Carrying Crouch

[floppinab]

He's got a few mates but Crouchy has not featured in any of the three games this year and the way came off the ground in the last on Saturday suggests he's carrying a problem with his right leg.

The question is, given he is no doubt one with a few of Roosy's Credits, how long till those credits run out. How long can we carry him???

[MrRed]

Re: Carrying Crouch

Originally posted by floppinab
He's got a few mates but Crouchy has not featured in any of the three games this year and the way came off the ground in the last on Saturday suggests he's carrying a problem with his right leg.

The question is, given he is no doubt one with a few of Roosy's Credits, how long till those credits run out. How long can we carry him???

Crouch has one thing on his mind atm and that is too play as many consecutive games he can and break a record.

I think for the longevity of his career and for the sake of the swans he should let go of his ego and do the team thing and be rested until he is back to 100%.

At the moment he is playing bad footy which seems to stem from a serious injury.

[floppinab]

Re: Re: Carrying Crouch

Originally posted by MrRed
Crouch has one thing on his mind atm and that is too play as many consecutive games he can and break a record.

No player in their right mind would give up a spot in the Seniors if they think they are good enough to play, injury wise. It's not up to him to make that decision, it's up to the Selection Committee.

[Schneiderman]

He is in our best 22, especially in the role he plays. End of story.

[floppinab]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
He is in our best 22, especially in the role he plays. End of story.

Even if he's 70%???? (I'm guessing but it wouldn't be far off IMO)

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by floppinab
Even if he's 70%???? (I'm guessing but it wouldn't be far off IMO)

Yep. Noone else has the experience and speed combination. Even when he is at 70%.

I have faith Roos will pull him when he feels he has a better option. Its just not the Swans way to put personal milestones ahead of the team.

[floppinab]

Experience wise, I think we've got plenty enough in the team now and from that perspective he wouldn't be missed.

Speed wise methinks there are a few in the wings who could have a crack, in the same way the Eski did on Saturday.

I didn't mind giving him a chance over the last few weeks but if he's not coming up, and it doesn't look like he has been that well, it's time for a week or two off.

[NMWBloods]

He needs a week off. We can't keep carrying players who aren't fully fit.

If he's in our best 22 at 70% fit playing like that then our best 22 is going to struggle this year.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by floppinab
Experience wise, I think we've got plenty enough in the team now and from that perspective he wouldn't be missed.

Speed wise methinks there are a few in the wings who could have a crack, in the same way the Eski did on Saturday.

Experience also needs to be considered in one-on-one situations. Team experience is pretty much irrelevant when you have a one-on-one duel with an opposing speedster and a mistake will cost a goal.

I dont think anyone in the team has enough of the right stuff at this stage to do his job. Maybe someone like Brabazon may develop into the role, but Eski is certainly not quick enough.

[MrRed]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
Experience also needs to be considered in one-on-one situations.

And a player who is 50%-70% fit will always struggle against an opponent who is 100% throughout the game. Especially if he is playing one on one on a champion player.

1 weeks rest.

[Go Swannies]

Want to bet the week off doesn't happen? He's still in our best 22 and watching the Blues game, Crouch off his best was still faster than just about any other Swan - and still didn't get tackled by a Blue. Let's see how he goes against Davey this week.

[liz]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
Want to bet the week off doesn't happen? He's still in our best 22 and watching the Blues game, Crouch off his best was still faster than just about any other Swan - and still didn't get tackled by a Blue. Let's see how he goes against Davey this week.

I reckon Schneider will get first crack at Davey, as part of Roos' ongoing education of him to become a more rounded player.

The thing with Crouch is that while he's obviously not "quite right", we don't know if it's just the effects of a limited pre-season or whether he really is carrying an injury that needs a rest. I think that evidence from previous years indicates that Crouch really benefits from hard match practice. He had an ordinary start to 2005, came good after the first month or so, and then was in super form by the end of the year.

Obviously there comes a time in every player's career when age catches up, and the body can't cope the way it used to. But he's only 28ish, so his body ought to still be OK. I don't think any of us can possibly tell, from the outside looking in, whether he'd benefit more from a rest or from gaining hard match practice.

I'm not convinced that there is anyone in the reserves at the moment who could match Crouch for pure leg speed, even at reduced fitness, other than probably Laidlaw, and his draft camp results indicated that he has some way to go to build up the endurance necessary to survive at AFL level.

As for the record thing, I don't buy that. Or maybe I just choose not to believe that he is selfish in that way, or that Roos is daft enough to allow it to the detriment to the team. I do believe that Crouch - like most other seasoned AFL players - hates missing games and will do everything in his power not to miss a game.

[satchmopugdog]

I agree Liz and I really really did have something good to type here about Crouch's attitude to the record and his ability to play under duress and Roosy's opinion of him...but alcoholic amensia has set in and I have forgotten what it was..and I am typing meaninglessly her in the hope it will come back to me ...but it hasn't soooooooo Go Crouchy is the best I can come up with.


You lot will be glad to see the back of me on Friday!!!!

[Roscoe]

Agree with a lot that has been said

Crouchy ( I like him) has been down, but not as "bad" as others

He still has a lot of credits in the bank - our finals best in 2005

We need him to keep Davey under check this week - who else can match him for speed in our side ?

[woo]

sorry I wont listen to this nonense about not playing crouchy....guys hes part of the heart and soul of the team...him at 70 % is still better than most of the team...

its entirely up to the match committee but I have faith they love him as much as the rest of us