Why the Crows ladder position is flattering and how the next six games will give a real guide to where they stand
After a shaky first month of season 2019 the Crows have charged up to third on the ladder. But is Adelaide actually the third-best team in the AFL right now? Mark Bickley has his doubts.
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Are the Crows the third-best team in the competition? While the ladder says as much after eight rounds, I’m still to be convinced.
The Crows’ season threatened to derail after slumping to one win and three losses following their disastrous performance against the winless Kangaroos in round four, with an out-of-form forward line and its ball movement a shadow of what it used to look like.
Don Pyke stripped back his team to its most basic form and started the rebuild of confidence.
First it was the contested possession, the origin of the North Melbourne debacle. Then came the pressure, Adelaide had to start creating turnovers and getting the ball back from the opposition.
On the back of that came the forward-50 supply, which in turn led to the increase in scoring. In fact just over four goals per game difference from rounds 5-8 compared to the early season output of rounds 1-4.
As pleasing as that has been for Adelaide fans, there is still much improvement needed to compete with the serious contenders.
There wouldn’t have been one Crows fan who at the start of the year didn’t pencil in three wins alongside the corresponding games of Suns, Saints and Dockers. Add to that a Showdown against a depleted Power missing five of their top six from last years’ best and fairest, along with Brad Ebert, Charlie Dixon and Hamish Hartlett. Even with some of their own injuries, the Crows enjoyed a clear advantage in personnel.
Taking all these things into consideration the Crows have only really met expectations over the past month, and on balance, with the draw they’ve had in the first eight rounds are slightly below where most predicted.
Why the negativity? The Crows’ next six matches will give a much clearer indication of where they truly lie in the scheme of things.
It starts with Brisbane at The Gabba this weekend. Already with three home wins this year against West Coast, Port and Sydney, Brisbane has proven to be the big improver, and will pose a genuine threat.
West Coast the week after at home seem to be doing just enough, not flying but also a huge threat with solid form on the road. Melbourne is next and although not in great touch, the Demons are somewhat of a bogey team for Adelaide.
Last season saw them beat the Crows twice, including Don Pyke’s biggest ever loss, 15 goals in Round 10.
Next is the Giants, who also accounted for the Crows twice last year and, despite having a shocker last week, have looked capable in 2019 and remain the only team to have beaten the Cats.
The following week it’s the Tigers who despite a spate of injuries, continue to stay in touch and at some stage will start to welcome back at least some of their star players.
Rounding out the six-week block, Adelaide will travel down the highway to Kardinia Park and face the Cats again, and it’s fair to say the Cattery has not been a happy hunting ground the Crows.
Of course there will be injuries and form fluctuations during that time but, once completed, the Crows will have played all but one of the genuine premiership contenders (Collingwood, round 22) and have answered some of the lingering questions surrounding their true capacity.
Things like, will Josh Jenkins regain form and fitness and return to the team? If he doesn’t can Elliot Himmelberg stand up as the second ruck?
What about the first ruck Reilly O’Brien? He’s competing strongly around the ground but still vulnerable at the all important centre bounce. Is midfield speed a problem?
Will Eddie’s body allow him to do the things he’s always done, and that we’ve now come to expect?
Can Taylor Walker shoulder the load as the only genuine key position target inside 50?
The Crows fans have seen a great response from their team after facing some adversity early on in the season. The spirit and resolve in some people’s eyes is even greater than in previous years.
I’m reserving my judgment, the last four wins have been played largely on the Crows’ terms and almost always with scoreboard pressure in their favour.
The next six weeks will almost inevitably present some on-field challenges. Hardened teams with recent finals experience testing Adelaide in all phases of the game.
It’s what happens next that really interests me.
In all three of Adelaide’s losses when the game was on the line the opposition appeared to want it more. Let’s see if the spirit and resolve of the last month is genuine, and can it stand up against the high quality contenders and not just the dogged, determined teams vying for a spot in the top eight.
ADELAIDE’S SIX-GAME TEST
Round 9 v Brisbane — away
Round 10 v West Coast — home
Round 11 v Melbourne — Darwin
Round 12 v GWS — home
Round 13 v Richmond — home
Round 14 — Bye
Round 15 v Geelong — away
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