ugly win against an ordinary side but we haven't beaten Collingwood for 4 points in Melbourne since 1998. Our record against them going into the game was 5 wins and 16 losses. It was a good win for the side.

We won ugly, but we won that's the main thing. When Collingwood hit the front I thought their crowd would get them over the line but too our credit, we didn't give in. They can't use injuries as an excuse either, they had no Buckley we had no Bock.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Just got home from the game:

Great result considering we played with 17 players on the field for most of the day and I'm confident in saying without having taken one contested mark (Perries may have spoiled that record in the last qtr with that mark and goal?)

Here are some general game thoughts:
1. Worse game of footy since I saw the bulldogs/hawthorn game last year - it was which team was best at losing the game.

2. Our tackling rate was horrible (17 tackles up to half time and I would suggest less in the last half) - Collingwood were able to run out of defense and thru the centre with very little resistance from us.

3. We definately lack speed around the ground - Stiffy was great in the backlines, but in the midfield and forward area

4. The Crows as a team really lacked cohesion and that sense of real teamwork.
There were players on the ground today that simply were getting in the way of our playmakers!!!!

5.We have some dumb footballers!

Some Player Reviews:

Skipworth : seriously lad you are not up to it, he played every minute today and was as fresh as at the start of the game and without so much as a bruise.
Does not have the pace to start from behind the ball (which is correct positioning) and then get past our player with the ball to launch an attack.
Cannot win a one on one dual of any kind!
In the forward line could not get to the contest due to lack of leg speed and was wandering around the ground with no opponent within 20 mtres the whole day, obviously trying to be a linkman.

Bode: Same as above (and don't let the last 5 mins of the game fool you) he had no leg speed to get to the contest or the opposition player to lay a tackle. Fell to the ground at every opportunity and could not break free of the slowest Collingwood player thus causing him to crab all over the place and get caught. Spent long long periods on the bench - Why you ask.

Welsh: Just played dumb footy and was not switched on today.

McGregor: Said last week he was hopeless and I'll repeat the comment today.
Played dumb reactive footy, marked when he should have punched, fumbled, missed marks and was led to the ball by a very unfit Rocca who SHOULD HAVE destroyed him
Question : is NC's attacking style going to suit Mcgregor ????

Reilly: sad to say was more than ordinary. Was second to a 50/50 contest way too often for my liking. Was huffing severely in the early last qtr and IMO lacked a bit of heart to push thru the pain barrier??

Thompson: the reverse of Reilly, hungered for the contest, oozed class and was obviously without any petrol in the tank in the last qtr but pushed on - great effort.

Stiffy: BOG country mile

Bassett: Fantastic game, read the ball and game exceptionally well, NC might have added a few more years to Bassetts career.

Biglands: "Meh" whats different?

Hudson: you little beauty

Stevens: Did he play?

Mattner, Hart, Rutten, Perrie and Hentschell: just average contributors 5/10

Goodwin: absolutely busted his boiler today was a great leader on the field getting stuck into Welsh after an insipid effort, then took a hit for the team to show what had to be done - fantastic Goody.

Macca and Roo also had the days you expect of these players.

 

[PrideofSA]

Ok guys, i was there today..

I wouldn't say it was a convincing win, but a win nonetheless. Collingwood basically made more errors than we did.

I thought I backline was really good today, as well as most of your comments I agree with.

loved the more direct type of play.

Loved the way we won a close game, and didn't fold when Collingwood kept coming, and a few good marks at critical times, eg, McGreggor, Perrie.

Mattner, Skipworth, Bode all should keep their spots as they were all solid.
Johncock, Thompson, Goodwin, Bassett, Edwards and Mcleod all played good tough games.

A few areas of concern though, the lack of contested marks, especially in the forward line, but we need to be able to take some good pack marks, we need big, strong bodies to do this.

Wasn't happy with the way we got caught holding the ball a few times, but they did back themselves in to take on their opposition.

A few too many errors today.

Stevens, Welsh didn't do much at all.

Overall, not too bad, good to get the win, some things to work on. Should help confidence going into the Showdown