Capel: SA footy’s new heavyweight showdown hasn’t come easy
They might be some of the most decorated names in recent SANFL history but they’ve both taken the hard road to the grand final, writes Andrew Capel.
Andrew Capel
Star’s selfless reaction to emotional Magarey stunner
He broke the SANFL’s Magarey Medal ruck curse but Norwood’s Harry Boyd didn’t want a single vote in the final round of the count. Andrew Capel reveals why.
Now Port’s trying to bag rival players too
Port’s boss might be complaining about their wooden spoon but its state rivals’ greatest fears are being realised, writes Andrew Capel.
Our votes are in: SANFL’s best ranked as Magarey thriller looms
If ever a ruckman is going to win the SANFL’s Magarey Medal it should be this year, writes Andrew Capel, as The Advertiser’s footy writers reveal their votes.
Capel: Three chances cashed-up Crows can’t afford to lose
The Crows have failed spectacularly this year but they can still win the off-season, writes Andrew Capel.
D-Day: Dodson’s huge decision that will shape the AFL draft
He is SA sports’ next big thing – rated the best ruckman in this year’s AFL draft pool and an NBL prospect – leaving Alex Dodson with a big decision to make, writes Andrew Capel.
‘What about us?’ AFL is dudding SA’s footy star factories
They’re nation-leading producers of top talent but they’re being short-changed where it counts, writes Andrew Capel.
Capel: This star could be about to break SANFL’s big curse
Norwood’s star ruckman is enjoying a season for the ages and is on track to end a longstanding SANFL hoodoo, writes Andrew Capel.
SA young gun the Crows need – that’s right under their nose
Adelaide has a need for midfield speed and class – and the player it should target is sitting right under its nose, writes Andrew Capel.
‘Not good at all’: Star quits SANFL as footy’s tough new reality bites
The biggest issue in modern footy is not just a problem for the AFL, writes Andrew Capel.
Two stand out among new breed of rising footy stars
They were brought back to SA via blockbuster trades, now these two standouts are leading a new breed of stars, writes Andrew Capel.
Footy bosses vent amid Crows, Port backyard blitz fears
Adelaide and Port Adelaide’s continuation in the SANFL is not without controversy, writes Andrew Capel.
Capel: The SA stars I’d pick to end AFL’s state of ‘disgrace’
An MCG full of screaming rugby league fans will tell a sorry tale about what was once the pinnacle of Aussie rules football, writes Andrew Capel.
‘Don’t do it’: AFL’s selfish raids leave a trail of broken dreams
It’s not just the state footy clubs that pay the price when the AFL sets out on its mid-season talent raids, writes Andrew Capel.
‘Couldn’t believe it’: Cricket star runs into surprise footy gig
He once terrorised batters with his unplayable bowling, now the one-Test wonder and Redbacks great has signed up to help out one of SA’s top footy clubs, writes Andrew Capel.
Bin the ‘rule everyone hates’ and pick the fix that makes sense
If the AFL thinks it’s taking the pressure off coaches and team doctors, it needs to think again, writes Andrew Capel.
Joshing around: AFL needs more colourful characters like Rachele
Under-fire Crow Josh Rachele owned his moment and needs to be celebrated, not torn down, as Showdown 55 looms, writes Andrew Capel.
SANFL’s young talent ready to rock the AFL draft pool
Some were spurned in their inaugural draft years, another was ruthlessly dumped from the AFL system. A host of exciting young SANFL players want a second chance in the draft.
Bring them home! The two SA exports who can save the Crows
Ambitious and cashed-up Adelaide should go all-in and try to lure these Croweaters and AFL premiership players back to South Australia, writes Andrew Capel.
Star’s amazing transformation in ‘Hail Mary’ footy comeback
He answered the SOS from new Eagles coach Sam Jacobs and now this premiership hero has returned as SANFL’s Incredible Shrinking Man, writes Andrew Capel.
Can Crows dig their way out of a Dee-Day disaster hole?
The Crows were so toothless in their Good Friday loss to Fremantle that the city’s A-League soccer team scored as many goals as they did, writes Andrew Capel.
History finally repeats as Gather Round brings back a rare chance
Never before has the opening round of a SANFL season had so much riding on it for the players, writes Andrew Capel.
Johnson & Johnson: Captaincy cements brothers as top sports duo
Isaac Johnson’s elevation to the West Adelaide captaincy has confirmed the Johnson boys as one of SA sports great sibling duos.
Final chance for Crows as Nicks’ time for excuses runs out
In Matthew Nicks’ fifth season with the club, Adelaide will not be able to explain away another failure to make finals, writes Andrew Capel.
Why the AFL is circling this SA gun – again
Cast adrift from the AFL four years ago, a Glenelg premiership defender is back on the radar of AFL clubs after a standout year in the SANFL, writes Andrew Capel.
