Was impressed tonight

[MarksGirl-kbcrowgirl]

I know that we played a depleted West Coast tonight, but I was pretty impressed with a few players.

Scott Stevens did well - particularly in the first half. I thought he marked really well and gave a really good contest. With the "real" Stevo having some clouds about his future - I think we may have a backup.

Trent Hentschel really tried hard and did some fabulous things. Again I think he is a real talent and has a big future ahead of him.

Stiffy was in great form again.

Ronnie showed us exactly what he can do. He was excellent. I think this was a very important game for him.

Macca was back to his best. As was Roo and Goody.

Had a great time! Got in for free and we won! A good night!

k
xx

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by MarksGirl-kbcrowgirl
Scott Stevens did well - particularly in the first half. I thought he marked really well and gave a really good contest. With the "real" Stevo having some clouds about his future - I think we may have a backup.

I just hope he gets a bit more consistency. He was very good in the 1st half but was hardly called in the 2nd half. Hot one game, cold the next. Is Perrie out of favour or something?????? He was on the bench most of the night.


It was a good showing but after all its only a trial against an ordinary opposition. At least it would shut up a few people around here for a while

 

[Scotty's_Girl]

I thought Stiffy was fantasic tonight. He is such a great player and he has got good upper body strength as well.

The teams tackling tonight was just awesome ... and I loved Welshy's tackle in the 2nd quarter, bloody fantasic!

 

[macca23]

Re: Re: Was impressed tonight

Originally posted by Stiffy_18

It was a good showing but after all its only a trial against an ordinary opposition. At least it would shut up a few people around here for a while

Yet there were a few people on this board who disagreed with me when I said that I would be very disappointed if we lost to this team at home. To have lost we would have had to play 15 goals worse than we did and we still played far too much around the flanks.

It makes me wonder what level of mediocrity some people will settle for.

Thankfully we did what we had to do, courtesy of a powerhouse display from the mid-field, an excellent defence and a pretty intense effort all around.

We went a fair way to getting the start of our season back on track tonight.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I honestly wouldn't have been concerned if we lost at all because all that was lacking from our side is senior players playing as well as they could. Our youngsters weren't letting us down it was the senior players.

If the intensity lifted we would have been back on track. Hell id we played with intensity last 2 games we would still be in the Wizard Cup but that was not the goal. we wanted to test out a few things. We wanted to try players in different positions. We did all that.

I think AFC took your line of thinking when you said experience in 1st 2 pre-season games and play your best side in proper positions in last 2 trials. Thats the approach they seem to be taking and I think its the right way to go.

At least this win will shut up ok.crows for a while. You are not a succesfull side because you play good footy in early march. you are good side if you are playing good footy in september.

I think AFC have planned this pre-season very well.

 

[macca23]

I had no problems with the previous losses other than our complete lack of structure - the result didn't matter.

But I did think that given who we were playing and what they were fielding it was important that we hit the go button and got into winning form before we took on Port next week.

The boys did well tonight.

 

[Stiffy_18]

we probably played more inexperienced side last week in Freo and got smashed. If we didn't play intense footy we probably wouldn't have won and I think it was a major difference tonight compared to previous weeks.

BTW, where did Stenglein play and how did he go??????

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
we probably played more inexperienced side last week in Freo and got smashed. If we didn't play intense footy we probably wouldn't have won and I think it was a major difference tonight compared to previous weeks.

BTW, where did Stenglein play and how did he go??????

Stenglein played in the mid-field for 3 quality quarters. Another who had an excellent game.

 

[-WWJD-]

The one thing that caught my eye tonight was our improved foot and hand skills. We looked a lot sharper and seemed to be hitting most of our targets.

Was impressed by Scott Stevens in the first half, he was marking everything and is a good sign of what he can produce. But agree with the thoughts that he needs more consistency. Was hardly spotted in the second half.

Hentschell continues to impress, seems to get to the right spots all the time and provided a contest even if he wasn't always pulling in the big marks.

