After getting smashed by Sydney last week at home, the Adelaide Crows needed to win against Richmond to stay within reach with the bottom of the top eight.
But getting beaten by a Tigers side fast coming of age this season puts a dint in the Crows’ top eight hopes.
However, with Carlton heading into the bye losing to Hawthorn, it does leave them and West Coast still within reach, despite the difference in percentage.
There are areas in which Adelaide were strong last year but have now gone backwards.
Teams have worked them out. Sam Jacobs has been pushed around more and he is not near the form he was last year. Also, injuries have played a part in the team structure.
Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch have been competitive despite expectations they won’t be able to hold up.
But defensive pressure has not being as great as it was last year, as shown by the Swans.
Last year Adelaide had the firepower up forward to win games and the defensive pressure to stop sides.
However, this year, with departures, injuries and loss of form, it has put them in the middle of the chasing pack.
In fairness, the draw is tougher, with no home games against GWS and Gold Coast this year. Where they sit right now they will need to win at least seven of the last 10 games.
Six of them are winnable but out of Collingwood away, Geelong at home, Freo and West Coast both away, they will need to win at least one of them. But at this stage it does look like they won’t be able to win all of the six winnable games.
It starts in two weeks when they need to win two of the next three against Gold Coast away, West Coast home and one of the harder games with Collingwood away.
It’s not going to be easy but to give them their best chance of reaching seventh/eighth, then that is what’s required. Forget about the premiership, it’s about saving face and getting something decent out of this.
It’s important to remain competitive and keep things calm. With the move into Adelaide Oval next year, they need more spark than finishing outside the eight.
They have had things not go to plan as they hoped and after such a big year last year it was supposed to be the year to make up for losing a preliminary final.
It’s also their last year at AAMI Stadium, while going from the hunter to the hunted has never been harder in the AFL and Adelaide have been shown this year that you can’t rest on last season’s results.
Perhaps expectations were a bit too much but finishing in the top four given how they went last year is not too much to expect. Now it’s a rescue mission just to make the eight.
But it looks like a step too far for these Crows. If they don’t get results required then to prepare for 2014 they can try new things, like Dangerfield off half back to give a different option and keep developing players like Crouch and Kerridge, providing they do enough to Adelaide’s coach Brenton Sanderson’s liking.
Also, they need to sort out the future of Graham Johncock if he still has a role to play.
They have more than enough to compete for a spot around the top four, just outside it perhaps if they can get general improvement from the stagnation this season.
With a free agent like Harry Taylor possibly available, it could be the spark they need.
Sanderson is a fine coach and the Crows need to go with his calls and back him on future decisions.
Crow up or the rest of 2013 will pose more questions than progression.
Brett
Roar Rookie
Talia has developed into a great key defender, he will continue to grow, they were able to get that forward line combo working last year because they gave them enough chances by winning the ball more, i dont think Buddy will go to the crows but they will do most of the off season work on free agency due to the draft affects, they have Angus Graham as a good back up if Jacobs needed a rest, another key position player now though would be a great help.
vocans
Guest
They need a couple of key position players to stand up and that will need at least one from recruiting. Young players do not know how to weather the storm of bigger, more experienced bodies. You need speed all over the ground these days, especially down back. Rutten and Reilly are not quick enough to cover all angles. The loss of Tex after Tippett makes them a very different team to last year. Lynch and Jenkins are novices so can't replace their impact. A number of interesting faces are in the wings. A lot to look forward to but the best is still a couple of seasons away at least. That could also give time for another ruck option to emerge - a number are being groomed. Versatility is the name of the game these days in player selection. Big quick skilful players are at a premium - like Buddy. Jenkins could fit the bill but, as with all things with this team, time is needed before time tells.
Brett
Roar Rookie
I agree the pressure that they used last year is not there, last year’s game plan was about pressure and the transition from defence into attack. Rutten was dropped to work on things at training and will return round 14 but his role is unsure, Vince is quite inconsistent in general and was dropped earlier in the season, Mackay does not have the pace required to be a game breaker, Thompson is around the ball but is not the type to open a game up, they had Petrenko missing who can help create a spark at times and they have not had as much movement from half back due to still trying to find a suitable replacement to doughty, Brown is still developing in the Crows backline. Sides have worked them out and it was not just the Sydney game they were found out, against North they were challenged heavily and Essendon had them sorted at the start of the season
Bayman
Guest
Brett, This year's Crows don't chase and they don't tackle so it's hard to see them suddenly making a push for the eight. As great as Rutten has been he's slower than me so does not provide much in the way of run. More stand and deliver. Vince does not get involved enough, Mackay doesn't like traffic, Thompson doesn't really hurt the opposition, no matter how many touches, the decision making is generally poor and hitting targets seems more like a nicety than a must have. So, on balance, they'll be spectators this year - much like they were against the Swans.
Franko
Guest
Maybe they just need a reserves side ;)