Game Day Gold Coast v Adelaide Crows, People First Stadium, Gold Coast. Saturday, 5th of April, 2025. 12.20pm their time; 12.50pm Adelaide time.

[Thylacinus]

Big test for the Crows today, and an even bigger game for Nicks following the controversial selection of Murphy. The weather looks like it will be fine and warm, with only a slight chance of a shower and a top of 28 degrees. Draining weather, particularly as the Crows to play in the heat of the day. Two forced changes, with Murphy and Nankervis coming into the 23 for Rachele and Crouch. Perhaps the biggest controversy may end up being not including Jordon Butts if the dangerous 202cm Ben King mauls us. Both midfields are very quick, particularly with Draper in for Crouch. Gold Coast away and in good form is a tough assignment and a real test for us. This could go either way. I will back the Adelaide Crows in who have been methodical to date. Matthew Nicks should be sweating today from more than just the Gold Coast humid heat. Lose, and the Adelaide Crows’ supporters selection knives will certainly be turned on him, calling for his omission.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Looking forward to seeing how our midfield fares against a strong group. Feels like we've improved, good test today

 

[Crows I Am]

Feels like our first real test today. I think today will tell us a lot about where we are at this year.Win this one and I think we will be right up there. Gold Coast have improved a lot too and will be tough to beat.

I think it will be close but I think the Suns will win by 2-3 goals.

 

[Milo Cyrus]

Anyone have any info on Dawson's calf strapping from last week?

 

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[FR0GGY]

Can only remember us from this year, can only remember them from previous years. 10 goal win again.

 

[davos44]

Might be a weird take but I do hope Murphy plays well today.
It appears he spent a lot more time in the midfield this preseason and he always seem to fit the "in and under" type of midfielder. We don't want the bloke who crashes into his own players while trying to take a mark.


Drapers first full game, lets hope he gets a few more midfield minutes, especially against the Suns midfield.

Curtin is growing as a player before our eyes, I'm looking forward to more. I was a bit unsure about him but he has been good against the Dons and Roos. That chase down tackle with the acceleration in the Roos game was exciting.

The first 2 games of the round have been absolutely awful so far, lets give the football public something good to watch.

Looks like no rain is forecast any longer but it will be humid, we have spent the first 3 weeks in the sun so we should be okay.

 

[CrowBloke]

Not all equations have answers.
+Nankervis + 3wins + form - Away - (humid+28C) - (Murray+Rachele+Crouch out) - (Rowell +Suns midfield) - Murphy IN - Nicks
= effed if I know.

I'd love us to win this one; just can't see it. Suns by 26 points .

Then a post-heat-drained 5-day break to Geelong at home; 3-2 is looking likely. Hope I'm wrong!

 

[pjcrows]

Win and we're probably the real deal. Lose and we're still in that "What are we? phase, which is where I think we are still, with question marks on coaching.

Looking forward to see to be honest.

 

[CrowBloke]

We don't want the bloke who crashes into his own players while trying to take a mark.

He won't be able to help himself, betcha.

Looks like no rain is forecast any longer but it will be humid, we have spent the first 3 weeks in the sun so we should be okay.

Good point, actually, but the travel and enervating humidity might tell in the final quarter.

 

[John Who]

Has anyone even considered Murphy might be the sub fella? Nank and Milera likely rotating between HBF and wing. I would like to see Milera being tried in the midfield in short stints, worth a look.

Hopefully we’ll see plenty of goals with these 2 teams currently having the highest percentages. Would be nice if we can get 100+ again and get around 30 scoring shots, because I’m an addict for scoring shots!

Crows by 3 goals, but likely Suns by 3 goals. Therefore it’ll be a draw.

 

[CrowBloke]

Crows by 3 goals, but likely Suns by 3 goals. Therefore it’ll be a draw.

Heart vs Head?

 

[1970crow]

What is hilarious about the selection of Murphy and further proof that Kelly is an imbecile, is that 100+ games of Murphy being sub-average were overrided by a single game as an SANFL midfielder.

Anyway, if we win, it'll be a very good effort. I reckon Suns are on their way to finals or very close to, so an away win would be a big result. I think they'll account for most sides at home this year.

 

[Cromulant]

First big test of the season.

