Chris McDermott reviews every player to have taken the field for Adelaide this season
ADELAIDE’S 2018 hasn’t exactly gone to plan — from pre-season camp controversy to a seemingly never-ending injury list. Chris McDermott reviews every Crow to take the field this season.
Chris McDermott
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ADELAIDE’S 2018 hasn’t exactly gone to plan.
From pre-season camp controversy to a seemingly never-ending injury list, the Crows have struggled for continuity and sit outside the top eight at the bye.
Inaugural captain Chris McDermott rates every player to wear the guernsey this season.
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8 RORY LAIRD
In All-Australian contention again before injury saw him miss the last two games. He’s averaging just under 33 possessions/ game at 77 per cent and he has broken the 30-possession mark in all but two games. Continues to be the Crows best rebounding defender. A move into the midfield could be on the cards if a finals berth remains a priority.
7 MATT CROUCH
Continues to get the ball and put it to good use but has had his own issues with fitness and health, and missed four games as a result. Disposal numbers are down from 33 a game in 2017 to 30 this season but like many he has suffered from a lack of help from the club’s walking wounded. Still not impacting the scoreboard enough for a player of his quality and while it’s a difficult adjustment to make, it must happen.
7 TOM DOEDEE
Has been worth the wait. Took until he turned 21 to make his AFL debut but has taken to the game at the elite level. Courageous, clean, disciplined and reliable, he has ticked almost every box in the first 13 games. AFL Rising star honours are not out of the question.
7 BRYCE GIBBS
There is little doubt that the veteran recruit has been the Crows’ best and most consistent player so far, playing all 13 games and averaging 27 disposals to rank second for total possessions. That number is up slightly on his 2017 season at Carlton. A great example to all midfielders about where their game needs to be and areas for them to improve. A change of roles to half-back must be considered to spark fading hopes of an attack on finals.
7 PAUL SEEDSMAN
Back to his brilliant ball-carrying, goalscoring best and has been a great story in difficult times. Had 20-plus possessions for each of the first seven games but has struggled to recapture those numbers since an injury in round 10. Averaging 22 disposals a game at just over 71 per cent disposal efficiency and ranks No. 1 for inside-50s with 56. Now in his third year at the Crows and at 26 his best is still to come.
7 DANIEL TALIA
Another solid season from the key defender and he has held up well despite the amount of ball coming into the Crows’ defensive 50m. Clearly the club’s best negating defender, ranking No. 1 for one-percenters (8.1 a game). Contested marking is up, which is always good to see, and his presence and leadership will be needed more than ever over the final part of this season.
6 HUGH GREENWOOD
Has become the Crows contested-ball beast, averaging 13 contested possessions a game, up from 10 in his rookie AFL season last year. One of just seven players to have played all 13 games, Greenwood now needs to improve his disposal efficiency (63 per cent). The 26-year-old has been asked to carry a huge responsibility after just 28 games and he will be an even better performer when the injured players return.
6 JAKE KELLY
Played one of his best games in his short career in the loss to Hawthorn last weekend as his stocks continue to grow steadily in his defensive role. He’s nearing 50 games and his disposal numbers, rebounds from defensive 50m and one-percenters have all increased. Plays a very under-rated role but is rarely beaten and almost never badly. Has been a positive in a very tough season to date.
6 KYLE HARTIGAN
Have liked a lot of what he has done this season and despite the odd challenge he has held up well in his key defensive role. The on-field relationship he has formed with Daniel Talia and the way they communicate and share responsibilities in the back half is impressive. His stats don’t look great but he should not be judged by them, he has performed his role admirably regardless of results.
6 SAM JACOBS
Doesn’t appear to have played too many games at full fitness as the toll of seasons in ruck with little help starts to impact on his body. Ruck work remains a strong feature of his game and while he kicked two goals against the Hawks his possessions are suffering as his body struggles. None more courageous and important to this team but he needs help now before any further damage is done.
6 LUKE BROWN
Few have been challenged with injuries like this man in recent times and he has suffered a range of them that have impacted on his performances after a strong first eight games. Continues to be a key pillar in the back six. His defensive partnership with Rory Laird has been a great strength — the duo ranks first and second for defensive-50 rebounds but some more help wouldn’t hurt.
6 EDDIE BETTS
It’s been a tough first 13 games for the inspirational forward and his influence has suffered as a consequence. After four sensational seasons at West Lakes, kicking 50 goals or more each year, he looks set for his lowest tally since his final season at Carlton (27 goals in 2013). Has managed just 19 goals to date. Disposal numbers have remained stable but he is roaming far and wide for his possessions and his recent hamstring injury and projected four-week absence has done him and the team no favours.
6 CAM ELLIS-YOLMEN
Been a breakout year of sorts for the 25-year-old, playing 12 games to get his career tally to 26 in his five seasons at West Lakes. Has broken the 25 possessions/ game barrier four times this season and they have won every time, so his value cannot be underestimated. Also pushing forward more often and hitting the scoreboard. Has been one of the positives.
6 RICHARD DOUGLAS
His consistency has seen him rewarded with a contract extension for another year. His numbers are slightly down on 2017 and his efficiency is also below par but he is impacting the scoreboard and is on target to break his best season return of 22 goals from 2008. Been good but can be better.
