Injury List

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Injury List

Gill may still be unavailable, as he's still a couple of weeks away from resuming and may not quite be ready. Sellar/Tippett/Griffen are the other blokes who could fill the second tall role.

I'm quietly confident that McDougall has the ability to match up pretty well on McGregor, it's more their smalls I'm worried about. Morris, Hargrave, Gilbee and Griffen are all going to have to play big games.

Then we might be lucky that we might still be able to cover their big guys.

If their smaller guys do the damage, bad luck, we've got our A team against them.

Winning in the midfield would help.

[Mantis]

Re: Injury List

Then we might be lucky that we might still be able to cover their big guys.

If their smaller guys do the damage, bad luck, we've got our A team against them.

Winning in the midfield would help.

And how do we go about that?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Injury List

And how do we go about that?

"Young Crows take reins


ADELAIDE'S cavalry of second-tier midfielders stole the show against Fremantle on Sunday and the early signs suggest they will shoulder more of the load in 2008.

The Crows' list of leading possession winners from the 17-point victory over Freo read as follows: Chris Knights 25 touches, Brent Reilly 23, Scott Thompson 23, Jason Porplyzia 21 and Bryce Campbell 18.

Andrew McLeod, who racked up 17 touches and three goals, was the best of the elder statesmen as young onballer Nathan van Berlo said it was time the club's next generation of midfielders started taking charge.

"We can't sit back and rely on those guys like [Simon] Goodwin, McLeod, [Tyson] Edwards and Nathan Bassett, who have been around for a long period of time now, because in a few years they are not going to be here," he said."

Having a 2nd tier midfield like that would help.

[Mantis]

Re: Injury List

Having a 2nd tier midfield like that would help.

But our first tier midfield can't cut the mustard. What hope do our 2nd tiered midfielders have?

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Injury List

But our first tier midfield can't cut the mustard. What hope do our 2nd tiered midfielders have?

Not much at the moment.

I do rate Higgins above guys like Knights etc though, at least on potential. Perhaps they have been shown more faith than our guys have?

FWIW, I think if we start with Cross/Boyd/West around the ball, one of them at least needs to concentrate on shut down first, win ball second.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Injury List

But our first tier midfield can't cut the mustard. What hope do our 2nd tiered midfielders have?

I'm not sure I agree with this.

Cooney, Cross, West and Boyd can hold their own. Each are good footballers in their own right.

I want to see someone with pace who can use the ball compliment them. A few years ago Aker was one of the best at it, can he get his kicking magic back? I expect Ray to be another good ball distributor and so will Griffen.

Eagleton has been inconsistent his entire career.


You need about 10-12, we're a few short.


Between 2001-2004 we drafted 3 midfielders who remain on our list - Cooney, Ray & Griffen - all taken in the top 4 picks.

Since then Higgins shows promise, Addison is a battler at best; Stack, Hill & Lynch all look a long way off senior footy. Harbrow looks likely.

Until a few of these guys turn into senior players, and that's not going to happen before round 1, we can't afford to have the likes of Gilbee, Griffen and Ray all out at the same time.


PS. If we had the luxury of playing Murphy up the ground we would have another one. If Everitt and Hargrave could do the job across halfback perhaps Gilbee could move up to a wing.

[Mantis]

Re: Injury List

I do rate Higgins above guys like Knights etc though, at least on potential.

With the ball, yes.
Without the ball, no where near it.

Perhaps they have been shown more faith than our guys have?

Perhaps that has to be earnt first. Due to a severe lack of depth too many of our players are given a free ride in our team. If you have talent you get every chance in the world to use it. The only players who have had to earnt there stripes are the less talented ones, no surprise they are generally our more consistent performers.

FWIW, I think if we start with Cross/Boyd/West around the ball, one of them at least needs to concentrate on shut down first, win ball second.

Why can't all 3 find the correct balance between attack and defence?

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Injury List

With the ball, yes.
Without the ball, no where near it.

