We look at the Adelaide Crows, who will be looking to fire up after a lean stretch
Team: Adelaide Crows
Homeground: AAMI Stadium (51,000)
Coach: Neil Craig
Season 2010: 11th P-22 W-9 L-13 36pts 94.28%
2011 squad: Tony Armstrong, Myke Cook, James Craig, Patrick Dangerfield, Phil Davis, Michael Doughty, Richard Douglas, Jack Gunston, Ricky Henderson, Sam Jacobs, Mathew Jaensch, Graham Johncock, Chris Knights, Jarryd Lyons, David Mackay, Ivan Maric, Brodie Martin, Shaun McKernan, Brad Moran, Andy Otten, Jared Petrenko, Jason Porplyzia, Brent Reilly, Ben Rutten, James Sellar, Sam Shaw, Rory Sloane, Brodie Smith, Scott Stevens, Brad Symes, Daniel Talia, Richard Tambling, Luke Thompson, Scott Thompson, Kurt Tippett, Nathan Van Berlo, Bernie Vince, Taylor Walker, Will Young. Rookie list: Ian Callinan, Sam Martyn, Tim Milera, Aidan Riley, Lachlan Roach, Chris Schmidt, Jake Von Bertouch, Matthew Wright. (CALL CONFIRM NUMBERS)
Arrivals: Ricky Henderson (rookie elevation), Sam Jacobs (traded from Carlton), Matthew Jaensch (rookie elevation), Jarryd Lyons (2010 AFL Draft), Brodie Smith (2010 AFL Draft), Richard Tambling (traded from Richmond), Luke Thompson (rookie elevation).
Departures: Nathan Bock (to Gold Coast), Brett Burton (retired), Tyson Edwards (retired), Simon Goodwin (retired), Trent Hentschel (retired), Harrhan Jacky (delisted), Andrew McLeod (retired), Jonathon Griffin (traded to Fremantle).
Season preview: The Crows have lost not one but five great players to retirement. Burton, Edwards, Goodwin, Hentschel and McLeod have more than 1100 games between them, not to mention 890 goals, six best and fairests and 322 Brownlow votes. The loss of so many of their leaders along with All-Australian defender, Nathan Bock will be hard to recover from. However that’s not to say they can’t recover. The Crows have a number of emerging players who can step up to fill the void left by those big Adelaide names.
The future of the club now lies with their next lot of leaders in Scott Thompson, 2010 best and fairest Richard Douglas, Ben Rutten and the new skipper Nathan Van Berlo.
It’s time for the next generation of Crows to show the competition what they are capable of and if last year is anything to go by, they will definitely test some teams in 2011.
Adelaide were impressive late last year, going down to Collingwood by only 3 points at the MCG, then beating St Kilda at AAMI to finish the season.
They were touted as a top four side before the beginning of 2010 season but lost their first six games and were hampered by injuries. Adelaide managed to regroup and win seven from 10 to storm back into finals contention but won just two of their last six to finish 11th.
Neil Craig has taken the Crows to finals five years in a row, with 2010 being the first year he failed to do so. No doubt he will want to improve the club’s away record, with the Crows notching only two wins from eight games on the road. Craig will also focus on tackling, an area in which the club failed miserably last year.
Their defence looks strong with Andy Otten in the team alongside Rutten, Johncock, Symes, Doughty and promising youngster Phil Davis.
Adelaide supporters have a few young players to look forward to in 2011. First round pick (2010), Brodie Smith has pace to burn and stamina. While the other first round pick (2009) Daniel Talia, should make his debut this season after a knee injury sidelined him for the second half of the year.
Graham Johncock and Brent Reilly need another solid year while Myke Cook needs to do more to consolidate his spot in Adelaide’s starting 22.
New additions include red-headed ruckman, Sam Jacobs from Carlton who could be handy as a backup for Ivan Maric. Former Tiger, Richard Tambling struggled last year and will need to find consistent form to secure a place in the team.
Chris Knights is another ‘recruit’ who will return after abdominal, foot and hamstring injuries restricted him to five games. He kicked 43 goals in 2009 and will be a welcome addition up forward for the Crows.
Kurt Tippett enjoyed a stellar 2010 and was Adelaide’s leading goal-kicker, taking the fourth most contested marks in the AFL. With Tippet working alongside Knights, Walker and Dangerfield the Adelaide forwardline is one that could take the Crows further than our predicted 12th finish.
Main man: Scott Thompson. Adelaide’s best midfielder, produced a stellar 2010. Thompson finished second in the club’s best and fairest, scored 15 Brownlow votes and averaged over 25 disposals. Thompson led the club in kicks and handballs as well as contested and uncontested possessions. The tough on-baller knows how to win the footy and can deliver it with accuracy. Is an integral part of the Crows line-up.
X-Factor: Patrick Dangerfield has played only two seasons in the AFL but has already made an impact. His explosive style has some comparing him to Mark Ricciuto. Spent some time in the midfield last year and led the club for hard-ball gets. Dangerfield finished the season as the third-highest goal-kicker (26) and at only 20 years of age, he looks to be a dangerous player for the Crows. We have to give Taylor Walker a mention here as well, he definitely has the x-factor and Adelaide fans will hope they’re both firing in 2011.
Predicted 2011 finish: 12th
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