ADELAIDE 2019 BEST AND FAIREST TOP 10

Malcolm Blight MedalHow they vote: Each member of the Crows' five-man coaching panel award votes on a 0-4 basis for every player’s performance in each game. A player can receive between zero and 20 votes per game.

Top 10
1. Brad Crouch 208 votes
2. Rory Sloane 203
3. Rory Laird 191
4. Matt Crouch 180
5. Brodie Smith 179
6. Daniel Talia 165
7. Taylor Walker 148
8. Rory Atkins 129
9. Alex Keath 127
10. David Mackay 119 

Trade Talk

2 days to go and as usual the big trades mentioned prior to the trade period beginning are going to come down to not only the last da but in some cases poosibly the last minute.
So far we have seen the following trades:
Goal sneak Eddie Betts to Carlton, Adelaide gets a Future Fourth Round Selection, so basically zero.
West Coast do a pick swap with the Lions they receive pick 46 and 91 and the Lions get picks 52 & 64 why who the hell knows.
Midfielder Ed Langdon and Pick 26 and a future fourth round selection to Melbourne and Fremantle get picks 22 & 79 and a future second rounded. These future late picks always intrigue me can't figure them out.
Pacy Full Back Sam Frost picks 42 & 61 and a future fourth round and Melbourne get picks 50 and a future second rounder wow seems to be a lot of messing about.
Another set of pick swaps GWS get picks 6 & 59 and St.Kilda get picks 12 & 18 now these pick swaps DO make sense to me a high first rounder (6) and the saints get to top 20 in return wins all round very astute.
Now the first and the most complicated move since a high ranking Soviet official wanted to defect to the West with West Coast receiving Tim Kelly and a future thrid rounder from Geelong and pick 52 from Essendon, Geelong getting 14 & 24 and a future first round selection from the Eagles and pick 37 from Essendon and Essendon gets pick 33 from the Eagles and pick 57 from the Cats talk about complicated.
Well that's it for now but the last 2 days will see plenty more and hopefully the Joe Daniher to the Swans doesn't get done but if it does if we could get Luke Parker or Isaac Heeney I could live with that (somehow...).

Sloane Wins Adelaide B & F

Malcolm Blight Medal top 10
1. Rory Sloane – 268
2. Eddie Betts – 249
3. Tom Lynch – 215
4. Daniel Talia – 192
5. Taylor Walker – 185
6. Brodie Smith – 183
7. Matt Crouch – 180
8. Kyle Hartigan – 173
9. Charlie Cameron – 168
10. Josh Jenkins – 167

Teams For The AFL Semi-Finals

SEMI-FINAL TEAMS

HAWTHORN v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Friday September 16, 7:50pm, MCG

HAWKS

B: T.Duryea, J.Frawley, S.Burgoyne

HB: L.Hodge, J.Gibson, G.Birchall

C: I.Smith, S.Mitchell, B.Hill

HF: L.Breust, J.Gunston, C.Rioli

F: P.Puopolo, J.Fitzpatrick, R.Schoenmakers

R: B.McEvoy, J.Lewis, L.Shiels

I/C: B.Stratton, B.Whitecross, J.Sicily, B.Hartung

EMG: W.Langford, D.Howe, M.Spangher

IN: B.Hartung, J.Sicily

OUT: R.Burton (calf), D.Howe

BULLDOGS

B: J.Johannisen, J.Hamling, M.Boyd

HB: M.Suckling, D.Morris, E.Wood

C: L.Hunter, M.Bontempelli, L.Picken

HF: J.Macrae, Z.Cordy, J.Stringer

F: T.Dickson, T.Boyd, C.Daniel

R: J.Roughead, L.Dahlhaus, T.Liberatore

I/C: C.Smith, T.McLean, J.Dunkley, S.Biggs

EMG: T.Campbell, L.Webb, R.Smith

IN: T.McLean

OUT: L.Jong (shoulder)

SYDNEY SWANS v ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday September 17, 7:25pm, SCG

SWANS

B: N.Smith, H.Grundy, D.Rampe

HB: H.Marsh, A.Aliir, J.McVeigh

C: I.Heeney, J.Kennedy, J.Lloyd

HF: G.Hewett, L.Franklin, L.Parker

F: T.Mitchell, G.Rohan, X.Richards

R: S.Naismith, D.Hannebery, K.Jack, T.Papley

I/C: J.Laidler, B.McGlynn, T.Nankervis, T.Papley

EMG: H.Cunningham, J.Rose, T.Richards

IN: J.Laidler, T.Nankervis

OUT: K.Tippett (jaw), C.Mills (hamstring)

