Young guns Darcy Fogarty, Tyson Stengle the frontrunners to fill vacant spots in Crows’ new-look forward line
The departure of Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins over summer has opened up some key spots in attack for the Crows. Who will fill those roles could be Matthew Nicks’ first big decision as coach, writes Warren Tredrea.
Warren Tredrea
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Matthew Nicks must ignore all the coronavirus doom and gloom and stay on task.
And he has a huge decision to make – who starts in Adelaide’s forward line?
With gaping holes left behind following the departure of Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins. Adelaide will not only have to replace them positionally, but more importantly find other players able to deliver Betts and Jenkins’ nearly five goals per game average.
Let’s face it, it won’t happen overnight and it will take some time.
With the Crows’ list in the middle of a heavy rebuild – Nicks’ eyes must be equally focused on the now, while also still delivering on his blueprint for the future.
But the question remains, since Nicks took over who has earned the right to front the Sydney Swans on Saturday in Adelaide’s front six?
Link man Tom Lynch is a certainty to be picked on a half-forward flank, his run and willingness to provide his team with a leading option is a vital cog in Adelaide’s link between defence and attack.
Tyson Stengle has transitioned well into Betts’ vacated forward pocket and he must be given every chance to succeed.
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Lachie Murphy is easily the Crows’ best small forward, he brings much needed tackling, chasing and he hits the scoreboard – a must play.
But that’s where it gets complicated.
After back to back pre-season losses to Melbourne by 33 points and Gold Coast by seven points, the Crows’ early season form is far from ideal, having failed to kick more than 10 goals in either game.
Throw in the fact that they were smashed in contested possession, inside 50s and tackles and moved the ball too slow against the depleted Suns – Adelaide’s midfield must lift.
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Jenkins’ departure has created a big headache for Adelaide’s match committee, as he could pinch-hit in the ruck.
Ideally, one of Billy Frampton or Elliott Himmelberg would have grabbed their opportunity in the pre-season, but they didn’t, and there appears no clear option to give Reilly O’Brien and valuable rest.
I was disappointed Nicks left Frampton out of the Suns clash, kids take time and he is worth persevering with.
And because he didn’t play, former skipper Taylor Walker was forced to ruck, something that was never going to work.
It’s clear the coaching panel want to see if both Walker and Darcy Fogarty can play in the same forward line, but I’m not convinced.
No doubt they want Walker’s leadership in the side and I expect his form to bounce back after relinquishing the captaincy, but Fogarty must play.
He needs a consistent opportunity to develop at AFL level after being ignored for almost all of last season.
But playing both Walker and Fogarty in the same forward line hurts team balance as they play an almost identical game.
Both play as lead up forwards, have beautiful field and set shot kicking and are elite decision makers, but neither are aerial pack marking threats or play as a backup ruckman.
Port Adelaide’s Justin Westhoff, at 199cm, uses his vertical leap at centre bounces to compete at stoppages and elite running capacity to make opposition ruckmen accountable once the ball hits the deck.
But Walker and Fogarty aren’t as versatile as Port Adelaide’s Mr Fix It, they’re key forwards.
Sure, they can contest the ruck at forward stoppages, but not at centre bounces, they’re far too valuable to get hurt.
That’s why when Himmelberg or Frampton find form, they provide the best ruck/forward option.
And when you consider Adelaide was 18th for Champions Data’s ‘pressure factor’ in 2019, a rethink may be on the cards if they can’t get their scoring up and going with the impressive Ben Davis waiting in the wings.
Nicks revealed he goes by the motto “some of your best offence comes off your best defence” and for this to happen it might not be long until Adelaide is forced to adopt Richmond’s premiership winning model of two talls and four smalls and bring the heat.
Because if you can’t cause turnovers, you won’t be winning the game.