For the love of Croz'

[Happy Days]

Re: For the love of Croz'

Think he was just going to go home no matter what and they complied.

Remember some posters around here getting into him seriously once recruited up until half a season in and then he settled. One of the biggest culprits doesn't post here anymore.

I think he could use the footy better by foot, but not every player is perfect and he's good enough in that area. What he lacks there is truly made up in courage, aerial ability and decision making.

I think we were somewhat sold a false bill of goods, in that it was assumed he was an infuriating but mercurial half forward who occasionally took big grabs, and instead he's turned out to be this psychotically courageous defensive general (who occasionally takes big grabs).

I don't remember the vitriol from the posters (not to say it didn't happen because I'm sure it did), but I do remember McCartney vetoing recruiting him, with the main concern being over his toughness. I also specifically remember a tweet from Sam Landsberger saying "flighty half forward flankers need not apply".

He definitely came with an underserved reputation because Ross Lyon doesn't know how to nurture talent and made Freo games pretty much unwatchable to casual observers.

[Mofra]

Re: For the love of Croz'

Why did Freo give him up? Seemed like without much of a fight too.

He wanted to come to Victoria and given how we let Hamling go home with little fuss, they did the same for us.

I assume he's quite vocal on the field because we just seem more organised when he's out there.

[merantau]

Re: For the love of Croz'

Barry hall , Akermanis, Cook, Bamblett, Buhagiar,Toohey and MintonConnell also played well for us.
Plenty over the years put in good service for us.
Even Hamling would fall in as a very good get.
Crozier and is a good win definitely.

Agree with all those. Crozier top drawer. Would add Mark Kellett, Bruce Duperouzel, Ray Huppertz, Chris Hansen

[jeemak]

Re: For the love of Croz'

I think we were somewhat sold a false bill of goods, in that it was assumed he was an infuriating but mercurial half forward who occasionally took big grabs, and instead he's turned out to be this psychotically courageous defensive general (who occasionally takes big grabs).

I don't remember the vitriol from the posters (not to say it didn't happen because I'm sure it did), but I do remember McCartney vetoing recruiting him, with the main concern being over his toughness. I also specifically remember a tweet from Sam Landsberger saying "flighty half forward flankers need not apply".

He definitely came with an underserved reputation because Ross Lyon doesn't know how to nurture talent and made Freo games pretty much unwatchable to casual observers.

Not sure it was necessarily vitriol, I think people had the view that us bringing him in due to his history combined with playing him as we did was more laughable than anything else.

It's kind of funny that Smith had such a huge impact in delivering us a premiership so was the right choice in the end, and the guy the recruiters originally wanted at 26 is likely to be a part of our next crack and is playing great footy. If it comes off it's a great best of both worlds scenario.

Regarding players traded in, Paul Hudson was pretty handy and up with the best we've had going at a couple of goals a game and earning all Australian selection in his second year with us.*


*We don't mention the moment in the goal square in the 97 prelim.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: For the love of Croz'

*We don't mention the moment in the goal square in the 97 prelim.

I have removed his name because of that don't mention moment.

Surely Stuart Magee deserves a mention from other clubs. came to us from South Melbourne in 1968 and was appointed captain after Ted Whitten.

[Eastdog]

Re: For the love of Croz'

A fantastic pick up. Been excellent in that backline for us. He sure knows how to get up there and take some great marks.

[GVGjr]

Re: For the love of Croz'

I think we were somewhat sold a false bill of goods, in that it was assumed he was an infuriating but mercurial half forward who occasionally took big grabs, and instead he's turned out to be this psychotically courageous defensive general (who occasionally takes big grabs).

I don't remember the vitriol from the posters (not to say it didn't happen because I'm sure it did), but I do remember McCartney vetoing recruiting him, with the main concern being over his toughness. I also specifically remember a tweet from Sam Landsberger saying "flighty half forward flankers need not apply".

He definitely came with an underserved reputation because Ross Lyon doesn't know how to nurture talent and made Freo games pretty much unwatchable to casual observers.

Fantastic analogy so thanks for posting it, pressing the like button didn't seem to be a sufficient acknowledgement

I think Crozier struggled a bit when he first arrived but once he settled into the back line he's been terrific.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: For the love of Croz'

It might be a stretch to say the result would have been different against Carlton had he been playing, but watching him back in the defense on Friday night sure made me realise how important he is to our side. He's always in the right spots and always makes the right decision. He doesn't try mark it when a simply spoil is the best option. He and Keath are our most important defenders, both recruits from other clubs. Can you imagine our backline without those two? Yikes

[Ozza]

Re: For the love of Croz'

The back six is noticeably better with Croze in it. Apart from the aerial ability and reading of the play, I do like that he has a bit of dash on occasion and will take off with the footy for 10-15 metres and make it a big switch to the other side of the ground with a 55m kick. You very rarely get a 15 metre chip sideways from him, if he switches, he goes big mostly - so I feel comfortable when he has the footy. Caleb can absolutely slice the opposition up with his kicking from half back, but I do still feel like I'm waiting for that one where he bites off too much and costs a goal.

[Eastdog]

Re: For the love of Croz'

It might be a stretch to say the result would have been different against Carlton had he been playing, but watching him back in the defense on Friday night sure made me realise how important he is to our side. He's always in the right spots and always makes the right decision. He doesn't try mark it when a simply spoil is the best option. He and Keath are our most important defenders, both recruits from other clubs. Can you imagine our backline without those two? Yikes

Keath another who has been a very good acquisition for us.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: For the love of Croz'

I actually thought he looked off on Friday Night with his timing, but overall he has been a great selection - one of our best for quite a while.

[Twodogs]

Re: For the love of Croz'

Agree with all those. Crozier top drawer. Would add Mark Kellett, Bruce Duperouzel, Ray Huppertz, Chris Hansen

All good ones but Ray Huppatz went the other way. Hr came to us from SA and then left and went to North Melbourne. He worked with my dad at Footscray council back in the days when the offer of a council job could tip the scales in one club's favour over another one when it came to recruiting.

[jazzadogs]

Re: For the love of Croz'

Did I see something about his brother working for us? I wonder who helped recruit who...

[Twodogs]

Re: For the love of Croz'

Did I see something about his brother working for us? I wonder who helped recruit who...

A cousin too I think.

[Bornadog]

Re: For the love of Croz'

Did I see something about his brother working for us? I wonder who helped recruit who...

His cousin is the Commercial Manager