Tweet
You have to admire the astute manner in which he analysis a game, but I really feel like he is putting the mocca on us.
I doubt he wants us to win the flag, cos imagine what it would do to him from an historical perspective.
A crunch game for the Crows
4:28:29 PM Wed 30 July, 2003
Rodney Eade
afl.com.au
Related Content:
More Rodney Eade columns
The fight for a top four position is the most intriguing question yet to be answered. Given the advantages of finishing in the top four, this game between the Crows and the Swans will have the most significance. If the Crows lose, they will not make the top four. Their draw is very difficult over the last five rounds and Sunday?s game is a must. They will be rueing so many close losses.
They have also been beset with more injuries than most teams. They certainly have the talent to challenge for the flag but will need to keep near to their best team on the ground. They will welcome back Wayne Carey and Nathan Bassett this week and hopefully Mark Stevens in the near future.
The Swans have been playing well, but will miss Jason Ball. The Crows have a huge advantage in the ruck with the imposing presence of Biglands and Clarke. Ball could have also gone forward providing a tall target, releasing pressure from Barry Hall and Michael O?Loughlin. Adam Goodes will bundle a massive load. His form has been terrific and he?s capable of shouldering the responsibilities. The big question is whether he will get worn out. Will he be able to keep jumping and competing for four quarters every game? Roos will probably use youngsters James Mieklejohn or Lewis Roberts-Thompson sparingly in order to give Goodes a break. Both of them have no chance to compete physically with the big ruckmen of the competition.
Game Plan:
The Swans play an attacking, running game beginning in defence. They will attempt to run and bounce the ball, trying to ?draw? their opponents. Tadgh Kennelly and Leo Barry are their main springboards in this area. The Crows did well the first time round against the Swans because they pressured the ball-carrier. They closed their opponents? space, forcing them to dispose of the ball and make a decision quickly.
The Swans also will push one or two players back in defence so they can create a loose player when they have the ball. With the Crows liking to go one-on-one at all times, especially defenders at stoppages, the Swans forwards will attempt to ?walk? their opponents up the ground. This will create a great deal of space for O?Loughlin and Hall. If this occurs, the Crows could consider dropping one player off the contest to help block space. This could either be a midfielder or a defender whose opponent ?walks? to a non-dangerous position.
The Swans like to share the ball but move it quickly to their dangerous forwards. If they are held-up, they always look for a spare team-mate. As they lack height, especially with Ball out, this will be more evident this week. The Crows will attempt to man-up any loose players when the Swans have the ball. Adelaide is fantastic at stoppages, not only because of their quality midfield, but also with the service provided by their ruckmen. The Swans will focus heavily on this area, probably getting extra numbers at the contest to stymie the Crows? play. The Crows are not a quick side, so the Swans? pace will be of some concern. When the Crows win the ball, they will run, handball and attempt to hit targets. There is a genuine desire to get the ball in the corridor and go longer to their tall forwards.
Match Ups:
Both teams have good midfields, so the interesting match-ups will occur here. Brett Kirk is having a great season as a tagger, and is obviously underrated by the opposition. He is very fit, disciplined and football-smart. It would be surprising if he played on Andrew McLeod as he has not got the pace to go with the champion Crow. This job will more likely go to Jared Crouch. Kirk defeated Simon Goodwin easily last time. He could take him again, although Goodwin is only playing his second game back, or maybe Matthew Bode, Tyson Edwards or Mark Bickley. Whoever is tagged by Kirk could run with either Daryn Cresswell or Jude Bolton.
Cresswell has been in great form and maybe needs to be marked. The Crows have quite a few quality options in midfield with Tyson Stenglein the only real tagger. His job again will be Paul Williams. The Swans will rotate their midfield heavily with many players going through the centre. The Swans exposed Mark Ricciuto in the midfield last time by having pace (ie: Stuart Maxfield) play on him. Ricciuto?s form has been very good this year and he will be dangerous up forward.
The Coaches:
The most obvious concern for Paul Roos is in the ruck. Rhett Biglands and Matthew Clarke have such a big influence on games at the stoppages. He will attempt to expose them around the ground with Goodes. Smart should play on Goodes if, after the bounce, the ruckman goes to centre half-forward. But what if he plays up the ground?
Gary Ayres, if he does this, must attempt to stop Hall?s influence at boundary throw-ins and ball-ups in the Swans forward line. Wayne Carey and Ian Perrie will be opposed to either Jason Saddington or Andrew Schauble. Craig Bolton is likely to stand Scott Welsh. If Adelaide?s resting ruckman plays close to goal (Welsh can play up the ground), who have the Swans to oppose him?
With Crouch on McLeod, this will leave Kennelly to match-up Graham Johncock. Johncock?s ability to kick goals might stop Kennelly?s run. Generally, Kennelly plays on the least dangerous forward, so he can play off his man and run. Ayres will also worry about the Swans forward line. Hart will more than likely play on O?Loughlin, Bassett on Hall, Jason Torney on Matthew Nicks and maybe Goodwin on the dangerous Nick Davis. Brett Burton is in great form and is a difficult match-up, especially if he plays on the wing. With his run and aerial strength, he can go forward at will and kick goals.
The Verdict:
Even if Ball was playing, Adelaide would start favourite because of the home ground. Now, with Ball out, the Adelaide ruckmen should dominate although Goodes is a concern around the ground. The Swans forward line is dangerous, and with enough supply, could swing the game. The Crows equally have talented forwards, so the game will come down to the midfields. With the home ground and crowd and an advantage in the midfield, the Crows should win a vital game.
Adelaide by 22 points.
