Scott Welsh

[The Underdog]

Re: Scott Welsh

Don't know if anyone else heard it but on 3AW tonight G.Healy said "Whispers" had said that Welsh would most likely be going to Richmond. That seems mental to me after the Kingsley debacle last year, but maybe they're doing it just to spite us.

Although to put "Whispers" in context, he apparently also told Gerard that he was down at WO and Scotty Clayton is very keen on Jarrad Grant, but also McEvoy and Henderson.
Not just anyone can come up with top level info like that .

I would imagine that we are still the club most likely to be chasing Welsh, but I could see a couple of others in the running too.

[soupman]

Re: Scott Welsh

I think his selection could be to play a similiar role to Robbins in 2006. Robbins struggled last year due to a number of factors, one of them since removed in Darcy. Welsh, who would be playing the same role (our second target up forward out of the goalsquare) could well kick a good 40 goals for the season.

I think without him we are a good chance of finals, but with him it gives us another target up forward and takes the pressure off Tiller and Skipper, who are no guarentees to develop as a key forward this year or ever.

I personally would like to see Skipper given a chance up forward, but having Welsh gives us a hopefully reliable option if Skipper falls on his arse. I wouldn't mind giving Kepler Bradley a run if we could get him cheap, but seeing as Fremantle will probably pick him up around the 40 something mark then Welsh could be the more viable option.

As for other options up forward I would resist the temptation to throw Harris oir Williams there, as I think neither are going to be key forwards next year and both are too important to the backline.

I would however be keen to try Hargrave in a flanker type role every now and then, as he is a quick tallish bloke who can kick a goal. Minson to full-forward I'm not sure about, but if it as purely in a role to bring the ball to the groiund at a certain spot for our crumbers then it could work ie. Minson spoils the ball slightly to the left of the pack where Akermanis is running past, kind of like an in play ruck contest.

So the positions I would like to see various tall players played next year are
Defence: Harris, Williams, McDougall, Morris, O'Shea
Forward: Tiller, Skipper, Murphy, Minson
Mixture: Hargrave, Everitt, Wight

I don't expect O'Shea to play much next year, if at all, but think Wight could be good, and seeing as our backline is looking more solid than our forwardline he should be given a run up there. Everiit I think is going to be a tall half-back who can pinch-hit up forward so I would consider him a second Hargrave for the moment.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Scott Welsh

Well, imo we are about the front runners to claim him. Not sure I am overly enthusiastic. Adelaide media (as always) have gone into damage control mode for the Crows, stating the main reason for his leaving was due to 'off field issues'.

I've seen Welsh out and about in the city on a few occasions and never really thought he looked like he was partying too hard.

It's his body that worries me.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Scott Welsh

Can I just clarify this off field issue, is it right that he hit an 18 year old girl in the face with his jumper?

If true, then silly & disrespectful, yes, but certainly not in the league of other off field transgressors of recent times!

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Scott Welsh

Can I just clarify this off field issue, is it right that he hit an 18 year old girl in the face with his jumper?

If true, then silly & disrespectful, yes, but certainly not in the league of other off field transgressors of recent times!

I heard a snipet on SEN that Welsh has said publically that his first choice is us.

I didn't hear the actual interview. Anyone?

[The Underdog]

Re: Scott Welsh

Can I just clarify this off field issue, is it right that he hit an 18 year old girl in the face with his jumper?

If true, then silly & disrespectful, yes, but certainly not in the league of other off field transgressors of recent times!

Apparently that was the case. Although the Crows are talking up his general off-field discipline and intimating that he's pretty fond of a drink. There's definitely a bit of covering their own arse in that I reckon.

[Throughandthrough]

Re: Scott Welsh

Apparently that was the case. Although the Crows are talking up his general off-field discipline and intimating that he's pretty fond of a drink. There's definitely a bit of covering their own arse in that I reckon.

There has been much rumour, innuendo and speculation about Welsh's night time activities in Adelaide for a few years.

