TEX07 wrote:Last nights game went as expected IMO. I find it funny how so many Crows supporters start to turn on the team after the last few weeks. Two months back before the season started if you said we would be 4-4 I would have taken it. I honestly thought we could have been 7 or even 8 losses based on a pretty tough early draw. Losses to North, Geelong, Bulldogs and Hawthorn is nothing to lose that much sleep over. The form of Freo and Richmond had surprised me and I think we got to play Port at the right time. Really played out of our skins (and need to) to beat the Swans here.
A heap of improvement is needed but still a pretty young side trying to cover the loss of probably the comps best player. I think people were seduced by early form and started talking top 4 way too prematurely! the better sides have worked out how to beat our game plan so we need to adapt now. Walker has been down but no coach in the AFL would drop him from that side on current form, tend to agree with Wayne Carey a bit on Jenkins - he will never demand an oppositions best 1 or even 2 defenders especially while Walker is in that side. The Cats didnt seem to have 1 or 2 best defenders, they are pretty much covered across the whole back 6. Our back 6 have been OK but really miss Laird this last two weeks and have to say I struggle to see how Cheney is currently in our best 22, maybe only saved by Laird being out at the minute. Scoreboard flattered us really last night, Cats should have put us away early. If we start losing the real winnable games like GC, Ess, Bris Id be concerned. Earlier in the year would have inked in wins against the Saints, Melb and Carlton but they are no longer a given either. Would need to target a key mid in next years trade to assist Sloane once Thompson pulls the pin - B Crouch has potential to be special but needs a heap of time to find his feet, his brother while he is OK sometimes I think we got him to keep Brad here.
BTW - I really hate us playing Friday night footy! Cant remember the last one we won and leaves me depressed all weekend!
Hard not to agree with all that Tex!
Was hard not to get excited (and still get excited) over the first few games with the way we were playing and the brand of football we were delivering. We have seen that still over the last couple of weeks in patches but not consistently for 4 quarters which is required against the top 4 sides.
While disappointing Friday night, still plenty of positives and improvement which is exciting. Geelong were really quite impressive and can finish top 4 if they stay healthy.
Sloane was unreal Friday night, I thought Cameron had another great game along with the backline who were under the pump the whole game!
We need to find that right midfield mix, currently isn’t working. The more footy Brad Crouch can play the better he and the midfield will get but blokes like Lyons and Ellis-Yoleman must be a chance to get a game and see what they can offer.
Rory Laird back this week which helps, has become a really important player, wouldn’t surprise me to see him come back in for Richard Douglas who has struggled to catch the ball the last 2-3 weeks!