Eddie Betts inks Adelaide Crows extension

Agree and wrestling is largely low skill and leads so often to congestion. A pet bee in my bonnet. That's why I'd like to see McGovern in the key position. He is clever, has superior hands at the top of the leap, is quick, can lead, and is defensively excellent. Really had just the one season. Maybe needs some developing into the role. I have enjoyed Reiwoldt so much more now he's using his head and his agility more. As a forward I don't want defenders hands on me, and certainly wouldn't initiate a wrestle unless it was unavoidable. Key position has to be ready for it, but a clear run at the ball, a lead, a good bump. Hands on me means I'm not doing my job. Ask Eddie.

Depends on what they want to do with him. Key forwards are generally a lot heavier than their defender by as much as 10-15 kg, but usually 5-10kg. If he's rucking, it might be worth keep the extra bulk on him to some extent, especially with the new 3rd man up rule change. That's quite a lot when you're in a wrestle, which I see Jenkins and Hawkins doing a lot of (especially Hawkins). However, Jack Riewoldt slimmed down from high 90's to around 90ish kg and admitted his game is far superior. He doesn't wrestle as much, tending to lead his opponent now using forward craft. I'd like to see both Jenkins and Hawkins do more of this. Both players are way to heavy (well last I saw Jenkins anyway) and need to become slightly more agile, especially with the way defences are broken down with counter-attacking and open-forward play.

Not sure you're right about his work ethic (never thought to question it), but down back he could lose a little weight, particularly if he's not pinch-hitting in ruck. Part of ir is his natural build too, I think, but you're more versed in that than me, neh?

Oh hey again sorry, just been trying to urgently contact a friend who's in Melbourne right now. But yeah, I've done Paris but not the south of France! Always wanted to go there!

I saw the name a few years ago. I haven't followed the SANFL closely for a while now. Young Aish will be an interesting one to watch.

Yep, he's at the Pies. He's a nephew I think. Was also instrumental in a great Redleg GF win. Peter played in one but they lost it.

Only question mark down back would be players running off him. He doesn't look like the type of guy with much work ethic. You can get away carrying a little weight up forward, but I doubt he could down back.

Is the young Aish who went to Brisbane (not sure where he's now, maybe Pies) related to Michael Aish?

Not at all. Berlin is fantastic, could definitely live there. South of France is also very lovely. Only problem is, it’s full of French people. :)

Not at all. Berlin is fantastic, could definitely live there. South of France is also very lovely. Only problem is, it's full of French people. :) @$#% wrong response, should be above.

Yep, from 5th. But M Aish shouldn't have been in b & w. I just remember an image of his father, Peter, who was Captain and FB, standing in the goal square at Norwood Oval, all black hair and bryllcream. A behind sails over his head, he turns to retrieve the ball, and kick out. What a long career Roberts had and illustrious. How many of the players of those days have heard the final siren. O, and Rick, try football in your dreams. I got into watching rugby in Sydney, during the great Wallaby days. Ove a period of two years I had a series of dreams in which I started playing rugby. Pretty soon I was a surprise selection in the Wallabies, had a reasonable career including scoring some tries, retired, and had a short comeback! Career over. Didn't get into coaching though :)

Haha, thought so. Sydney is huge compared to Adelaide, I reckon. I don't blame you for getting sick of the UK. I went through Europe last year, absolutely loved it but some of those cities were super crowded. Berlin was my favourite, though. I'd love to live there. (Sorry for going off on a tangent, haha.)

Oh that's awesome. Tricky stuff by the sounds of things. Working behind the scenes of Geelong would be an amazing experience I reckon! I'd die for an opportunity like that!

why doesn’t your wife like Adelaide Rick? She's from around London. I lived in the UK for 7 years and got sick of it. She didn't like Adelaide because it's a bit small - Sydney was the compromise I guess.

Haha, yeah the moderation system is pretty strange sometimes. AFL is the only sport that I'm genuinely fully immersed in. Like, don't get me wrong I do like others (tennis, soccer, rugby union) and I'll happily attend games, but AFL is the only one that I'm totally eager about. I played a hit of soccer at school when I was younger - I was awful at it, though.

You're a Redleg supported and barracked for Port against Sturt... ..mind you, it's Sturt...bunch of Mary's. Norwood is the only team over time that have any ticker against Port. 1984 - Rocky Roberts and Michael Aish: dream team midfield combo that. Great team, should have been wearing black & white those two! My boys finished top, but I believe Norwood won from 5th if memory serves me correct in the finals.

Jenkins, probably because his first sport wasn't footy, still succumbs to self-doubt. I think this is why he doesn't back himself to mark enough of the time. He brings the ball to ground, but you can do that by going for the mark and failing. With Eddie and Co. around you can see the reason he settles for making the contest. I wonder about the coaches letting this go on though. He also takes refuge in trying to get out the back when presenting on the lead is called for. If Mc Govern did make a hand of FF, I think Jenkins would be great down back on big key position forwards. He's an awkward bastard! And he's fast.

I certainly agree about the ANZ stadium, don't like it at all, but think Spotless is actually better as a stadium than the SCG. Plenty of space, good sight lines, lots of space for kids at the back, good food, serve full strength drinks but SCG wins on convenience, especially if you live out that way, lots of places to eat and drink before and after. Real pain to get to Homebush, especially with the switch at Lidcombe - typical short sighted govt. thinking there. Interesting to hear about people following who didn't grow up with it - I count myself in that category, only knew a few people that were fans, but that number certainly has grown over the years.

I'm really glad I was living in Sydney when that Port/SANFL stuff went down, so I'm not touched with it. Came back to Adelaide as the Crows won the 97 GF, and the Power (hate the name and wish they were wearing the prison bars) entered the AFL. Saw my first Power game in the Maree pub taking the long way from Sydney to Adelaide (ie, all around the country). Can't understand how the Power are playing so far down on their potential and tradition. Fos would have turned in his grave many times in the last few years! As a Redleg supporter from birth I still have great memories of Port. One pops into my mind right now: Eric Freeman approaching goal with incredible balance and accuracy. One of the first to use the drop punt in SA. And at the Adelaide Oval for the GF Port beat Sturt in the mid 60s - what a glorious spring day and a great match. Barracked for Port that day.

I did answer your last question AD, but it appears to be under moderation — weird this site at times. I will add though, it's good to see people like you getting into the AFL who didn't grow up with it. It can be frustrating at times, and you'll here me being very negative towards the AFL when it comes to equity, but overall, it's a great game. Football (soccer) is my other love, but I never played it as a kid, which suffice to say: means I suck at it. But I do love the tactical element of football and how it can be integrated with AFL tactics.