I think we're travelling as well as can be expected for this stage of the year and allowing for our overall stage of development.
I was surprised at the level of negative comments directed at the side in another thread in this forum after the Adelaide game.
Given that Adelaide are the reigning minor premiers, are one of the hot flag fancies for 2006, were near full strength, and in fabulous shape fitness wise, I though last week's effort was fantastic.
Adelaide's attack can be a bit indifferent at times, but they had plenty of opportunity last week, and while our defense did overcook the ball again at times, I thought they combined and scrambled well across the match.
More tellingly, I rate the Crow defense the best in the comp, yet we were able to unsettle it by trialling a fresh multi-pronged forward approach.
For mine, this was the major plus.
Its all very well to have youngsters like Roughead & Franklin up forward, but they'll never go anywhere for you until you give them the chance to by directing some serious through ball to them.
Franklin's workrate, presentation and recovery capacity was great and allowing for more polished finishing he will seriously hurt sides in the future with that sort of performance. Roughead seemed hesitant early and let himself down at times with surprisingly awry marking efforts, but he composed himself well late and showed plenty in a key forward assignment.
Williams will always be dangerous wherever he plays up forward because he is so skilled and difficult to match-up on. For the first time in a long time the side was willing to overlook its Williams obsession, however, and the structure looked much better and more diverse as a result (Ben Dixon not playing was an added bonus).
It calls for bravery, but I'd want to continue running with Roughead & Franklin in the key posts; with Williams in a pocket, Miller crumbing from the other one, and Barker/Boyle and probably Crawford supplying extra assistance off the half forward flanks.
Eventually, one would hope that Dowler could ascent to CHF allowing Franklin to return to a dangerous third tall role, with Matthew Little finding his feet as a more creative HFF option.
Definitely has the makings of a strong forward structure, particularly as we already have the makings of a strong midfield rotation (allowing for some of our young outside options coming on) for it to exploit.
Fullback could still be problematic though.