Great win (and I tipped it!), but nostradeemus makes some good points.

A calm analysis will show still too many wrong handballs (and consequent turnovers), we do need a second ruckman (even though Jamar is great), we must keep one or two players in the forward 50 at all times (a player must never look up and see nothing to go to) and we must not be afraid to kick to a one-on-one contest. When we kick the ball instinctively rather than handball we look really good - handball has its place but it is second to kicking.

These are all coaching issues - one could also ask why Maric was allowed to repel so many of our attacks in the last quarter.

I am rapt in the performance of our players, but the coaching remains a big issue.

Regardless, this win is the start of something big - time for others to be afraid, very afraid!

How can inaccurate handballs be blamed on the coach?

Great win (and I tipped it!), but nostradeemus makes some good points.

A calm analysis will show still too many wrong handballs (and consequent turnovers), we do need a second ruckman (even though Jamar is great), we must keep one or two players in the forward 50 at all times (a player must never look up and see nothing to go to) and we must not be afraid to kick to a one-on-one contest. When we kick the ball instinctively rather than handball we look really good - handball has its place but it is second to kicking.

These are all coaching issues - one could also ask why Maric was allowed to repel so many of our attacks in the last quarter.

I am rapt in the performance of our players, but the coaching remains a big issue.

Regardless, this win is the start of something big - time for others to be afraid, very afraid!

Good post.

The first half brought back a lot of the problems we showed in Round 1, and not a lot of the football that got us so close last week. Nobody forward of the ball. Allowing Adelaide to zone off and play as they wanted. Bad decision making across half back. Basic skill errors.

It improved quite a bit as the game went on but these kind of things shouldn't be happening any more. We saw last week what a difference it makes when we have a targets to aim for. The first half should not have been like it was.

As for Maric, I think Jamar was probably more tired than he was, so he (Maric) was able to get down to full back quicker than Jamar and plug the gap. Not sure though.

And what about those guys saying that by losing heaps you somehow forget how to win.

yea chook I remember u were right there with me when they were talking about their brilliant ideas on football culture....

Where have they all gone now?

Oh that's right their too busy at the pub celebrating the win and the fact the club didn't dump Bennell this week!

wooooooooooh!

And it gets better, Jurrah, Sylvia, Morton, Wona, WATTTS.

Hating people saying it was an ugly win. It was how the game was played, and judging the last 2 AFL games we have played against each other, it looks like it could be a common theme.

Also hating people saying if we played a different opponent we would have got flogged. Maybe, just maybe it could have been this "game plan" that Bailey doesn't seem to have. We were the underdogs, could have been blown away after half time, perhaps Bailey instructed them to play a different style. Anyone think of that?????????

Good post.

The first half brought back a lot of the problems we showed in Round 1, and not a lot of the football that got us so close last week. Nobody forward of the ball. Allowing Adelaide to zone off and play as they wanted. Bad decision making across half back. Basic skill errors.

It improved quite a bit as the game went on but these kind of things shouldn't be happening any more. We saw last week what a difference it makes when we have a targets to aim for. The first half should not have been like it was.

As for Maric, I think Jamar was probably more tired than he was, so he (Maric) was able to get down to full back quicker than Jamar and plug the gap. Not sure though.

Must agree with those that said our skills need to improve but come on guys one step at a time. The most important thing to get right first is the attitude. Our intensity today was again superb, the tackling, harrassing and the work in the stoppages was outstanding. The second thing to get right is our structures. Our forwardline set up again first half was atrocious and need to some serious work. Our defensive structures however and stoppage setuos were excellent. The third thing to get right is the execution and this is where we are still a long way off. It is worth noting though that majority of the errors come from those players that as the kids develop will be slowly pushed out of the side.

As ugly as it was do not underestimate the importance of that win. We had all the play in the last and they had no bench. Losing that game would have been catastrophic to the confidence of our young players.

Warnock absolutely flogged Tippett before he got injured. He and Frawley are so hard to score against at the moment.

Bennell up forward seems to be a great move, but we desperately need a KPF and back up ruckman.

Great stuff dees and a real chance for 2 in a row

Frawley is a superstar in the making. And Bartram is a very good footballer, which too many people seem to forget.

And another twenty touches from Bail today. I like this guy, he runs really hard, attacks the footy, and it was his follow up effort after kicking it inside 50 in the third that led to one of our best goals.

We still lack a forward who can kick a goal from outside 20, but lets not nitpick...

Warnock absolutely flogged Tippett before he got injured. He and Frawley are so hard to score against at the moment.

Bennell up forward seems to be a great move, but we desperately need a KPF and back up ruckman.

Great stuff dees and a real chance for 2 in a row

Stefan Martin in for Newton?

This was in an article on the Herald Sun site

Melbourne Best: A Davey J Bennell L Dunn M Warnock R Bail M Bate J Frawley

To be honest i think they have got that wrong

And Bartram is a very good footballer, which too many people seem to forget.

I thought he played well today too. But I wouldn't go as far as saying he's a 'very good footballer'. Average at best. Can't see what you've based that comment on.

Newton? I thoght he played a better game this week, I hope they keep him in for next week. He seems like he will just build on confidence. Bartram was a surprise for me today, he played quite well.