Damning stats show extent of Port’s ruck Paddy whack
PORT Adelaide is feeling the pinch, with its ruck numbers not stacking up without injured All-Australian Paddy Ryder.
Anzac Round bigger than China
PORT Adelaide says hosting an AFL match in Anzac Round is a bigger priority for it than the China experiment
The Hart change that gave rise to great Grundy
IT was the sliding doors moment that might have turned Collingwood star Brodie Grundy from promising basketballer into star footballer.
Why ‘too small, too slow’ Rory’s now in rare air
ADELAIDE Crows defender Rory Laird is in rare air, having become just the 13th player — and first defender — in VFL-AFL history to have consecutive 40-plus disposal games.
Stats show why Tigers’ Graham gain is rivals’ pain
HIS former coach was flabbergasted when he watched Jack Graham shockingly become one of the AFL’s great draft sliders. Now the powerful Tiger is making the clubs that overlooked him pay a heavy price.
Watts the difference for Port
KANE Cornes has labelled key recruit Jack Watts “The Difference’’ as Port Adelaide aims to set the record straight.
Andrew Capel’s Mock Draft: Make it Rayner
DUSTIN Martin-type Cameron Rayner looms as likely No. 1 pick in an unpredictable AFL draft.
How the Crows built a grand team
ADELAIDE’S journey to the big dance has not been done in the conventional manner. The Advertiser’s Andrew Capel takes a look at how the Crows built their grand final side.
Will the loss of laser-leg Smith hurt Crows?
THE loss of laser leg and kick-in specialist Brodie Smith is significant and changes the dynamics for the Crows in the preliminary final against Geelong. HEAR THE LAST WORD ON THE GAME HERE
Crows can make a Giant statement
A league-best ability to force turnovers and capitalise on them could give Adelaide the edge in the AFL qualifying final against Greater Western Sydney, writes Andrew Capel in Number Crunch.
Ebert the centre of attention
NO-FUSS midfielder Brad Ebert has become the centre of attention at Port Adelaide, writes Andrew Capel in his Number Crunch statistical analysis.
Setback for SA’s No.1 draft hope
TOP SA draft prospect Darcy Fogarty’s season has ended early after knee surgery, casting doubt over his No. 1 draft hopes.
Crows’ ‘organic growth’ mantra rings true
THE “organic growth’’ Adelaide predicted from its young players has lessened the blow of missing out on Carlton’s Bryce Gibbs and been instrumental in the club being on the verge of its first minor premiership since 2005.
Why Tex holds key to Adelaide’s success
CAPTAIN Taylor Walker is defying the critics to stand tall for the Adelaide Crows, leading the league for scoreboard impact, writes Andrew Capel
Dynamic duo in Brownlow duel
MIDFIELD superstars Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin are locked in a titanic two-way battle for this year’s Brownlow Medal. It looks like going down to the wire, says Andrew Capel.
Ball magnet Crouch rewards Crows’ faith
ADELAIDE gave up Bernie Vince to draft Matt Crouch. And as good as Vince has been for his new club, the deal still looks a win for the Crows, with Crouch racking up astounding statistics, says Andrew Capel.
SA teams boosted by injury records
SOUTH Australia’s high-flying AFL clubs have used the fewest players in the league this season, writes Andrew Capel.
Hard Hugh makes an impact
FORMER basketballer Hugh Greenwood is one of the AFL’s leading hard men and well on his way to being the Adelaide Crows’ unlikely midfield saviour. Andrew Capel examines the five-game player’s huge impact.
The ‘Year of the Underdog’
IF the AFL set out to create an even competition, it must be delighted with the results this season, which is proving to be the closest and most even for 89 years.Andrew Capel crunches the numbers
How the Power is pushing rivals aside
PORT Adelaide’s success has been built on pressure and territorial advantage with the club leading the AFL in inside 50 and time-in-forward-half differential.
The draft decision which might haunt the Crows
RENOWNED for its great recruiting, Adelaide might have made a rare mistake by overlooking Croweater Ryan Burton, now at Hawthorn, at the AFL draft.
Crows hail the Flying Sauce-r
OVERLOOKED at the national draft and unwanted by Carlton, Crow Sam Jacobs has become one of the AFL’s best — and most durable — ruckmen. Andrew Capel reports.
Pyke’s offensive juggernaut
DON Pyke’s Adelaide Crows are the highest-scoring team since the all-conquering Essendon side in 2000, averaging 134.3 points per game.
Key men to Showdown success
THE Advertiser’s Andrew Capel ranks the Showdown 42 combatants from 1 to 44, basing his judgment on player quality, importance to his side and Showdown record.
Crows delighted ‘Rat’ is still on board
RORY Atkins, rumoured to have been on the trade table as the Crows chased Blue Bryce Gibbs, showed against GWS he was a must-keep player – and may end being one of the AFL’s great draft steals.
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