CROWS

B: L.Brown, D.Talia, R.Laird

HB: B.Smith, K.Hartigan, K.Cheney

C: R.Atkins, R.Sloane, D.Mackay

HF: E.Betts, T.Walker, C.Cameron

F: J.Lyons, J.Jenkins, T.Lynch

R: S.Jacobs, M.Crouch, R.Douglas

I/C: B.Crouch, S.Thompson, J.Lever, M.McGovern

EMG: R.Knight, P.Seedsman, A.Otten

No change

Crows To Topple Cats

Adelaide take on Geelong Friday night at Adelaide Oval and I'm tipping they will knock over the red hot Cats. Geelong's only loss this year has been interstate against GWS at Star Track Oval Canberra and the last couple of season's they have struggled on the road, although they smashed Port on the same ground a couple of weeks ago. The combo of Dangerfield and Selwood is exceeding expectation's and with no longer a heavy reliance on Hawkins to kick a lot of goals added with their experienced and improved defence Geelong tick all the boxes but Crows are undefeated at home this year which included a win over the Swans (their only defeat so far) and away they came close against undefeated Roos pushed the Bulldogs all the way also an improved midfield showing from Sloane, Thompson and the Crouch brothers will see  the potent forward set up of Walker, Betts, Lynch, Jenkins and Cameron get plenty of chances.

PREDICTION
Crows by 6 Points

BEST BET
Either Side Under 19.5 Points Paying $2.20 @ Sportsbet

OPTIONAL BETS
Crows 1-19 $4.30
Crows 1-9 $8.00
Either Side Under 15.5 Points $2.65
Total Points Over 198.5 $1.88
Crows +24.5 $1.25

All Prices Quoted From Sportsbet.com.au on May 10th.

Adelaide's Draft Action

     In: Troy Menzel (Carlton), Paul Seedsman (Collingwood), Curtly Hampton (GWS), Dean      Gore (Geelong), pick 9

Seedsman's season started on fire capped off by winning the Anzac Day medal against Essendon but then injuries and poor form ruined the rest of the year and then all of a sudden was unwanted which I found to be harsh at his best his pace and long kicking off half back is damaging but to me seems to be a little bit stand offish when it comes to going in for the hard ball, but moving him to half back will allow Brodie Smith to go into the midfield.

Troy Menzel had 2 promising seasons playing predominantly as a small forward but this year lost his way and like a lot of clubs these days they have little patience for stagnating careers, with the Crows already well off for small forwards (Betts, Cameron) Menzel may be pushed up to the wing.

Curtly Hampton one of a number of GWS Giants who have flown the coup is a player I have seen very little of so cannot really pass any judgement on.

     Out: Patrick Dangerfield, Sam Kerridge, picks 32 and 53, and 2016 second-round pick

Any team that loses a player of Patrick Dangerfield's calibre is going to be struggling to have a positive return from the Trading period, they also lost Sam Kerridge who showed potential in his first 2 seasons but had trouble this year highlighted was his 6 goal effort against the Roos in his debut year.

     2015 draft picks:  9, 13, 71, 89, 107, 125

In A Nut Shell: Any team that loses a player of Patrick Dangerfield's calibre is going to be struggling to have a positive return from the Trading period, he also was their number 1 clearance, hard ball get player fastest player, impossible to replace and the Crows seem to lack depth through the midfield too so Brodie Smith will push into the centre with Thompson and Sloane, they also lost Sam Kerridge who showed potential in his first 2 seasons but had trouble this year, his career was highlighted by his 6 goal effort against the Roos in his debut year. So losing 2 mids and recruiting mainly half back runners and a small forward will mean they will need to develop some youthful  options in that area.

Having 2 first round picks 9 and 13 is good return but then no picks until 71 means they have to really nail it with those.

