What was the make up of our young side during the COVID year?
Opinion Matthew Nicks: Adelaide's Coach (Part 3) - The Biggest Loser
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What was the make up of our young side during the COVID year?
WaynesWorld19
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Nah, wrong way to look at it .....media act in the now, not in the future
They'll go hard on an issue now, and then change positions next year .....why bank an issue for the future, doesn't happen
FR0GGY
From a cartel villa in Tuscany
WaynesWorld19
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You were around then ....you best answer that
FR0GGY
From a cartel villa in Tuscany
Was a good side, to keep Murphy out!
Before the season Nicks himself said we should be making finals. We have clearly fallen woefully short of expectations.
Nicks embracing the Crows hype as he eyes finals, new contract
Adelaide fell just short of finals last year but has improved every season in Matthew Nicks' four-year tenure
www.afl.com.au
Nicks said Adelaide had delivered on its goal of challenging the best teams in his fourth season, but it was time for the club to do more as it fights for its first finals appearance since 2017.
"We said we were going to come in and challenge the best. We did that. We've got to aim high now," Nicks told AFL.com.au at the club's West Lakes base on Friday.
"So we want to do more than challenge the best this year. There's an expectation on us to perform and play finals footy. We want to embrace that expectation and aim for it, and some.
"We don't want to finish up in August. You get sick of watching finals footy … as do our players the longer they're in the game. So we'll embrace the expectation."
“little evidence we will make finals in 2025” is an opinion, not a fact. Your opinions may well be right but I’d argue there is some evidence we can do much better next year with less injuries. Our score percentages alone (> 100%) and the fact we’ve been matching the top teams in recent weeks with the young inconsistent squad, suggests we’re not that far off.
Incidentally, 7 out of our last 9 games are played against the current top 7 teams! And if we take away the Sydney game, we’ve been matching it well with 5 of the other teams in the top 6:
2. Port - we’ve matched them pretty well this year.
3. GWS - we recently beat them
4. Cats - recent loss by 1 goal (away)
5. Lions - recent loss by 2 goals (away)
6. Dogs - we won by 40 points
Bearing in mind these are Finals-like games with all teams needing wins to guarantee Finals, nearing the end of the season. Compare this form against our first 5 weeks of footy and it’s like chalk and cheese! End result may be the same, but I’m more interested in our momentum shift. This is what betting people look for, don’t they?
I wanted to have a go at this, not because I think I'll change anyone's mind, just because it's a fun exercise.
1) He didn't bring a broom. The best organizational changers I've seen in action (even in footy coach terms) come with a broom and sweep away a bunch of folks. Making tough, even harsh calls. We're still dealing with Laird, Smith, Crouch and I believe we would still have Sloane in the guts if not for the eye, so many years later. Some of these blokes really do smack of bad attitude and I think they shouldn't even be here.
2) I don't agree with his selection policies and think he's too slow to craft players into their best spot. No eye for talent & position. Dawson took too long to get into the guts, Rankine did too. Laird took too long to get booted out. I'm still a Rachele in the middle believer and very disappointed we've not let him in there, similar for Pedlar. The continual selection of all available seniors over young players doesn't sit right with me. Also bog average blokes like Murphy, Berry & Schoenberg over more interesting & talented like Peds, Dowling, Taylor, and even youngsters who are in the team should have more games by now like Worrell, Nank.
3) He's failed to make us resilient. Failed to teach the team how to close out/win close games. When we're good enough to be in it right at the end of games, we don't tend to win. It's not even 50/50 chance. I know we're young but so are others and we lose tight games to them more often than not. A lot of times when we've got "must win" games or starting a new year with some expectation, we flop. Even the famous loss to Sydney in 2023, we were down by 40+ points due to not being resilient.
4) I can't get past so many stupid tactical moves
especially around who to sub and when. ik ik, it's little stuff that might not make a real difference (although some were so dumb they just might have), but it just smacks of stupidity so many times. Won't go into all of them, they've been repeated ad-nauseum.5) Hasn't fixed our midfield. Overall it's still a weakness after sooo many years. I put this last because I know you can't fix everything even in 5 years.
ig that's it
He's had a poor year, no question. A lot of unforced errors.
