Where do we need to improve next year?

[BunjiMac]

Average skills get exposed at the elite finals level. You can hide this somewhat during the season with good fitness and less pressure.

Need players with genuine skill in the most important part.of the ground, midfield.

Without Rankine our midfield is slow compared to the rest of the competition.

We again invested time into the wrong players and prioritised winning regular season games rather than prepare a winning a finals team.

You can't carry that many average players and expect to win finals.

 

[Crow till I die]

Average skills get exposed at the elite finals level. You can hide this somewhat during the season with good fitness and less pressure.

Need players with genuine skill in the most important part.of the ground, midfield.

Without Rankine our midfield is slow compared to the rest of the competition.

We again invested time into the wrong players and prioritised winning regular season games rather than prepare a winning a finals team.

You can't carry that many average players and expect to win finals.

That was my call before the game. We needed to have precision kicking last night to win and we had anything but that.

 

[Schulzycrow]

Ruck
Ruck
Ruck
Ruck
Midfielder
Fast Winger
Rash and Ranks both playing in the same side.
Oh, and a RUCK!

 

[Rotayjay]

1. The midfield

2. The midfield

3. The midfield

 

[Rotayjay]

Having a good midfield allows you to get away with some small level of deficiency in your forward and back lines. But you can't get away with having any significant deficiency in your midfield in finals.

 

[Freomaniac]

Laird getting 30 disposals in a game isn't a bad thing.

If the crows make 5th or 6th next season and get a home Elim final, Dawson and Soligo getting 30 disposals each means a crows win.

I like Tony Modra, but I think crows can win finals if Soligo and Dawson have good games

 

[Freomaniac]

Average skills get exposed at the elite finals level. You can hide this somewhat during the season with good fitness and less pressure.

Need players with genuine skill in the most important part.of the ground, midfield.

Without Rankine our midfield is slow compared to the rest of the competition.

We again invested time into the wrong players and prioritised winning regular season games rather than prepare a winning a finals team.

You can't carry that many average players and expect to win finals.

No issues winning regular season games.

You can carry a certain amount of average players and win finals.

Again.... No shame losing to magpies and hawks. Both are decent sides.

What hurts was both of those losses were home final losses.

The crows won 18 games and 5 losses this season . They can't be that bad surely?

 

[Freomaniac]

We will never win a flag under Nicks, so clearly this is our biggest issue.

We need another decent experienced midfielder & develop all of Draper, Edwards & Curtin for more inside action... which is unlikely to happen under Nicks.

We need a new coach before he wastes this squad.

Harsh on Matthew Nicks. I don't think he is a bad coach.

You might have similar 2012 vibes when Brenton Sanderson was coach.

There is some upside with some crows players.

As I said, crows need a South Australian equivalent of a Tim Kelly In this squad.

I am curious on what the crows will do with their 1st and 2nd rounder

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Harsh on Matthew Nicks. I don't think he is a bad coach.

You might have similar 2012 vibes when Brenton Sanderson was coach.

There is some upside with some crows players.

As I said, crows need a South Australian equivalent of a Tim Kelly In this squad.

I am curious on what the crows will do with their 1st and 2nd rounder

We don't have a 2nd rounder...

 

[jackster83]

The issue is the club will think because we won 18 games, we don't need to try anything different to get better.

Never mind that we had a generous fixture, a dream run with injury and other teams didn't do their homework on us until late in the season.

We just need to work harderer for longerer.

 

[cleanhands]

The issue is the club will think because we won 18 games, we don't need to try anything different to get better.

Never mind that we had a generous fixture, a dream run with injury and other teams didn't do their homework on us until late in the season.

We just need to work harderer for longerer.

And yet the team that whooped our arse last night are chasing quality performers

 

[PeterSalt]

The issue is the club will think because we won 18 games, we don't need to try anything different to get better.

Never mind that we had a generous fixture, a dream run with injury and other teams didn't do their homework on us until late in the season.

We just need to work harderer for longerer.

Nah .. they don't

Post game they were surprisingly candid

 

[n4sir]

Surely the board have learnt from previous mistakes.

 

[FantasticShirt]

Nah .. they don't

Post game they were surprisingly candid

Even if Nicks was a bit "we still good" in his presser. Dawson absolutely was not. Watch his post game interview and try and tell me there isn't a Captain who wants to be better. Both personally and as a team.

That's what we need leading our club. He had a poor finals series but I still see him as our perfect leader. It's his leadership who will attract players and get his where we need to be.

Get another quality mid. Cut some dead wood. Get off field help. Go again.

 

[PeterSalt]

Even if Nicks was a bit "we still good" in his presser. Dawson absolutely was not. Watch his post game interview and try and tell me there isn't a Captain who wants to be better. Both personally and as a team.

That's what we need leading our club. He had a poor finals series but I still see him as our perfect leader. It's his leadership who will attract players and get his where we need to be.

