Listening to SEN on the way to work today, all I seemed to hear was that the Adelaide Crows would jump into the eight this year. So I took an in-depth look at their list.
Forward line
A fully fit Taylor Walker with a pre-season under his belt will do wonders for the Crows. He came back late last year but wasn’t anywhere near his best.
One of the most exciting small forwards in the league is the ageing Charlie Cameron, but he is inconsistent. Josh Jenkins is also an exciting prospect who will take a big jump this year; his strength and agility are among the league’s best.
James Podsiadly could be a depth player this year if things go right for the Crows, with injury-prone Tom Lynch hopefully taking his spot.
Midfield
Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield are among the top 15 midfielders in the league, but the talent drops away after that. Scott Thompson is going backwards significantly every year, while David Mackay is a solid contributor every week.
They are relying on youngsters like Brad Crouch, who many are tipping for a break out year. His brother Matt is another very good young player.
Ruck stocks
Sam Jacobs is probably the best ruckman in the league and a star of the competition.
They now also have a good back-up option in Luke Lowden from the Hawks.
Defence
Daniel Talia is as good as any key defender in the league. He doesn’t provide as much run as others, but no forward will beat him in a one-on-one situation.
After having a stand-out year last year, Brodie Smith is one of the best half backmen in the league, while Matthew Jaensch is an underrated player for what he offers. Their main problem in defence is their second and third defenders, Andy Otten and probably Luke Brown, who will both get beaten by the best in the league.
Tip
Crows to finish sixth and have a good year after a disastrous one last season.
Don Freo
Guest
I just re-read the article...missed the humour first time around: "Sam Jacobs is probably the best ruckman in the league and a star of the competition." Yeah...sure.
Tom
Guest
I am a massive Douglas fan. He's a club champion 2013 AA squad member and a consistent performer. He doesn't stand out, but we don't know life without him him thanks to his durability over the years. underrated
Tom
Guest
While I don't dispute your point, some of the facts are not quite there. First of all Charlie Cameron has played like 5 games and is 20. If you meant Eddie Betts then he was one of the best small forwards in the league last year an as a Crows supporter I had no issues with his consistency. He kicked 50 and probably gave another 50 off and his contribution is vital. Our midfield doesn't drop off after Dangerfield and Sloane. Richard Douglas and Nathan Van Berlo go unmentioned in the article, not to mention the other young talent I am very bullish about, but haven't seen great exposure behind these more senior mids. Another thing I though you missed was Brodie Smith moving into the midfield more so this year. Right now Matthew Jaench is in a similar position to Smith a year ago and I think he could be a very good player too. Finally, I don't think David McKay is a solid contributor and Andy Otten won't play for most of the year if at all because he's had a knee reconstruction :) The issue for me is despite the talent and depth I cold rave about all day (I guess every fan can) we have shown that we are mediocre so something had to change ... and it did.
Josh
Guest
port? havent mentioned them once mate. The numbers from my 'computer printout' would argue otherwise. its a crows article so mentioning their players is pretty vital
Don Freo
Guest
You seem to think I only appreciate Port players or Ablett. Douglas would be very good at SANFL level. Just a fill the numbers player at AFL level. He's not making much of a mark any more.
Josh
Guest
Just freo players? there are actually 17 other clubs. He's got talent, accept it
Don Freo
Guest
I think you need to recognise the name I already mentioned...Sutcliffe...and Neale and, Walters, Clarke, Mundy, Hill, Fyfe, Ballantyne, Johnson, Pearce, Suban, Taberner...get the drift? Douglas...Really?
Josh
Guest
I watch him play well in the shadows of dangerfield and sloane, which is supported by his stats. You sound like the bloke that hops from one bandwagon to another not realising that there are actually decent players not named Dangerfield, Selwood or Ablett.
Don Freo
Guest
So you watch football and let a computer printout tell you what you are seeing? Richard Douglas? Really!
Josh
Guest
Champion Data has him down as the 47th best in the competition
Don Freo
Guest
Richard Douglas? Have you been dating Stephen Dank? You must have something in your system. Richard Douglas...Top 50? He wouldn't be top 500, would he?
Don Freo
Guest
...or maturing?
Avatar
Roar Guru
Adelaide underachieved in the last two seasons and Sanderson paid the price for it. Here's hoping for a return to better times under Phil Walsh. However the futures of Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane will prove huge distractions.
William Cornwill
Roar Guru
What hype? Very big hype about them in Victoria/
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
What hype..... Port Adelaide have double, triple, and quadruple the hype of Adelaide. Crows will be fighting for a top eight but I'd be surprised if they did more than that. Having said that... Look at the record of their coaches in their first full year. Blight - Premiership Ayres - 11th Craig - Preliminary Final Sanderson - Preliminary Final
Josh
Guest
The midfield is where the crows have the most depth. Brad Crouch is a gun, set to stamp himself as an elite of the competition within the next two years. Richard Douglas is a top 50 player (as high as 22 according to Champion data), Scott Thompson is still a machine even if he is slowly going backwards and Van Berlo is a running machine. If anything, their on-ball brigade is too strong, with the Crows being burnt by a their lack of leg speed in the past. If Brodie Smith does move into the midfield however, this department will get a significant boost.
Carl
Roar Rookie
"the ageing Charlie Cameron" The guy is 20. Perhaps you meant Eddie Betts...