After winning their first three games – the opening two against North Melbourne and Collingwood particularly emphatic – it seemed that Adelaide were the real deal under new coach Phil Walsh.
Walsh, who replaced Brenton Sanderson after he was surprisingly sacked at the end of last season, had given the indication there would be a harder edge with the way the Crows would play.
He came across after a lengthy apprenticeship as an assistant coach and high performance manager at a number of clubs, during which he employed a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude. He seemed to have drilled that mentality into his new players straight away.
However, there seems to be a touch of the same old Crows after that wonderful start. They have won just three games since and are in the top eight only on percentage.
Once again it appears that Adelaide are relying on too few players to get the job done for them every week such as Patrick Dangerfield, the prolific Scott Thompson, and Eddie Betts, who is now arguably the best small forward in the competition having kicked 33 goals.
Taylor Walker was a bold selection as captain and like the rest of the team made a huge impression early, kicking 11 goals in the first three outings, but only 16 since.
Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch have been inconsistent as the other talls up forward as well and no matter how well he has performed, Eddie can’t do it all on his own.
Rory Sloane missed several weeks with injury along with Richard Douglas, which weakened the midfield and again that reliance on too few was evident, although Rory Laird has certainly continued making giant strides and has averaged 22 disposals a game so far.
Brad Crouch’s frustrating run with injuries continue. He is a sublime talent, but hasn’t played this year yet and continues to be badly missed.
In defence, Brodie Smith had an outstanding year as a rebounding halfback last season and is in good form again in 2015, but opposition clubs are awake to him more this year and are finding ways to restrict him.
Kyle Cheney from Hawthorn and Jake Kelly, the son of former Collingwood premiership player Craig, have been welcome additions to the backline, but they are not legitimate key tall defenders, which is an area where Adelaide lack depth.
Ricky Henderson was filling centre half back, but he’s another out injured and Kyle Hartigan is still finding his way at this level. Adelaide’s high draft pick last year, Jake Lever, has had a taste in the AFL and has shown he is their future as a key defensive back, while again Daniel Talia continues to enhance his reputation as a star fullback, but once again like the midfield and forward line, he requires more support right now.
As has been the case with the Crows, they are the almost team, especially against the very good sides.
They had their moments against Hawthorn last Thursday night but when push came to shove the Hawks were far too good and they have been exposed by quick sides such as the Bulldogs in Round 4 and the Giants in Round 8.
They also had their chances against Port Adelaide, who haven’t performed well all season and let that one slip too, which might prove costly in what is looking like a mighty battle for the lower spots in the eight considering the log jam of teams all on six wins at the halfway mark of the season.
Sanderson was accused in some circles of not being tough enough on the Adelaide players during his three years in charge. Phil Walsh on the other hand is seen as the bad cop, who is never satisfied. Maybe that’s what the Crows needed.
Board member and club legend Mark Ricciuto certainly thought that as he seemed to be the man who drove Walsh’s appointment, but once again, despite the change in coach, we have a similar result so far in 2015. Several unanswered questions remain as to whether Adelaide are actually good enough.
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We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
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