West Coast or Adelaide - Who is better placed?

[Crazy John]

Both these teams underperformed massively below expectations in 2013 after being widely tipped to challenge for the flag.

Both teams addressed deficiencies in the off season, with West Coast adding X Ellis and E Yeo to address their midfield depth, while Adelaide added J Podsiadly and E Betts to fill the KPF hope left by Tippett and the small forward which the Crows have been crying out for.

- Which team does Bigfooty think will perform better in 2014?

- Which team is better placed to challenge for a flag?

 

[Coaster2012]

Two threads in one night comparing west coast, that's new. Crows have defiantly bolstered their attack, but with Walker out for at least another half of the year, could hurt them. As a west coast fan I'm actually more worried about crows then the likes of the roos or blues.

 

[Righteo]

Reckon Jenkins and fantapants can cover Tex ably enough during his hiatus, Adelaide's mids are miles ahead though and I honestly would be very surprised if the Crows missed the 8 this year whilst I probably wouldn't bat an eyelid if WC missed again. Big fan of Adelaide's off-season additions.

 

[Quinz]

Two threads in one night comparing west coast, that's new. Crows have defiantly bolstered their attack, but with Walker out for at least another half of the year, could hurt them. As a west coast fan I'm actually more worried about crows then the likes of the roos or blues.

Two wins in the preseason getting everyone's attention...

I think Adelaide will finish higher tbh. I like our young talks and rucks but Adelaide's young mids for the future.

 

[le dominateur]

Have a feeling this thread won't have as many posts as the WC v Carlton one, anyways Adelaide easily, WC will be lucky to avoid the bottom 4.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

I did chuckle that it's been suggested that West Coast has bolstered their midfield with X Ellis. I really hope he can strong some games togther, but just can't see him playing more than 10-15 games this season based on his history.

I actually reckon West Coast will perform better than Adelaide. Stronger forward line, more settled back line with comparable midfields.

 

[Smoocher]

Why all the threads about West Coast. Adelaide has by far a better list. The new ducking rules will have an impact on West Coast this year and unfortunately Nic Nat is still injured. Season 2014 is already over before it began.

 

[D-N-R]

I did chuckle that it's been suggested that West Coast has bolstered their midfield with X Ellis. I really hope he can strong some games togther, but just can't see him playing more than 10-15 games this season based on his history.

I actually reckon West Coast will perform better than Adelaide. Stronger forward line, more settled back line with comparable midfields.

If Ellis plays 15 games, I'd take that. Haven't seen much of him to be fair, so I'm not sure that would help. Having a fit Wellingham is almost like have a new recruit. I hope that they are just being extra extra cautious with Nic Nat and he has a good season. That will bolster the midfield.

These threads will be better off in the Bay.

 

[Tex200]

Trying to be objective.

The loss of Tippett/Walker last season led to 2 fairly damning stats - 1. We were something like 5 or 6 in the comp for I50 but in the bottom 5 or 6 for scoring. The midfield were clearly getting it in there but conversion horrible.

We also lost 5 games by under 2 goals and yet would have played finals if Port had beat Carlton in the last round (admittedly this arises from the Bombers suspension ).

As others have said the acquisition of Betts and Pods huge - not expecting much from Walker until 2015.

Finally an easier draw, doubling up on GWS, Saints, North and Collingwood. Our games v Hawks and Swans at home, with away games v Lions and Dogs.

All these factors should = a better showing this year.

Would be interested in the WCE analysis.

 

[lmach]

Why all the threads about West Coast. Adelaide has by far a better list. The new ducking rules will have an impact on West Coast this year and unfortunately Nic Nat is still injured. Season 2014 is already over before it began.

Brad Scott, is that you?

 

[Port01]

We also lost 5 games by under 2 goals and yet would have played finals if Port had beat Carlton in the last round.

North would have. Brisbane also would have leapfrogged the crows had they kicked their last shot at goal. In short, it was a logjam from 7th to 13th and all those clubs could have played finals had their results dropped in the last two weeks. The crows biggest issue was that they only won one game against a top 8 (or top 9 if you want to include Essendon) opponent, by 2 points.

