Doggo

The Jurrahcane!!!

Agree. Does anyone here actually believe the Crows will challaenge for the flag? Or even finish top 4? Neil Craig and his list are huge underachievers. I know if i supported Adelaide i'd want more than they've given over the last 5 years...

LOL... Mid-season break really is taking it's toll on the posters at 'land... The kid's played less than 10 games. Give him a chance to settle into the 22 before we start talking captaincy.

Adelaide will struggle to challenge for the flag this year, as they have over pretty much the last 5 or 6 seasons. They will always be there or thereabouts, but i struggle to see Craig's game plan bringing ultimate success to the Crows.

I hope he plays against the 'dons on Friday. 11 goals in 3 weeks means his form is good, and if DB is true to his word of picking the team on form, he'll be in, no doubt.

I really liked his game last week and am a bit disappointed he didn't have more of an impact this week. But i'm happy to wait. Just the glimpses i saw last week were enough to suggest he'll be a good one in the future. Foot skills like his are a rarity (or have been for us anyway), and i was surprised to see him compete quite well aerially against Marty Pask, who is a strong one-out marking player. Straussy's a good size with nice pace, moves a lot like Scott Pendlbury IMO. Round 18-22 for a debut for mine.

Tom McNamara not on the list? Was a surprise non-starter in the VFL last week, and didn't play today... Heard whispers he was injured, any idea whats wrong there? I'm quite frustrated at the clubs 'half-arsed' attempts to update injury lists this year. There always seems to be at least one or two players unaccounted for, and in some weeks more. Are the club trying to trick people into believing we have a full squad or what? Is there any reason to keep us in the dark regarding our injuries, considering we are bottom of the ladder? Just doesn't make sense not to list ALL the injuries on a weekly basis.

Was really impressed with Naitanui, he's already a good build and his athleticism was evident straight away. He set up an early goal with a clever fake then handball which shows he is more than just an athlete and is improving already on his pre-draft form. He can play a bit, but probably won't reach his full potential for a couple of years you would think. Will be an interesting battle between he and JW for the rest of their careers no doubt. But to try and judge who's better after just one game each is just silly. As others have already said, we will have to wait at least a couple of seasons before we can start comparing Watts and Naitanui. Watts has some catching up to do in the physical side of things, whereas NN is just learning the game. NN has been playing against men for a while, so it was always expected he'd have more of an immediate impact, and his better debut is testament to that. IMO, they're both gonna be superstars. It would be very interesting to re-visit this thread at the end of say, the 2012 season, after 4 full years in the system, to compare the two. We'll definitely have the full picture by then. But to judge right now, well, thats just ridiculous.

Midfield for me. Though i appreciate his efforts in the backline.

Agree. I might be wrong, but i think that's how it had been judged in the past, prior to the new voting system which was introduced not that long ago. As for our nominee, i think it'll probably be Grimes.

I do agree with your post. PJ's performance on Monday was just disgraceful, and unfortunately he plays just to much a 'friendly' brand of footy, a la Jeff White. Nice little uncontested touches here and there, but never really throwing the big body in to clear paths for his teammate. I've had a lot of time for him, and often overlooked his limitations because of my belief that his upside is greater than his downside. But one of his strengths (good skills for his size) has gone missing badly in recent weeks, and without that he is a huge liability. Mainly because of good position he makes, getting a lot of the ball then turning it over. On Monday, in greasy conditions where a bit of grunt and a big body was needed around the stoppages. Uncontested footy was alwyas going to be difficult, especially for such a big man, yet PJ still wanted to play that way. Jamar lifted as the conditions suited him, and PJ, well... he lost a lot of my support, and even more sadly, my respect.

