Brenton Sanderson will return to the home ground of his former club tonight to take on Geelong in Thursday night football – the Adelaide Crows looking to make amends for a disappointing 2013 season.
Geelong will enter tonight’s game as favourites, however if both sides want to make the finals in 2014, these are the games that they will have to win.
Adelaide failed to make the finals in 2013, a huge step down from finishing third the year before and missing out on a grand final by a goal.
The injury to Taylor Walker against Carlton midway through last season acted as the turning point for the Crows season as they struggled to find any real potency up forward with Tom Lynch (33) their top goal-kicker.
In October and November of 2013 and the Crows looked for experience in the free agency and trade periods. They moved Bernie Vince to Melbourne for pick 23 before grabbing James Podsiadly from Geelong, adding valuable experience to an under-performing forward line.
Then on the 4th of October, after days of speculation, Eddie Betts signed as a restricted free agent from Carlton, adding more depth.
It was clear that this was an area in which Adelaide needed to develop and this was supported by their trades and recruiting.
On draft day, Adelaide had to wait until pick 23 to gain the services of Matt Crouch – the much talked about brother of Brad.
Matt, who played most of his footy for North Ballarat, was then followed by Saint Peters College old scholar and local Adelaide boy Riley Knight at pick 46.
Adelaide had again recruited two midfielders in this draft after picking up Brad Crouch the previous year.
The new look NAB Challenge provided two practice matches for the Crows against the Power and the Blues.
Eddie Betts kicked a bag in a strong win against the Power, and their trip to Etihad resulted in another good win.
Finally, a practice match win against Greater Western Sydney in Blacktown left many of the Crows boys sore, providing more issues than positives.
So now the Crows are in Geelong and keen to get back on the field.
Taylor Walker may not be playing but James Podsiadly and Eddie Betts will provide both the skills and experience to help their struggling forward line.
As a midfield, Adelaide are very solid and at times underrated. Dangerfield, Thompson, Sloane and Jacobs are crucial in the middle of the ground and the explosive pace and precision of Dangerfield makes him a Brownlow chance in 2014.
Considering the midfield players that both sides possess, this clash looks set to be cracking battle.
Joel Selwood will play for the Cats and their ever impressive and consistent midfield will be fascinating to watch as they come up against the skilful yet dogged Adelaide ball winners.
However, the defence of Adelaide versus the forward line of Geelong will be vital in the outcome of the match.
Many of the Adelaide defenders pulled up sore after the GWS game as Adelaide struggled majorly with injury issues.
A massive game is in store for the football public at Simonds Stadium tonight.
The Cats go in as deserved favourites due to the home ground advantage and the problems Adelaide face in defence.
However, the Crows are up to show the football world that they can bring back their 2012 form, and leave a disappointing 2013 behind.
Geelong to win, but not by much.
TomC
Roar Guru
You might be right, vocans. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it. Nevertheless I find the timing strange.
TomC
Roar Guru
5th? 32nd, according to footywire. Plus he went from 1st in the B&F at a club that finished 2nd to 7th at a club that finished tenth, and had his lowest Brownlow medal haul for five years. And he's 31. He's still a servicable player, and he certainly tore Brisbane apart last season, but his output is dropping noticably. As you'd expect.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
the number of teams on the roar redemption trail has nearly exceeded the number of teams in the comp.
vocans
Guest
I hear loyalty to the Crows in not going for money, and I hear serious footy attitude in an acting captain talking to his team and the Club about what AFL footy is all about. Strong determination like the way he plays. If the Club has not progressed, and the players have not gone to their next level, then I'm with Danger. Anything top 8 , 6 or 4 this year is a good result; and like a number of the young teams, 2015 and 2016 look more like it.
Ingot oodles
Guest
Declining powers of Thompson? Not sure about that mate. Just because he wasn't the 2 largest disposals last year but 5th in te league it doesn't mean a decline in his powers.
TomC
Roar Guru
I totally agree on Dangerfield's comments, Franko. Very strange timing and very disappointing for a young man who's done pretty well out of the Crows to talk them down like that. While he's paid by the club he should damn well support the club.
TomC
Roar Guru
I have to say I’m not as bullish as others about Adelaide this season, about either of these teams in fact. I think the loss of Vince, the injuries to Douglas and Van Berlo, and the declining powers of Scott Thompson make their midfield look a bit shallow. And it’ll be a little while before the likes of Crouch, Kerridge and Grigg can step up to fill the gap. Might be a bit of a transition year for the Crows, particularly if Walker can’t return at full strength until late in the season.
Franko
Guest
Tex Walker is a massive out for the Crows and they'll struggle without him. Dangerfield has a point, but pretty poor to express it on the eve of the season: ‘‘We lose Kurt Tippett for nothing and then you lose first- and second-round draft picks for two years and it makes it a lot more difficult to have success.’’ ‘‘When I do (decide to stay or go) it will be a decision based on success not on money, that’s for sure,’’ Can see the Crows getting pumped tonight but should have a better second half of the year when Tex is back and fit.