Other previewed clubs are: Western Bulldogs, Richmond Tigers, Geelong Cats, Fremantle Dockers, Carlton Blues, Essendon Bombers, St Kilda Saints, Melbourne Demons, Hawthorn Hawks, West Coast Eagles, Kangaroos, Brisbane Lions & Collingwood Magpies.
McLeod, Goodwin, Bock etc have no doubt about their AFL level but the question remains at their younger brigade.
Can Adelaide make the Finals Again?
There seems to be a general perception out there that the Crows are shot this season because of their lack of forwards. I really do not understand this fascination with teams having to have a dominant KPP.
The Crows were magnificent last season and had the Bombers shown a little bit of fight in Round 22 they would have had a free crack at the Cats safe in the knowledge that they had the double chance. It wasn’t to be but I am mystified as to where this ‘the Crows are gone’ theory emerged from. They have by and large the same forward line as last season with the hopeful addition of the extremely unlucky Trent Hentschel.
The defence remains strong trailing only Geelong as the best in the competition last year and is led brilliantly by Nathan Bock and Ben Rutten.
The midfield is disciplined and Neil Craig has no hesitation in adding new stock into the most important area of the ground. Vince, Van Berlo and Knights have all been blooded into the middle and flourished whilst the massively under-rated Scott Thompson was one of only two men in the entire league (Jim Bartel being the other) that amassed over 550 possessions, 100 marks, 100 tackles and kicked over 15 goals.
The Crows for mine are the best run organisation in the comp. From culture to admin, coaching, player discipline, facilities and recruiting they are simply the most consistent. They have finished bottom four only once since entering the league in 1991 and have never had a top 5 draft pick let alone a priority pick. They have contested the finals in 7 of the past 8 seasons and i suspect they will make it again this year.
There is no doubt that teams like the Crows would benefit from having someone like Matthew Pavlich in the goalsquare but that does not mean they should be written off completely. Geelong showed again in the NAB Cup final that it is defensive pressure and an evenness all over the ground that wins you matches. Hawkins, Lonergan and Gamble did not win them the game nor did they contribute much. Geelong would have won the game had all three been out.
Great teams do not rely on superstars having a day out to win matches and whilst the Crows are not great they are very, very good.
Likely Finish: 5th-8th
Players to Watch
Jason Porplyzia: This guy is an absolute unit. He is fearless and as courageous as they come. One of those guys who influences every contest he gets to. I really hope he stays fully fit because if he does he won’t be far off Best and Fairest and Al Australian material.
Tippett, Maric, McKernan etc have talent and will ensure Adelaide's tall mans stocks are in good hands.
Ivan Maric: This kid has massive potential. Is first class at getting his hands on the ball in the ruck and can go forward and kick goals. Together with Jon Griffin, Kurt Tippet and the newly recruited Shaun McKernan the Crows have the best young ruck division in he league.
Need To Improve
James Sellar: Another kid with huge wraps on him. Needs to transform his pre season form of last season into the real stuff. Played only one game last season for the paltry return of 3 possessions and 2 behinds.
Patrick Dangerfield: With Burton sidelined for the first part of the season the Crows will need someone to make an impact in the forward line, this guy has been likened to Mark Ricciutto so lets see if he can deliver.
List Cloggers
Brent Reilly: Super talented but has fallen off the pace in the last two seasons. The Crows have a plethora of options through the midfield so he will have to work his arse off to go past the young blokes in front of him.
Nick Gill: Couldn’t cut it at Melbourne and could manage only 9 games last season. Is unbelievable in the air but kicks the ball worse then Jimmy Manson.
So What do you Think of Adelaide in Season 2009?
Will their forward line and the emergence of their younger players help add polish to their game plan, so they can be a force in the finals in 2009?
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March 22nd, 2009 at 8:18 am
I think the crows will still be a very good team… perhaps not the 2nd to 4th that luke predicted but able to give just about any team a run.
James Roses last blog post..North Melbourne Kangaroos 2009 Season Preview
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:22 am
Nah definitely not 2nd to 4th, really do not understand how Luke could come up with that
They will always be there and abouts and while playing finals and or coming close is nice, it does not mean you will necessary win a premiership.
They have a great excellent older bunch of guys (McLeod, Goodwin etc) and a solid midfield and defense but their forward line needs a few more years in Tippett, Maric, McKernen etc and I think by the time they become a very good forward and ruck combination their midfield and defense will be weaker.
Its all about getting every part of the squad strong (or functioning) at the same time. Adelaide (and the Doggies) are still missing too many parts to be a real threat imo.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I would definitely not rate Hawthorn’s backline as a strength. Gilham and Croad hardly strike fear into the opposition yet they get the job done because of the superb pressure that their midfield creates. No team is perfect and the Crows and Dogs have a better chance then about 10 or 11 other teams and as we saw in last year’s GF,anything can happen on the day.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:09 am
I agree that Gilham & Croad are not anything special (did not Sheahan have Gilham in his top 50??) and I think the real strength of their back line are: Dew, Brown & Hodge.