The danger is we should have a soft draw in 2025. Soft enough that with a good injury run, continued improvement and a couple of good recruits, our list should be capable of challenging for top four in 2025. It's a matter of whether the coaches and match committee can get them there.
The danger is we continue to be poorly coached but we scrape into 8th, the club calls it a successful year, and then the whole thing goes to shit (again) in 2026 after yet another false dawn.
The danger is we should have a soft draw in 2025. Soft enough that with a good injury run, continued improvement and a couple of good recruits, our list should be capable of challenging for top four in 2025. It's a matter of whether the coaches and match committee can get them there.
The danger is we continue to be poorly coached but we scrape into 8th, the club calls it a successful year, and then the whole thing goes to shit (again) in 2026 after yet another false dawn.
- Oct 16, 2011
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In a year we were saying we were going to make finals and he specifically chanted the mantra of embrace the expectation, we are fourth from bottom.
He needs to be shown the door, five seasons of failing is enough otherwise the whole club doesn't embrace the expectation of not making finals as there is no consequence when we continually don't.
He needs to be shown the door, five seasons of failing is enough otherwise the whole club doesn't embrace the expectation of not making finals as there is no consequence when we continually don't.
Drugs Are Bad Mackay?
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Very comfortable club
FR0GGY
From a cartel villa in Tuscany
His own views with embrace the expectation (deal with the pressure) doesn’t align with the clubs, hence then signing him early to avoid the speculation and pressure.
WaynesWorld19
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Thanks for putting the effort in .....you've obviously put thought into your post, and that I appreciateI wanted to have a go at this, not because I think I'll change anyone's mind, just because it's a fun exercise.
1) He didn't bring a broom. The best organizational changers I've seen in action (even in footy coach terms) come with a broom and sweep away a bunch of folks. Making tough, even harsh calls. We're still dealing with Laird, Smith, Crouch and I believe we would still have Sloane in the guts if not for the eye, so many years later. Some of these blokes really do smack of bad attitude and I think they shouldn't even be here.
2) I don't agree with his selection policies and think he's too slow to craft players into their best spot. No eye for talent & position. Dawson took too long to get into the guts, Rankine did too. Laird took too long to get booted out. I'm still a Rachele in the middle believer and very disappointed we've not let him in there, similar for Pedlar. The continual selection of all available seniors over young players doesn't sit right with me. Also bog average blokes like Murphy, Berry & Schoenberg over more interesting & talented like Peds, Dowling, Taylor, and even youngsters who are in the team should have more games by now like Worrell, Nank.
3) He's failed to make us resilient. Failed to teach the team how to close out/win close games. When we're good enough to be in it right at the end of games, we don't tend to win. It's not even 50/50 chance. I know we're young but so are others and we lose tight games to them more often than not. A lot of times when we've got "must win" games or starting a new year with some expectation, we flop. Even the famous loss to Sydney in 2023, we were down by 40+ points due to not being resilient.
4) I can't get past so many stupid tactical moves
5) Hasn't fixed our midfield. Overall it's still a weakness after sooo many years. I put this last because I know you can't fix everything even in 5 years.
ig that's it
On point (1) ....I still subscribe to the theory young players learn quicker with some experience around them ....wiping most of the experience delays /stalls development
You can argue about who to keep and who to jettison .....1-2 players in each zone appears to be the thinking, but be careful of recency bias on Smith, Laird ....4-5 years ago, they were definite keepers ....they've now dropped away alarmingly
Point (2) is always a personal POV with Rookies ....every supporter will vary in their thinking ....there'd be nothing to discuss if every supporter agreed with selection
I've read player "X" being named as one of our best in a game, whilst another says he was one of our worst
I've never been too fussed if a player gets selected R5 or R15 .....makes no difference over a career
Re point (3) this I disagree with the most .....he has us as a very resilient team, a team that fights back when down .....rarely gets blown off the park
Not winning close ones is more a symptom of the age profile and experience ....but supporters have been treated to a lot of close games .....however I appreciate the frustration
Re point (5) ....this is a valid criticism
We criticise the club for taking McHenry and Gallucci ....were they forced Draft choices to fill a need, versus taking best available ?