I doubt he wants us to win the flag, cos imagine what it would do to him from an historical perspective.
A crunch game for the Crows
4:28:29 PM Wed 30 July, 2003
Rodney Eade
afl.com.au
Related Content:
More Rodney Eade columns
The fight for a top four position is the most intriguing question yet to be answered. Given the advantages of finishing in the top four, this game between the Crows and the Swans will have the most significance. If the Crows lose, they will not make the top four. Their draw is very difficult over the last five rounds and Sunday?s game is a must. They will be rueing so many close losses.
They have also been beset with more injuries than most teams. They certainly have the talent to challenge for the flag but will need to keep near to their best team on the ground. They will welcome back Wayne Carey and Nathan Bassett this week and hopefully Mark Stevens in the near future.
The Swans have been playing well, but will miss Jason Ball. The Crows have a huge advantage in the ruck with the imposing presence of Biglands and Clarke. Ball could have also gone forward providing a tall target, releasing pressure from Barry Hall and Michael O?Loughlin. Adam Goodes will bundle a massive load. His form has been terrific and he?s capable of shouldering the responsibilities. The big question is whether he will get worn out. Will he be able to keep jumping and competing for four quarters every game? Roos will probably use youngsters James Mieklejohn or Lewis Roberts-Thompson sparingly in order to give Goodes a break. Both of them have no chance to compete physically with the big ruckmen of the competition.
Game Plan:
The Swans play an attacking, running game beginning in defence. They will attempt to run and bounce the ball, trying to ?draw? their opponents. Tadgh Kennelly and Leo Barry are their main springboards in this area. The Crows did well the first time round against the Swans because they pressured the ball-carrier. They closed their opponents? space, forcing them to dispose of the ball and make a decision quickly.
The Swans also will push one or two players back in defence so they can create a loose player when they have the ball. With the Crows liking to go one-on-one at all times, especially defenders at stoppages, the Swans forwards will attempt to ?walk? their opponents up the ground. This will create a great deal of space for O?Loughlin and Hall. If this occurs, the Crows could consider dropping one player off the contest to help block space. This could either be a midfielder or a defender whose opponent ?walks? to a non-dangerous position.
The Swans like to share the ball but move it quickly to their dangerous forwards. If they are held-up, they always look for a spare team-mate. As they lack height, especially with Ball out, this will be more evident this week. The Crows will attempt to man-up any loose players when the Swans have the ball. Adelaide is fantastic at stoppages, not only because of their quality midfield, but also with the service provided by their ruckmen. The Swans will focus heavily on this area, probably getting extra numbers at the contest to stymie the Crows? play. The Crows are not a quick side, so the Swans? pace will be of some concern. When the Crows win the ball, they will run, handball and attempt to hit targets. There is a genuine desire to get the ball in the corridor and go longer to their tall forwards.
Match Ups:
Both teams have good midfields, so the interesting match-ups will occur here. Brett Kirk is having a great season as a tagger, and is obviously underrated by the opposition. He is very fit, disciplined and football-smart. It would be surprising if he played on Andrew McLeod as he has not got the pace to go with the champion Crow. This job will more likely go to Jared Crouch. Kirk defeated Simon Goodwin easily last time. He could take him again, although Goodwin is only playing his second game back, or maybe Matthew Bode, Tyson Edwards or Mark Bickley. Whoever is tagged by Kirk could run with either Daryn Cresswell or Jude Bolton.
Cresswell has been in great form and maybe needs to be marked. The Crows have quite a few quality options in midfield with Tyson Stenglein the only real tagger. His job again will be Paul Williams. The Swans will rotate their midfield heavily with many players going through the centre. The Swans exposed Mark Ricciuto in the midfield last time by having pace (ie: Stuart Maxfield) play on him. Ricciuto?s form has been very good this year and he will be dangerous up forward.
The Coaches:
The most obvious concern for Paul Roos is in the ruck. Rhett Biglands and Matthew Clarke have such a big influence on games at the stoppages. He will attempt to expose them around the ground with Goodes. Smart should play on Goodes if, after the bounce, the ruckman goes to centre half-forward. But what if he plays up the ground?
Gary Ayres, if he does this, must attempt to stop Hall?s influence at boundary throw-ins and ball-ups in the Swans forward line. Wayne Carey and Ian Perrie will be opposed to either Jason Saddington or Andrew Schauble. Craig Bolton is likely to stand Scott Welsh. If Adelaide?s resting ruckman plays close to goal (Welsh can play up the ground), who have the Swans to oppose him?
With Crouch on McLeod, this will leave Kennelly to match-up Graham Johncock. Johncock?s ability to kick goals might stop Kennelly?s run. Generally, Kennelly plays on the least dangerous forward, so he can play off his man and run. Ayres will also worry about the Swans forward line. Hart will more than likely play on O?Loughlin, Bassett on Hall, Jason Torney on Matthew Nicks and maybe Goodwin on the dangerous Nick Davis. Brett Burton is in great form and is a difficult match-up, especially if he plays on the wing. With his run and aerial strength, he can go forward at will and kick goals.
The Verdict:
Even if Ball was playing, Adelaide would start favourite because of the home ground. Now, with Ball out, the Adelaide ruckmen should dominate although Goodes is a concern around the ground. The Swans forward line is dangerous, and with enough supply, could swing the game. The Crows equally have talented forwards, so the game will come down to the midfields. With the home ground and crowd and an advantage in the midfield, the Crows should win a vital game.
Adelaide by 22 points.
) on the AFL web site it became obvious to me that he's got the same problem as many people here in Melbourne trying to understand why are the Swans 2nd on the ladder because theoreticaly they shouldn't be there.
Comment