Tyson Stengle shows he’s capable of filling Crows’ small forward role left vacant by Eddie Betts
The departure of Eddie Betts has left a hole that needs filling in Adelaide’s forward line. His apprentice Tyson Stengle gave an impressive audition in Saturday’s Marsh Series game against Melbourne. Here’s our key take-outs from the match.
Crows
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crows. Followed categories will be added to My News.
So that’s why Adelaide has been raving about Tyson Stengle this summer.
The man with the self-prescribed nickname ‘The Prez’, and who has inherited Eddie Betts’ No. 18 jumper, on Saturday matched the pre-season hype with the type of performance new coach Matthew Nicks has been preaching from the day he arrived.
High pressure, unselfish footy.
The Crows brought the pressure, but didn’t always have the polish to match when they lost to Melbourne by 33 points in their opening Marsh Series pre-season clash.
Adelaide led by nine points at halftime, but a six-goal third quarter gave the Demons control and the Crows ran out of legs in the final term.
But Adelaide took the wrapping off some new weapons and Stengle was a shining light.
Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial >
It started with his follow-up work to get on the end of his own kick inside 50m for Adelaide’s first goal, continued with his gut-running to set up an Elliott Himmelberg goal and then his front and centre roving off halfback was textbook.
Pressure-wise there was also Lachlan Murphy’s lunging smother and Ned McHenry’s chase down tackle, but the Crows won’t be thrilled with losing the overall contested possession count 146-118.
Other concerns will be turnovers – particularly by foot coming out of defence – and Matt Crouch will be a little nervous after his headhigh bump on Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver.
Rory Sloane was also iced up at halftime after copping a hip knock, but only as a precautionary measure.
Other key take-outs from the game included:
NEW LOOK MIDS
Supporters have been promised a new mix this season and Sloane and the Crouch brothers had plenty of new faces for company on the ball.
Rory Atkins was a surprise addition and looked strong and composed over the footy and hit Tom Lynch with a lace-out pass inside 50m.
Myles Poholke, Chayce Jones – with a running goal in the third term – Patrick Wilson, Ben Keays and Ned McHenry were also given their chance to stake a claim for Round One.
ROB’N ROLL
Reilly O’Brien’s breakout season in 2019 was no flash in the pan.
Granted, Melbourne was without Max Gawn and O’Brien was rucking against first-year player Luke Jackson, but he was outstanding.
He had 31-hit-outs, 13 disposals, took intercept marks and gave his team a target to kick to in the air all over the ground.
TALL ORDER
The bigger question is then who supports O’Brien come Round One?
The forwardline is suddenly looking very tall and Darcy Fogarty and Taylor Walker are still to come in.
Will they go with Billy Frampton or Himmelberg in the hybrid forward/ruck role?
Frampton was the better of the two on Saturday.
He looked assured at the centre bounce contests, took a contested mark inside 50 – although sprayed the set shot – and his big but fair bump on James Harmes forced a turnover.
NEW DEAL, SAME JUNIOR
It looks like Milera will start at halfback and go through the midfield as required.
On Saturday he had 29 disposals including a breathtaking blind turn and burst of speed to get away from Jack Viney at a stoppage in the second quarter, showing exactly why he just signed a new five-year deal.
NEW FACES
The other new players all had their moments.
Jordon Butts made good position across halfback, lacked a bit of composure and was unlucky with a couple of umpiring decisions, Shane McAdam showed speed and skill, Ben Crocker kicked two goals and Ben Keays showed his inside/outside game in only a half of footy.
But none did enough to stamp their passports for Round One.
Adelaide’s next Marsh Series game is against Gold Coast at Noarlunga on Friday, March 6.
reece.homfray@news.com.au
Originally published as Tyson Stengle shows he’s capable of filling Crows’ small forward role left vacant by Eddie Betts