Adelaide Crows 2023 news: All the highlights from practice match against West Coast
After two pre-season wins, Matthew Nicks has a few tough calls to make at selection. See who starred and struggled against the Eagles – and what it means for Round 1.
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The Crows return from Perth with two pre-season wins, and a host of players knocking down Matthew Nicks’ door for a Round 1 spot.
Matt Turner rates every player’s performance against the Eagles – and what it could mean for the season-opener against the Giants.
2. Ben Keays – Has embraced his shift from the midfield to half-forward and looks dangerous whenever the ball is near him. Kicked a goal in each quarter to be among the Crows’ best.
3. Sam Berry – The hardworking midfielder looks poised to take another step this year. Buzzed about between contests, registering 19 disposals, four clearances and applying plenty of pressure, as evidenced by winning a holding the ball free kick late then converting the goal.
5. Matt Crouch – Came on late, playing only 15 per cent of the game and did not waste time, gathering nine touches. The midfielder looks set to be on the fringes again.
8. Josh Rachele – Only had 11 disposals but sliced through the Eagles’ midfield a few times. Started several ball-ups in the centre square before pushing forward.
9. Rory Sloane – Another tick for the former captain in his comeback from a season-ending knee injury. Had 18 touches and played 82 per cent of the match, lining up mostly on the wing.
10. Luke Pedlar – Went a long way to locking in a round 1 berth as a small forward after another encouraging showing. Pedlar is powerful, provides grunt, is good in the air and boasts a long kick. His inclusion is keeping Ned McHenry and Lachlan Murphy out of the side.
12. Jordan Dawson – As he often did last season, Dawson (26 disposals) set up so many attacking forays from half-back and the wing. The new captain’s pinpoint kick is a great weapon but his defensive work, such as his intercepting, spoiling and desperation, is probably a little underrated externally. His guts and leadership was exemplified by him running back with the flight of the ball to spoil in the third quarter, knowing a collision was coming and getting crunched. He was on his haunches for a few moments before getting up and playing on.
13. Taylor Walker – Returned to the side after being rested last week and kicked the first goal of the game with a brilliant left-foot snap off one step. Could have booted more, if not for unselfishly assisting teammates twice. Played well overall.
14. Jake Soligo – Used as a high half-forward, on the wing and in the middle, and provided his usual compilation of important little things. Showed his fast hands in traffic on several occasions. Rarely makes bad decisions.
16. Max Michalanney – The draftee defender looks on track to make his AFL debut in round 1 after a solid performance. Selected ahead of the likes of Will Hamill, Michalanney hardly put a foot wrong, making a couple of important spoils and being neat in possession.
20. Mitch Hinge – Again offered plenty of drive from half-back and the wing, cutting off Eagles forward forays then launching the ball forward with his long left-foot kicks to finish with a game-high 582 metres gained. Also had 23 disposals and five tackles to be one of the Crows’ best. Reckon he is a little underrated as a player.
21. Tyler Brown – Featured in only 21 per cent of game time after coming on late, an indication of him being outside the Crows’ best 22. The tall midfielder registered eight disposals.
22. Izak Rankine – Had a quiet first half before kicking the first goal of the third term thanks to an unselfish assist from Walker. Then a Rankine handball set up a goal for Rory Laird. Finished with 13 touches and the second-most tackles (six) on the ground.
23. Shane McAdam – Does not look like a big night on paper – eight disposals, three marks, three tackles – but he is becoming a very handy player for the Crows. His quickness to break away from chasing Eagles helped set up a late goal and his workrate as a high half-forward was impressive.
26. Harry Schoenberg – Not a big night (18 possessions, three tackles) but did not do much wrong either.
28. Nick Murray – Did not have a lot to do, given West Coast went inside 50 a mere 37 times, compared to Adelaide’s 65, but positioned himself well as part of a very sound Crows defensive structure.
29. Rory Laird – He was one of the stars of the night and seemingly everywhere for the Crows. He collected a game-high 32 disposals, kicked two goals and ran hard both ways, laying a match-best 10 tackles. Rarely has a quiet game.
32. Darcy Fogarty – It will not surprise if Fogarty kicks 50 goals this season, such is his form, confidence and ability. Kicked three first-quarter majors and showed his smarts in the second term by backing into intercept king Jeremy McGovern to create space, then keeping the ball in front of him to mark. Missed a sitter, for him, in the third quarter. Added another
goal in the last term to make it four. Was one of the best few players on the ground.
33. Brodie Smith – A typical Smith game – 464 metres gained (third-best on the ground), 22 disposals and started a heap of attacking chains from the back half.
34. Elliott Himmelberg – Chosen ahead of Riley Thilthorpe as Reilly O’Brien’s back-up and was solid with a few nice moments. Took a couple of nice marks, squandered two opportunities at goal (two behinds) and showed his mobility in the ruck by winning three clearances. Interesting battle between those two ahead of round 1.