While we only had one goal at half time, Newton's first half was his best effort yet - created contests took a strong contested mark, played on well, and strong second efforts. Give him another run.

You're right about Bartram who is back in defence with Bennell going forward. Was cool and mostly controlled, was Clint. Made one bad disposal blue when he grubbed a cross ground pass, but otherwise was a solid citizen.

The Dees!

Stefan Martin in for Newton?

We simply can't afford to have Newton in the lineup. Go the Dees

"The FIRE has started"

Great win (and I tipped it!), but nostradeemus makes some good points.

A calm analysis will show still too many wrong handballs (and consequent turnovers), we do need a second ruckman (even though Jamar is great), we must keep one or two players in the forward 50 at all times (a player must never look up and see nothing to go to) and we must not be afraid to kick to a one-on-one contest. When we kick the ball instinctively rather than handball we look really good - handball has its place but it is second to kicking.

These are all coaching issues - one could also ask why Maric was allowed to repel so many of our attacks in the last quarter.

I am rapt in the performance of our players, but the coaching remains a big issue.

Regardless, this win is the start of something big - time for others to be afraid, very afraid!

I'd be very interested to hear from anybody who went to before the bounce today. I don't think all our forwards getting sucked up the ground is Bailey's doing, I think it's got more to do with our players not having enough confidence in each other.

I don't have a problem with the handball, Geelong looked ordinary doing it for 3 years and the idiot Newman was constantly bagging Thompson. They stuck at it and are the best in the business now with a handball heavy gamestyle.

Yes we need a second ruck and a decent KPF but I fail to see how that's Bailey's fault, he can only use the cattle available

As for Maric in the last, Jamar had rucked practically one out all day and was knackered in the last. I don't think any of your Bailey bashing holds water.

I thought Newton was good today. Worked up and down the ground, crashed some packs and showed plenty of niggle. Deserves a spot next week. Bennell's speed was great to see. The biggest disappointment today was Bruce. He was flogged early by a guy at the end of his career. He needs a wake-up call.

Mate it is 4 points, it is a win, take it!! How many times in the last 3 years have we been in the Crows position? Too many to count; last week we should have had the win and didn't, thats FOOTY

Go Dees, 2 in a row!!!!

I am not begrudging the win at all.. I know how long it's been since our last win and how horrid the last few years have been. I also understand you have to take happiness where you can and I am absolutely rapt for the boys!! Loved every minute of the celebrations and the look of elation on Trengoves face in particular will be memorable.. however if you can't see our basic skill errors you have rose coloured glasses on.

This win is great! It is great for confidence, 4 points, and good memories.. However, if we keep making basic skill errors under pressure we will NEVER beat a top 4 team. Obviously a recognisable permanent forward will help, but until then working on the errors will have to do. And you are fooling yourself if you think we could pull off a win against a top 4 with todays errors...

Also, re Bennell.. Once again- The suggestion to drop to VFL was never "punishment" for being out of form, it was a courage thing, and like I previously mentioned, I am very happy to be made to look the fool on this matter. I made the inacurate call that he should be droped- he proved it was unnecesary.. to all of our delights.

Bigger picture people. 4 points great but bigger picture... hopefuly we will have the confidence of gods for next week and the week after... Go Dees!!

We were the underdogs, could have been blown away after half time, perhaps Bailey instructed them to play a different style. Anyone think of that?????????

Maybe the fact that Adelaide lost Henschell (knee in the 1st qtr). Bock (Hammie) and Dangerfield (neck/shoulder) in the 3rd qtr. And then Tippett ankle in the last might have tipped the scales our way.

Despite mistakes we were constantly trying to run the ball as the Crows with no bench started to tire.

oh and some ppl will eat humble pir after bennells efforts tody

Uh why?? He played as well this week as he did last week I thought. He played well both games. But he was not in a position like last week where he had to go back with the flight so not much humble pie would be needed. And why is it against the "rules" to state an obvious fact... He is developing nicely and has the potential to be an exciting, long term prospect for the mighty Dee's but he pulled out of the contest last week and not the 1st time he's done it.

Yeah agree with Bennel he is getting better with everygame looks like a confidents player and when he backs himself he is a good player. Like the games of most today except bruce is far from his best at the moment

Bruce was good after half time playing in defence, ran the game out stronger than most I think Daz.

wooooooooooh!

And it gets better, Jurrah, Sylvia, Morton, Wona, WATTTS.

AGREE- lots to look forward to- a great win over a good team who - however as R.R says-Crows had lost all interchange players in the last quarter.

Maybe the fact that Adelaide lost Henschell (knee in the 1st qtr). Bock (Hammie) and Dangerfield (neck/shoulder) in the 3rd qtr. And then Tippett ankle in the last might have tipped the scales our way.

Despite mistakes we were constantly trying to run the ball as the Crows with no bench started to tire.

Smart coaching?

"The FIRE has started"

I couldn't agree more. Haven't seen the stats yet but we had a lot of inside 50s in last quarter, could easily have won by 5 or more goals.

Go Dees

AGREE- lots to look forward to- a great win over a good team who - however as R.R says-Crows had lost all interchange players in the last quarter.

I think it was 5 to 29 rotations off the bench in the last qtr our way.