Welshy didn't have a great game but his defensive work, tackling and chasing was brilliant as always.

Schuey showed a bit when he came on, nice clean skills and had the confidence to go for a run. Dogga showed a bit as well when he got his chance.

Stiffy was brilliant. Ronnie, Roo and Macca showed good signs. Reilly was good again until he got injured.

Benny Hart seems to have found his fitness again. The defense looked so much more solid tonight. Everyone really stood up. Kenny took a few strong pack marks and Massie played well again. Interesting that Clarkey was sent to the backlines in the last quarter.

Huddo impressed again, especially his first touch. Came off the bench and West Coast were streaming forward with a man by himself on the fifty arc. Sprinted towards the Eagles player and as the ball was passed, looked like he had no chance. Didn't only make the contest but pulled in the grab.

Perrie was dissapointing, when he finally did get some game time was clean bowled twice, once costing a goal.

What was up with Roo's goal kicking tonight...especially that attempted torp in the last quarter.

But overall I think the most pleasing aspect was Goody's form. He looked to be in really good touch and his fitness seems to be on the improve. Hopefully he's set for a blinder.

ETA: What happened to Edwards, just walked to the rooms at 3/4 time

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by acg_204*
ETA: What happened to Edwards, just walked to the rooms at 3/4 time

Sent for an early shower according to radio broadcast.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by acg_204*
.

ETA: What happened to Edwards, just walked to the rooms at 3/4 time

I'm sure he wa okay. He played an unusual role tonight, mainly down back, with an occasional run on the ball. Macca went dwon back on those occasions.

 

[Nige_Bix]

Hi All, back from the brink albeit maybe briefly!!

I would have been very disappointed if we had lost at home to this Eagles side. I think we needed to win well to get some impetus for the home and away season.

I was impressed with Reilly and its not good to see him get injured in that way. I was just watching him dropping back at the centre bounce when the ball came his way and a regualtion tackle caused his shoulder problem. I hope he gets better really quickly.

Hudson seems a bit of a plodder to me, more like the type you see running around in amateur league, but he obviously has something worth working with.

I liked Goodwins game, 'Roo was good and Benny Hart was teriffic.

It beats me why thay make Carey contest ballups given his shoulder probelm, although I noticed as the game wore on and he was warming up he contested more in the air - nonexistent in the 1st part of the game.

 

[-WWJD-]

Originally posted by dezzmo
It beats me why thay make Carey contest ballups given his shoulder probelm, although I noticed as the game wore on and he was warming up he contested more in the air - nonexistent in the 1st part of the game.

I'm pretty sure Carey's shoulders are structuraly fine these days, there's no fear of him injury them in a contest he even got a good purchase on a few overhead marks tonight which was a pleasant surprise.

I don't mind him rucking in the forward line, he's got the body strength to contest hard and has the footy smarts to put the ball in the right places.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by dezzmo

It beats me why thay make Carey contest ballups given his shoulder probelm, although I noticed as the game wore on and he was warming up he contested more in the air - nonexistent in the 1st part of the game.

The one thing that he can't do is mark overhead anymore. He has the footy smarts in big doses still, which is why I like him close to goal.

 

[-WWJD-]

Originally posted by macca23
The one thing that he can't do is mark overhead anymore. He has the footy smarts in big doses still, which is why I like him close to goal.

The one thing that still amazes me, is that he seems to have so much time. There was one point on the boundary line where he picked up the ball surrounded by Eagles, danced around for a few seconds, you could almost see his mind ticking over, eventually handballed over the top to a team mate, who went on to kick a goal.

 

[Nige_Bix]

He contested more after the 1st quarter, but never really looked like holding anything. If you were front and square of him then you'd know you'd have a great chance of the ball coming your way.

 

[-WWJD-]

Originally posted by dezzmo
He contested more after the 1st quarter, but never really looked like holding anything. If you were front and square of him then you'd know you'd have a great chance of the ball coming your way.

Exactly. If I was Ronnie I wouldn't be further than 5 metres away from him all game.

