Dee*ceiving

New CEO 101...

On the money Binman! DB is a [censored]. Financial loss is certain. Low crowds late in the year would have been very costly. However, the 52k members shattered last years record so it's not doom and gloom. We won't have a big drop off in membership next year. It's easier to resign as a member than decline. As for players potentially wanting out, fine. It just presents another opportunity to improve our list, whether it be by draft picks or players. Credit to the club, they've acknowledged theres been a disaster but have taken steps. New director of coaching, new fitness coach and a gun under 23 year old player coming in already not even 7 days after the final game. Hold the course!

Supremely talented as a player but also very cerebral. His positioning in contests and knowing when to jump and when to get front and centre was sublime. He was also able to play a range of positions, half back, midfield and close to goal. Would be a good fit and a great mentor to guys like Fritch and Trac

Adding the flexibility to play May up forward is enticing. Also, I think Keath could play the Hibbo role perhaps. Looked to be slowing up in 2019

Frosty's chase and subsequent jumper destroying tackle on Petrucelle in Perth was probably my number 1 favorite highlight for the year!

Counter thinking is, it still doesn't land us a bonafide A grader.

Like it GCDee. Addresses 2 major problems and still leaves us with a pick in the first round. Plus Langdon and Papley are still under 25 (pretty sure)

Agree. In terms of the Dees, I think an internal review is justifiable, particularly with a recently appointed Gary Pert in the CEO role who is unlikely to have been affected by croney-ism (just yet) For the Crows however, I think the drop has been so unexpected and and playing groups disgust at the culture so severe that they may not have had that option. Or felt that option would simply delay what really needs to be done by a further 12 months.

Your logic is sound Mach5, the evidence is obvious regarding the success of reviews at Geelong and Richmond. Collingwood less so but still with merit. The external review suggests to me the Adelaide board has already made decisions on the senior people within the club, e.g. not capable of conducting an objective, non-biased & effective review.

Agree 100%

Second rounder possibly already set aside for Ed Langdon? Maybe we have something that could get us back into the second round if that were to eventuate? Likely though that only blokes we'd much prefer to keep (e.g. Frost or Fritsch) would attract interest at that price.

Good riddance miserable 2019. Whilst difficult to put aside the pessimism, perhaps there are a few reasons to be hopeful for next year? Fritsch's late season form up forward suggests we can get back to a formidable forward half mix next year If the rumours are true, Ed Langdon will definitely add some class and dash Pick 2 should find us an A grade talent, one that can make an impact quickly It's unlikely we could be cruelled by injury in the same fashion, already in a better place compared to last year with few pre season surgeries required On paper, the backline looks strong (Hibberd, Jetta, May, Frost, Hore, Lever), albeit with little pace and a question mark on depth Tom McDonald will be better (PLEASE!) as will Sam Weideman Several small forwards seem gettable in the post season, perhaps none are perfect but we should land someone that can fill a need somewhat adequately

Yes from me. Good size, tough, a head for bouncers. Not quick, but not slow either and a booming kick. Would definitely add something if fit and in the right mind set

Tom Cutler would be best 22 easily on a wing, if fit. He would be an upgrade on another recently recruited winger we have barely seen this season (KK)

Nathan Jones' disposal efficiency in 71.4% in 2019. Far from terrible. He is definitely prone to the under pressure up and under bomb, always has, but worsened by loss of pace and dexteriety in the last year or 2 definitely. However, I think he's one of the few players that have hit quite a few 40-50 metre hit up passes to the forwards.

I agree with the first bit, the playing group couldn't care less about 186 and are definitely over the 2018 prelim. However, Hannan, Spargo and Preuss will struggle to get to 80 games let alone 150 and I've got doubts on Weid as well (unfortunately and I very much hope to be proven wrong!)

Yep

Agree. Fair chance we'd have made the GF if we'd beat the saints. Would have finished 3rd and played WCE away in week 1. Win that and it's a week off and a home prelim probably against Collingwood (assuming form held true) or Geelong (if it didn't). Had we lost to the Eagles in week 1 we'd have been home in week 2 against GWS. Win that and we have another game in Melbourne. Anyway, fantasy booking...probably only relevant in sports entertainment ? (questionable even then)

My (perhaps optimistic assessment) Midfield and ruck we probably shaded the Pies slightly (It would have been messy had we not had big Max, not for the first time this year). Good to see improved output from Angus and Oliver and Harmes maintained their standing. Jones did a decent job on Steele after quarter time when he was well off the chain. Backline, about even. Great effort from a close to all new back 6. Defended well as a unit and only De Goey was clearly too good for his opponent when 1 on 1 irrespective of who was on him. Forward line, debacle. Not 1 of our forwards won their position (perhaps could mount an argument for Petracca). No cohesion, talls getting in one anothers way, constantly over crowded, just mess! For mine we need to find 4 things and we'll be right... 1. a new forward / offensive strategy and / or coach 2. the 2018 version of Tom McDonald 3. the 2017 version of Jeff Garlett 4. a faster, bigger, stronger Charlie Spargo I'll go check under that rock, be right back!

Agree entirely Redleg. it's not quite rolling our way, in fact it hasn't for nearly 60 years! Unfortunately on Saturday night there were: 4 players in the side that either aren't yet capable or are no longer capable of AFL level football (Wagner, Spargo, Oscar McDonald and Stretch) 1 players who is highly capable but woefully out of form / injured (Tom McDonald) 1 player who is highly capable but has been played out of position and struggled for form (Brayshaw) 2 players on their last legs (Garlett and Jones, who has necessitated Brayshaw being played out of position) 3 players who battle manfully out of their weight and / or class (Frost, JKH and Tim Smith) 2 players who have been in the top 5 performed for the year withdrawn late (Salem and Hore) All of that leaves a lot for a core group to do. You could assess that as a leadership flunk or a leadership success considering a 2 point loss where you've outplayed the opposition for 4 quarters and let yourself down with your final touch in front of goals. I agree with Goodwin, we will improve as players return. They are all practice matches for 2020 now. He must not waste them.

RIP Colin Sylvia. Taken too soon.

Joel Smith with train with the forwards over summer to add to our depth. I'd also expect us to look at a state league or DFA option for a back up key forward. It will be desperate times if we need to rely on either of the Smith boys for long periods of the season however.

WCE had plenty of opportunity to draft Kelly. He was playing under their noses for years. He may have had a break out year prior to being drafted but even then the Cats took him with a pick in the 20s. I am with the Cats on this one. Do you're 2 years son, then we'll get you home. Irrespective, Scott is still a [censored]....

Agree with Yung Blood. We look light on for depth in the forward line., both key and crumbing. J Smith as a forward worth a shot. Could we rookie list Pedersen for 'break in case of emergency'?

only if the blokes we get to replace them don't have the same inadequacies