Just thought I'd stimulate a little discussion. Both for interest and also to give us an idea what we should be targeting in the draft. What one thing are the Crows lacking the most? I guess I could allow multiple choices but let's go with the thing we are lacking the most. I was going to make versatility a choice but really, nobody's going to pick that so I'll let it go.
Is it:
Speed/Pace - either explosive or natural pace are powerful weapons in today's athletics-ruled AFL. The ability to burn off an opponent or run past a contest reduces the pressure on the ball carrier and is exciting to watch. Outside players aren't always the ones who win the ball but can be the most damaging when given the ball by a teammate.
Body Size/Height/Strength - bigger bodies make for a more imposing team. Premierships are won by teams with hard bodies, dominant and intimidating KPPs, and strong "in-and-under" midfielders.
Skills/Decision-making - the ability to select the correct target and execute the disposal is one of the most important and arguably the most pure part of Aussie Rules Football. Good decision making can make up for a lack of pace and good skills can put your teammate at an advantage.
Tackling/Defensive pressure - allowing your opposition time and space is a recipe for disaster. The best teams are those that make every disposal difficult and place implied pressure upon their opposition. Laying tackles and making them stick lifts the spirits of your teammates and scares your opposition from playing on.
Contested Marking - media commentators would have us believe the contested mark is dead, but it is still one of the most potent weapons a player can have, and one of the most exciting parts of the game to watch. A KPP player that can take a contested mark automatically becomes one of the most important players in the side, and a midfielder that can take a contested mark makes life easier on the ball carriers when starved of other options.
Goalkicking - I've listed this separately from skills because it seems even some skillful players have difficulty with goalkicking. Scoreboard pressure is one of the new buzzwords over the past few years and as cliched as it is, there is no denying that converting your oppurtunities places pressure on the opposition, whereas missing shots on goals deflates your teammates. Most important in forwards, it is also important to have goalkicking midfielders who can bomb a goal running into 50.
Fitness - the ability to be able to run and keep running is becoming more important with each passing year as the AFL sanctions rules to keep the game moving faster. In a competition that is becoming dominated by athletes there is a need to be able to run as fast in the last quarter as in the first quarter. Good fitness also helps the injury front, both because fit players are less likely to be injured, and should injuries occur, fewer players are left to carry the load.
Is it:
Speed/Pace - either explosive or natural pace are powerful weapons in today's athletics-ruled AFL. The ability to burn off an opponent or run past a contest reduces the pressure on the ball carrier and is exciting to watch. Outside players aren't always the ones who win the ball but can be the most damaging when given the ball by a teammate.
Body Size/Height/Strength - bigger bodies make for a more imposing team. Premierships are won by teams with hard bodies, dominant and intimidating KPPs, and strong "in-and-under" midfielders.
Skills/Decision-making - the ability to select the correct target and execute the disposal is one of the most important and arguably the most pure part of Aussie Rules Football. Good decision making can make up for a lack of pace and good skills can put your teammate at an advantage.
Tackling/Defensive pressure - allowing your opposition time and space is a recipe for disaster. The best teams are those that make every disposal difficult and place implied pressure upon their opposition. Laying tackles and making them stick lifts the spirits of your teammates and scares your opposition from playing on.
Contested Marking - media commentators would have us believe the contested mark is dead, but it is still one of the most potent weapons a player can have, and one of the most exciting parts of the game to watch. A KPP player that can take a contested mark automatically becomes one of the most important players in the side, and a midfielder that can take a contested mark makes life easier on the ball carriers when starved of other options.
Goalkicking - I've listed this separately from skills because it seems even some skillful players have difficulty with goalkicking. Scoreboard pressure is one of the new buzzwords over the past few years and as cliched as it is, there is no denying that converting your oppurtunities places pressure on the opposition, whereas missing shots on goals deflates your teammates. Most important in forwards, it is also important to have goalkicking midfielders who can bomb a goal running into 50.
Fitness - the ability to be able to run and keep running is becoming more important with each passing year as the AFL sanctions rules to keep the game moving faster. In a competition that is becoming dominated by athletes there is a need to be able to run as fast in the last quarter as in the first quarter. Good fitness also helps the injury front, both because fit players are less likely to be injured, and should injuries occur, fewer players are left to carry the load.
. We've also been crying out for a forward ever since Modra left, and had we had one 05 06 would've been our grannie wins.
