Training 2025 Pre-Season

[AFC979810]

I think you make a point with Carlton because we have a knack of beating them. Their midfield depth is very thin, especially on the outside and in that half forward goal kicker role.

Huh? What does us beating as a team twice over the last two years have to do with how the respective midfields stack up?
What a silly notion. I guess we were pretty close to a flag in 2024 because we played Brisbane twice and lost by 11 and had a draw.

In 2024 - we beat them for one reason and one reason only. We were insanely accurate. We kicked 16.4 to their 14.14 They beat us in clearances, inside 50's and scoring shots. This was without Cerra in their team and this was the game that our CBA's were #1 Soligo, #2 Rankine, #3 Crouch, #4 Dawson (our best 4 for 2025).

2023 was a weird one. Despite losing the clearances 42-37 - we smashed em in the centre (18 centre clearances to 12) with Laird, Dawson, Rachele,Sloane attending the most CBA's of our group. We lost stoppage clearances 30 to 19.

Carltons midfield group is damn good.

Melbourne though, they are clearly better. The only reason they might not have been in 2024 was injury (they still beat us at home anyway). Petracca would be our best player, Gawn is probably one of 2 or 3 actual game winning rucks, and Viney is better than our inside bulls. That's not even factoring in Clayton Oliver and the mystery of his fitness

Correct.

 

[1970crow]

Do you really believe that Sholl, Dawson, O’Brien, Crouch and Laird will be the top six in midfield time this year?

If yes, can we have a wager.
If they are I will disappear from Bigfooty forever (you can verify this by my email). If no, then you resign as a Moderator.

Is this some playful fun or an example of Mod-Trolling?

Swing and a miss, again. It’s pretty obvious he’s listed a midfield that we played a bit last year that looks like we’ve disbanded. But not too much, ROB, Crouch, Dawson and Sholl will absolutely begin the year as full time mids.

 

[1970crow]

By transitioning away from this set up I meant transitioning away from this set up. Apologies if it was too cryptic

Could you maybe dumb it down a bit further for us. Post like we’re 8 year olds.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Do you really believe that Sholl, Dawson, O’Brien, Crouch and Laird will be the top six in midfield time this year?

If yes, can we have a wager.
If they are I will disappear from Bigfooty forever (you can verify this by my email). If no, then you resign as a Moderator.

Is this some playful fun or an example of Mod-Trolling?

Of that list you do know Laird will most likely be the only one transitioning out.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Swing and a miss, again. It’s pretty obvious he’s listed a midfield that we played a bit last year that looks like we’ve disbanded. But not too much, ROB, Crouch, Dawson and Sholl will absolutely begin the year as full time mids.

Unless someone comes from the clouds we didnt expect and forces one out like an Edwards, other than reduced time, all will likely get midfield minutes in 2026.

 

[Cromulant]

Cerra is 25, has played 17+ games in 6 of 7 seasons. He is 9th for games played from his draft class with 129 games.

In 2023 - he played 22 games, finished 4th in their best and fairest. This hardly screams injury riddled.



Carlton's midfield is average? Thats a shocking take.

Their number 1 is a 4 time All Australian (2 time vice captain) and 2 time Brownlow Medal winner. Their #2 midfielder is a former #1 pick and rising star winner who in 2023 was voted best player in the finals that year.

They have George Hewett as their 4th midfielder and just added Jagga. Elijah Hollands is also building.

So 2 players are very good, and another spent most of last year injured. The rest are average.

Cool, thanks for reiterating my point

 

[FR0GGY]

Cerra is 25, has played 17+ games in 6 of 7 seasons. He is 9th for games played from his draft class with 129 games.

In 2023 - he played 22 games, finished 4th in their best and fairest. This hardly screams injury riddled.



Carlton's midfield is average? Thats a shocking take.

Their number 1 is a 4 time All Australian (2 time vice captain) and 2 time Brownlow Medal winner. Their #2 midfielder is a former #1 pick and rising star winner who in 2023 was voted best player in the finals that year.