 

[tinman]

Originally posted by acg_204*
Exactly. If I was Ronnie I wouldn't be further than 5 metres away from him all game.

Great to hear that the guys played well tonight. A week is a long time in football....

I'm really pleased that Goody seems to be playing well and I thik that he and Welsh will be real plusses for us this year.

I also think that last week we cried out for someone like Ronnie on the forward line. Yes he drifts in and out of the game, yes he is one sided, but jeez he is a dangerous forward that is a proven performer at AFL level and he is quick.

For our balance in the forward line we need a mix of talls (Carey, Perrie, Stevens), mid size (Welsh, Johncock, Burton) and shorts like Ronnie or Bode. Until Skippy and or Schuey take the next step I still think he is our best small up forward in the short term. I'm well aware others disagree.

How did Skippy and Schuey play?

How were Bodes foot skills? He finds the footy but last week just wasted it. If he can improve there he will be a champ.

I'm also interested in how Hentschell played and Begley if he got any game time.

Cheers,
Tinman

 

[jod23]

Anyone who was at the game, can you tell me how some of the Eagles went. I know Paul Johnson, our young CHF kicked a couple of goals? How did McDougall play at FF and where was Jakovich playing as he was named our best. Just anything you noticed from a WC point of view would be handy, oh and dont tell me we sucked because I already knew that...something constructive.

I also read a few of you saying you wouldnt have been bothered had you lost the game? If I were a Crows fan I would have been very annoyed had the Crows lost that game. Looking at both squads, the Crows were near full strength and the Eagles were without Judd, Cousins, Gardiner, Chick, Matera, Embley, Wirrpunda just to name a few. Not to mention we rarely beat Adelaide at AAMI with a full squad anyway so to lose to a well below full strength squad would have been a concern.

However an 88 point margin seemed pretty fair. Should go down to a couple of goals with everyone back, still wouldnt count on WC beating either Adelaide side at AAMI though.

 

[Panther Power]

SOUTH ADELAIDE BOYS

HOW DID THE SOUTH BOYS GO LAST NIGHT? DID THEY GET MUCH OF A RUN APPART FROM GOODY?

GOODWIN
DOUGHTY
SMART
TORNEY
CLARKE

 

[Damp Squarie]

Originally posted by Scotty's_Girl
I thought Stiffy was fantasic tonight. He is such a great player and he has got good upper body strength as well.

The teams tackling tonight was just awesome ... and I loved Welshy's tackle in the 2nd quarter, bloody fantasic!

5AA went absolutely bunta when this occured.
Love this forward line pressure.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Originally posted by macca23
The one thing that he can't do is mark overhead anymore. He has the footy smarts in big doses still, which is why I like him close to goal.

The commentary on 5AA (I only heard the first half) suggested Carey was being ignored by our players coming into our forward 50.
Is this how it looked?
Do we become Carey conscious at times?

 

[Jerome]

A nice night out at the footy. Good to get a win but thats bout it.

THE GOOD.

The players. A far more complete team performance, far more committed, solid stuff. Worked hard over four quarters and ran well. Skills need to improve a few easy marks dropped and a few targets missed. generally fairly solid stuff. Player reviews:

Goodwin - in good form, he was everyehere, marked well.

Doughty - came on to replace Reilly and did some good things. Maybe a little rusty.

Smart - ran hard looked confident, didnt seem to do much wrong

Torney didnt seem to get much game time and did OK.

Clarke - came to play. Killed the eagles ruckmen at the start of every quarter. even took a mark. Very impressive came to play.

Welsh is our best forward bar none. He runs hard, chases, takles and out smarts his foes. please stay fit we need ya Scotty!

Reilly - is deadset ready for AFL footy. Got some good touches and looked very good. kicked a nice goal off three steps from around 50. thats what we need a goalkicking wingman!

Not scared of the hard stuff either, got injured putting his body in over the ball. he was tackled and came up sore, hope its nothing too serious.

Hudson - took some strong marks in defence and really puts in around the ground. Needs to time his leap a bit better at ruck contests as he can out leap the ball. Just gotta work on his placement at contests but he is a very good team man.

