Retired #51: Ryan Crowley- Should be available Round 17 - 5/7

[gillon]

Did he tag today?

 

[efcboy]

Did he tag today?

No LOLton didn't have anyone worthy of tagging

 

[Lore]

Did he tag today?

No LOLton didn't have anyone worthy of tagging

He played HFF, I think. Kicked 1.1 but got a few touches and kept the pressure on.

 

[eth-dog]

Was pretty good.

 

[Matt loves Essendon]

Wish we got him at least 5-6 years ago. Am really loving having this bloke in the red and black!

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Could potentially play in 2017?

 

[Lore]

Reckon the club will offer him a 1 year contract if he has a ripping season.

If he played on Jobe at training..

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Also the club should keep tabs on Grimley and Michael.

 

[mightymouse75]

If someone deserved another Crack at afl it's my old mate crowley. Love ya work champ.

 

[CourtzMajora]

Hah!

 

[Whatname]

Loved watching Crowls running around again.

Could become a bit of a love fest in Round 11 if he makes the trip over to Perth.
Not only popular with the supporters but the Freo players as well.

We also know not to boo Crowls as it only makes him stronger.

 

[Lore]

Not playing NAB3. "Pulled up sore" from NAB1.

Darcy Parish and Ryan Crowley are also unlikely to make the trip west.

The Club is taking a cautious approach with the pair after they pulled up sore following the Bombers win over Carlton.

Both players are expected to be available for selection for the match against the Suns on March 26th.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2016-03-08/laverde-to-miss-eagles-clash

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Bugger.

 

[efcboy]

No Crowley no Essendon

 

[Lore]

Video from the media conference is here: http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2016-03-23/ready-to-rumble

Ready to rumble
Essendon's Ryan Crowley is ready to return to the AFL scene and ready to renew his rivalry with Gary Ablett as he prepares for his first game in 18 months.

The former Fremantle tagger has not played since the Dockers' semi-final in 2014 after missing last season due to an anti-doping suspension.

But through the Bombers' loss of 12 players due to WADA bans Crowley received a career lifeline as one of the club's top-up players and he is set to debut in red and black against Gold Coast on Saturday.

The 32-year-old smiled at the prospect of lining up against Ablett, with the pair having a history of fiery clashes in the past.

"I'm sure we'll cross paths at some stage during the night. I might go and say 'Hi' and see how he's going, but it should be interesting … I'm happy to see him," Crowley said on Wednesday.

"The boys haven't had match committee yet, but he's a great player and you always want to pit yourself against the best and he's probably the best. It's an exciting challenge.

"It will probably let me know where I'm at, but we haven't really spoken about it yet. Whatever the match committee are happy with I'm happy to do."

Ablett did not play a game in the Suns' NAB Challenge series as he nursed a foot injury but has confirmed he will line-up against the Bombers at Metricon Stadium.

The dual Brownlow medallist voiced his displeasure at Crowley's tagging tactics against Carlton star Chris Judd in 2012.

"Crowley is a joke! Play the ball, not the man! That's why Lingy was such a great player he ran both ways! #givejuddafreekick" Ablett tweeted at the time.

Crowley suffered a minor hamstring injury in Essendon's first NAB Challenge game against Carlton and missed the next two games, but said he had taken a cautious approach to ensure he was fit for round one and beyond.

"I'll certainly be putting my hand up to play every game. It's amazing what a year out has done for my body," Crowley said.

"I had a few niggles towards the end of 2014 with my back, and they've all gone away. Just not getting hit week in week out has made such a difference for me. When it's taken away from you, you don't take it for granted so I'll be putting my hand up every week."

Crowley's 12-month suspension ended during Fremantle's finals series and although he could have been selected for the Dockers' preliminary final against Hawthorn, he did not make the cut. He was then delisted at the end of the season.

He said "a couple" of the Bombers' banned dozen had contacted him for advice about how to handle a year out of the game as they navigate their way through their own suspensions.

Crowley suggested the players should have a decent break from training during the year to avoid being drained by the time they are allowed to train again in September.

"There's a few things I wish I'd done differently [during the suspension] and I'm not sure if I helped, but I just passed along a few of my experiences. Hopefully it helped them," he said.

"This week will be quite difficult for them because it's round one. That's what I found – it was probably the toughest week. I thought I was all right but it was quite difficult.

"They've got each other and can lean on each other and hopefully they can get through it together."

 

[raskolnikov]

Must be feeling pretty good about himself atm. Has one win more than he would have at Freo.

 

[revival_mode]

creepy crowley on hame day right now

 

[mxett]

saying some good things about the club and our future. Obviously loving the opportunity to play again.

 

[Kakkle]

Not best 22. The sooner he is in the VFL, the better off we'll be.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Disappointing.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Not best 22. The sooner he is in the VFL, the better off we'll be.

Rather thrown in a kid and just back them in.

 

[eth-dog]

Not best 22. The sooner he is in the VFL, the better off we'll be.

Can't disagree with this assessment. Laverde in this week I'd hope.

 

[eDPS]

Looks to have lost some pace and picks the short option everytime when we needed a long kick. If he isnt tagging then im not sure what he adds to the senior team.

 

[table tennis]

Valuable experience, limited output onfield. Too slow

 

[efcboy]

Looks to have lost some pace and picks the short option everytime when we needed a long kick. If he isnt tagging then im not sure what he adds to the senior team.

Looks like he may have a minor quad issue as he doesn't have confidence to kick long indicating he may be lacking power in the leg due to some strain.