When the Adelaide Crows got to within a goal of the 2012 grand final in Brenton Sanderson’s first season as coach, it appeared a new dynasty was on the horizon.
That narrow preliminary final defeat to Hawthorn looked as though it would be the start of a regular berth in the finals.
However, if you peel away the layers, the Crows’ 17 wins that year came from a very favourable draw.
They played four of the bottom sides, including Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney, twice.
The Crows faltered the next year and disastrously lost their two key forwards: Kurt Tippett to Sydney in controversial circumstances and Taylor Walker to a knee injury.
You could raise the argument that the Crows were a one-hit wonder – much like North Melbourne when they made the 2007 preliminary final from nowhere only to falter almost immediately.
Fast forward 12 months and the Crows find themselves in the mix to fill probably the last spot in the top eight. However, they have been frustratingly inconsistent and haven’t often produced their best football.
They lost their first three games to clearly superior sides Geelong, Port Adelaide and Sydney, then beat bottom sides in St Kilda, the Giants and the Bulldogs before a bad loss to Melbourne. But they did beat top-four contender Collingwood after their bye.
However, they lost another tight one to a Carlton side out of finals contention, before beating the Gold Coast, who had won five in a row and are aiming for the top four.
Can the real Adelaide Crows stand up please? Their wins over the Magpies and the Suns showed they can match it with the best. Even the early losses to the Cats, Power and Swans, where they fell away in the final quarters, they were competitive for three terms.
Walker is back and firing and obviously gives the forward line the edge it’s been lacking. It means the handy James Podsiadly and Josh Jenkins don’t have to be the key targets and can provide the excellent support they are renowned for.
The club hopes Walker’s comeback will help Eddie Betts have more of an influence. The ex-Blue has just 16 goals so far, but did kick four against his old team last week in Tex’s return to the big time.
Daniel Talia is one of the best key defenders in the game now and Kyle Hartigan has shown he can fill Ben Rutten’s shoes at full back more than adequately when the Truck puts a stop to his fine career.
The midfield is covering Bernie Vince’s departure to Melbourne, with Patrick Dangerfield, Richard Douglas and Rory Sloane among the best trio of midfielders in one club.
They can’t wait to get Brad Crouch back from injury, and his younger brother Matt has slotted right in.
Ruckman Sam Jacobs has mirrored the club’s fortunes. He was outstanding in 2012, struggled last year and has been up and down in 2014. We know how good his best is, but it’s not produced every week.
The next month will decide Adelaide’s fate as they face four potential finalists and two premiership contenders – Fremantle, North Melbourne, Essendon and Port Adelaide.
Three wins from four would keep them thriving, and the key is trying to beat their nemesis, Port Adelaide, who have turned the new Adelaide Oval into a fortress while the Crows are still working this outstanding venue out.
Brenton Sanderson continues to be impressive in selling his club, particularly in their method for chasing long-term success. But there’s no doubt he would love to be assured that the team he chooses every week will play at its best.
vocans
Guest
The Crows need another good ruckman. They are definitely Jacobs dependent. Jenkins can pinch hit but he's too valuable up front. He's still learning his game. The return of Henderson to his 2012 form and more would really cap off a great back line, if he's not used in other capacities. He kicks long and accurately, so he could also be a goalscorer like Smith and Jaensch. Rutten is not so easily replaced as some might think. L. Thompson has to fix up his decision making, though he's still quite young. Hartigan's disposal is unreliable, and he hasn't yet got the mean, determined look of Daniel Talia, whose 2 pts from the coaches this week is laughable. I think the Crows are going to lose some very good players over the next two years. It will be premature because they are still coming up to speed and can't be picked ahead of current players. Laird and Brown have shown their worth but what do you do when Henderson finds form, or Luke Thompson gets his act together? Wright vs either of the Crouches? It goes on. The Crows will improve and will challenge for top four in coming years, but we need always to remember that other clubs are not standing still.
andrew
Guest
Great read but still very much a developing team - will not get within a lions roar of Freo. Also wont beat Port but will compete with North & beat the dons.
Barneythecrab
Guest
Yeah loving Brodie smiths year, i think he would def be in All Australian team. Jaensch has taken his game to a new level and if he continues at this pace he should def be in the top five for club honors. I think Brodie Martin is really stepping it up too he has done some awesome pressure acts in his last 2 games. I want to know why they are not playing Luke Thompson. He is a very good player and should def take over Ruttens position. Hartigan should also be in the team but Thompson plays much better 1on1. Unfortunately i think we are going to lose him to another team at the end of the year for nothing.
dan ced
Guest
The inconsistency is annoying. I've been a member since 1996 and it seems to just be the nature of the beast. I'm not as harsh as some Crows supporters I know. Their best is obviously worthy of a top 4 position, but their worst deserves a bottom 4 position. The Adelaide Bi-Polar Crows. I've really been enjoying Brodie Smith's season. Jaensch has also been good up back. I think finals are still on the cards but I don't see us making Prelims.
Barneythecrab
Guest
Really? Havnt done much before 2012? Do you watch the footy or no anything about different teams histories? 9 appearances in finals from 2000 - 2012 is a pretty good run. Yeah 2013 was a bad year but not sure if that equates to overrated.
Radelaide
Guest
I think this is the turning point for them as Walker is a beacon for them and until the Suns game he wasn't match fit but now is, that being said they weren't much better last year before he got injured so the jury is still out although Betts will help.
LeslieChow
Guest
Overrated team. Haven't done much before or after 2012 when they had a kind draw.
Barneythecrab
Guest
Good article. It's def very frustrating as a supporter with their fluctuating form. There is still a big gap of game time between the experienced and the new fellas. There are also some very vital cogs missing from the team and only two have just returned Walker and Otten. Thankfully Walker is finding form and Otten looked good on the weekend. People outside of the club also don't realise how influential Van Berlo is on the club throughout game day. He is an excellent leader and motivator. I think a big mistake was made giving Sloane and Dangerfield the dual captaincy. They are still young an are players that should concentrate on their game and nothing else. It should have gone to Rutten in possibly his last year. The Crows where helped in 2012 by their draw but showed what the future will look like. But we we are getting ahead of ourselves and should realise that the finals and beyond are more realistically over the next 2-4 year period.