Mc Gregor - very solid, took some good marks.

Hart - very solid, hard to recognise now.

Stevens - took some very strong marks early on and looked really good in the first half.

Hentschel - took some good marks, lead hard and did some nice things. It was an average perfomance. physical stuff needs to improve.

I like him better as a forward and it was an improvement on his forward showings last year. wasnt helped by a crap game plan.

Perrie - came on to play in defence from the third quarter. Looked as sharp as a bowling ball. Time to make some friends at the Roosters.

Bode - I dunno about him. Got some touches and wasted the ball. I think Schuback will replace him soon.

Burns - came on in the third and did some good things kicking a goal and setting one up. Did some showpony stuff as well, needs to play smarter.

Carey - not dominant but the touches he did get were very clever and that will be his go this year.

Johncock - a real goer! Went in hard and did some great stuff!

It was clear by half time what was going on. The players were putting in a very energetic display. The problem with the players is the instructions they are playing under...

 

[Jerome]

THE BAD

At this point in time, in my opinion...Our current gameplan is an unflushed ****. The sooner we press the button and send it out to Bolivar the better.

Everyone around me at the ground was frustrated by the way we went so wide down the wings. This could be a very frustrating year unless they improve the gamne plan over the next few months.

Blight, hell not even Cornes would run with this on their worst days. This thing is totally against what these guys believe in. They just would not touch it.

In the first quarter it didnt look so bad. From defence we would kick it straight down the wings.

When we got to the flank, instead of kicking staright down to the pocket, we would look to deliver it to the centre and kick through CHF.

We have left CHF open for us to either drive the ball through there or try and lead straight up the ground. Most leads were to a pocket.

Carey is playing very wide and leading out to the flanks to ensure this happens.

From the second quarter it got worse. Players would keep leading to the pockets or flanks and being rewarded. We over use the ball and work so damn hard to get a shot at goal or kick accuratley. Our forwards worked hard to keep it in the area but the set up is terrible.

Our half forward line could become turnover city. By leaving CHF so open and not playing through the middle I can see oppositions sides running hard straight down the guts and hurting us. They'll have players 25 m out from goal ready to spoil, mark, dish off and their blokes will be around centre driving them forward.

One of the worst parts of the whole thing was the constant switching of play. TJ this is where it might seem Carey is being ignored.

Example : We get the ball in defence, inside 50 outer side. kick to a bloke members side of the ground around HB. Kick it straight down the side of the ground almost on the boundry, mark at HFF.

Then we dont play straight, we kick to a bloke leading out to a flank on the outer side again! We criss crossed the ground that many times, I was starting to think Zorro had devised the game plan.

Anyone who lead straight was ignored or spoiled as not all the Eagles lead out wide, they stayed around the centre corridor to clear the ball. Our defenders are in for a a tough year with this gameplan, theyre gonna need to be rock solid.

Very rarely did we go straight through the centre to set up play - Stiffy's run in the third huge execption. It was like finally - we are playing football!

I've got real concerns with this game plan. We have the players and the passion but the brains??...remains to be seen

 

[macca23]

Jerome has described the bad perfectly.

The main offenders are Carey and Roo.

Carey can't mark overhead so leads to the flank trying to take chest marks. Roo leads wide to the pocket. Both players absolutely DEMAND the ball when they lead (which normally is a positive).

The effort was excellent, the game plan crap.

Cornesy and Ebert both said on 5AA the same point that I have made repeatedly - we cannot have Carey at CHF for these reasons.

Cornesy went on to say that all the scribes have made this point - if Adelaide want to go somewhere this year, the they can't have Carey at CHF. His value will be close to goal.

He went on to say that sadly the scribes' criticism is almost like guaranteeing that a certain streak of stubborness within a certain member of the the coaching panel WILL play Carey at CHF regardless of the damage - similar to when we had that pathetic kick-off situation that lost us game after game but the coach wouldn't admit that he had it wrong.