Yes, PJ was crap yesterday, but it wasn't because he was losing ruck contests. He rucked very well, got 16 hitouts (Collingwoods total was 17), so obviously he was doing something right in the ruck duels. It's just his skill errors and decision making have been woeful the last 2 or 3 weeks now, and whilst i've always been a staunch supporter of his, he must be dropped. Unfortunately for us, Spencer doesn't look anywhere near ready to step up just yet. Both Jamar and he dominated the ruck duels completely, yet we still lost in the clearances, again. 3 weeks in a row now our rucks have done well, yet our "strong insiders", i.e. slow midfielders, never seem to reward their work.

I know, i couldn't believe how much space he was getting, and he always put it to advantage when he got it. Frustrated the hell out of me.

I'm happy he's had a taste and can know what he needs to do to get up to speed with the game. Love how he moves and as 'grant' said, a good shaped body to grow and fill into over the next few years. Skinny yes, but no beanpole. He's got some shoulders, but obviously will take time to really develop that upper body. A few more games this year won't hurt and will help him set his goals for next season.

Agreed. Play that way, more often than not, for the next 5 or 6 years and no doubt, all will be forgiven. He's winning a lot of respect back now that's for sure. He was just awesome today and has been in great form for a while now. His body and fitness base looks so much stronger and he's running out games beautifully. He has more power through his legs and his pace looks much improved. Even in his 'down' weeks over the last month, he's still managed to get over 20 disposals and a goal or two. After the article that came out the other day, he had to stand up and show that he really meant what he said, and what better way to do that then perform? Almost like he knew that he owed it to us and his team, as well as himself, to give his absolute all. He definitely did that today. Would indeed be climbing the b&f ladder very quickly.

I don't think i could give votes for this game, it would be too hard finding more than just one or two. Thankfully voting is closed so i won't. All i can say is: Sylvia BOG by a MILLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.. Not one single player showed as much guts and intensity as Sylvia did, for 4 consistent quarters. Like a couple of others, i agree that Cheney was one of our best, ditto Grimes, despite what their opponents did. The kids definitely showed enough g&d, as well as glimpses of class and poise, to make me excited about their futures. They got taught some very important lessons by some very good players today and will be better for it. Jamar was pretty good as our rucks dominated the hitouts, yet our mids couldn't get near it. 31 hitouts looks nice on paper, but how many of them actually helped us get the clearance? He's much improved and is moving better than i've ever seen, but Josh Fraser did get a lot of the ball and use it to advatange on most occasions. If i had to give votes i'd give him just 2 or 1. Struggle to find anyone else vote worthy really. All of Moloney, McLean, Bruce, Jones were servicable but beaten by their direct opponents in the midfield and the latter 2 in particular displayed their glaring disposal issues. None of the forwards deserved a vote really, and the backs were also well beaten. Definitely a tough week to find positives...

I agree. Thought Cheney was definitely one of our better players today in terms of endeavour, courage and commitment. He was beaten by his direct opponent on the day, but showed plenty to be excited about for the future.