They have George Hewett as their 4th midfielder and just added Jagga. Elijah Hollands is also building.

Still missed 4 games in 22, it’s been 5 years since he hasn’t missed a block of games

 

[Ciao Giacomo]

Swing and a miss, again. It’s pretty obvious he’s listed a midfield that we played a bit last year that looks like we’ve disbanded. But not too much, ROB, Crouch, Dawson and Sholl will absolutely begin the year as full time mids.

If we follow the lead of DATM then imho only Dawson and (sadly) ROB will be in our top six midfielders based on midfield minutes per games. My predicted top six for 2025 are Dawson, Soligo, Rankine, Peatling, Cumming and ROB. Recruiting ANB enables us to give Rankine more midfield time with Rachele, Keays and ANB our main small/medium forwards.

Our remaining midfield minutes will be shared amongst Crouch, Sholl, Curtin, Draper and Rachele. When injuries inevitably hit then Dowling, Berry, Taylor, Jones and Edwards will get a chance.

There is a difference between transitioning and transitioned.

It appears that Nicks has finally read Bigfooty and now agrees that playing Laird and Crouch together as our go to inside mids is not the best option. I believe that using Sholl and Jones as our go to outside mids is not our best option. Sholl deserves the first shot but it would not surprise me if he slips out of the team later his year. Similar story with Matty Crouch although imho many posters keep looking back to 2022 Crouch. Imho his form over the last two years despite some injury concerns has been good.

Finally referring to posters as 8 year olds does not improve the quality of the discussion but I guess direct or indirect vilification is just part of the territory for some BigFooty posters.

 

[Mostyn]

Cerra is 25, has played 17+ games in 6 of 7 seasons. He is 9th for games played from his draft class with 129 games.

In 2023 - he played 22 games, finished 4th in their best and fairest. This hardly screams injury riddled.



Carlton's midfield is average? Thats a shocking take.

Their number 1 is a 4 time All Australian (2 time vice captain) and 2 time Brownlow Medal winner. Their #2 midfielder is a former #1 pick and rising star winner who in 2023 was voted best player in the finals that year.

They have George Hewett as their 4th midfielder and just added Jagga. Elijah Hollands is also building.

How many soft tissue injuries has Cerra had in the last 12 months?

 

[FR0GGY]

Our remaining midfield minutes will be shared amongst Crouch.

I don’t get the logic of playing a 1 position player who will just get shared minutes, he’s either a mainstay or out of the team imo.

Finally referring to posters as 8 year olds does not improve the quality of the discussion but I guess direct or indirect vilification is just part of the territory for some BigFooty posters.

Like calling them (moderators no less) port supporters?

 

[AFC979810]

Still missed 4 games in 22, it’s been 5 years since he hasn’t missed a block of games

You play 17+ games in 6 of 7 seasons and you are only 25 years old - sounds fine to me.

 

[George Kramer]

I don’t get the logic of playing a 1 position player who will just get shared minutes, he’s either a mainstay or out of the team imo.



Like calling them (moderators no less) port supporters?

The irony. For a poster that has a history, odd path to go down.

 

[AFC979810]

How many soft tissue injuries has Cerra had in the last 12 months?

Assume you are willing to write off Cumming & TT as well?

Not really concerned. Sure had 1 injury interrupted season.

 

[FR0GGY]

Assume you are willing to write off Cumming & TT as well?

Not really concerned. Sure had 1 injury interrupted season.

Both are definitely a worry for sure.

 

[AFC979810]

So 2 players are very good, and another spent most of last year injured. The rest are average.

Cool, thanks for reiterating my point

You absolute weapon. Yeah Cerra only playing 13 games last year makes him average.

Cripps, Walsh, Cerra, Hewett, Jagga - terrible.

 

[AFC979810]

Both are definitely a worry for sure.