Dangerfield Wins First Crows Best And Fairest

2015 Malcolm Blight Medal
TOP 10
Patrick Dangerfield – 302
Rory Laird – 280
Eddie Betts – 278
Sam Jacobs – 242
Taylor Walker - 209
Rory Sloane - 205
Scott Thompson – 194
Daniel Talia - 183
Tom Lynch – 175
Charlie Cameron - 168
 

Round 12 Teams Adelaide v Hawthorn At Adelaide Oval

CROWS

B: J.Kelly, K.Hartigan, R.Laird

HB: K.Cheney, D.Talia, N.Van Berlo

C: R.Sloane, S.Thompson, B.Smith

HF: C.Cameron, T.Lynch, D.Mackay

F: E.Betts, T.Walker, M.Wright

Foll: S.Jacobs, P.Dangerfield, R.Douglas

Inter: C.Ellis-Yolmen, J.Jenkins, L.Brown, M.Crouch

Emer: J.Lyons, R.Knight, J.Podsiadly

In: R.Douglas

Out: M.Grigg (ankle)

HAWKS

B: S.Burgoyne, B.Lake, S.Mitchell

HB: B.Stratton, J.Frawley, J.Gibson

C: B.Hill, L.Hodge, I.Smith

HF: L.Breust, R.Schoenmakers, J.Gunston

F: C.Rioli, J.Roughead, P.Puopolo

Foll: J.Ceglar, J.Lewis, L.Shiels

Inter: D.Hale, B.Hartung, M.Suckling, T.Duryea

Emer: J.O’Rourke, A.Litherland, W.Langford

In: P.Puopolo

Out: A.Litherland

Round 12 begins Thursday night with Hawthorn travelling to the Adelaide Oval to play the Adelaide Crows.

I reckon this is going to be a sick game with goals galore. You never know how teams are going to go after the bye 

2015 Best Team Line Up's Pre-Season - Adelaide Crows

ADELAIDE CROWS

                     
B: Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Kyle Cheney
HB: Matt Jaensch, Kyle Hartigan, Ricky Henderson
C: Richard Douglas, Brad Crouch,  Brodie Smith 
HF: Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Matt Wright
F: Eddie Betts, Taylor Walker, James Podsialy
FO: Sam Jacobs, Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane  
I/C: Scott Thompson, Nathan Van Berlo, Matt Crouch
SUB: Sam Kerridge        

Finally The Real Stuff Begins

Team's for the first 2 games of Round 1 this weekend, the remaining 7 matches will be played next weekend.

No real surprise selection's for the Crows first team of the year will be interesting to see if Josh Jenkins can fill Kurt Tippett's shoes to some extent but otherwise at full strength. 

Essendon have of course added some extra class in Goddard, Zaharakis back from an injury interrupted 2012, also 22 year old Nick Kommer get's to make his debut after impressing in the pre-season, and in a big surprise to me Jetta and Hardingham could only make emergencies with Jackson Merrett being preferred. Despite the Bomber's late season woes toward's the end of the 2012 season the only lost to Adelaide at AAMI Stadium by 4 points so they will take some confidence. 

Adelaide coming off a 2012 where they almost pinched a Grand final spot will be looking to lay the boot's into an Essendon team under siege from ongoing investigation's into improper practices last season.

I love the Bomber's but I can't help but think that the ongoing off field distraction's will have an adverse effect, god I hope I'm wrong.

Crows by 24 points.

ADELAIDE v ESSENDON

AAMI Stadium, 8.40pm AEDT, Friday 22 March

ADELAIDE
B: L.Brown, B.Rutten, R.Henderson
HB: N.van Berlo, D.Talia, B.Reilly
C: B.Vince, P.Dangerfield, D.Mackay
HF: R.Douglas, J.Jenkins, J.Petrenko
F: J.Porplyzia, T.Walker, M.Wright
FOLL: S.Jacobs, S.Thompson, R.Sloane
I/C: M.Jaensch, G.Johncock, A.Otten, B.Martin
EMG: B.Crouch, S.McKernan, A.Riley

ESSENDON
B: M.Baguley, C.Hooker, M.Hibberd                         
HB: B.Goddard, D.Fletcher, J.Carlisle                      
C: C.Dempsey, J.Watson, D.Heppell                         
HF: D.Zaharakis, P.Ryder, S.Crameri                        
F: A.Davey, M.Hurley, N.Kommer                            
FOLL: T.Bellchambers, B.Stanton, B.Howlett                                        
INTER: H.Hocking, D.Myers, J.Melksham, J.Merrett                 
EMG: L.Jetta, K.Hardingham, E.Kavanagh                      
NEW: Brendon Goddard, 27, St Kilda; Nick Kommer, 22, East Perth

Doesn't matter how many times I look at this Fremantle team on paper I can't help marvel at the coaching prowess  of Ross Lyon.Missing Aaron Sandilands is irreaplacable but Jon Griffin showed last year he is more than capable and the Eagles are missing some guy named Nic Naitanui who apparently has some talent, but with all due credit he would have been my brownlow pick had he been fit and ready to go now.

