The Squad - Part 3 - Nos 23 to 35

[macca23]

Contd.

Numbers 23 to 35


23 - Andrew McLeod
When you talk about Macca, you run out of superlatives. The modern day footy version of the Rolls Royce, with his superb ball skills, almost unparalleled pace, acceleration and balance, slippery evasive skills and an uncanny ability to read the play. The complete package. Has had an excellent pre-season, and has been in exquisite touch in the pre-season games. This could be his year for the Brownlow.

24 - Brett Burton
An exciting footballer with huge aerobic capacity and a freakish leap. Is a tremendous athlete but can run hot and cold at times. Tends to 9 iron his kicks at times and Jars has spent a lot of time in the pre-season working with Brett on his kicking. Did a top job at FF last year as the main man and will enjoy the luxury of being just one of the others up forward with Carey taking the main attention. Will have a big year.

26 - Mark Bickley
Been one of the all-time great players for the Crows since their inception. A great ball-getter who has actually improved as a footballer with age while maintaining a level of courage second to none. A superb example with his enormous workrate to any would be youngster aspiring to play AFL. I'm sure he wishes he could turn back time and withdraw the Wakelin incident to preserve an otherwise impeccable career. Will have to overcome many setbacks with his broken leg to maintain his high standards.

27 - Daniel Schell
A genuine disappointment last year after being given a great opportunity by the Crows to consolidate a spot up forward in 2002. Far too soft in his attack on the ball in general apart from generally not being able to hold his marks. Add to that his ugly kicking action and a delayed start to the season courtesy of the dreaded OP, and 2003 doesn't look too bright for Danny Boy.

28 - James Begley
Shoulder injuries have slowed Begley's start to the season, which once again will make it hard for him to get a regular spot in the side as he is starting from behind. My guess is that when he does get an opportunity, he will grab it with 2 hands and shut the gate on the opposition for that spot - most likely the wing or HB. IMO he can really play, and is a lovely size - over 6'2" for those positions.

30 - Luke Jericho
Have been very pleasantly surprised with his efforts in the internal trials. Not up forward which is where he has played his previous footy but as a HB flanker. Has whips of pace and excellent ball-handling skills for a young lad of his size. His goals will be to get a regular game with Westies this year, which he should, and set himself for a genuine crack at a spot at AFL level in 2004.

31 - Ben Marsh

Grrrrrrrr. They don't come more frustrating than this player. Six foot umpteen inches tall, with more skills than most players of his height. Unfortunately, he has a heart smaller than the average head of a pin. Does a leopard change its spots - hope so, but don't think so. Would love to be proved wrong.

32 - Mark Ricciuto

The raging bull. A very unique player with his ability to crash packs. Can be an absolute match-winner on his day. Very versatile player, and while he is our #1 centreman, can have a huge impact on a game in many other positions, either up forward or back. IMO second only to Macca in his value to the team.

33 - Brent Reilly

Has taken a huge step forward from last year, and is really putting his hand up for a spot in the side, putting Doughty under great fire for his spot, which in turn he grabbed last year. Reilly is a genuine wingman, with beautiful balance, poise, skills and pace. His pre-season trial game form has been excellent. IMO he will play games in 2003 and will become a top wingman for many years to come.

34 - Ben Hart

IMO the greatest Crow ever because of his high standard over such a long period of time. He just keeps rolling out good game after good game which has been recognized by both the All Australian selectors and the club. Mr Reliability will be exactly that again this year - he is every year. They should clone him!!!

35 - Rhett Biglands

How did Port ever delist this player - absolutely amazing. He has developed into the number one ruckman at the club, and the fact that he and Clarke are such different types of ruckmen means that they can cover most situations as they complement each other. Has improved his field play somewhat, but still needs to improve it further to be a top class ruckman.


Feel free to agree or disagree!! All comments invited!!

To be continued ........

 

[Barmera roo]

Biglands is a bum! does some great things and then makes himself look like a complete unit by stuffing up something simple like taking a chest mark or handballing to a team mate on the run. If he is going to be as good as you say he is then these simple mistakes must go. Clarke in my opinion is still the number one ruckman.

 

[Jars458]

McLedo is not the complete player

Still fades out of games too much for someone of his ability.

Ricciuto the same.

harsh perhaps, but I think they can both lift, and if they do, god help everyone else.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by Jars458
McLedo is not the complete player

Still fades out of games too much for someone of his ability.

Very harsh call on Mcleod, because it totally ignores that he is the most heavily tagged player in the Crows team. Also played many games carrying injuries last year.

In spite of these 2 factors, he still averaged 24 possessions per game across 20 games in the minor round.