 

[West Coast 06]

Brad Scott, is that you?

He is waiting for a bite on the Naitanui comment. Mentions Nic is still injured in every thread. I think he may be scarred for life this one.

 

[Coaster2012]

Have a feeling this thread won't have as many posts as the WC v Carlton one, anyways Adelaide easily, WC will be lucky to avoid the bottom 4.

Haha ahh blues fans, this is why the other thread went to hell quickly. Did they all get together and decide wce are crap? Anyway, it will make me pay a lot more attention to west coast vs blues

 

[Coaster2012]

Why all the threads about West Coast. Adelaide has by far a better list. The new ducking rules will have an impact on West Coast this year and unfortunately Nic Nat is still injured. Season 2014 is already over before it began.

Did you see the rest of the season? West coast were pioneers, every team was ducking by the end (Lindsey Thomas anyone?) and if you think it was our gameplan and needed to win then that's just naive. And Nic nat still isn't injured, he's playing the next game! He's just being careful, guys been smashing at high altitude mask marathons since November, if anything, he's the fittest he's ever been atm, guy looks massive

 

[Tex200]

North would have. Brisbane also would have leapfrogged the crows had they kicked their last shot at goal. In short, it was a logjam from 7th to 13th and all those clubs could have played finals had their results dropped in the last two weeks. The crows biggest issue was that they only won one game against a top 8 (or top 9 if you want to include Essendon) opponent, by 2 points.

Of course that was the end result - but its nothing more than a glib observation.

The symptoms that caused those results were as I stated them.

 

[Boohemian]

Some of the replies in this thread are just so ridiculously stupid that the whole topic should be [/closed].

 

[Spoken4]

You stated that he's still injured. He isn't.

Hopefully the ducking rule doesn't affect Swallow and Lindsay Thomas too much.

WC said the same thing last year.

Article published 2 weeks ago states that "Naitanui is being carefully managed in the lead-up to round one due to persistent groin issues."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-02-17/it-could-get-messy

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

I actually reckon West Coast will perform better than Adelaide. Stronger forward line, more settled back line with comparable midfields.

Agree with the first bit, but I am not sure on what planet people would say that Adelaide and west coasts mid fields are comparable.

 

[Spoken4]

Agree with the first bit, but I am not sure on what planet people would say that Adelaide and west coasts mid fields are comparable.

Adelaide's midfield is significantly better than West Coast's. Not sure how anyone could suggest differently.

 

[lmach]

Adelaide's midfield is significantly better than West Coast's. Not sure how anyone could suggest differently.

Correct. Hopefully by years end we'll be able to compare them should we some significant improvement, but as it stands, Adelaide's is definitely superior.

 

[Messenger]

It's a fair topic to discuss. So discuss it.

 

[Forward Press]

Adelaide. I'd hack both of my legs off with a rusty hand-saw to have Patrick Dangerfield on our team.

 

[Go the Guts]

The last game between the two was an 86 point win by Adelaide at Subiaco. A bit has changed since then.... WC new coach, couple of additions as already mentioned, LeCras and others back in, etc. Crows a new home ground, add Betts and Pods, Walker will be back mid year, etc. am quietly confident of vast improvement this year for us, WC will (should?) improve too but don't think they'll make the 8.

 

[Coaster2012]

If west coast had the draw they have this year, last year, they would have won 11 games, which would have had them drawn with the blues. With half their side out and playing horribly, it's only going to take 1-2 upsets at home for them to make the 8, and beat the teams they are meant to beat. How can't they make the 8, I really don't understand the logic that they won't make it

 

[Spoken4]

If west coast had the draw they have this year, last year, they would have won 11 games, which would have had them drawn with the blues. With half their side out and playing horribly, it's only going to take 1-2 upsets at home for them to make the 8, and beat the teams they are meant to beat. How can't they make the 8, I really don't understand the logic that they won't make it

Which half of their side was that?