Adelaide Crows 2007 (TAR)

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Adeaide Crows 2007 Review​

The List

8. Nathan Bassett
35. Rhett Biglands
44. Nathan Bock
10. Matthew Bode
24. Brett Burton
31. Bryce Campbell
11. Michael Doughty
26. Richard Douglas
9. Tyson Edwards
1. Nick Gill
36. Simon Goodwin
6. Jonathan Griffen
37. Trent Hentschel
38. John Hinge
13. Ben Hudson
30. Luke Jericho
18. Graham Johncock
21. Chris Knights
14. David MacKay
20. Ivan Maric
3. Kris Massie
39. Martin Mattner
16. Ken McGregor
23. Andrew McLeod
2. John Meesen
22. Ian Perrie
19. Darren Pfeiffer
40. Jason Porplyzia
33. Brent Reilly
32. Mark Ricciuto
25. Ben Rutten
29. James Sellar
12. Robert Shirley
27. Scott Stevens
5. Scott Thompson
4. Kurt Tippett
15. Jason Torney
7. Nathan Van Berlo
28. Bernie Vince
17. Scott Welsh

Rookies

42. Rhys Archard
45. Greg Gallman
43. Andrew McIntyre
41. James Turner

Have they missed their flag chance?​

Possibly, but this team might have one more run at it. Coach Neil Craig has started the process of bloody young players to rebuild for the future - hence the delistings of Ben Hart and Matthew Clarke - but it's hard to see the Crows winning a flag for years once their ageing superstars Mark Ricciuto, Andrew McLeod, Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards have gone. They have to make the most of this year. With nine players in their 29th year or older, it's now or never

Where will Roo play?​

If he's fit, Ricciuto will spend more time in the midfield than last year, when he was used primarily as a forward, kicking 44 goals in 17 games. But Craig is not about to take Ricciuto awat from goal completely.

Who will kick the goals?​

Knee injury victim Trent Hentschel was cleary Adelaide's dangerous forward last year (42 goals). With him sidelined, the Crows will rely on contributions from across the board rather than one or two players. Key forward options include Scott Welsh, Mark Ricciuto, Nathan Bock, Ken McGregor, Nick Gill, Luke Jericho and first-round raft pick James Sellar.

Should Graham Johncock play in the middle?​

The time is right to throw his speed machine into the midfield mix - provided he has improved his fitness in the off-season. A contender for All-Australian defensive berth last year, Johncock covets an onball role and the Crows can no longer ingnore his strength, class and running power. Team mate Andrew McLeod says Johncock has the potential to be the club's greatest player.

 

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KEY MATCH-UPS​

Mark Ricciuto vs James Clement: Mark Ricciuto has been named in the Forward pocket, and James Clement has been named his opponent. Mark Ricciuto kicked 44 goals for the Crows last season, so Clement will need to keep Ricciuto at bay during this match, or the Crows will walk over the line.

Andrew McLeod vs Alan Didak: Didak is the main stream of the Pies Forward line. Didak is dangerous at ground level, and is known to take the high pack mark or 2. McLeod has the silky skills from defence, will run off Didak at every situation to start a fray forward.

 

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BEST:
Crows Best: N. Bock, S.Thompson, S. Stevens, T. Edwards, N. Gill

Magpies Best: A. Rocca, N. Buckley, T. Lockyer, P. Medhurst, T. Cloke



GOALS:
Crows Goals: N. Gill 4, McGregor 3, Ricciuto 2, Thompson 2, McLeod, Knights, Porplyzia

Magpies Goals: Buckley 4, Rocca 4, Cloke 4, Davis 3, Clement 2, Didak 2, Medhurst 2



INJURIES: Nil

REPORTS: Nil

RESERVES COMPETITION​

Adelaide: 17.13. 115
Collingwood: 10.10. 70

RESERVES BEST​

Robert Shirley, Darren Pfeiffer, James Sellar

OTHER NAB Cup Results​

Fremantle: (120) DEF Port Adelaide: (116)
Richmond: (119) DEF St.Kilda: (92)
Melbourne: (135) DEF Carlton (99)
Bulldogs: (85) DEF BY Essendon: (97)
West Coast: (125) DEF Brisbane (97)
Sydney: (78) DEF BY Kangaroos: (132)
Hawthorn: (67) DEF BY Geelong (77)