Line-up changes are a hard thing to call, especially when a team is as deep into finals action as the Adelaide Crows.
But injuries against the fast starting, hard-nosed Fremantle Dockers have forced the selection panel’s hand.
The Crows must now look at picking a new tall defender to cover the loss of the Daniel Talia last week and Sam Shaw this week; a replacement defensive forward for the injured Jared Petrenko; and a small goal sneak to possibly replace the out of form Ian Callinan.
Replacing these players might be easy on paper; former NAB Rising Star runner up Andy Otten to replace Shaw, the versatile and skillful Brodie Martin for Petrenko, possibly a Brad Symes or a Chris Knights (who now looks Richmond bound) for Callinan, or, and this is the big argument set to start at team meetings, Josh Jenkins to work alongside Kurt Tippett in the goal square.
Most would argue recalling a tall for a small does nothing but hinder your forward line, creating an in balance and potentially draining any run and creativity you may have had.
However, Jenkins’ recall provides more advantages for the team than simply adding more height.
Former basketballer Jenkins is a gifted athlete capable of some amazingly skillful work in close and a surprisingly large tank for such a big man. This added agility and quick disposal could be the difference for a Crows team who will undoubtedly suffer from poor supply come the weekend.
We saw it against both Sydney and Fremantle, when Adelaide’s midfield is held accountable at the stoppages and is not allowed to break free effectively, the fallback plan is the long bomb to the up and down Taylor Walker (thankfully he’s currently ‘up’) and the woefully out of form Tippet.
Adding another tall puts more pressure on Josh “fists of steel” Gibson, who is arguably the most important element of the Hawks backline.
With his exquisite spoiling and third up jumping abilities, Gibbo has the enviable knack of making every opposition forward feel uncomfortable, not just his own opponent.
Someone needs to shut out his influence on the game, free up Walker and Tippet to handle the long bombs to the goal mouth, and force the Hawks defense to be accountable.
This player also needs to be a hard one to match up on, someone tall enough to create a headache for the Hawks ‘third tall’ and someone capable of stealing a lead up the ground, dragging a player out and creating space. Jenkins has all the physical attributes to do this role.
He does not, however, have the match fitness needed for finals after a week off, with SANFL team Sturt not making the finals. But in his last outing he booted eight goals and was Sturt’s only highlight for the day. The guy is capable of big things, and, really, the Crows have nothing to lose and everything to gain. And I don’t just mean this weekend.
Tippet’s contract talks, body language, unconvincing media appearances and current form all point to the Queenslander flying home at season’s end.
Finally, the Crows have the forward tandem they’ve craved since, well, Modra and Hodges in ’93, and that barely lasted the season. We finally have the gun centre-half in Walker, but we cannot allow him to become a one man band a’la Gary Ablett Snr, Lockett or Fevola – this model allows great personal success but rarely team success.
If Tippet walks, Jenkins is the perfect replacement. I say give the guy a chance to shine and show the football world the Crows are ready for Tippet’s departure.
At the end of the day, Adelaide run into the Hawthorn match as rank outsiders, and for a very good reason. Why not upset the apple cart a little; why not force the Hawks to prove their coaching and planning credentials with some surprises.
The backline will be full of fill ins anyway, and the midfield will be faced with a torrid battle of strength at the breakdown.
Let’s give the Crows forward line some flavor and see if we like the taste.
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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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