I'll agree with that, how can we rectify it? If Higgins is going to play more midfield this year, he needs to get better at this, even if he plays the majority of the year forward, he needs to get a lot better on his defensive efforts. Is it fitness? Lack of willingness to work hard?

Perhaps that has to be earnt first. Due to a severe lack of depth too many of our players are given a free ride in our team. If you have talent you get every chance in the world to use it. The only players who have had to earnt there stripes are the less talented ones, no surprise they are generally our more consistent performers.

I guess, but guys like Van Berlo, Knights etc have been given pretty good runs with the senior side. Guys like Griffen and Ray had to earn their selection too, as did Everitt, Harbrow, Higgins, so I'm not too sure I agree with you here. At this stage though, our depth probably means that more who aren't ready are exposed than some other sides. I feel that all of Griffen/Ray/Everitt/Harbrow/Higgins all did enough to warrant their selections on merit, not talent/potential alone.


Why can't all 3 find the correct balance between attack and defence?

In a dream world, perhaps they can. 2006 was so successful imo, because we had guys like Boyd willing to go the extra distance, apply a hard tackle, shut down space, these days they seem more concerned with getting into position for their next possession. Until they prove they can go both ways, I think one has to be given a job negating.

Bold areas are my responses - had to type something down here!

[Mantis]

Re: Injury List

I'm not sure I agree with this.

Cooney, Cross, West and Boyd can hold their own. Each are good footballers in their own right.

I want to see someone with pace who can use the ball compliment them. A few years ago Aker was one of the best at it, can he get his kicking magic back? I expect Ray to be another good ball distributor and so will Griffen.

Eagleton has been inconsistent his entire career.

You need about 10-12, we're a few short.

Between 2001-2004 we drafted 3 midfielders who remain on our list - Cooney, Ray & Griffen - all taken in the top 4 picks.

Since then Higgins shows promise, Addison is a battler at best; Stack, Hill & Lynch all look a long way off senior footy. Harbrow looks likely.

Until a few of these guys turn into senior players, and that's not going to happen before round 1, we can't afford to have the likes of Gilbee, Griffen and Ray all out at the same time.

PS. If we had the luxury of playing Murphy up the ground we would have another one. If Everitt and Hargrave could do the job across halfback perhaps Gilbee could move up to a wing.

Where do I start?

West/ Cross/ Boyd - Made my feelings known on these 3. Don't hurt the opposition enough with there feet for my liking. Don't do enough when we don't have the ball.

Cooney - Developing well. Hopefully goes to another level this year.

Ray & Griffen - Both looked great in Darwin. Hope they get back on the park shortly. Will be very important players for us.

Higgins - Still only 19, but needs to learn how to apply pressure on the opposition.

Eagleton - Better options available.

Harbrow - Like him alot, would be in the first 12 players picked in my team.

Let's hope there is a real changing of the guard this year. I hope players like Hill and Stack and possibly Ward and Reid apply some pressure this year and make the players in our main team earn there position.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Injury List

But our first tier midfield can't cut the mustard. What hope do our 2nd tiered midfielders have?

Maxwell Smart would probably ask Chief about the 3rd tier midfielders at this point.....

[Mantis]

Re: Injury List

Maxwell Smart would probably ask Chief about the 3rd tier midfielders at this point.....

That was inciteful.... Do you have anything meaningful to add?

[Dry Rot]

Re: Injury List

That was inciteful.... Do you have anything meaningful to add?

Only that I think you meant "insightful".

If so, thanks.

[Mantis]

Re: Injury List

Only that I think you meant "insightful".

If so, thanks.

That's ok, least I can do.

Another post for me...Yippee.

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: Injury List

Its quite an injury list but none are to serious. I guess agianst the Crows we could afford to have a tall defender or two out. Not ideal but their midfield is the real concern.

[GVGjr]

Re: Injury List

I got this from the club today

Brian Lake underwent minor surgery this morning to remove a small amount of cartilage from his right hip which had been causing him discomfort.

The surgery was complete success and Brian was sent home from hospital at lunchtime today.

He will return to training on Thursday and Friday this week and barring any complications it is expected that he will play in Round 1.