First, there is no one big problem except the observation that 2012 was all about the new coach. Was Brenton Sanderson good enough for the Adelaide Football Club and was the Adelaide Football Club good enough for Brenton Sanderson? That question was answered last year.
This year, the question is whether the Adelaide players are good enough for each other.
After Round Three, it's clear that there are problems on each line.
The forwards lack structure. This is a work in progress. Some creative redeployment may be needed. Nothing comes to mind except, perhaps, Ricky Henderson to be tried out as a CHF, to allow Taylor Walker to stay closer to goal.
The defenders lacks pace. This is not a work in progress. This will be a continuing problem this season, for which no-one has a solution.
The ruck lacks depth. Josh Jenkins is getting better and better, week by week, and the club has to stick with him. This will take time. Right now, Adelaide still has time.
The midfielders lack cohesion. There are a lot of them – Dangerfield, Thompson, Sloane, van Berlo, Vince, Mackay, Crouch, Douglas…
One upon a time, the theory was that if you constantly rotate your midfield from the bench, you remain fresh and confuse the opposition with their matchups. That's fine if you are controlling the game from the midfield. What's the strategy if none of your rotations work?
Is it time to stop rotating? I ask this. I don't know the answer.
Specific players. We are in a dangerous ground here and i hate slagging individual players but I have to say these things. Last year, in a wonderful season as a defender Brent Reilly gave away 21 frees in 22 games. In 2013, he's conceded nine frees in three games and most of them have damaged the team. He's been a superb clean defender and, entering this season, I thought he was Adelaide's most important player. I still think that. Recently, something has changed in his play, apart from the rules (or maybe because of the rules), and his coaches should notice it and arrest it.
In the last couple of years, Jared Petrenko has been a stunning opportunistic player, making maximum use of random and limited moments. This year, his coaches seem to be pushing him closer into the structural spine. He's trying very hard to do the job but it's not happening. Maybe he thinks he has to try too hard. Release him, coaches. Take the heat off him for another year and let him do his random thing, whatever it is, and where ever it is, without him thinking that he's performing under a spotlight.
And, Bernie Vince? What's happening this year, Bernie? Are you suddenly not interested any more? Do you want three or four weeks in the Twos? Be careful. It might happen. Or would you like to play for another team next year? Be careful. That might happen too, but it might not be the team you want. It might be Melbourne.
This year, the question is whether the Adelaide players are good enough for each other.
After Round Three, it's clear that there are problems on each line.
The forwards lack structure. This is a work in progress. Some creative redeployment may be needed. Nothing comes to mind except, perhaps, Ricky Henderson to be tried out as a CHF, to allow Taylor Walker to stay closer to goal.
The defenders lacks pace. This is not a work in progress. This will be a continuing problem this season, for which no-one has a solution.
The ruck lacks depth. Josh Jenkins is getting better and better, week by week, and the club has to stick with him. This will take time. Right now, Adelaide still has time.
The midfielders lack cohesion. There are a lot of them – Dangerfield, Thompson, Sloane, van Berlo, Vince, Mackay, Crouch, Douglas…
One upon a time, the theory was that if you constantly rotate your midfield from the bench, you remain fresh and confuse the opposition with their matchups. That's fine if you are controlling the game from the midfield. What's the strategy if none of your rotations work?
Is it time to stop rotating? I ask this. I don't know the answer.
Specific players. We are in a dangerous ground here and i hate slagging individual players but I have to say these things. Last year, in a wonderful season as a defender Brent Reilly gave away 21 frees in 22 games. In 2013, he's conceded nine frees in three games and most of them have damaged the team. He's been a superb clean defender and, entering this season, I thought he was Adelaide's most important player. I still think that. Recently, something has changed in his play, apart from the rules (or maybe because of the rules), and his coaches should notice it and arrest it.
In the last couple of years, Jared Petrenko has been a stunning opportunistic player, making maximum use of random and limited moments. This year, his coaches seem to be pushing him closer into the structural spine. He's trying very hard to do the job but it's not happening. Maybe he thinks he has to try too hard. Release him, coaches. Take the heat off him for another year and let him do his random thing, whatever it is, and where ever it is, without him thinking that he's performing under a spotlight.
And, Bernie Vince? What's happening this year, Bernie? Are you suddenly not interested any more? Do you want three or four weeks in the Twos? Be careful. It might happen. Or would you like to play for another team next year? Be careful. That might happen too, but it might not be the team you want. It might be Melbourne.
