Chris McDermott rates the Adelaide Crows after hard-fought AFL win over Carlton at the MCG
ADELAIDE took the points but was far from imposing during its 12-point win over Carlton at the MCG. Chris McDermott rates the Crows.
Chris McDermott
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ADELAIDE took the points but was far from imposing during its 12-point win over Carlton at the MCG. Chris McDermott rates the Crows.
Beech 4: Started well but dropped right out of it in the second term before fighting back late to have some impact on the result. But fair to say he needs to do more as of next week.
B. Crouch 8: Won some ball but did appear negatively minded early guarding Cripps when he was on ball and at stoppage. Worked himself into the game and ended up to be his best performance for 2017.
Knight 6: Got a much-needed goal late in the second term, thanks to as free in the goal square to stop the Blues’ charge. Eighteen possessions and two goals more than justified his place in the 22 and guaranteed it for weeks to come.
Jenkins 6: Positioned himself well to mark and goal to start proceedings well for the Crows, then made it two from the square after a costly turnover by the Blues. Missed one late but made up for it seconds later with long bomb from outside 50 for a goal and the sealer.
Lever 5: Had his work cut out on Charlie Curnow and for a rare time had his colours lowered, with the young Blue giving his team plenty of service and a vital goal in the last term.
Kelly 5: Did his job as per normal with minimum of fuss and while statistically not a huge game, he played his role.
Talia 5: Solid but again largely unobtrusive in defence. Went to Casboult when Hartigan was injured and had his hands full containing the powerful Blues forward. He was lucky Casboult didn’t kick well again.
Sloane 5: No tagger early and enjoyed some freedom to kick a much-needed goal after a horror turnover from Bryce Gibbs: Took nice pack mark and goaled again late to steer Crows towards victory but still well off his best.
Walker 4: Found it difficult to find any space and had the in-form Liam Jones as his minder but kicked massive team-lifting goal from outside 50m just before three-quarter time to inspire his team: Another tough day.
Mackay 6: Ten disposals in the first half and some of the old run and carry but still not enough. Second half similar and while not great it was better and it will give the match committee something to think about.
Hartigan 6: Had negating duties on Casboult and kept him to very little influence in the first half. Appeared to tweak a hamstring but stayed on before definitely injuring it soon after, ending his day and sidelining him for at least four weeks.
Brown 5: Defensively minded as per normal and solid again despite little to talk about.
Betts 5: Looked dangerous as usual and cashed in with an early goal as the Crows dominated, then snagged a nice goal off his left foot, which eased the pressure in the third term as the Blues pressed. Little ball but two goals were vital.
Greenwood 4: Hardly sighted in the first half and had just the two kicks to the main break. Spent some time on Gibbs to stop his influence and did it pretty well. A learning day.
Atkins 5: Some run and carry but missed a shot on goal he would normally kick and a little too much by hand for the Crows’ liking. Second half was quieter than the first and not his best day.
Jacobs 5: Had his hands full with Matthew Kreuzer early, with the Carlton big man pushing forward to mark before missing miss the Blues’ first set shot on goal. Jacobs kicked an important goal himself at the start of the last to give the Crows a three-goal buffer. Thought Kreuzer just got him.
Douglas 6: Had the duties on Bryce Gibbs and kept him well in check early, holding him to just four touches in the first term. He got hold of plenty of ball himself but his efficiency was at a poor 35 per cent at half time. The longer the game went, the more ball Gibb s won and the duo shared the spoils by match’s end.
Laird 6: Kept well in check by Blues small forwards but still managed 13 disposals. Did not, however, deliver his regular metres gained in the first half. Second half similar but he looked better and solid game by the end.
Milera 4: Some flashes of his brilliance but again too spasmodic and to many quiet patches. Tough game for the youngsters but not without a few positives.
Smith 7: Was gifted a 50m penalty and cashed in, kicking the Crows’ second goal of the day as he bounced back to something like his best. Numbers better than his game but it was much more like it.
McGovern 5: Began well in his return after a long injury lay-off including chest mark in the goal square to kick the Crows third of the day. Appeared to tire but it was good to have him back.
M. Crouch 7: Very quiet early by his standards and little influence of note in the opening half but big last term and nice snap when in the right place and at the right time made it all worthwhile.
Second chances rarely pay off for AFL coaches
History suggests strongly that if you miss out on a premiership at your first try as a coach, you should not get another chance — unless you’re Mick Malthouse or Malcolm Blight, writes Chris McDermott.
When two tribes go to war
It was the game that stopped a state — the first Showdown between the Crows and Power on April 20, 1997. Chris McDermott shares his memories for Part 1 of The Greatest Showdowns series.