Get another quality mid. Cut some dead wood. Get off field help. Go again.

I agree with all of that

 

[BrissyCrow]

I feel it will be a mistake to go too hard at “instant fixes”. We did that in part prior to this season bringing in the 3 recruits. While they improved our team, they don’t show the attributes of A-graders to take us to the ultimate goal.
Chase hard in the off season for the players we REALLY need. But if they are not available right now, be a bit more strategic in longer term forward thinking.

Havent we already been through that in the last 7 years. We need to find a midfielder of the calibre of a Petracca or Oliver or how about a Zach Merrett. If we wait too long we will start to lose some of our senior players. We have a good base at the moment so we need that driving force in the middle, now!

 

[Interceptor]

We have the technology.....Listen to the fly Matthew.....


View attachment 2425320

Once the fly and Nicks are merged we will be unstoppable

 

[GreyCrow]

Havent we already been through that in the last 7 years. We need to find a midfielder of the calibre of a Petracca or Oliver or how about a Zach Merrett. If we wait too long we will start to lose some of our senior players. We have a good base at the moment so we need that driving force in the middle, now!

Our off season will inform us of our 2026 chances

 

[PhatBoy]

Not here to troll or stir shit so please be kind. Was just curious to read this thread as I think you guys have had an awesome year to come from as far back as you did and finish on top.

Obviously hasnt finished the way you want and I’m not here to try and tell you ‘hey THIS is how you SHOULD feel’ because obviously you’re gonna be disappointed when you get to the finals and then get knocked over etc.
but I’m curious as to why you’re so pessimistic about your chances going forward??

Admittedly the Crows are among the teams I watch least so beyond maybe half a dozen games this season I haven’t paid THAT much attention and it’s obvious from a number of posts what the common themes are that you all think are going to stop you from building on this year.

But in those particular areas - the midfield obviously being the main one - is there any logical reason you don’t think the players you have can’t just, you know, improve a bit? Or likewise with your coach? I mean hes had a fairly long apprenticeship and it bore fruit this year - is there a reason he can’t get better again?

Just from our experience there was a lot of thought around players like Atkins and the Guthries and Jack Henry

38

Jack Henry

Age

27

Ht

192cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.3

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

MG

142.6

2star

D

8.6

2star

K

6.7

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.1

3star

MG

142.6

3star

D

9.6

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.6

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.0

4star

and Miers and Close etc that ‘yeah they are AFL level players but they won’t improve to a level that will win us anything.’ But yeah, they did. Sure they had help from some pretty elite players too so I’m not dismissing that as a factor but I think you’ve had an awesome year and I don’t see you dropping off in 2026

Anyway, sorry to intrude like I said I’m not trying to be a dick just curious and yeah, I think there’s a lot more good than bad for your team atm

 

[adelaidecrows]

Not here to troll or stir shit so please be kind. Was just curious to read this thread as I think you guys have had an awesome year to come from as far back as you did and finish on top.

Obviously hasnt finished the way you want and I’m not here to try and tell you ‘hey THIS is how you SHOULD feel’ because obviously you’re gonna be disappointed when you get to the finals and then get knocked over etc.
but I’m curious as to why you’re so pessimistic about your chances going forward??

Admittedly the Crows are among the teams I watch least so beyond maybe half a dozen games this season I haven’t paid THAT much attention and it’s obvious from a number of posts what the common themes are that you all think are going to stop you from building on this year.

But in those particular areas - the midfield obviously being the main one - is there any logical reason you don’t think the players you have can’t just, you know, improve a bit? Or likewise with your coach? I mean hes had a fairly long apprenticeship and it bore fruit this year - is there a reason he can’t get better again?

Just from our experience there was a lot of thought around players like Atkins and the Guthries and Jack Henry and Miers and Close etc that ‘yeah they are AFL level players but they won’t improve to a level that will win us anything.’ But yeah, they did. Sure they had help from some pretty elite players too so I’m not dismissing that as a factor but I think you’ve had an awesome year and I don’t see you dropping off in 2026

Anyway, sorry to intrude like I said I’m not trying to be a dick just curious and yeah, I think there’s a lot more good than bad for your team atm

The big problem is a mediocre midfield, an over reliance on star players and a questionable depth. Combine this with a coach who shows little interest in playing young players unless they are a star from day one. I am not convinced we are a top side. The way the draw is shaped allowed us to creep into a position we probably didnt really deserve.

We need to develop the midfield and find another star midfielder.

 

[SellarStardom]

The midfield was shown up for its weakness in contested possession, disposal quality and tackling under finals pressure.
Dawson - even his disposal quality was down, 57% dosposal efficiency with only 6 contested possession, plus just 2 clearances for 24 centre bounces
Soligo - 67% disposal efficiency, 6 contested possessions and 18 centre bounces for 0 clearances
Berry - 67% as well, just 3 contested possessions and zero clearances from. 14 centre bounces.