5 TOM LYNCH
Another to have been hit by injuries and has missed four games. His numbers are well down from his career-best last year of 21 disposals/game and 31 goals. His absence cannot be underestimated nor can his influence on the playing group and the procrastination on his contract is creating another problem the team does not need.
5 WAYNE MILERA
A role in defence is waiting for this smooth moving 20-year-old. His 33-possession game against the Gold Coast has been the highlight of his season. Uses the ball with good effect and is improving the defensive side of his game. His status in the team needs to be fast-tracked in the second half of the season.
5 SAM GIBSON
Slow to start the new phase of his career with the Crows but has made a strong impact in his five games since round nine. Had 20-plus possessions in every game he has played but his efficiency is down, at just 63 per cent. Contested numbers are good and has a great sense of team. Will have high value for the team when it is playing better.
5 DARCY FOGARTY
There is no doubt this boy can play, it is just a matter of where suits him and the team the best. Has had some nice moments as a forward, a defender and even as a midfielder and his quality hands and use of the ball by foot make him a unique value. He has a nice touch of aggression as well.
5 MITCH McGOVERN
What a loss he has been. McGovern has so much to offer but is missing far too much football. Played just eight games and kicked 13 goals but he is a matchwinner. He is a big-game player and his best will be worth the wait but frustrations are there while he is injured.
5 RORY ATKINS
Has been a rollercoaster season so far for the hard-running midfielder, with the soon-to-be 24-year-old playing all 13 games and having 20-plus possessions in six. But in five games he has failed to hit 15 disposals. His good has been very promising but his poor has been disappointing. Closing that gap between his best and his worst to improve his consistency is a must.
5 JOSH JENKINS
It’s been a very difficult season for the key forward. His stats might suggest he has underperformed but the signs are strong that he has learnt much about his game and the demands of the team. Still, it is not showing on the scoreboard. Disposals have dropped slightly, as have his goals, but he is often the lone tall target deep in attack and has also spent significant time in ruck to assist Sam Jacobs.
5 DAVID MACKAY
Another consistent season to date for the wingman-defender, averaging similar numbers to last season with 16 disposals a game at 78 per cent efficiency. Those numbers haven’t changed much over the past seven years but in the modern game they need to be better. His equivalent at Port Adelaide, Jared Polec, averages 24.8 touches at 70 per cent — that’s the level this man can be and needs to be.
5 TAYLOR WALKER
Been a very tough season for the skipper and his game has suffered because of the burden and the injury he is carrying. Has never looked 100 per cent fit and as a result he has managed just eight games and 18 goals, well down on his 54 majors in 2017. Walker is getting drawn too far out from goal and that is lessening his impact. Has kicked three goals or more just three times this season and the Crows have won each of those games. He must not played when injured again.
5 MYLES POHOLKE
The 19-year-old has adjusted pretty well to his first season at the highest level, notching seven games to date with his best an 18-possession, one-goal outing against Fremantle. Has a body perfectly built for today’s game and uses the ball with good effect for someone so young and inexperienced.
4 JORDAN GALLUCCI
The door has opened for him but he has been unable to completely cement his place in the best 22, playing just seven games and only reaching 20 possessions once. Only his second season at the top level and shows promising signs but needs to develop other parts of his game — perhaps as a small forward while he awaits a midfield role.
4 RORY SLOANE
The heartbreaker of Adelaide’s 2018 season — and the heartbreak might not be over as speculation continues on his playing future. Played just four games and limped his way through most of them, averaging just 20 possessions, well down from his 24 in 2017. His scoreboard impact has also been missed and while a comeback is looming, a return to his brilliant best is not. Watch him while you can — there might not be too many more chances to see him in a Crows jumper.
4 ANDY OTTEN
The 29-year-old notched up game number 100 this season after facing more challenges than most in his career, and continues to be a Mr Fix-it for this team despite struggling to nail a regular place in their 22. When he does play he is finding enough ball, and using it well at 78 per cent efficiency, but is still to secure a regular home.
2 RILEY KNIGHT
Another to have been cursed by injury in 2018, playing just two games and missing a golden opportunity to cement is place in the Crows’ best 22. Now 23 and with just 33 games to his name, his future is another in the lap of the gods.
2 CURTLY HAMPTON
Injuries have been a curse once again with the midfielder managing just the first game of the season and it will have some ramifications unless he can get fit and remain sound. Still only 25, but 61 games in seven years isn’t good enough for such a talent.
2 KYLE CHENEY
One of three players on the Crows list to play just one game so far in 2018 and for this man it was his first game in 18 months after injury wiped out his entire 2017 season. He is a much-needed player on his 2016 form, when he played 24 games and averaged 13 disposals at 83 per cent disposal efficiency. But in 2018 others have passed him by and his long-term future is now in jeopardy.
2 PATRICK WILSON
The mature-aged rookie played his one and only game against Hawthorn in round 13 and while he doesn’t look physically out of place it was a baptism of fire for the 23-year-old. He is built for the collisions of the modern game but needs more game time.
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