May as well be worried about every single player.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Were Sholl, Dawson, Jones, ROB, Laird and Crouch our top six midfielders in time per game in the second half of last season?

Also naming six (including two wingmen and our ruckman) could be seen as a little disingenuous. We typically rolled 8 or 9 players through the total “midfield” in the second half of the season. Laird was “transitioned” to the back lines. Jones was transitioned to the SANFL.

Berry stepped into Laird’s spot and Soligo was one of our first choice mids all season. Rankine was getting more midfield time but was restricted by suspension and injury. Curtin was also given some midfield time and Dowling replaced Jones on the wing. Taylor was also used predominantly in the midfield.

To suggest that by the end of last season our main midfield guys were ROB, Laird, Crouch, Jones, Dawson and Sholl (with a little help from Murphy) is either inaccurate or a little mischievous. We have now added Peatling, Cumming. ANB and Draper to the mix. If you check the “midfielders” from Bigman’s reports only 4 of the 7 players you mentioned feature in the probables this pre-season.

Now you may prefer to look back on previous seasons to make your point, and I agree that we kept Thommo in the midfield for a year or two too long, but things have changed and will change more this year.

I guess what some see as amusing tongue in cheek posting other may regard as Trolling.

P.S. JHF, Butters, Rozee, Wines and Drew are apparently training the house down.

I'm not sure that posting a commonly used Nicks midfield line up is being mischievous? Unless you think Nicks has been trolling Crows fans? Though that would actually help explain quite a few things

It's why that article has our midfield ranked 15th, it's why we've been so awful for years.

Sure, once finals were out of reach last season and Crouch was injured we saw some more players rotate through the middle. Very few fans would take any solace from this, surely?

I certainly don't. Though Laird training with the defenders according to bigman's training reports has perhaps been the highlight of the preseason. No reprieve, no do-over. One actual step forward. Assuming we stick to it.

Will it be an ANB for Murphy straight swap? Here's hoping. That would make two steps forward.

With the season back on the line and Crouch fit, will we go back to running four mids only through the centre square? Would be a step backwards. Maybe we don't and Rankine, Peatling, Taylor, Rachele, Pedlar, Draper...? all get time in there. Will believe it when I see it.

Now that Chayce Jones' injury is a distant memory, does he return to the first choice wing role he had in 2023? Returning to our halcyon days set up of 2023 would no doubt be enticing, but I'd regard this as a step backwards. Maybe Cumming slots in there?

ROB stays, Dawson stays, Crouch stays. All reasonable / very good / good players but there's no improvement in that group. They're all at their level.

So that leaves Soligo. Big tick and you'd think he's on the up as a player. Our one banker. Plus the following maybes which are on Nicks:

• how many mids to share our CBAs
• choice of wing
• does Murphy keep the high half forward role (and leadership position)

 

[Cromulant]

You absolute weapon. Yeah Cerra only playing 13 games last year makes him average.

Cripps, Walsh, Cerra, Hewett, Jagga - terrible.

Jagga hasnt played a game yet, Hewett is an inferior player to Dawson and Rankine and lets be honest... probably Soligo.

Thanks "weapon"

2nd day back at school today for you, go well big fella

 

[skam85]

Finally referring to posters as 8 year olds does not improve the quality of the discussion but I guess direct or indirect vilification is just part of the territory for some BigFooty posters.

Yes, direct and indirect vilification are part of the territory for some Bigfooty hypocrites posters

You really are a top bloke!

You are always so supportive of teams other than the Crows, well one team at least.

We’re loosing now.

Just like clockwork the Tools and Trolls arrive.

I have never questioned your postings and I doubt that I ever will.

There are however some other Bigfooty Mods ( and I am not referring to WW19) who imho constantly post negative comments. I have the impression that one of the Mods is a closet Pear supporter who takes every opportunity to troll genuine Crows supporters.

Just my impression.

 

[FR0GGY]

May as well be worried about every single player.

