Preview R23: Changes vs. Port Adelaide

[Eddie Murphy]

The problem is Gollant already had his opportunity and never consistently played well

He’s not had an opportunity for two years, stuck behind Fogarty and Walker. We tried to play him in the Thilthorpe role which he isn’t equipped for.

Walker is on the decline, Burgess is not up to it and Welsh will take time. Like Bond, there’s a genuine spot for Gollant if he can take the opportunity. Tex already looked like he’s carrying a few niggles, if he’s got another I don’t see what we have to lose resting him.

 

[Crow-eater]

Tex out

Injury Update: Taylor Walker

The 34-year-old left the field after being struck in the eye during the third quarter

www.afc.com.au

 

[GameofSloanes]

Tex out

Injury Update: Taylor Walker

The 34-year-old left the field after being struck in the eye during the third quarter

www.afc.com.au

Wasnt worth a 50 though

 

[FR0GGY]

Curtin will probably play forward now.
Amazing how Tex and sloanes career follows each other.

 

[GameofSloanes]

Welcome back to the side..... Elliot Himmelberg!

 

[whattagun07]

Bond to Willie?

Good call

 

[George Kramer]

Welcome back to the side..... Elliot Himmelberg!

Nah, leave Curtin up forward.

 

[Owen_AFC97]

You would think Gollant comes in.

 

[Pugsley]

Welcome back to the side..... Elliot Himmelberg!

I think they will go with Gollant one last time.

 

[jenny61_99]

Gollant kicked 8. He’d have to come in for Tex.

 

[cmndstab]

No Tex in a Showdown just feels wrong

 

[crows dude]

Curtin will probably play forward now.
Amazing how Tex and sloanes career follows each other.

And their lives as well

 

[FR0GGY]

And life’s.

Yeah I meant to put that!

 

[Dangerousfield]

He got 1 decent run (7 games) at the start of 22 but we sucked, since then he never has had more that 2 games in a row.

because he sucks!

Tex out for year

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Ins: Gollant, Dowling, Ryan
Outs: Walker, Murphy, Nankervis

B: Bond, Murray, Keane
HB: Michaelanny, Worrell, Laird
C: Sholl, Crouch, Dawson
HF: Curtin, Fogarty, Taylor
F: Keays, Thilthorpe, Rachele
R: O’Brien, Soligo, Rankine
I: Ryan, Berry, Hinge, Gollant
Sub: Dowling

Yeah, I know they aren't dropping Murphy for Dowling.

 

[Samcro24]

No Tex in a Showdown just feels wrong

He’s actually missed quite a few in the last few years, and aside from 7 last year recent record is poor.

 

[119others]

Curtin to Full Forward???

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/showdown-56-all-the-latest-adelaide-crows-and-port-adelaide-news-ahead-of-round-23-clash/news-story/71808d416c305c79fb6d481a2c4b832a

Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson

12

Jordan Dawson

Age

27

Ht

191cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.0

4star

K

11.4

4star

HB

5.7

4star

M

4.8

5star

T

2.8

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

15.7

4star

K

10.9

4star

HB

4.9

3star

M

2.9

3star

T

2.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

D

11.8

3star

K

7.8

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

3.0

5star

CL

0.6

3star

says it “would be nice” to put a dent in Port Adelaide’s finals hopes with a Showdown win this weekend, but the Crows will have to do it without Taylor Walker

13

Taylor Walker

Age

34

Ht

194cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.0

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

5.7

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

2.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

8.0

2star

K

6.4

3star

HB

1.6

2star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.6

5star

.
The veteran forward was subbed out of Sunday’s win in the third quarter with an eye injury after Tim English caught him high and, after a trip to the specialist on Monday, has been ruled out of the Crows’ clash with the Power.

Crows high performance boss Darren Burgess provided an update.

A thorough investigation found very minor damage to the retina and the specialist is confident that it has occurred previously,” Burgess said.

“Taylor underwent laser surgery today to correct a small tear and on medical advice, he will miss at least this weekend’s game.

“It is worth noting that his eye injury is very different to that experienced by Rory Sloane

9

Rory Sloane

Age

34

Ht

183cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.7

5star

K

11.7

4star

HB

11.9

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

6.6

5star

CL

5.7

5star

D

15.3

4star

K

7.3

3star

HB

8.0

4star

M

1.3

1star

T

3.3

4star

CL

4.2

5star

D

22.2

5star

K

8.6

4star

HB

13.6

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

6.0

5star

CL

4.6

5star

, who suffered a retinal detachment before announcing his retirement earlier in the year.”

The Power came from behind to defeat the Demons at the MCG on Saturday, moving up to second on the ladder. But despite sitting just four points behind Sydney in the race for the minor premiership, Port Adelaide could fall out of the top eight if it fails to secure a win over either the Crows or Dockers in the final two rounds.

When asked if potentially knocking the Power out of finals added any incentive to the Showdown, Dawson said he was “not going to be stoking any fires”.


“It would be (nice to dent Port Adelaide’s finals hopes), but it’d be nice to get another win and get some confidence in our group heading into the break and build that belief amongst the group as well knowing we can play and beat these top teams as well,” he said.

“I’m not going to be stoking any fires. The rivalry is there, whatever the outcomes are, we’re going to be focused on ourselves and playing our brand of footy.

“We’ve had a pretty good run the last few times, but you forget about that pretty quickly, we’re already moving onto this week and we’re already pretty excited to get out there and hopefully keep their fans quiet.”

Despite falling out of finals contention for this season, the Crows will have an active say in how the top eight shapes up, having beaten the Western Bulldogs in round 21.

The upset loss will almost definitely cost Luke Beveridge’s side a top-four chance, with the Dogs now also at risk of falling out of the eight.

Jake Soligo won the Showdown medal earlier this year. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images
Dawson said big games like the Showdown gave the young Crows a chance to play in a finals-like situation, even though the club is out of contention this season.

“Thinking about the Showdown last year back end of the year, that was a massive game for both teams,” he said.
“Our opportunity to potentially play finals was on the line there, we stood up.

“It’s definitely the best rivalry I’ve been a part of and the biggest games are Showdowns and they’re the most enjoyable to play.

“It’s definitely a finals-like atmosphere, so hopefully we can drive in that and get a win.”

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

With Tex out it would be great to give Curtin another crack in his role, or to reward Gollant for his reserves performance. Two really positive options.

So we'll do neither of those things.

Strachan forward? Himmelberg or Burgess recalled? Borlase pinch hit up there?

 

[pjcrows]

Is there a side that gets kissed on the d*ck more with opposition injuries than Port?

 

[Danger in Texas]

I think Gollant will come in, but I’d be very happy to bring in another running player (recall Dowling, probably) and play Curtin 3rd tall

 

[footy4ever]

Welcome back to the side..... Elliot Himmelberg!

Kicked 4 and turned the game coupla/few showdowns back. He's a very difficult match up for Port because they don't have the quality talls to go with our tall forwards.

 

[footy4ever]

Is there a side that gets kissed on the d*ck more with opposition injuries than Port?

No. NO THERE ****ING ISN'T!!!

 

[FR0GGY]

Is there a side that gets kissed on the d*ck more with opposition injuries than Port?

Just kissed? They’d be severely disappointed.

 

[George Kramer]

Is there a side that gets kissed on the d*ck more with opposition injuries than Port?

You know Georgiadis and Marshall are out?

 

[ABAB]

Is there a side that gets kissed on the d*ck more with opposition injuries than Port?

Sure they have in recent weeks but he hasn't been the same Walker as last year.