Media Watch
There are no facts to support the idea Don Pyke is keeping something in reserve
The Advertiser, Michelangelo Rucci
June 6
DON Pyke was keeping a secret on Friday night. So many Adelaide fans are living in hope with this intriguing thought of the Crows coach’s work at Kardinia Park.
They are firmer believers of this theory on hearing Crows captain Taylor Walker say: “Next time we play (Geelong), I am confident you will see the difference.”
There it is. Apparently, Pyke was holding back a new theme for the Cats at Kardinia Park on Friday because the return bout is just seven weeks away at Adelaide Oval on July 21 in another Friday night blockbuster.
David King says Adelaide’s loss to Geelong was just a speed bump
The Advertiser, Jesper Fleldstad
June 7
DUAL North Melbourne premiership player David King says the criticism of the Crows has been an over-reaction and still considers the club a genuine premiership threat.
King, who now works as a commentator, said the loss to Geelong at Kardinia Park was expected and considered it no more than a bump in the road.
It had thrown up a few lessons for Adelaide but should not remove them from premiership calculations.
“Don’t worry about the Crows,” King said on RadioTAB this morning. “The Crows are fine.”
“I’m telling you: this is just a speed bump that happens through the course of the season.
Who can give Crows hard edge?
The Advertiser, Mark Bickley
June 6
The Crows, after Friday night’s effort, look unlikely to be serious contenders come finals time unless they can find some grunt and aggression when opposition teams turn up the heat, particularly in the midfield.
What we have seen this year is Adelaide’s ability to comfortably handle matches against teams who can’t sustain intense pressure for four quarters.
In fact, when the Crows win the contested ball count there is no better team with ball in hand. Allowed time and space, their ball movement is spectacular.
Therein lies the problem — time and space in tight games, including finals, are very rare.
So now, as a group, Taylor Walker and his men need to show some grit, and prove to the outside world they have another element to their game that will allow them to compete come September — and they have four weeks to get it right.
Medical Report
Troy Menzel (corked quad) Test
Paul Seedsman (groin) 1-2 weeks
Mitch McGovern (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Curtly Hampton (ankle) 12 weeks
Ben Davis (foot) indefinite
Cam Ellis-Yolmen (knee) season
Fresh Faces
Former Boomers basketballer and NBA aspirant Hugh Greenwood has capped off a remarkable transition in the last month by firstly breaking through for a debut and then producing three eye-catching efforts first up. The athletic midfielder-forward kicked three goals against Brisbane on debut and has made an impact around the stoppages with his contested ball work and appetite for the contest. From three appearances, Greenwood is averaging 8.7 tackles (No. 3 in the AFL), on the back of 11 against Geelong last Friday night.
Star
After earning All-Australian selection across the last two seasons, Eddie Betts – the game’s best small forward – has burst out of the blocks again in 2017. This time, he already has 32 goals next to his name – two off Coleman Medal leaders Josh Kennedy and Jeremy Cameron. Betts has kicked three or more goals in eight of the first 11 games this season, including a bag of six against Essendon in Round 4. Saints Captain Jarryn Geary held him to just one goal and next to no impact in the corresponding fixture last year so look out for this match-up again on Friday night.
Stats that matter
Don Pyke’s forward line is ranked No. 1 in the AFL for points for (119.5), goals per inside 50 (29.7 per cent) and scores per inside 50 (52.8 per cent), led by Eddie Betts (32.12), captain Taylor Walker (28.17) and Charlie Cameron (18.12).
Team
