Round 13 Power Rankings: Nine ways the Adelaide Crows can salvage season 2018
ADELAIDE was beaten so badly around the contest by Melbourne three weeks ago it masked how serious its form slump actually was. Reece Homfray has come up with nine things it can do to get the most out of 2018 in this week’s Power Rankings.
Reece Homfray
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ADELAIDE was beaten so badly around the contest by Melbourne three weeks ago that it masked how serious its form slump actually was.
The Crows didn’t have the chance to look that bad with ball in hand because they couldn’t get near it. But against Hawthorn on Saturday night it was painful to watch.
Most notably coming out of defence, the Crows were completely devoid of confidence, run, communication, link-up and skill.
There was indecision, poor kicking, overuse of handball and when they did get past centre they kicked to one-on-twos and bombed away.
Captain Taylor Walker conceded after the game “we’re not working for each other”.
So it’s as if the players have now checked out mentally. We don’t know what impact the off-field distractions have had, but they are clearly drained by a horror injury toll and after losing four on the trot it’s all become too hard.
If they were fully fit and didn’t have to play West Coast, Richmond and Geelong after the bye then at 6-7 you’d say they were still alive. But that’s it now and it’s time to think beyond just next week.
Here’s nine things to try in nine weeks for 2019:
1. Play Fogarty and Gallucci every week. Both are long-term players and can finish the year with 15 games.
2. Leave Wayne Milera in defence and let him take all the kick-ins instead of floating between wing and half-forward.
3. Try a second ruckman. If Jacobs needs a rest then play Reilly O’Brien instead, or even both. If O’Brien isn’t up to it then it’s time to look for a second big-man on the market.
4. Try Josh Jenkins in defence or the ruck full-time to make room for Fogarty.
5. With Sloane and Brad Crouch out and the midfield misfiring, time to look at Rory Laird in there when he’s back.
6. Don’t rush Rory. Sloane that is, Brodie Smith will be desperate to return but every precaution should now be taken with their best player in Sloane.
7. Stick with Pat Wilson. He showed he can win the footy and his perfectly-weighted kick on Saturday night.
8. Make tackling a leading KPI. In the last three weeks, the Crows have lost the tackle count 56-46, 64-54, 96-76.
9. Open the door and challenge one of Ben Jarman, Jackson Edwards, Ben Davis and Matthew Signorello to break into the team by Round 23.
GOOD WEEKEND FOR …
Alan Richardson. How good was it to see his emotion on the bench and in the circle singing the song with the Saints after their thrilling win?
ONE TO FORGET FOR …
Carlton. Patience is running out at the Blues whose fans are questioning why they haven’t nailed their draft picks or recruited top-end talent and find themselves in a mess.
BURNING QUESTION …
Is Port’s midfield the most in-form of the comp? It’s won contested ball in the past five games on the back of Wines (63), Powell-Pepper (63), Boak (56) and Rockliff (52).
ROUND 13 POWER RANKINGS
1. RICHMOND (10-3)
We have a new top dog in town after the reigning premier went past West Coast atop the rankings. The Tigers were challenged by the Cats and responded in typical fashion.
2. WEST COAST (10-2)
Both losses have come against Sydney this year and the Eagles finally surrender top spot on the rankings.
3. SYDNEY (10-3)
Kept West Coast to just seven goals and won their sixth game in a row going into a well-deserved week off with the bye.
4. COLLINGWOOD (8-4)
Pies fans will be planning for September with Carlton, Gold Coast and Essendon coming up after the bye, so top four could become a realistic target.
5. GEELONG (8-5)
Won clearances and contested ball, and Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett were at their vintage best but not enough to get their team across the line against Richmond.
6. PORT ADELAIDE (8-4)
Won when it was expected to, kicked 20 goals at a handy 62 per cent accuracy and has genuine competition for spots with Jack Watts, Tom Jonas and Jake Neade all eyeing a way back in.
7. N. MELBOURNE (7-5)
Can almost secure its finals spot with Bulldogs, Essendon and Gold Coast after the bye.
8. MELBOURNE (8-4)
Plays Port Adelaide this week in an intriguing match-up. Was the Collingwood loss a hiccup, or has the hype been overblown?
9. GWS (6-5-1)
Will be desperate to pick up where it left off against Adelaide when it plays Brisbane post-bye.
10. HAWTHORN (7-5)
James Sicily had 24 touches, kicked 3.0 and had seven score involvements off half-back, while Hawthorn’s half-back line finished with five goals between them.
11. FREMANTLE (6-7)
The Dockers have arrested a mid-season slide that may not see them play finals but they’re making progress. Good win in Melbourne, albeit against Carlton.
12. ADELAIDE (6-7)
It’s time to start talking about who’s there and struggling, rather than who isn’t playing at Adelaide. Jenkins, Jacobs, Greenwood, Atkins are all out of form.
13. ESSENDON (5-7)
The Bombers have the toughest job in footy playing West Coast in Perth on Friday night, but at least had the week off to refresh.
14. ST KILDA (2-10-1)
With so many questions about Alan Richardson, you don’t come from 31 points down at three-quarter-time and win if you’re not playing for him. Vote of confidence.
15. W. BULLDOGS (4-8)
Decimated by injuries but still having a crack and made the Power earn it on Thursday night. Remember the name Ed Richards.
16. BRISBANE (1-11)
Has GWS, Fremantle and Carlton in the next three weeks. One win will be a good result — if the Lions pinch two, it’s terrific.
17. GOLD COAST (3-8)
The glass has to be half-full, as opposed to half-empty despite the final-quarter fadeout. For three terms the Suns found their mojo. Can hand bottom spot on the rankings back to Carlton.
18. CARLTON (1-11)
A lot of tipsters went with the Blues at home against the Dockers on Saturday. Blues coach Brendon Bolton’s ‘green shoots’ are becoming harder and harder to see.
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