After the initial bitter disappointment and anger i felt earlier has slowly started to settle, i feel i might now be able to talk a bit about the game... I was so upset at the time, and i still am, yet the wild statements i made right after the match (after a few beers) about how i wanted to drop half the side have eased somewhat. That said, if i had my way i'd still make 4 changes. OUT: Johnson, Bell, Robertson, Whelan (inj). IN: Martin, Bennell, Miller, Jurrah PJ is one of my favorites and i've been a strong defender of his for some time. Today his disposal and decision-making was at it's worst- absolutely disgraceful again, and he must be dropped. Apart from one nice assist when the game was over and his 16 hit-outs (Collingwood had a total of 17), he was dreadful, just dreadful. I don't think his ruckwork was bad though, but his lack of decision-making ability in crucial parts of the ground cost the team badly! I'd like to see him go back to Casey and dominate to earn his way back into the team, regardless of our lack of ruck options. Essendon don't have a strong ruck division with just Ryder, so Jamar can mostly ruck alone. Although Martin wasn't great at Casey, i wouldn't mind seeing him come back in as some 'big-man insurance', in case Jamar goes down, or if he needs a break. Essendon have only Ryder, with Hooker attempting to relieve for Ryder. Jamar will also need a rest, and a good time to let Stef' do the rucking when Hooker swings into the ruck while Ryder and Jamar are benched, probably only 5-8 minutes a quarter. Bell was very average and Bennell was stiff to miss out for him this week. Jamie is only young, but a future star and we need to get more time and experience into him. He has shown plenty to be excited about. Unfortunately for Bell, his lack of awarness and slow decision-making seems uncorrectable. Grimes and Cheney, whilst beaten by their direct opponents today, have shown plenty of promise in Bell's position, and in the midfield Bell just doesnt get enough of the ball to warrant selection there. Robbo is another favourite of mine, but his game was completely ineffectual today and his poor set-shot conversion rate is killing us. Was happy that the only goal he scored today was from a free kick he won for holding-the-ball, as tackling has never been his strong suit, but other than that, no good Robbo. Miller played really well at Casey and should return to provide a strong body in the forward line, but i worry about his ability to kick goals too. Regardless, his form has been better than Robbo's, so Robbo'll have to go back and fight for his spot. Big chance for Miller to show some leadership and kick a few in his absence. Whelan will likely miss with injury so, my last inclusion is controversial but, i think we should play Jurrah on the friday night against the 'dons. His contribution to the Scorps win on Saturday was massive, 4 goals and numerous assists, was all class. He showed poise, skill and strong marking, and with Robbo out, he can fill that role and support Miller. I know he's just developing and is a long-term project, but judging from what DB said before todays match, he was VERY excited about Jurrah, who is much further advanced than the club had expected and was definitely close to selection. I think (hope) it'll happen.

Yeah fair call, although i had Silvagni in my top 3 players on the ground after quarter time. Especially when he was moved further up the ground. Stiff not to get the BOG award to be honest. I reckon Miller got it on the back of a huge last quarter.

I also wonder what the ? were around him, as he does look so good at this level. Disposal perhaps? How old is he? Yesterday he played just about the most complete game i've ever seen from a player (back, ruck, forward) and definitely looks like he'd be capable at the top level. His mark in Watt's debut VFL match a few weeks back was massive too. Carlton fans would be furious to see a Silvagni in red and blue!!!

Was thinking the exact same thing as Daemn. That is hilarious!

Agree. Essentially Miller has all the qualities to make it as a FF, except for his dodgy kicking/lack of penetration by foot. Last year he showed he can kick straight, but his confidence in his own kicking is really down at the moment. His leap and pack marking is also one of his percieved weaknesses, but he has shown he can do it. Unfortunately he hasn't done it anywhere near enough, and that's what makes him so frustrating. He's played 100 games and has always shown glimpses of ability, but as yet, has not nailed his position. He's always been our "CHF, until somone better comes along". With the departure of Neitz and the end of Robbo coming sooner rather than later, and with Watts our potential CHF, as a leader amongst the players, Miller just has to step up as the go-to man. One-out he definitiely has the body strength to be effective in those contested situations, and to be fair to him, our delivery has rarely been to his advantage, when he has played deep in recent years. But to be effective at FF on a weekly basis he needs to work thru that and still manage to kick goals. Much in the way that Robbo somehow always manages to snag 1 or 2, regardless of how the delivery is to him. In the second half of this year i really hope he can kick another 20+ goals and establish himself as a deep forward, to compliment his long-leading game. It will make things so much easier in our climb back up the ladder over the next few years if he does. Even if we draft Butcher.

Connoll's is a class act in the media. So personable and humourous, you can see his passion for the club clearly in the way he speaks. His influence since arriving from Freo has been fantastic. Unfortunately, his coaching reputation was tainted after underachieving at Freo, but in his role as football manager, he sure is a class act and a great fit for our footy club.

Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones

He's a very cool customer, our DB B)