I've no idea if it is true.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Scott Welsh

Can I just clarify this off field issue, is it right that he hit an 18 year old girl in the face with his jumper?

If true, then silly & disrespectful, yes, but certainly not in the league of other off field transgressors of recent times!

I think there was a bit more than that and I have to say showing that sort of disrespect to a young lady is an extremely weak effort.

[dog town]

Re: Scott Welsh

You'd think some club must have guaranteed him a favourable contract for him to walk from the Crows - that said, you'd any expect any two-year offer from us or another club would include some large-ish performance based elements.

Two questions:

1) I don't know much about Welsh except that he seems a hot or cold player, who's assessed pretty negatively be many Crows fans, in particular for his kicking for goal. How comparable is he to Robertson - does he work as hard, does he take many contested marks, and can he be banked on to at least bring the ball to ground? Sounds like he might be a bit more of a leading forward to me. If so could he play a Hansen-like role and what is his decision-making like?

2) Is it just because I live in Melbourne that I haven't seen much scrutiny of Adelaide? We might have had an exodus of coaching staff but the Crows seem in at least as much, if not more of a review.

I certainly dont see him playing the Hansen role. He is more of a clever floater as a forward and just finds space. He is pretty good leading out of the square as a smallish full forward but under Craig has actually got most of his goals running back towards goal and into space as most Adeliade forwards have. He is one of those guys that just out positions his opponent in a marking contest and seems to read the flight of the ball better than his opponent. Pretty good body on body against similar size opponents.

Top quality footballer on his day but like some I have 2 queries. Where does he fit in terms of team structure and where does this say Eade thinks we are at overall?

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Scott Welsh

I think there was a bit more than that and I have to say showing that sort of disrespect to a young lady is an extremely weak effort.

So, what was it he did?

[hargs37]

Re: Scott Welsh

I can't believe some of the responses here. Are we in development mode? We are always in that mode. Doesnt mean we cant have any on field success.Look at collingwood this year. Prelim with a team of kids playing their arses off. Worried whether Welsh will fit into our forward line. With the likes of Johnno, Aker, Murph and Higgins any height is good. If he can kick 40+ for the season, and the others mentioned also find some form in front of goal, we have a situation similar to a couple of years ago. Add goals from the mid field types in Cooney, Griffen and even Gilbee, goal kicking shouldn't be a problem. That brings me to another point raised here. Why would anyone contemplate moving either Harris or Williams from their current position. Harris is top5 FB in the comp. Williams will be a monster at CHB, and that won't be too far away. Moving Wight forward could kill him. Think personally that Skipper deserves another chance and a little form late in the year suggest he'll be given that chance. We have to all forget about the last 7 weeks of the season. When we take to the field round 1, the players certainly wont have had to read any articles over the off season regarding them as the best rated Victorian team in the comp. They are starting again from scratch. Lets see what the future brings. Let the boys do their jobs!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Scott Welsh

Let's run a straw poll then...

In fact, it was only a couple of weeks ago on this very site that Sockeye and myself were the first in a list of names suggesting that Williams to CHF would not be a success...

Like I say, I am surprised that you have not heard this suggestion...it is almost as pervasive as the move Harris to FF one.

I agree MJP, IMO Williams doesnt know the game well enough yet to play a vital role at CHF. He will be better playing as a defender with having to mark a player and the ball coming into the oppositions forwards.
Maybe when he learns the game more, (ie where to position himself on the field) he may be considered for a forward line role

[Raw Toast]

Re: Scott Welsh

I certainly dont see him playing the Hansen role. He is more of a clever floater as a forward and just finds space. He is pretty good leading out of the square as a smallish full forward but under Craig has actually got most of his goals running back towards goal and into space as most Adeliade forwards have. He is one of those guys that just out positions his opponent in a marking contest and seems to read the flight of the ball better than his opponent. Pretty good body on body against similar size opponents.

