ageing bodies

Remove this Banner Ad

rancidpants13

rancidpants13

Cancelled
Mar 12, 2007
3,185
1
melbourne
AFL Club
Sydney
Other Teams
souths, grimsby fc
There is a news report today that jared crouch will not be right for round 1, and in fact the club is unsure when he'll be available to play again
he has apparently done his hamstring TWICE in preseason already and his recovery is being carefully managed, but he won't play in the last trial and, like spida, will miss round 1

i suggested before xmess, when news of spida's injury was made public, that a bloke of his age, size and medical history would struggle to get healthy enough in time for the start of the season, and i've been caned on this forum for daring to suggest crouch's body is no longer up to the rigours of an afl season
i do hope both players get back, fit and healthy and sooner rather than later, but i believe we all have to face up to simple facts here

at the end of last season crouch should've been politely invited to retire and spida is surely now more likely to have just one season left, and who knows how much or little he'll actually play, but at least he can help educate our young rucks

tadhg kennelly returns in this week's trial and LRT is to be used as jolly's ruck back-up, with roos not committing to jesse white yet, but also not ruling out him playing in round 1
 
It's a lot less pressure for Jesse to be included now than it is in the latter parts of the year, pressing for a close final 8.

If he wants to do it this year, he should probably do it now.
 
Crouch's been a great servant, but I really think he should be done the best thing for him and the club and retire on a high (relative) last year. He had a record for conservative games, he has won a premiership - that's a pretty good career. Plenty of blokes that have achieved less (eg. Dixon from the Hawks) retired last year (at roughly the same age).

I for one, is hopeful that a young small/medium gets an opportunity over Crouch - Schmidt (as an inside mid), Bird, Jack - I'll take all of them over Crouch.
 

Log in to remove this ad.

I knew Crouch's time as an AFL player were numbered. Ever since he came back for us, he just wasn't the same. The intensity, skill work and running has been below par as opposed to what he used to give on the field before his injuries. Its a bit saddening and when I read about Crouch doing another hammy during pre-season, it sort of reinforces the fact that Crouch's days maybe over. Today's is his 30th birthday too, he ain't getting younger.

And yes, Jack seems to be the obvious replacement. He's a strong candidate though I would like to see him do more in and under plays around the stoppages and less of the tagging.
 
Crouch was magnificent in the 2005 finals series. Much as that SF will always be remembered for Nick Davis' exploits, it was largely down to the work of Crouch in the first half that the Swans were still within striking distance when Davis started to weave his magic. But I fear that that finals series will prove to be his swan song as a great player for the club.

Crouch's "weapons" at his best were his speed, endurance and concentration. His disposal by foot was never that great and he didn't have any special clearance abilities (eg quick, slick hands).

Take away his endurance, see his speed dulled by age (and lower fitness) and it is hard to see him having the weapons to really add anything to the team this season. His concentration skills are no good if all he can do is concentrate on an opponent running away from him.

I reckon Crouch has always been a particular favourite of Roos. Way back at the 1996 post season dinner, I remember a fairly inebrieted but relaxed Roos pointing out Crouch (then yet-to-debut) to anyone who would listen and telling them he was going to be a star. He may not have ever truly become a star of the game but he's certainly been a valuable warrior. I suspect it is going to take both Crouch and Roos some time yet, unfortunately, to accept that Crouch is no longer capable of doing what he used to do.
 
liz said:
Crouch was magnificent in the 2005 finals series. Much as that SF will always be remembered for Nick Davis' exploits, it was largely down to the work of Crouch in the first half that the Swans were still within striking distance when Davis started to weave his magic. But I fear that that finals series will prove to be his swan song as a great player for the club.

Crouch's "weapons" at his best were his speed, endurance and concentration. His disposal by foot was never that great and he didn't have any special clearance abilities (eg quick, slick hands).

Take away his endurance, see his speed dulled by age (and lower fitness) and it is hard to see him having the weapons to really add anything to the team this season. His concentration skills are no good if all he can do is concentrate on an opponent running away from him.

I reckon Crouch has always been a particular favourite of Roos. Way back at the 1996 post season dinner, I remember a fairly inebrieted but relaxed Roos pointing out Crouch (then yet-to-debut) to anyone who would listen and telling them he was going to be a star. He may not have ever truly become a star of the game but he's certainly been a valuable warrior. I suspect it is going to take both Crouch and Roos some time yet, unfortunately, to accept that Crouch is no longer capable of doing what he used to do.
Click to expand...

I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments. I hope that this is not the beginning of the end for Crouch, but, if unfortunately it is, I hope that he steps aside and Roos promotes one of the younger brigrade to step up in his place.
 
I think the writing is on the wall for Crouchy after these recent setbacks. A great servant to the club but I think we all agree the game has passed him. He is unable to play the role that made him famous for shutting down the oppostions most dangerous player and that aside, I cant see him fitting into the team.
 
It will be a tragedy if Crouchy has to retire through injury but as we all know our players are merely vessels through which the "bloods" spirit flows and others will step up to take their place. Except for Kirky of course, who will be re-incarnated.
 
MalceskiFan said:
It will be a tragedy if Crouchy has to retire through injury but as we all know our players are merely vessels through which the "bloods" spirit flows and others will step up to take their place. Except for Kirky of course, who will be re-incarnated.
Click to expand...

in order to be reincarnated, kirky would have to die
and as well all know, that won't happen
not that he's immortal, just that you can't kill him
 
Crouchy at his peak was IMO one of our most important players.

Correct me if I am wrong but he did miss the 2006 grandfinal in which he may have made a difference


My memory is a bit ordinary but didn't he originally hurt his shoulder whilst playing for Australia against Ireland?


I don't know what his persona is like but I could imagine him becoming a good coach.

Often played on the oppositions best small forward (or midfielder) and has virtually had a couple of years looking on to study and reflect on the game.

History has shown that a lot of back pocket players have gone on to make good coaches
 
Hopelesslyaddicted said:
Crouchy at his peak was IMO one of our most important players.

Correct me if I am wrong but he did miss the 2006 grandfinal in which he may have made a difference


My memory is a bit ordinary but didn't he originally hurt his shoulder whilst playing for Australia against Ireland?


I don't know what his persona is like but I could imagine him becoming a good coach.

Often played on the oppositions best small forward (or midfielder) and has virtually had a couple of years looking on to study and reflect on the game.

History has shown that a lot of back pocket players have gone on to make good coaches
Click to expand...

his performances on aker in his prime was one of the key reasons the swans, when not a top side, were brisbane's nemesis
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Crouches 2005 gf i still believe he was BOG and i watch that video twice a mounth almost.

And i hope he comes back little warrior is a true champion.


Or if he does retire i hope he knocks out aka in his last match...crouch vs aka great match up and whats even more the *filthy little cockroach won*:D
 
Hopelesslyaddicted said:
Crouchy at his peak was IMO one of our most important players.

Correct me if I am wrong but he did miss the 2006 grandfinal in which he may have made a difference
Click to expand...

I truly think we would have won if he played in that match, probably by 3-4 goals. No point thinking about what ifs, but it's a fair assumption.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

ageing bodies

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top