IMO he is the complete player. 22 of him would never get beat - lapses or no lapses.

 

[Jars458]

Originally posted by macca23
IMO he is the complete player. 22 of him would never get beat - lapses or no lapses.

Is he playing in the ruck?

Centre half forward?

Full back?

What he has done has been very good, don't get me wrong, but I am saying both he and Roo can improve. And that's a scary thought for opposition teams.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by Barmera roo
Biglands is a bum! does some great things and then makes himself look like a complete unit by stuffing up something simple like taking a chest mark or handballing to a team mate on the run. If he is going to be as good as you say he is then these simple mistakes must go. Clarke in my opinion is still the number one ruckman.

Biglands was one of the most improved ruckman in the AFL last year. A real goer, but no doubt needs to improve his skill level more. Personally I rate him ahead of Clarke as our #1 ruckman, but the most important thing as Macca mentioned is that the 2 ruckman compliment each other.

 

[Stiffy_18]

23 - Andrew McLeod
An absolute champion and definetly a top 3 player in the AFL. Had a reasonably quite season by his standard last year. Should be back to his absolute best this year and barring injuries will spend a bit more time in the midfield than last year and could win his first Brownlow Medal after being ripped off a couple of time before

24 - Brett Burton
An absolute excitement machine when on song. Has enormous leap and aerobic capacity. IMHO his skill level is not as good as one would expect from a player of his ability. Will relish playing further up the ground (wing / HFF) and using his running ability to stamp himself as one of the best wingers around. Will need to improve his contested marking from last year whre he was too loose going for his marks.

25 - Ben Rutten looks like he changed his number
192 cm / 96 kg KPP who is expected to play a few senior games this year after coming off the rookie list. Is capable of being a star but will take time. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a regular by the end of 2003 possibly at FB.

26 - Mark Bickley
Is one of the club greats who has a work ethic to match his football character. Had arguably career best year last year before being suspended for 5 matches thanks to un-Bickley like incident. Will be a key player once he gets over his broken foot. He is capable of getting the hard ball and using it to teams advantage.

27 - Daniel Schell
What a DUD. Wastes too many opportunities. Second effort is a joke. Will need to improve dramatically to stay on the list in 2004.

28 - James Begley
Has a history of shoulder injuries but has talent to make an impact when he gets a chance. Once touted as a future captain of St. Kilda by Malcolm Blight. Time will tell.

30 - Luke Jericho
Never seen him play but according to draft camp results, has great leap and is quick. Takes a good mark and is a goal kicker. Sounds a bit like Burton only taller.

31 - Ben Marsh

One of the most frustrating player of all time. Has good skills and mobility for a big man but lacks heart and work ethic. It would be good if we can get him Ian Perrie's heart

32 - Mark Ricciuto

A bloody raging bull (thanks macca). Has the ability to get his own ball, crash the opposing players (Whitnall in 2001) and can kick a bag of goals. Capable of playing pretty much anywhere and have a major impact on the game. A great captain

33 - Brent Reilly

According to all the pre-season reports he has taken huge step upwards in therms of his development and will play seniors this year. Highly skilled player who is compared to the likes of Nigel Lappin and Adam Ramanaskues (spelling??????).

34 - Ben Hart

Mr. Reliable. Always goes about his business quitely and always gets the results. Provides run off the hlf back line and can also do a very good negating jobs. One of the club greats who could well go on to play for another 8 or so years.

35 - Rhett Biglands

Very agressive, crashing ruckman who has improved in each year he has been at the club. Needs to further improve his field play and aerobic capacity. Rhett is also a very good tap ruckman who is also capable of playing up forward or down back. Makes a formidable ruck combination with Matthew Clarke and should lead our ruck for years to come. If he improves his field play and skill level he could be one of the best ruckman in the competition.

 

[Jars458]

Originally posted by macca23
Very harsh call on Mcleod, because it totally ignores that he is the most heavily tagged player in the Crows team. Also played many games carrying injuries last year.

In spite of these 2 factors, he still averaged 24 possessions per game across 20 games in the minor round.

IMO he is the complete player. 22 of him would never get beat - lapses or no lapses.

Did you see Neal Kerley's comments in the Sunday Mail

Exactly what I said.

Though that does worry me a fair bit

 

[Damp Squarie]

I totally agree with Jars458 on the McLeod bit.
I was thinking about what Kerley had written in yesterdays Mail too.

Agree with everything else you have written though Macca.



footnote:
Ben Hart: Add Guts,Verve,Never Gives In, Has a Huge Heart, Is Injury Free and if any coach could chose 1 player from Adelaide I think you'd find Benny would rank right at the top of the choice list