Haven't beaten them away in a while, either in Darwin or Queensland and Hardwick has them up and about albeit against ordinary opposition. Neither side really knows quite where they are at.

Need our midfield to lift, and no Crouch is a big blow. If we can break even in there then I'll back our forwards to kick a bigger score than them.

Crows by 18

 

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[1970crow]

Has anyone even considered Murphy might be the sub fella? Nank and Milera likely rotating between HBF and wing. I would like to see Milera being tried in the midfield in short stints, worth a look.

Hopefully we’ll see plenty of goals with these 2 teams currently having the highest percentages. Would be nice if we can get 100+ again and get around 30 scoring shots, because I’m an addict for scoring shots!

Crows by 3 goals, but likely Suns by 3 goals. Therefore it’ll be a draw.

If you'd read the selection thread you'd know that people had considered Murphy as sub. But what you're suggesting is that we're adding a player to the wing/half back rotations and losing one from the forward/mid rotations. You're a highly regarded student of the game, does that seem like a smart structural change?

 

[Crow till I die]

I want to see thilthorpe kick 5 goals or more today, not because i am expecting him too, but that if he does against their defence, it will put the fear of god into the rest of the comp. I also think that we might find out today that we really are the real deal

 

[feenix67]

What is hilarious about the selection of Murphy and further proof that Kelly is an imbecile, is that 100+ games of Murphy being sub-average were overrided by a single game as an SANFL midfielder.

Anyway, if we win, it'll be a very good effort. I reckon Suns are on their way to finals or very close to, so an away win would be a big result. I think they'll account for most sides at home this year.

I think there's some method to the madness. I reckon we will see a lot of Murphy around stoppage as an extra. One of Nicks' favourite tactics but hasnt used it much so far. Suns are #1 for scores from stoppage this year so I reckon he will want Murphy and ANB to play high and be the extra at stoppage around wing. I doubt Murphy will be playing the same role Rachele was.

 

[dogs105]

Crows by 117 points

 

[1970crow]

I think there's some method to the madness. I reckon we will see a lot of Murphy around stoppage as an extra. One of Nicks' favourite tactics but hasnt used it much so far. Suns are #1 for scores from stoppage this year so I reckon he will want Murphy and ANB to play high and be the extra at stoppage around wing. I doubt Murphy will be playing the same role Rachele was.

That's the successful strategy that then limits our offensive transition that we've deployed the last few years. With it comes all the lovely sideways stuff.

 

[Scorpus]

I think there's some method to the madness. I reckon we will see a lot of Murphy around stoppage as an extra. One of Nicks' favourite tactics but hasnt used it much so far. Suns are #1 for scores from stoppage this year so I reckon he will want Murphy and ANB to play high and be the extra at stoppage around wing. I doubt Murphy will be playing the same role Rachele was.

Has this strategy ever worked?

It usually means we have an ineffective player floating around stoppage while we let the opposition run wild with a spare in defence or a kick behind play

 

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[feenix67]

Has this strategy ever worked?

It usually means we have an ineffective player floating around stoppage while we let the opposition run wild with a spare in defence or a kick behind play

I think we will sit back this week. We are #1 scores from turnover. Suns love to run ahead of the ball from stoppages but can be prone to coughing it up. I reckon we try to make their stoppage exits dirty and get them on the rebound.

It's a reasonable strategy (assuming thats what they plan to do).

 

[Peter Doherty]

We need to start well and quieten the crowd.

If they kick early goals he'll be up and about early.

 

[Trigger13]

Negative Nancy here.

We ain’t winning this. About to get an absolute lesson from their midfield.

But, my prediction is we’ll learn from it, understand what the level required is and will hold us in good stead.

I suspect we are a good footy side. But not quite the finished product. And our ‘OUTS’ hurt too.

Prove me wrong Nicks.

 

[BunjiMC]

Win this and we are real contender. Lose and we get a reality check.

 

[Crow-eater]

GC are a much better side at home. Even if we lose today, it's not an indictment on our season. Unless of course we get done by 10 goals. I think a ~3 goal loss still holds us in good stead for the season.

Win and the lid is in the stratosphere.

 

[GreyCrow]

Crows X 20

Scrappy affair won by our forwards