37. Patrick Parnell – The Crows’ really like his kicking and decision-making, both of which he did well against the Eagles.
39. Tom Doedee – West Coast’s forwards rarely threatened, as the team found it difficult to get the ball to the wing from the backline, let alone its attacking 50. Doedee was a rock, making several key spoils.
41. Jordon Butts – There was no Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy was now retired, but Butts held firm in defence.
43. Reilly O’Brien – With no Nic Naitanui or Bailey Williams, O’Brien went up against nine-gamer Callum Jamieson – an ideal match-up to find some form. The Crows ruckman started very well but Adelaide ended up losing the clearances 37-33 despite dominating on the scoreboard. Will be a big surprise if he does not start the season in the AFL side but there does not seem to be much of a gap between him and the other Crows’ big men.
Nicks excited by Crows forward’s 12-month transformation
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says he has not seen a much bigger 12-month transformation from a player than Darcy Fogarty.
Fogarty starred in the Crows’ 59-point practice match win against West Coast in Perth on Friday, kicking a game-high four goals in a confident, bustling display.
It was just 10 months ago that he was lining up in the SANFL, having been dropped after round 3 last season, prompting many critics outside West Lakes to question where his career was heading.
He responded by kicking 31 goals across the last 12 games of the AFL campaign and in the two games in Western Australia over the past week he continued where he left off.
Asked if he had seen a bigger transformation from a player in a year than Fogarty’s, Nicks said: “No I haven’t”.
“He would be the one player at the moment that you would refer to of where our team is getting to,” he said.
“Six or nine months ago, people were wondering what was going on but he’s done an incredible job off his own back … and now he believes in himself.
“It’s so pleasing to see him come back after an off-season and still be able to do what he was doing at the end of last year.
“It’s important to be patient with people and patient with development because it takes a different amount of time for every single player.”
Adelaide made it two wins from two pre-season matches in Perth after beating Fremantle by 11 points over four quarters last week.
The Crows’ pressure on the Eagles was as eye-catching as their slick, unselfish ball movement and their defensive zone proved disciplined and difficult to penetrate.
Nicks said the team would take plenty of confidence and momentum into its round 1 clash with GWS in Sydney on March 19.
“You never know what the opposition are doing … or how you’ll turn up on the day,” he said.
“I thought they put it all out there for four quarters.
“I thought our heat (on the opposition) was at its best tonight – that’s us – and if we can have it at that level, we can compete.”
Adelaide’s commitment was exemplified by new captain Jordan Dawson running back with the flight of the ball to spoil an Eagles kick inside 50 and copping a heavy hit.
Nicks said that act showed the type of leader Dawson would become.
“Some people just know how to win and I feel like Dawse just brings that to our group,” he said.
Nicks said hard nut Luke Pedlar was on track for round 1 despite being taken off late in the game as a precaution due to a knock.
“He’s showing something a little different ahead of the ball for us,” he said.
“He can compete in the air and has got real power to his game.”
RED HOT CROWS BELT EAGLES AS SELECTION SQUEEZE HEATS UP
Adelaide could hardly be entering round one in better form after a 59-point win over West Coast in Perth that raised plenty of questions.
Such as are the Crows better than most people think?
How much weight should we put into pre-season performances?
And just how much has West Coast improved?
The Crows jumped out of the blocks to lead by 30 points at half-time and 29 at the main break, before West Coast held firm in the third term.
Inside 50s were 20-4 at one stage early in the piece and Adelaide’s new-look forward line looked very dangerous, as Darcy Fogarty slotted three majors in the first quarter.
Things did not get much better from there for the hosts, while the Crows were able to maintain their high-pressure, defensively sound, attacking brand.
Their forward line looked dangerous, as Fogarty and Ben Keays booted four majors each, and Taylor Walker added three.
It is only pre-season but coming off a 14th-placed finish in 2022, Adelaide will take plenty of confidence from its two games in Perth into the season-opener against GWS in Sydney on March 19.
DRAFTEE WATCH
Reuben Ginbey was one of the few shining lights for the Eagles, registering 17 disposals, five tackles and a team-high seven clearances to lock
The big-bodied 18-year-old featured in the midfield and was hard at the ball, as well as clean in possession – unlike many teammates.
Ginbey missed last week’s match simulation against Port Adelaide with a toe injury.
Eagles midfielder Elijah Hewett only played 31 per cent game time, finishing with two disposals.
Defender Max Michalanney got the nod in Adelaide’s near full strength side to keep out the likes of Will Hamill.
The Norwood product showed composure with the ball and made a couple of important spoils.
ON TRACK FOR ROUND 1
It will be a surprise if Luke Pedlar is not in Adelaide’s side for its season-opener after another promising performance.
