Usually when someone matches up against the bottom side on the ladder, you look at it and pencil it in as a sure victory. However, if that last few years have proven anything, it’s that nothing is a given in the AFL.
Yes, the Adelaide Crows are pretty much the year 2020 in an AFL side, and worse still, they haven’t won a game yet this year. But I’ve haven’t been confident about these sort of games in a long while. Last year the Dogs lost the very winnable one all too often: Carlton, St. Kilda, Fremantle and the Gold Coast. Those are the wins that they need to nail to make the next jump.
So far, they have beaten two teams that sit in the bottom five rather comfortably. The other three (including Adelaide), they have yet to face this season, so there is that in the Bulldogs’ favour.
Nonetheless, It’s a must-win for the Western Bulldogs as they look to stay in touch with the top eight. The Bulldogs have lost their past three games, albeit against very good opposition on much shorter breaks. Now that they have had over a week’s rest, it’s back to action!
With all that said, I’ve compiled a quick list of things to look out for in tomorrow’s contest.
Matt Crouch – Where Is He At?
Last time the Bulldogs met the Crows, it was this man that was running a one-man show in Adelaide colours. 47 disposals, eight clearances and seven marks in a phenomenal effort in a side that got beaten from pillar to post from essentially from the first bounce.
This year has been a bit of a mixed bag for him. Despite averaging numbers of 25.2 disposals, 4.3 clearances and 3.4 tackles in shortened minutes, Crouch was dropped earlier in the season and has had games where he actually hasn’t been as impactful in games as he has been in recent years .
In Adelaide games that I have watched this season, there have been instances where he hasn’t been accountable for his man around the stoppages, which might partially explain why Matthew Nicks dropped him earlier in the season. So getting first use to the footy around the centre bounce and the stoppages around the ground is vital for the Dogs. Jack Macrae is in form and Josh Dunkley is only just starting to play himself into form again, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens in the middle.
Whilst We're On Adelaide’s Midfield…
One player that has caught my eye in recent weeks is Rory Laird. Now I’ve been a huge fan of his over the past few years as a rebounding half-back flanker. He’s so smart with the footy and he always knows where to be when the Crows need to generate some off run out of defence.
I will say that the past 12 months have seen Laird impact less in games, but he still managed to average over 28 touches a game if you can believe that. This year, his form has dipped tremendously, but over the last few weeks he’s seemed to be involved in more centre bounces.
Over the past month he’s averaging 25 disposals, 5.5 tackles and 4.7 clearances per game. This includes a 37 possession, 10 clearance, six inside 50 and nine tackle game against Collingwood – for someone that is billed as 177cm, that’s enormous. I think he is the man that looms as Adelaide’s most dangerous player in the middle for this game.
The Bulldogs’ Test In Defence
For better or worse in 2020, the one thing that will sit with me as a huge tick is the defence. At it’s best, it’s quite hard to get past. It’s conceded some low scores this week, and that attributes to some of players better suited in the air. Hayden Crozier is an elite intercept, Cordy is a good third-man up, Alex Keath is good and Bailey Williams is capable of a good intercept mark as well.
Unfortunately, Crozier and his toe is still another week away, and Zaine Cordy will miss this week with a crook back. Jason Johannisen also misses this week with an ankle, and as much of a turnover merchant he’s been with the footy in recent weeks, he still provides decent run through the half-back line and that will need to be covered big time this week.
It’s a huge test for the defence this week, regardless of the opposition. It will probably mean Ryan Gardner will probably hold his spot, much to the disappointment of many. What’s Lewis Young up to? Surely it’s time he gets another run at it. Also, I would love to see Louis Butler get another crack, I think he’s got a good future and a good chance to play himself back into some form.
Lachie’s Big Stand
Lachie Hunter has had himself a 2020 he’d probably want to forget let’s be honest here. However, the latest twist to his tale this season has had him linked to a move up to Brisbane at the end of the season, despite actually being contracted until 2024 – funny stuff that.
He hasn’t played since round seven, but everyone knows how he can play. He’s a handy link-up running player and actually covers the ground better than most. The last game he played before he took time off to look after his mental health saw him pick up 26 disposals, four rebound 50s and five tackles in a good showing against Essendon.
If anyone needs a big week for his own good, it’s Lachie. I’ve been a bit of a critic of his since the premiership. I've lamented about how he half-asses a contest and sells team mates into trouble with possessions that look too cute by half. I really am wanting him to play footy and enjoy it.
Adelaide’s Kids
It’s not a secret that Matthew Nicks and the Adelaide Crows are playing more of the kids, and that’s a big reason why they haven’t won a game this year. Because a lot of them are still very raw and inexperienced.
Reilly O’Brien has been a good find in the ruck, Ned McHenry is a little mongrel that gives own every week, even though he’s being managed this week. Shane McAdam and Tyson Stengle have looked lively in recent weeks, Elliott Himmelberg has showed some strong hands in recent weeks and Fischer McAsey gets thrown to the wolves most weeks as a key back, but I think he’ll be better off for it in the long run.
And then there are some of the lesser names that I think people will not have heard of, but having seen their last few weeks, could be handy players for them come their next tilt. Andrew McPherson looks like he’ll be a handy running player, likewise Lachie Sholl. Harry Schoenberg looks a likely lad in the middle and before he was knocked out by Alex Neal-Bullen, Will Hamill was producing some capable footy as well.
They’ve got a future the Crows – however it may be a few seasons before they start to hit their straps again.
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