Crossy's possession count in Round 1

[LostDoggy]

Haha.. not to gloat or anything, but I just read over BB's pre-season prediction closed thread and I picked Crossy's Round One possession count of 25 possies... all I did was check out his average from last year which was 24.5 (I wrote 24/25 possies, and he did kick one clanger so I claim my 24.5 as the closest answer in any case) -- thank goodness for his consistency.

Just thought I'd write because it's the only answer we will have for any of the questions in the thread for a while (until the round 5 clash with Richmond at least).

[Dry Rot]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

What did you think of what he did with his possessions?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

Wow. That is a whole other can of worms. I think the official 'clanger' count was only one -- and I'm sure we all remember it -- but there was absolutely no penetration on his kicks and he was always, always looking to hand it off, which Adelaide seemed to have worked out pre-game, and was always closing down his handball options immediately forcing a few bad options. It's like he can't kick long, but is not accurate enough to hit closer targets. His disposal by foot was definitely a problem, and I can't see any real solution apart from Crossy getting better at navigating traffic so that he can get some air to pick a teammate out with a clean handpass (and practicing his kicks). He was doing this better the last couple of years when Westy would get the bulk of the attention, but now that teams (or one team anyway) are closing his space off he has to get even better at wriggling through heavy, fast traffic to get a clean disposal away to a running player.

He did lay four tackles though, and I noticed him really putting his body in at some of the centre clearances to hold the ball up when the Crows got to the ball first. This has to be of at least as much value as the flashy stuff.

Now, if only he wouldn't kick it to no one when delivering into the forward 50 while in acres of space and under no pressure, causing a turnover that goes down the other end of the ground ending up in an opposition goal.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

Wow. That is a whole other can of worms. I think the official 'clanger' count was only one -- and I'm sure we all remember it -- but there was absolutely no penetration on his kicks and he was always, always looking to hand it off, which Adelaide seemed to have worked out pre-game, and was always closing down his handball options immediately forcing a few bad options. It's like he can't kick long, but is not accurate enough to hit closer targets. His disposal by foot was definitely a problem, and I can't see any real solution apart from Crossy getting better at navigating traffic so that he can get some air to pick a teammate out with a clean handpass (and practicing his kicks). He was doing this better the last couple of years when Westy would get the bulk of the attention, but now that teams (or one team anyway) are closing his space off he has to get even better at wriggling through heavy, fast traffic to get a clean disposal away to a running player.

He did lay four tackles though, and I noticed him really putting his body in at some of the centre clearances to hold the ball up when the Crows got to the ball first. This has to be of at least as much value as the flashy stuff.

Now, if only he wouldn't kick it to no one when delivering into the forward 50 while in acres of space and under no pressure, causing a turnover that goes down the other end of the ground ending up in an opposition goal.

Very astute work Lantern.
I've discovered, however, that you can't critisise Daniel Cross on WOOF

[GVGjr]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

Very astute work Lantern.
I've discovered, however, that you can't critisise Daniel Cross on WOOF

Not sure why you would say that DD.

No doubt a simple 'Cross is a dud' type comment will cop a stern reaction as it should.
'Cross had a bad day and seemed to struggle with his decision making' will be sensibly debated more times than not.

Mantis put up his reasons why Hargrave, Hahn and Cross need to lift based on last weeks game and I don't see anyone shouting him down mainly because he supported his comments with valid reasons.

[Mantis]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

I've discovered, however, that you can't critisise Daniel Cross on WOOF

You can criticise whoever you want, just back it with some reasoning rather than the old BF way, "Cross is shit, cause he just is"

Lantern in his post has used reasoning and examples to back up his points, job well done.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

I'm referring to a recent thread on our best midfield. I would never criticise a player in that dumb ass way.

[GVGjr]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

I'm referring to a recent thread on our best midfield. I would never criticise a player in that dumb ass way.

So some people here rate Cross....it still doesn't mean that he can't be criticised when warranted. Supporting any criticism with some facts or valid observations will generally be listened to.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

Surely it's not an either/or proposition? I love Crossy for his endeavour, consistency and attitude, but I can see (and I'm sure he can also) his limitations on the disposal and creativity side of things. It's just having a balanced view of players and the team, right?

