Jason Porplyzia of Adelaide celebrates while Nathan Lovett-Murray of Essendon looks on during the AFL 1st Elimination Final between the Adelaide Crows and the Essendon Bombers at AAMI Stadium.
Their dominant victory in the elimination final may have been inflated by playing a team that didn’t necessarily belong in the finals, but the Adelaide Crows have emerged as the dark horses in September.
Often flying under the AFL radar, the Crows are finally reaping the rewards and plaudits for intelligently building an impressive squad. They have given youngsters the time to develop and find their feet in the AFL.
How they nurtured Trent Hentschel to full fitness after his horrific leg injuries highlights this meticulous and efficient approach.
Their reward is another key position forward in red-hot form.
This approach pervades through all facets of the club, one of the most profitable, well structured, best supported and best run clubs in any code.
Excitement is building in South Australia, slowly reaching the fever pitch level of the ‘97 and ‘98 campaigns.
They can no longer be ignored.
After all it’s hard to ignore the form of a team that has scored 71 goals in their past three matches with a winning average margin of 80 points.
The perceived weakness of the Crows at the start of the season, the lack of forward options, has suddenly become its potent weapon.
The ever-improving Kurt Tippett gives the Crows the tall forward option they have desperately lacked for years now with the likes of Hentschel, Jason Porplyzia and Brett Burton each able to add to the tally, especially when they gel with the likes Patrick Dangerfield, Bernie Vince and ruckman Ivan Maric.
As long as they can continue to drive through the midfield and give these forward options half a chance, then they are capable of big scores, not dependant on just one key forward.
While there’s no denying their position as the best of the rest outside of the Saints, Cats, Bulldogs and Magpies, there are doubts about whether the Crows can mix it with the chief protagonists when it counts.
Of their eight defeats this season, seven have come at the hands of their fellow surviving finalists.
Their recent high scoring form has overshadowed their Round 16 to 19 performances that saw three defeats to Collingwood, Geelong and St Kilda, the latter a 57-point walloping.
The Crows youngsters need to raise their intensity and step up to the challenge of finals football and prove that they deserve to be in such illustrious company.
It’s time for the Crows to confirm their potential with a big scalp Saturday night.
Given they are the form team of the competition, considering the two extra rest days over their injury hit opponents and their impressive away form, they have every chance of repeating their round one victory over Collingwood.
Even if they are unsuccessful this season, the exciting blend of youth and promise will be a threat for years to come.
Dave1
Guest
I think the only other ones the Crows got were Bruce Linder, Danny Huges and Mark Mickan
Tom of Darwin
Guest
Fair enough, I can't agree that Port is another club, so for Wanganeen to go back it was to go back to the same club he left. I stand corrected on Ben Allan, he made the choice that will be offered to Tippett in going to a club from his home state. Adelaide had the same conditions when it started up but didn't manage to get many players, Tony McGuiness I recall was one though (from Footscray).
Pippinu
Roar Guru
....and this has been at the heart of the Port identity crisis ever since.
Dave
Guest
the difference is some players dont go back. Buckley never went back to Port
Dave
Guest
good to hear
Ben Somerford
Roar Guru
Im not sure what you're getting at there Tom of Darwin. Port & Freo were start-up clubs, just like Gold Coast will be. Obviously there's links with local clubs from the local comps, but that'll be the same up on the Gold Coast, especially with Southport Sharks (where Tippett, and Riewoldt may I add, hail from). Also just to note, Ben Allan was a Claremont boy (far cry from a Freo lad), while Wanganeen did play with Port Maggies (but don't they say they are a whole different club altogether?).
Tom of Darwin
Guest
The difference is that Port and Freo both were clubs that those boys had already played with whereas GC is made up. The GC players around the AFL will have no loyalty to the club itself, but the decision to move will be based on money, family and friends. No chance for success, surely?
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Tippett not only fits the bill - he is the bill!!!
Ben Somerford
Roar Guru
Interesting to note on the talk of Gold Coast/Tippett, that when Port and Freo both came in they both managed to lure back a homegrown established AFL star from another club. Port got Gavin Wanganeen (a Brownlow medallist) and the Dockers got Ben Allan (a premiership player & Hawks B&F winner in their premiership year). So with that in mind, you'd expect GC to be able to nab someone high-profile and Tippett fits the bill. These things do happen.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
And for the benefit of those who may not know: both Riewoldt and Tippett are Gold Coast boys - and thus the big interest in them (on top of being excellent key position players, which are as rare as hens teeth)
Redb
Roar Guru
yes thats right especially after missing out on Reiwoldt.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Yep - after Riewoldt (now pretty much confirmed as a Saint), Tippett is the next big gun that they want.
Redb
Roar Guru
After this finals series and the 2010 season Tippett's star may have risen considerably. Who wouldnt want a 200cm full forward?, they'll chase him for sure in a big big way. Redb
megatron
Guest
I heard he bought a house in Adelaide. Will Gold Coast go for more of star name than Tippett?
WA
Guest
Thrashing the Dons is not a very good indication. Will be interesting to see them against a team with a sniff this week.
Redb
Roar Guru
megatron, I read that as well albeit from Adelaide club sources, but his girlfriend is still on the coast as would be his family. Be good for the comp if the local boy lined up in Gold Coast colours in 2011. Redb
megatron
Guest
He is a Gold Coast boy and will be targeted be them but I heard he is settled in Adelaide and wants to stay.
megatron
Guest
This is the big test for them to prove whether they're the real deal. A lot of people are still doubting them. But they now have the quality to threaten, especially a weakened Pies.
Redb
Roar Guru
Agree, they have a very good future. It's amazing when Burton is not the main target up forward due to Tippett, Dangerfield and Porplyzia (spelling) taking the role as fast leading and highly effective foward who can mark the ball as well as St Kilda's talls. But for thar rosy future the Crows will need to hang onto to Tippett - a potential star if not already. Redb
Michael Green
Roar Pro
I wondered if the big crowd had anything to do with the sort of team they are now presented with. I think this Crows team is the most exciting one they've ever had. I'm not so sure they will beat Collingwood but they do looks good for years to come.