Adelaide Crows: Dream Team Preview

This is the first of our submitted Club Dream Team Previews. Thanks to James for sending this one in! You will receive a stubby holder and if your article is one of the two that gets the most Facebook “Likes’ (just above this blurb), you’ll get yourself an AFL Prospectus! Read on!

Byes: Rounds 2 and 16 (16 is a no league games round)

Departures: Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod, Tyson Edwards, Brett Burton, Nathan Bock, Jonathon Griffen and Trent Henschel.

Arrivals: Richard Tambling, Sam Jacobs, Brodie Smith, Ian Callinan.

Crystal Ball: The Crows have lost over 1000 games of experience and some quality players, which can only be good for one thing. Dreamteam. Watch out for crow’s players to step up and fill the void left by some of Adelaide’s greatest players and great dreamteam point gatherers. There is sure to be plenty of dt meat in the crows list and I’m going to find it for you!

Defenders

The departure of Bock, Goodwin and McLeod from the back half will mean players like Otten, Johncock, Symes should all increase there dreamteam output and young key position backmen like Talia and Shaw should hold down a spot make vacant by Bock and be worthy of bench selection as a juicy juicy cash cow.

Johncock– had his highest averaging DT season in 2010 and seems primed to go even further next year. He scores his best in the absence of Bock when he is rebounding from the Adelaide backline. Will Johncock thrive with his newfound responsibility? I think he will be the number one man coming out of the crow’s backline this season. He will lead the young crows back half and score heavily

Symes– Averaged 85 in 2010 but again the talented crow could only manage 11 games. He has struggled with injury through out his career. He might be a risky selection but he will get midfield time in the absence of Goodwin, McLeod, and Edwards. There is potential for him to increase is average in 2011, but is his durability too greater of a concern. He would be a unique selection. You’ve got to risk it to get the biscuit.

Otten– Will be one of the most selected players in 2011 and will get midfield time. Comes with a discounted price following missing the entire 2010 season with a knee injury. Played all games in 2009 for an average of 68 playing as a third tall in defense. Was drafted as a midfielder and should return there in 2011. Beau Waters anyone?

Talia– Dual Position with back/fwds. This will be Talia’s second year in the afl system and is reportedly traveling well in his second preseason and has added 5kg to his frame. Looks likely to get games playing tall down back and would be a solid pick up for your bench. Looks to have good job security. Can win his own ball, might be a good pick up to put in the cash cow paddock!

Shaw– Not many would of heard of Sam Shaw, taken pick 45 in 2009 draft, he can play tall or small gets plenty of the ball and has considerable speed and agility, sounds like rebounding halfback to me. Has added some weight to his frame, during his time at the crows watch his NAB cup.

Midfielders

Again plenty of value in the crow’s midfield, with the exception of Thompson most seems to come with an abundance of risk. Vince, Tambling and Mackay could prove car winning bargains in 2011.

Vince– Had a massive breakout season in 2009 where he announced himself as one of the premier midfielders of the competition increasing his DT average by 24 to 100. Battled with injuries in 2010 as well as copping the dreaded tag and struggled averaging only 85. He will be expected to stand up in 2011, will come cheap for someone who can pump out consistent 100’s. Has had an injury-riddled preseason, if he fires in the Nab cup, Jump on!

Mackay– Slight outside midfielder with pace to burn. Priced cheaply at $267k he will enter his 5^th AFL season. A breakout year looms following the departures of the crow’s big guns. The new interchange rule should suit his endurance running, he should get greater game time and greater numbers.

Tambling– Capable of averaging 90 and with his price at $237k he is as tasty as a Relton Roberts sandwich. Taken with pick 4 in 2004 so he has some ability Will his new club cause for a great increase in his DT scoring? only time will tell, but generally traded players can be worthwhile pick ups. I think Tambling will increase is scoring in the crows midfield or across halfback.

Smith– Adelaide’s first round draft pick in 2010. Smith starred in the NAB AFL U18 Championships with All Australian honours, and averaged 22 disposals, five clearances and six inside 50s. The crows have lost a lot of player’s looks a ready made player and should play early. Priced at $108k he could be a good cash cow, as with all rookies watch his nab cup.

Callinan– Another mature age rookie, 27 years of age and has dominated in the SANFL as a rover, has been likened to Brent Harvey but without the pace, can go forward and kick a goal. Priced at $80k and his dual position mid/fwd. Another Barlow/Podsiadly story?

Rucks

Many coaches may go for the Tippet/Petrie Fwd/Ruck link. Tippet can pluck a mark and kick a goal, but I fear the crows may struggle again in 2011 and with limited supply to the front half, Tippets scores may again be lean in 2011. Sam Jacobs comes in search of greater opportunities can he take Maric’s number one spot? Don’t think there is any reason to take a crow’s ruckmen in 2011, look elsewhere.lol jk. How about Sandilands and Petrie.

Forwards

Again plenty of value in some crows forwards, Knights will be a popular selection. Dangerfield might tease us again? Shaun Mckernan looks likely to be best 22 showing excellent signs in the Pre-season.

Knights– Played only 5 games in 2010 and is heavily discounted at 221k, averaged 85, 83 and 88 in 2009, 08 and 07. He’s a Jet and should get midfield time in 2011, he will be one of the top 10 scoring forwards by seasons end. We all love cheapies that become keepers. Lock and Load!

Dangerfield-Was a popular topic of Dream Team preseason this time last year, although haven’t heard his name being bantered around this year. His 4^th year in the system, he is a star, but many are thinking that perhaps he is not going to be a dreamteam gun. He doesn’t look like he has the tank to play midfield, if this is the case stay away, he might not get much ball in the front half again this year. $276k averaged 66 in 2010. Jump on if he improves his tank preseason and is set to play predominantly midfield.

McKernan– Played only one game in 2009 and suffered a broken arm. Is flying in preseason and looks likely to get games in 2011. This is what we love cheap rookies with high job security, $97k you cant go wrong. Dual position Fwd/Back. Has been described as having ‘midfield range’ qualities by assistant coach Matthew Clarke, McKernan has added to his frame, 100kg, 196cm key position player running like a midfielder, sounds too good to be true!

With the departure of so many players and dt sluts from the Crows team, there is plenty of players who are capable of picking up the slack and becoming valuable mid priced pick ups, cash cows or under priced premiums. Remember you’ve got to risk it to get the biscuit. Happy Dream Teaming and goodluck!