Although the hard nut featured in just 55 per cent of game time, his pressure, grunt and long kicking at half-forward caught the eye.
His workrate was rewarded with a goal.
Taken at pick 11 in the 2020 national draft, the 20-year-old has featured five times at AFL level in an injury-hampered start to his career and is keeping out Ned McHenry.
Listed as a forward at $173,4000, Pedlar is also a player to consider in SuperCoach.
SELECTION SQUEEZE
Adelaide midfield coach Nathan van Berlo told reporters after the Crows’ win over Fremantle last week that Taylor Walker, Darcy Fogarty, Riley Thilthorpe and Elliott Himmelberg could not all fit in the same side as ruckman Reilly O’Brien.
And on Friday it was third-year tall Thilthorpe who made way.
It was not a surprise.
Himmelberg has had a strong summer on the track, he kicked two goals last week against Fremantle and looked very good in the ruck, helping turn the game after the Crows struggled in the middle early.
On Friday, the 24-year-old had a solid game, missing a couple of opportunities at goal (two behinds), taking some nice marks and backing up O’Brien.
PRE-GAME: TEAM SELECTION
Adelaide is treating its final pre-season game against West Coast on Friday as a dress rehearsal for round 1, planning to play just 23 of its 26-man squad.
The Crows have named close to a full-strength line-up to face the Eagles at Lathlain, headlined by the return of spearhead Taylor Walker after being rested versus Fremantle.
Defenders Wayne Milera (personal reasons) and Josh Worrell (hamstring) will miss the game.
Adelaide has chosen key forwards Riley Thilthorpe and Elliott Himmelberg (both on the bench), along with Darcy Fogarty and ruckman Reilly O’Brien.
The Crows have conceded they cannot play all their talls together so they may opt to leave one of them out of their matchday 23 against the Eagles.
“We can’t be too tall down forward and are very lucky a lot of them are in good form and have had really strong pre-seasons,” Crows assistant James Rahilly said.
“It’s getting pretty tight but all will be pretty important for the rest of the year and have impacts at different times.”
Tough nut Luke Pedlar was again selected as a small forwards, while long-time midfielder Ben Keays was named in his new role in attack.
On-baller Matt Crouch, who was out of favour for much of last season, ex-Collingwood midfielder Tyler Brown and draftee Max Michalanney were among eight Crows selected on the bench.
Goalsneaks Ned McHenry and Lachlan Murphy were named as emergencies, along with key defender James Borlase and half-back/wingman Chayce Jones.
Adelaide is expected to use a player in a medical substitute role against the Eagles, bringing them on late in the game to provide dash and a spark off the bench.
Friday will be the Crows’ last match before facing GWS in Sydney in the clubs’ season-opener on March 19.
Adelaide is yet to rule Worrell out for round 1 and there is no timeline yet on his return.
Against Fremantle last week, Worrell reaggravated a hamstring issue that he sustained earlier in pre-season.
“Josh has had really strong development over the last couple of years,” Rahilly said.
“They’ll be pretty careful with him.
“He’s very important to us and has had a really good pre-season.”
WEST COAST
B: S.Hurn 25 T.Barrass 37 T.Cole 28
HB: L.Duggan 14 J.McGovern 20 J.Hunt 5
C: A.Gaff 3 T.Kelly 11 D.Sheed 4
HF: X.O’Neill 24 J.Waterman 2 J.Cripps 15
F: L.Ryan 1 O.Allen 12 J.Jones 31
Foll: B.Williams 32 E.Yeo 6 L.Shuey – C 13
I/C: R.Ginbey 7 E.Hewett 8 C.Chesser 18 J.Petruccelle 21 A.Witherden 23 J.Rotham 35 G.Clark 39 C.Jamieson 40
Emerg: S.Petrevski-Seton 10 C.West 36 H.Edwards 42 N.Long 44
Notable absentees: Nic Naitanui, Jack Darling, Jai Culley, Sam Petrevski-Seton
ADELAIDE
B: J.Butts 41 T.Doedee 39 P.Parnell 37
HB: J.Dawson – C 12 N.Murray 28 B.Smith 33
C: M.Hinge 20 R.Laird 29 R.Sloane 9
HF: L.Pedlar 10 J.Rachele 8 B.Keays 2
F: I.Rankine 22 T.Walker 13 D.Fogarty 32
Foll: R.O’Brien 43 S.Berry 3 J.Soligo 14
I/C: W.Hamill 17 E.Himmelberg 34 M.Michalanney 16 H.Schoenberg 26 T.Brown 21 S.McAdam 23 R.Thilthorpe 7 M.Crouch 5
Emerg: L.Murphy 4 J.Borlase 35 N.McHenry 25 C.Jones 1
Notable absentees: Jackson Hately, Lachlan Murphy, Lachlan Sholl, Ned McHenry, Wayne Milera
INJURY INTEL: WHERE KEY CROWS SIT AHEAD OF ROUND 1
Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty is on track to face West Coast in Perth on Friday despite rolling an ankle at training.