Our primary mids just didnt get it done. Compare it to some of the others.
Taylor - 9 CBA for 2 clearances, 73% DE with 4 contested
Laird - 8 CBA for 2 clearances, 97% DE with 8 contested
Curtin - 2 CBA (just 2!!!) for 1 clearance, 92% DE with 8 contested. Was equal highest tackler

We need to trade on a decent mid and focus on getting time into the centre for Curtin, Draper, Taylor, Edwards. They also need to explore Cumming, Pedlar, Hinge and even Milera in centre, players that get the ball in congestion.

Up forward the pressure is horrible. Keays had a shocking month of football. ANB doesn't apply enough pressure. We need Rankine and Rachelle back and to draft or recruit a good small hassling forward. Not sure we can go again with Fog and Tex. I would rather play one of the Murray boys, Cook, McAndrew, hell even Welsh.

But its about the middle, plain and simple

 

[Boundryump]

The easiest thing to improve on is our game plan, develop a plan that suits some of the limitations of our players and work from there.

 

[1990crow]

Not here to troll or stir shit so please be kind. Was just curious to read this thread as I think you guys have had an awesome year to come from as far back as you did and finish on top.

Obviously hasnt finished the way you want and I’m not here to try and tell you ‘hey THIS is how you SHOULD feel’ because obviously you’re gonna be disappointed when you get to the finals and then get knocked over etc.
but I’m curious as to why you’re so pessimistic about your chances going forward??

Admittedly the Crows are among the teams I watch least so beyond maybe half a dozen games this season I haven’t paid THAT much attention and it’s obvious from a number of posts what the common themes are that you all think are going to stop you from building on this year.

But in those particular areas - the midfield obviously being the main one - is there any logical reason you don’t think the players you have can’t just, you know, improve a bit? Or likewise with your coach? I mean hes had a fairly long apprenticeship and it bore fruit this year - is there a reason he can’t get better again?

Just from our experience there was a lot of thought around players like Atkins and the Guthries and Jack Henry and Miers and Close etc that ‘yeah they are AFL level players but they won’t improve to a level that will win us anything.’ But yeah, they did. Sure they had help from some pretty elite players too so I’m not dismissing that as a factor but I think you’ve had an awesome year and I don’t see you dropping off in 2026

Anyway, sorry to intrude like I said I’m not trying to be a dick just curious and yeah, I think there’s a lot more good than bad for your team atm

Because we have been following this club for 27 years. There's plenty of evidence that we should be pessimistic.

 

[Greenfinger]

I feel it will be a mistake to go too hard at “instant fixes”. We did that in part prior to this season bringing in the 3 recruits. While they improved our team, they don’t show the attributes of A-graders to take us to the ultimate goal.
Chase hard in the off season for the players we REALLY need. But if they are not available right now, be a bit more strategic in longer term forward thinking.

We don’t have loads of time as our window is open across the ground with the exception of the midfield. Need to aggressively fix

 

[Scorpus]

Not here to troll or stir shit so please be kind. Was just curious to read this thread as I think you guys have had an awesome year to come from as far back as you did and finish on top.

Obviously hasnt finished the way you want and I’m not here to try and tell you ‘hey THIS is how you SHOULD feel’ because obviously you’re gonna be disappointed when you get to the finals and then get knocked over etc.
but I’m curious as to why you’re so pessimistic about your chances going forward??

Admittedly the Crows are among the teams I watch least so beyond maybe half a dozen games this season I haven’t paid THAT much attention and it’s obvious from a number of posts what the common themes are that you all think are going to stop you from building on this year.

But in those particular areas - the midfield obviously being the main one - is there any logical reason you don’t think the players you have can’t just, you know, improve a bit? Or likewise with your coach? I mean hes had a fairly long apprenticeship and it bore fruit this year - is there a reason he can’t get better again?

Just from our experience there was a lot of thought around players like Atkins and the Guthries and Jack Henry and Miers and Close etc that ‘yeah they are AFL level players but they won’t improve to a level that will win us anything.’ But yeah, they did. Sure they had help from some pretty elite players too so I’m not dismissing that as a factor but I think you’ve had an awesome year and I don’t see you dropping off in 2026

Anyway, sorry to intrude like I said I’m not trying to be a dick just curious and yeah, I think there’s a lot more good than bad for your team atm

It's probably hard to understand when you support a team that always makes finals.

Geelong are simply a much better organisation and that's reflected in results. Adelaide supporters have spent nearly 30 years watching the club fail over and over and over again from good positions

With everything going right for us this year in the H&A season (fixturing, injuries, etc) it's not hard to see us going backwards when combined with an extremely demoralising finals exit that curses the team with mental demons. Like most teams that get smashed in a grand final