If an "A" grade Mid is not available at our Draft position, do you want us to take another Galluci gamble ?
Fisher McCasey seems to be the biggest bone of contention ......taking a KPD with pick 6
Remember it can be argued, in a rebuild you build the spine first, as it takes the longest ....that's always been my advocacy as well .....RICH and NORTH in their early rebuild went Mids first ....and that failed miserably
2019 - McAsey
2020 - Thilthorpe
2021 - Rachele
2022 - Michalanney - Rankine
2023 - Curtin
IMO that's a pretty good haul ....if you're correct, Rachele was supposed to be a Mid upcoming, and we know how good Rankine is as a Mid ....which I advocated for Rankine to play Mid from day dot
It's not out of the question that Rachele can lift his game and play MID next year .....he has done well in spurts, but overall to date been a disappointment for his pick
You assume we'll take a MID this year, so that's theoretically 3 x Draft Mids in 6 years .....plus we've been desperately trying to trade for a mid
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- Aug 21, 2008
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Aright new day let's all draw a line under responding to you know who
Nahh WaynesWorld19 is a big bonus to have on this board, whether you like alternative points of view to consider, or you just like the drama - I like both!
Before the season Nicks himself said we should be making finals. We have clearly fallen woefully short of expectations.
Nicks embracing the Crows hype as he eyes finals, new contract
Adelaide fell just short of finals last year but has improved every season in Matthew Nicks' four-year tenure
Nicks said Adelaide had delivered on its goal of challenging the best teams in his fourth season, but it was time for the club to do more as it fights for its first finals appearance since 2017.
"We said we were going to come in and challenge the best. We did that. We've got to aim high now," Nicks told AFL.com.au at the club's West Lakes base on Friday.
"So we want to do more than challenge the best this year. There's an expectation on us to perform and play finals footy. We want to embrace that expectation and aim for it, and some.
"We don't want to finish up in August. You get sick of watching finals footy … as do our players the longer they're in the game. So we'll embrace the expectation."
‘……..we’ll embrace the expectation’……?! Fair go. Is this strong leadership stuff from a coach ? …..embrace…
- Jul 19, 2010
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Not always true. Port & Koch threw everything at an Abernethy win, but members wanted Tredrea.
Ultimately though, Tredrea, like the two elected Crows board members, has little power, as he’s hopelessly outnumbered. Any motion he puts up on behalf of members is easily voted down.
The two elected positions are, very obviously, token spots to give members a false sense of representation.
I agree with you that it won’t be a silver bullet but that isn’t a reason not to do it.
It’s almost certain that a board entirely accountable to members doesn’t get away with what they’ve done this year.
- Jun 23, 2016
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Custom script baby, literally don't see his posts at all.
- Jul 19, 2010
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Frog Man? Agreed.
There’s a high correlation between list ability, list age profile and win rate. I don’t think it would have mattered who was coaching in those first 3 years, there was never going to be a high win rate. I think the club is looking at where we were in 2020 (64%) to where we are now (competitive but middling) and would say that is progression.
Inherited a bottom 4 list
Clarkson
Nicks
Is a proven successful coach
Clarkson
Nicks
Would consider almost making finals but not really a pass
Clarkson
Nicks
I think most supporters would have been outraged if Nicks would have drafted and played Liam Shiels and Greenwood in the midfield this year.
GreyCrow
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Why do people continue this line about win rate in the first 3 seasons
Most here understood the win rate would be down with a so called rebuild
What we didnt expect was a win rate with a majority of senior players
2020 - Round 1 - Crouch x 2 , Laird, Sloane , Walker, Smith, Talia, Kelly, Milera, Lynch, Seeds, Atkins, Brown, Gibbs
14 players
2020 - Last round after 14 losses - 14 losses
Crouch x 2 , Laird, Lynch , Mackay, Smith , Sloane , Kelly , Brown, Hartigan, Walker, Talia - 12 players
12
When you finish last, the only way is up. And we still had plenty of senior guys still in the team that year
So after 5 years we have gone from 18th to 15th
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