Fogarty came off the ground during the Crows’ session on Tuesday but returned to the action and was said to be OK.
The 23-year-old impressed in last Friday’s match simulation win over the Dockers, kicking two goals.
Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker will return to the line-up against the Eagles after getting through training.
Walker was rested for last Friday’s clash.
Ruckman Kieran Strachan copped a stinger to his elbow on Tuesday.
Defender Josh Worrell (hamstring) and draftee Hugh Bond (back) have been ruled out of the West Coast game.
Crows high-performance manager Darren Burgess said scans showed some damage to Worrell’s injury, which was a reaggravation of what he suffered last month, but that it was difficult to put a time frame on his return.
Walker told Triple M the club hoped to build momentum ahead of the season by winning two pre-season games in a row.
Adelaide was 11 points ahead of Fremantle after four periods, when both teams rested most of their best players.
CROWS SELECTION SQUEEZE: HOW TALL IS TOO TALL?
The pre-season form of key forward Elliott Himmelberg is causing a talls selection squeeze at Adelaide ahead of round 1.
After playing SANFL for most of the second half of last season, Himmelberg has responded with a strong summer, including being among the Crows’ best in the match simulation against Fremantle in Perth on Friday, to put himself in the frame to face GWS next month.
Along with kicking two goals, the 24-year-old played well in the ruck in the win over the Dockers, helping to turn the game after Adelaide struggled in the middle early and trailed by eight points at quarter-time.
Himmelberg finished the 2022 campaign behind spearheads Taylor Walker, Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe, but he would be difficult to overlook for the season-opener in Sydney on March 19.
Crows assistant Nathan van Berlo conceded there was not room to play all four with ruckman Reilly O’Brien.
O’Brien said the talls’ selection battle was “a good dilemma to have and probably something we haven’t had as much the last few years”.
“Everyone wants competition in their spot, otherwise you can get complacent,” O’Brien said.
“Elliott’s looking really good and been training well all pre-season.
“His pressure and ground level stuff for a big man is elite, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do this year for the team.”
Himmelberg played more SANFL games (13) than AFL ones (11) last year.
Thilthorpe, who lined up across most of Friday’s seven-period game, could be the forward to make way if Himmelberg was picked to face the Giants.
O’Brien described them as similar back-up ruckmen – mobile, almost like having another midfielder at ground level and strong in the air.
“I certainly help them with their ruck craft and want them to be as good as possible,” he said.
O’Brien faced one of the AFL’s newest – and best – combinations on Friday, Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.
“As a midfield group in the first quarter we were a little bit off with our connection and didn’t adapt that well, but after quarter-time I felt really good in there,” he said.
O’Brien was unaware of occasional fan criticism of his position, saying he listened to teammates and coaches.
“I take pride in what we’re doing around the clearance, so I’m not necessarily looking at my stats, but how we’re operating as a group,” he said.
O’Brien was this month chosen in the Crows’ leadership group for a second straight year.
He said he did not strive to become captain when Rory Sloane stood aside and Jordan Dawson was chosen as his successor.
“I love leading the group and having a positive influence on everyone but Dawson coming in as captain was a great decision by the club,” he said.
TRAINING NOTES
Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker has arrived in Western Australia as the Crows step up preparations for their final pre-season hitout.
Walker was rested for last week’s match simulation but he trained in Perth on Monday ahead of the clash with West Coast.
Defender Josh Worrell will miss the next game due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the first quarter against the Dockers and is in doubt to face GWS in round 1.
Worrell was on light duties for Monday’s session at South Fremantle Football Club, riding an exercise bike.
He was sidelined with an injury to the same hamstring earlier in pre-season.
Fellow backman Andrew McPherson, who underwent season-ending posterior cruciate ligament surgery in July, was in skills drills in a promising sign for his comeback.
McPherson last week told the Crows’ website that after three months of injury rehabilitation he was seeing “the light at the end of the tunnel”.
Unlike Port Adelaide, the Crows will keep their full squad in Perth this week.
Adelaide’s reserves players will feature in a game after the A-grade match against the Eagles.
The Power had a quiet Monday, ahead of its main session in Perth on Tuesday.
Midfielder Travis Boak will be assessed after suffering bruised ribs against West Coast and he is yet to be ruled out of Port’s clash with Fremantle on Thursday.
Darcy Byrne-Jones (back) and Jackson Mead (hamstring tightness) are doubtful.
The Power is confident Charlie Dixon (ribs) and Zak Butters (shoulder) will play after missing the Eagles’ game.
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