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The Roar

Justin Ahrns

Roar Guru

Joined February 2017

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A lover of all things sport. Admittedly biased towards all Australian teams and players. Tennis is my main game.

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Yeah I agree mostly. I think Mills has developed more into a SG over the past few years than he used to be, definitely could play that position effectively alongside Ben.

The health of Bogut is huge – his rim protection compliments our perimeter defence nicely, as does Baynes.

Can the Australian Boomers contend in Tokyo 2020?

Agree on everything aside from Goulding. I’m not sure he gets on the roster unless there are a number of injuries or NBA guys not wanting a game.

Can the Australian Boomers contend in Tokyo 2020?

That would be something special for sure!

Can the Australian Boomers contend in Tokyo 2020?

Thanks for your reply GJ.

Regarding Doedee, he has certainly played much better than what Lever has this season, but let’s not forget that at times last year Lever was genuinely in the conversation for an AA nod. I’d say that Doedee this year isn’t quite as good as Lever last year.

Regarding Hartigan and Kelly: you are right, they don’t exactly lack pace, more composure when they are under pressure, and especially against a team’s smalls like Richmond. I will say though that Hartigan did an incredible job on Robbie Gray as you mentioned, but Gray was really battling with soreness, and once Hartigan beat him in the air, Gray wasn’t nearly his old self on the ground.

I didn’t mention Murphy because currently he is not in the Crows best 22, but could have given him a mention anyway. Probably should have mentioned Knight too, you’re right.

Thanks again for the comment.

Should we believe in the Adelaide Crows in 2018?

Very good article, I really enjoy the Jazz, and think they are destined for great success with Donovan and Quin Snyder calling the shots.

The Utah Jazz should be Australia's team

Great read.

I find interesting the teams that are currently leading the tank charge – Phoenix, Dallas, Memphis, Orlando, Sacramento, and now New York. Teams that seem to be, with the possible exception of Dallas, stuck in this pattern of tanking for a long time now.

It makes you wonder whether it truly is more valuable to build a positive culture, establish solid veterans to lead young guys as they develop, draft well in the 8-12 sort of range, and then build smartly via free agency.

The problem with tanking in the NBA

Thanks Fionn! Agree with you about Zverev’s forehand, he’ll need to put a lot of work in for it not to be exposed in Grand Slams.

The next generation: Ranking the top tennis players under 22

Yeah for sure, I’m interested to see how OKC works together with the nature of their stars being ball dominant players. I think they have a good mix though, with Roberson, Patterson, Grant etc they have a good mix of defence, athleticism and offense. Minny should be pretty good, although their three stars are all iso players too, which could be interesting how they play together.

Are the Clippers destined to sink in the loaded Western Conference?

I agree on Teodosic. He strikes me as a better version of Ricky Rubio, and he’ll love playing with Blake and DJ.

It’s interesting with the Spurs. From what we’ve seen they match up extremely well with GS, but the sample size is too small to know for sure. I think over seven games the Warriors firepower would prove too much for them.

As for Houston, I like their chances. Harden and CP should be fit and fresh come playoffs, something both have struggled with over their careers. If they get into a good flow, they’ll be hard to stop.

As you say though, it’s hard not to go with the Warriors out west.

Are the Clippers destined to sink in the loaded Western Conference?

@Pedro The Fisherman,
Yes Keath, Doedee and Cheney are all capable of playing at AFL level, but none of them provide run off of half back, which I think has become their biggest offseason concern with Smith’s injury. Wigg can play that role for sure I would imagine. Douglas got caught with the ball far too often in the GF, and whilst he has been a great servant of the club and had a terrific 2017 season, I think we may start to see him slow down a bit in the coming years. And Knight for me is great as a tough inside midfielder.
I’ve always liked the prospect of a team trading draft picks, within reason of course, for proven top-end talent. And while Gibbs isn’t an elite midfielder, he is someone who could really help out the Crows, and bolster their depth should more injuries occur.

A way-too-early look at the Adelaide Crows in 2018

Apparently Collingwood are a likely destination for Lever as they are willing to offer two first round picks.

A way-too-early look at the Adelaide Crows in 2018

As Sammy said, it’s impossible for a forward line to fire when the midfield is being beaten as bad as the Crows was on Saturday. That said, Jenkins was beaten on too many occasions when all he needed to do was halve the contest. Otten, as much as I love him, was just terrible, especially when he had to deal with Rance. Tex was okay, kicked his two goals and presented well, but below his best. And Betts, it just wasn’t a game for small forwards given the way the ball was presented. I do think the addition of McGovern would have helped dramatically, but it clearly was not the difference in the game.
As for Gibbs, the Crows really struggled to get any penetration off of half back on Saturday, and that could become a problem next year, especially if Laird was to miss time through injury too. I see Gibbs as being able to fill in that role until Smith returns, and then playing the best part of the finals as an inside mid/wing depending on how the rest of the team is going.
Definitely a lot to think about, and if they are confident in their recruiters, holding onto the draft picks might be the best option anyway.

A way-too-early look at the Adelaide Crows in 2018

I think there are doubts over Rockliff’s health. He played the latter stages of last season at full forward, and although he is capable at that position, it’s not a good sign. It would depend of course on what Brisbane want for him and the Crows salary cap situation, but I think their priority would be Gibbs, as he also is able to play a Brodie Smith type role and on the wings if needed. Port have been heavily linked to Rockliff from what I have read.

A way-too-early look at the Adelaide Crows in 2018

Yeah you are right about Lever, my mistake.

A way-too-early look at the Adelaide Crows in 2018

Yeah you’re right, my mistake.

A way-too-early look at the Adelaide Crows in 2018

Got 44/50, would have had 46 if I hadn’t misspelled Elliot and Breust. Missed Stringer, Fasolo, Reid and Petracca

Coleman Medal Quiz: Can you name the Top 50 from 2017?

Read it again. Yeo was mentioned, along with Barrass and McGovern.

Is West Coast’s best good enough?

Perhaps throw in Paddy Ryder for a SANFL boost too! 😉

Lever or McGovern: which out-of-contract star is Adelaide's number one priority?

Would certainly be worth considering. The draft this year is a deep one, so a first round pick is enticing.

I’d say it would need a slightly more appealing piece than Broomhead though, depending of course on what the other offers are.

Lever or McGovern: which out-of-contract star is Adelaide's number one priority?

Adelaide is well known for having great list management. You worry about the culture it creates when young players continue to leave though, it can’t be a good sign.

Haven’t heard of that rumour, where’d you see that?

Lever or McGovern: which out-of-contract star is Adelaide's number one priority?

You’re right, the narrative is changing all the time. I think all signs point to him playing elsewhere next season. That said, if he plays a key role in a premiership before then, I think that makes it slightly more forgivable.

Lever or McGovern: which out-of-contract star is Adelaide's number one priority?

They do, but the forward line does seem to work better with McGovern in it. You would obviously hate to let either of them go, though.

Lever or McGovern: which out-of-contract star is Adelaide's number one priority?

Yeah you make a good point. We don’t want to be caught up in contract talks in the weeks leading up to a finals series

Lever or McGovern: which out-of-contract star is Adelaide's number one priority?

There’s been rumors that the Crows have put an offer to McGovern closer to $700,000. The upside is that if any of them chose to leave the Crows should be able to get some good young talent / picks in return.

Lever or McGovern: which out-of-contract star is Adelaide's number one priority?

Agreed!

Lever or McGovern: which out-of-contract star is Adelaide's number one priority?

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