Top quality footballer on his day but like some I have 2 queries. Where does he fit in terms of team structure and where does this say Eade thinks we are at overall?

Thanks DT.

Reports from Crows supporters indicate his defensive pressure is also actually pretty good, which is an encouraging sign.

I don't think Eade reckons we are re-building in any major way - why spend all that effort getting Hudson (instead of say Wood) unless you think we're a big chance in at least 09 and 2010.

Eade must have a v clear structure in mind given how hard he persued Roberston (reportedly against the advice of the other coaches) and now Welsh (though Welsh sounds less versatile). And given the amount of times that every defender has been suggested as a forward saviour it does make sense to pick someone like him up.

I wonder if this will help or hinder Minson's attempts to become a forward.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Scott Welsh

I can't believe some of the responses here. Are we in development mode? We are always in that mode. Doesnt mean we cant have any on field success.s!

I thought about whether we were or weren't when in development mode before I responded. Initially I thought well you are always in development aren't you?

But I think the reality is that you aren't always. You are still hoping that your players improve. And you are always developing your young players but they aren't always going to get games at the expense of winning games.

If you look at Geelong last year I dont think they weren't in development mode. And if they were they would have played Tom Hawkins, Brent Prismall, and Travis Varcoe more than they did. Those players got some games but the team was focused on winning games, winning the premiership and accepted that that approach would provide less development games for their kids.

I think its arguable that West Coast and Sydney were also not in a development mode. They still played kids but they were aiming to win a flag

[southerncross]

Re: Scott Welsh

I found this report about Welsh

SCOTT Welsh had no choice but to leave Adelaide, according to his manager Craig Vozzo.
As Melbourne yesterday dropped out of the running for his services and the Western Bulldogs firmed as frontrunners, Vozzo said the lure of a two-year contract - rather than the one year offered by the Crows - was too good to knock back.
"At the end of the day, Scott had to make a decision which was in his best interests and in the best interests of his family," Vozzo said. "And that's what he's done."
Expressing surprise that a compromise could not be reached with Adelaide, Vozzo said he "explored every avenue" to keep four-times leading goalkicker Welsh at West Lakes but in the end the figures did not add up.
Welsh wanted "performance incentives" in his one-year contract from Adelaide which would have guaranteed him a second year if he met them. But when that was flatly refused, Welsh walked.
It is understood he was concerned without the clauses - and the Crows' hard-nosed decision to regenerate their squad - he might have been cut at the end of next season regardless of how he played.
His concern rose after the Crows axed veterans Jason Torney and Matthew Bode at the end of the season and refused to give lead ruckman Ben Hudson the three-year deal he wanted. Welsh, 29 next month, is likely to follow Hudson to the Whitten Oval.
Adelaide maintains it won't offer long-term contracts to players who have had off-field behavioural problems, such as Welsh - who has been the Crows' leading goalkicker in three of the past four years - and Hudson.
"Scott didn't want to leave Adelaide but having made the decision he leaves with a lot of good memories and friends," Vozzo said.
"He's confident things will work out for him and in the end he will have made the right decision."
Welsh, who is refusing to speak publicly about his move, will nominate for the December 11 pre-season draft where the Bulldogs are waiting with pick four.
Vozzo refused to say which club had guaranteed Welsh a two-year deal, simply saying: "I'm very confident he'll get that."
"As his management, we've done the due diligence and we're satisfied there's going to be plenty of interest in him in the pre-season draft.
"I think he is going to be one of the best players in the pre-season draft and that his name will get called out at some point."
Melbourne, which has pick three, yesterday joined wooden spooner Richmond and 15th-placed Carlton in ruling itself out of the running for the leading forward.
"We're not in the running for Scott," Demons recruiting manager Craig Cameron said. "We've never spoken to him or his manager and with our list at the moment we're looking for younger fellas."
The Bulldogs, who have maintained their silence on Welsh, are desperate for another key forward.