I remember an anecdote told by Bobby Robson, former manager of the English football (soccer) team, of the extremism/emotionalism of the English press. He said something like, "When we win, they treat us like the greatest team of all time. When we lose, they treat us like the worst team of all time. Of course, we are neither."

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

So some people here rate Cross....it still doesn't mean that he can't be criticised when warranted. Supporting any criticism with some facts or valid observations will generally be listened to.

Oh Really? Have you revisited the thread about our best midfield I was attacked from all sides.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

Haha.. not to gloat or anything, but I just read over BB's pre-season prediction closed thread and I picked Crossy's Round One possession count of 25 possies... all I did was check out his average from last year which was 24.5 (I wrote 24/25 possies, and he did kick one clanger so I claim my 24.5 as the closest answer in any case) -- thank goodness for his consistency.

Well aren't you the just the smart cookie then? Perhaps we should see if you can predict his possession count for Round 2....go on then, I dare you!

[GVGjr]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

Oh Really? Have you revisited the thread about our best midfield I was attacked from all sides.

I remember it well. You mainly had two people challenge you in Sockeye and Westdog and you had three or four agreeing with you on some levels. You were hardly attacked let alone from all sides.

If you want to discuss this further, send me a personal message.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

I remember it well. You mainly had two people challenge you in Sockeye and Westdog and you had three or four agreeing with you on some levels. You were hardly attacked let alone from all sides.

If you want to discuss this further, send me a personal message.

Fair enough, I'm building a bridge.

I'll just state clearly my assessment of Cross.

Crossy Ticks the elite boxes in endurance, courage, possession winning and in and under work. No doubt about that.

His main weakness is obviously his kicking and if you can't kick that well you need to really overcompensate in other areas.
He doesn't create the second possession to set up play like Westy does, he doesn't negotiate heavy traffic and break tackles like Harvey, and he seems to get stage fright when he gets the ball in space.

If Crossy plateaus as a player I fear he will be overtaken by faster more skilled players in our midfield. He needs to bring more to the table to be considered an elite midfielder at this level. Maybe he'll develop into a spiritual leader like Captain Kirk at the Swans. He is obviously a decent and brave young man, rescuing the girl in Hong Kong proved that. I'd like to see him make it but he needs to raise the bar in some fairly major areas of his game.
Having said that, I hope he does and I wish him the best for the year
Over and out

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

Fair enough, I'm building a bridge.

I'll just state clearly my assessment of Cross.

Crossy Ticks the elite boxes in endurance, courage, possession winning and in and under work. No doubt about that.

His main weakness is obviously his kicking and if you can't kick that well you need to really overcompensate in other areas.
He doesn't create the second possession to set up play like Westy does, he doesn't negotiate heavy traffic and break tackles like Harvey, and he seems to get stage fright when he gets the ball in space.

If Crossy plateaus as a player I fear he will be overtaken by faster more skilled players in our midfield. He needs to bring more to the table to be considered an elite midfielder at this level. Maybe he'll develop into a spiritual leader like Captain Kirk at the Swans. He is obviously a decent and brave young man, rescuing the girl in Hong Kong proved that. I'd like to see him make it but he needs to raise the bar in some fairly major areas of his game.
Having said that, I hope he does and I wish him the best for the year
Over and out

A fairly accurate assessment I would have thought. I noticed something Mantis recently pointed out that he did on the weekend. He broke into space & there was no one running past for a handball receive, so he stopped, propped & copped & waited, by then Adelaide had marshalled the troops.

He quite a decent overhead mark & if he could kick 50 metres, he'd be ideal for little spells up forward, having said that I do think his kicking is improving. It's much better now than 3 years ago.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Crossy's possession count in Round 1

A fairly accurate assessment I would have thought. I noticed something Mantis recently pointed out that he did on the weekend. He broke into space & there was no one running past for a handball receive, so he stopped, propped & copped & waited, by then Adelaide had marshalled the troops.

He quite a decent overhead mark & if he could kick 50 metres, he'd be ideal for little spells up forward, having said that I do think his kicking is improving. It's much better now than 3 years ago.

It's a mystery how some little guys like Gilbee and Eagle can boot the ball miles yet other players who look to have stronger legs and hips like Cross and West can't get much length out of a kick. It must be technique. And if it's technique, why can't it be taught? Imagine if Gilbee could teach the whole team to kick like him! We'd be unstoppable. But it seems that bad kicking technique is impossible to 'unteach'.