Without a major investigation into this season my initial prediction is that the Eagles will be top 4 if not premier's, but these Derby's have a history of throwing up mixed bag's well I think the Docker's can pinch this one, just. 

Dockers by 6 points.

FREMANTLE v WEST COAST

Patersons Stadium, 7:40pm AEDT, Saturday 23 March

FREMANTLE
B: K.Bradley, Z.Dawson, M.Johnson                         
HB: P.Duffield, L.McPharlin, N.Suban                       
C: D.Pearce, M.Barlow, C Pearce                       
HF: R.Crowley, M.Pavlich, N.Fyfe                           
F: H.Ballantyne, C.Mayne, M.Walters                       
FOLL: J.Griffin, D.Mundy, S.Hill                                           
I/C: M.De Boer, T.Mzungu, L.Spurr, C.Sutcliffe                 
EMG: J.Crichton, J.Hannath, L.Neale                         
NEW: Danyle Pearce, 26, Port Adelaide; Cameron Sutcliffe, 20, Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL) 

WEST COAST
B: W.Schofield, D.Glass, A.Smith                          
HB: S.Hurn, E.Mackenzie, B.Waters                          
C: A.Gaff, S Selwood, A.Embley                          
HF: J.Hill, J.Darling, C.Masten                            
F: S.Lycett, J.Kennedy, M.LeCras                          
FOLL: D.Cox, M.Priddis, L.Shuey                                          
I/C: A Selwood, A.Hams, J.Cripps, B.Sheppard                 
EMG: J.Brennan, M.Brown, B.Dalziell  

NAB Cup Win Promising Or Fools Gold?

Great to see the Brisbane Lions give Carlton a nice little touch just before the start of the season proper. Both team's fielded strong line up's and both were missing key player's as well, but the point is does it bode well for the premiership season starting on Thursday night?
Hard to say last year's NAB Cup Grand Finalists were the Adelaide Crows (winners) and the West Coast Eagles. Both team's finished in the top 5, in 2011 Collingwood were the pre-season champion's with Essendon runners up, the Magpies eventually lost the main Grand final to Geelong whilst Essendon made the top 8 but were eliminated in week 1 of the final's.
So going by this Brisbane should be pushing for a final's birth this year after finishing 12th last year with 10 win's.
Watched the AFL Footy Show on Channel 9 the last 2 week's and Garry Lyon and Sam Newman both made a ladder prediction with both placing the Lion's to finish 13th.
Haven't finished with my ladder prediction yet but even though Brisbane was the only undefeated team in the NAB Cup and there is a lot to like about them at the moment 10th is about as high as I'm willing to put them at the moment (sorry Bill my old friend R.I.P miss you buddy) funny thing about footy and sport in general is that thing's rarely goes as predicted. 

Daniel Talia Wins NAB Rising Star

NAB AFL RISING STAR VOTES

Daniel Talia (Adelaide) 43
Jeremy Cameron (GWS) 35 
Mitch Wallis (Western Bulldogs) 19
Adam Treloar (GWS) 15
Steven Motlop (Geelong) 11 
Tom McDonald (Melbourne) 7 
Josh Caddy (Gold Coast) 3 
Stephen Coniglio (GWS) 2


Nice to see a key position player be awarded something of value as they often go unappreciated these days especially key defenders.
Daniel Talia week in week out competed and beat pretty much every opponent he encountered this in a team which finished second on the ladder and missed a Grand Final berth by 5 points.
Talia has relieved the pressure on Ben Rutten and given him a new lease of life knowing Talia can cover the number 1 big opposition forward.
Jeremy Cameron was a deserved runner up after winning GWS goal kicking and showing that within 2-3 years his pace, marking and precision left foot goal kicking should see him move into the elite category.