Nice work. I'm a rare commodity in football: a crows fan who rates Nicks. The comments by Dunstall et al in their 2019 review, that the crows were set for a "dramatic 2020 revival" and could compete for finals immediately, look laughable in hindsight. The list was cactus when Nicks took over. The rebuild took ages and Nick seems to be holding them together nicely.
I agree we need to make finals this year and I reckon we will if injuries don't get in the way. I also acknowledge that I may look stupid in a few months.
Yes, you are rare. But I don't wholly disagree. The club was on its knees after 2019 – exhausted, bedraggled, embittered. Credit to Nicks for turning that around. It (mostly) seems like a really good place to be now. So big tick from me on the "culture" stuff. What I'm not convinced by is whether he has the tactical acumen to take a competitive list and make a very good side out of it. In hindsight, Adelaide were carried by Walker (and Dawson, to a lesser extent) in 2023 and that was unsustainable. But 2024 was a fairly alarming regression. It feels like finals or bust.
Great analysis of the crows. They dont have a bad sanfl back up team as well - virtually every spot in the A's covered by someone of reasonable ability through to very competent in the B team. Off field, getting Murray Davis over from the Lions as coaching director , and having a little of Neil Balmes influence around the club are both good moves. I am expecting the Crows to be a what too you so long surprise packet (oxymoron intended) for 2025!
Thanks for reading, Pete! I agree, there are reasons for optimism. It was a great off-season. Will keep the lid firmly affixed until the Crows can do it when it matters.
Nice work. I'm a rare commodity in football: a crows fan who rates Nicks. The comments by Dunstall et al in their 2019 review, that the crows were set for a "dramatic 2020 revival" and could compete for finals immediately, look laughable in hindsight. The list was cactus when Nicks took over. The rebuild took ages and Nick seems to be holding them together nicely.
I agree we need to make finals this year and I reckon we will if injuries don't get in the way. I also acknowledge that I may look stupid in a few months.
Thanks, Sam. Appreciate it.
Yes, you are rare. But I don't wholly disagree. The club was on its knees after 2019 – exhausted, bedraggled, embittered. Credit to Nicks for turning that around. It (mostly) seems like a really good place to be now. So big tick from me on the "culture" stuff. What I'm not convinced by is whether he has the tactical acumen to take a competitive list and make a very good side out of it. In hindsight, Adelaide were carried by Walker (and Dawson, to a lesser extent) in 2023 and that was unsustainable. But 2024 was a fairly alarming regression. It feels like finals or bust.
Great analysis of the crows. They dont have a bad sanfl back up team as well - virtually every spot in the A's covered by someone of reasonable ability through to very competent in the B team. Off field, getting Murray Davis over from the Lions as coaching director , and having a little of Neil Balmes influence around the club are both good moves. I am expecting the Crows to be a what too you so long surprise packet (oxymoron intended) for 2025!
Thanks for reading, Pete! I agree, there are reasons for optimism. It was a great off-season. Will keep the lid firmly affixed until the Crows can do it when it matters.
Great detailed summation, I agree, must make the 8 & win a final
Thanks for reading, Neil! Yep, agree - winning a final needs to be the goal. The Crows have been in purgatory for far too long.