Well no.
Cumming has repeatedly had soft tissues and a big man with a knee injury that’s also reported to be degenerative is definitely a concern.

 

[Ciao Giacomo]

I don’t get the logic of playing a 1 position player who will just get shared minutes, he’s either a mainstay or out of the team imo.



Like calling them (moderators no less) port supporters?

Crouch has become a better midfielder by reducing his ToG and playing him in an inside mids mix with Dawson, Soligo or Rankine. Referring to the selection threads, hardly anyone was suggesting that he should be dropped prior to his injury. When he rather unexpectantly returned from injury for the last four matches in 2024 he was pretty solid. He is only 29 and should be at the peak of his powers. Imho he is not in our best 6 midfielders now and things could go either way in 2025.

Effective trolling does not mean making stuff up, it is taking a partial truth and then expanding it to a ridiculous level.

For example, saying that Nicksy will always select the most experienced players. Over the last couple of years we have given the lowest number of games to 100+ game players compared to all other teams. We have also given the most games to inexperienced players (less than 50 games). We have given Crouch long stretches in the SANFL, we are “transitioning” Brodie Smith etc. Nevertheless we have played a relatively high percentage of our 100+ game players (although a lower percentage than most other clubs) because we haven’t had a lot of them (this is slowly changing) and most of the ones we play are automatic selections.

I don’t understand why some posters enjoy look at most situations and try to paint them in the worst possible light (e.g. returning Crouch to the AFL in late 2023). I wonder about the fascination of this type of Trolling. I do wonder if some posters are closet Pear fans who get their kicks by stirring up resentment towards our club but I guess everyone has a different perspective.

 

[AFC979810]

Well no.
Cumming has repeatedly had soft tissues and a big man with a knee injury that’s also reported to be degenerative is definitely a concern.

Cumming played 24, 21, 20 games in the three seasons before being injured for 2024.

TT seems to be tracking alright.

 

[1970crow]

I don’t get the logic of playing a 1 position player who will just get shared minutes, he’s either a mainstay or out of the team imo.



Like calling them (moderators no less) port supporters?

Or every second post referring to the “TOOLS and TROLLS”.

 

[George Kramer]

Crouch has become a better midfielder by reducing his ToG and playing him in an inside mids mix with Dawson, Soligo or Rankine. Referring to the selection threads, hardly anyone was suggesting that he should be dropped prior to his injury. When he rather unexpectantly returned from injury for the last four matches in 2024 he was pretty solid. He is only 29 and should be at the peak of his powers. Imho he is not in our best 6 midfielders now and things could go either way in 2025.

Effective trolling does not mean making stuff up, it is taking a partial truth and then expanding it to a ridiculous level.

For example, saying that Nicksy will always select the most experienced players. Over the last couple of years we have given the lowest number of games to 100+ game players compared to all other teams. We have also given the most games to inexperienced players (less than 50 games). We have given Crouch long stretches in the SANFL, we are “transitioning” Brodie Smith etc. Nevertheless we have played a relatively high percentage of our 100+ game players (although a lower percentage than most other clubs) because we haven’t had a lot of them (this is slowly changing) and most of the ones we play are automatic selections.

I don’t understand why some posters enjoy look at most situations and try to paint them in the worst possible light (e.g. returning Crouch to the AFL in late 2023). I wonder about the fascination of this type of Trolling. I do wonder if some posters are closet Pear fans who get their kicks by stirring up resentment towards our club but I guess everyone has a different perspective.

You know you’ve actually admitted to trolling right?

 

[AFC979810]

Jagga hasnt played a game yet, Hewett is an inferior player to Dawson and Rankine and lets be honest... probably Soligo.

Thanks "weapon"

2nd day back at school today for you, go well big fella

Of course Hewett is an inferior player to our 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice of midfielders. He is also Carltons 4th best midfielder.

Cripps, Walsh, Cerra is better than anything we can put on the park.