Following both sides hitting the winners’ list in Round Three by defeating their same-state combatants, the Crows and the Dockers went to war at Adelaide Oval. At the same venue in Round One last year, it was Heath Chapman’s Maradona impersonation that got the four points for the Dockers. Would the Purple Haze rise above again or would it be the chaotic Crows who run amok? In three previous meetings for these coaches, Justin Longmuir holds sway 3-0 over Matthew Nicks … would JL make it four from four or can Nicks rally his troops and move away from that goose egg? Here’s how things transpired.
Front-Half Efficiency
It was a battle of competing styles in the first half of this match. The Dockers were trying to be methodical and controlled in handling the footy – something that had brought them unstuck in the opening two rounds of the season – while the Crows brought the intensity and the chaos.
As a result of Fremantle using the ball in a slow manner, they were able to get a lot of the ball in their front half early, but they couldn’t capitalise because of the Crows getting their players behind the ball and then counter-attacking. In the first quarter, the Crows were scoring on almost every F50 entry, while the Dockers were only kicking a goal at about 11% of entries early.
These numbers became a bit more diluted as the game went on and did force a change in style for the Dockers, but they still couldn’t turn field position dominance (start of the third quarter) into goals or even scores. The Crows, on the other hand, maintained a ridiculous pressure rating which resulted in them scoring upwards of 40 points from forward-half turnovers.
The Crows had more options going forward, while the Dockers just couldn’t get synergy with their main attacking options. The Crows shared the load, and while it was some of the smaller Fremantle forwards that impacted the scoreboard for them, their talls struggled to capitalise on the height and size differential that was in their favour. The Dockers could do with a rethink of their forward structure to maximise their scoring options.
Rankine Watch
Arguably the hottest small forward in the game at the moment, Izak Rankine has tongues wagging amongst the Adelaide faithful. He had his moments today kicking 3.2 from 15 touches. Brandon Walker spent most of the day on him, and did a serviceable job – even spreading on occasions to move the Dockers forward. However, every time the Crows recruit went near the ball, you could feel the excitement (even through the TV) and could see that something was going to happen.
The Crows have been blessed with some entertaining small forwards in recent years (namely Eddie Betts) and they now have a new source of entertainment that will win them games off his own boot.
The Purple Haze
Fremantle look so much better when they put speed on the ball. There were times when Brandon Walker opted to take the game on from the back half and it led to the Dockers spreading the Crows’ defence and getting some good looks inside 50. The likes of Lachie Schultz, Bailey Banfield, and Sam Switkowski all offer some flair, some dare, and speed on various lines.
When these guys, along with Hayden Young, Jordan Clark, and Liam Henry really get going, the Purple Haze can overwhelm teams. We haven’t seen it enough so far in 2023 – and perhaps it’s to try and not get hurt on turnover as much – but if they go too slow, they will rob themselves of opportunities to put pressure back on their opposition and to score.
When they do play with some more chaos, they are fun to watch. We saw moments, albeit fleeting ones, for them today. As a Cats fan, Freo have caused us issues on many occasions, but when this iteration of the side gets going, they are fun to watch. Here’s to a bit more offence from the Dockers and finding synergy in their forward half – namely from Jye Amiss and Matt Taberner.
Midfield Movers
This was a heavyweight title fight at times. The Dockers had the ascendancy in the ruck – Sean Darcy was immense with 17 disposals, 4 clearances, and 38 hitouts – and around stoppages. Their top three clearance winners (Serong with 10, O’Meara with 9, and Brayshaw with 5) won more clearances that the Crows top three of Dawson (5), O’Brien (5), and Sloane (4).
The midfield battle led, at times, to field position dominance, however, it was the effectiveness in which the midfielders could spread and impact the scoreboard that separated the two teams.
Serong backed up his Derby medal with match-highs in contested possessions (16), centre clearances (6), clearances (10) and tackles (7 – shared with Andy Brayshaw) and controversially awarded Showdown medallist Jordan Dawson was best on ground, operating at 96% disposal efficiency from his 27 disposals. These two were the sides best players and were instrumental in moments of momentum for their team. They did the hard things, they had polish, and they brought their teammates into the game.
On the outside, the Crows runners had tremendous impact. The wingers pushed deep into defence, and then got involved in transition as well. The separating factor was the balance across the Crows’ side in comparison to the balance with the Dockers. There’s a lot to be excited about for Crows fans and the bones are there for the Dockers, with star power behind and around the ball, just needing consistency with their forwards.
From the Viewing Gallery
Tom Doedee had a remarkable defensive act in the last quarter, as the Dockers were surging. Wrestling with his opponent, and being pulled away from the ball, he threw out a leg and landed a scorpion kick on the goal line to prevent a goal (coincidentally, the same place on the ground as Heath Chapman in R1 for the corresponding fixture last year).
Nick Murray came up clutch on numerous occasions late, with some telling intercept marks. He continues to grow as an AFL footballer, and when Jordon Butts was subbed out, he led the Crows’ defensive line well.
I’ve previously mentioned Caleb Serong, but his output today was very good. He made sure the Dockers stayed in the contest when it looked like the Crows would overrun the Dockers.
Max Michalanney, in game number four, had the unenviable task of minding Michael Walters for much of the day. The young Crow led all players with 10 intercept possessions, and kept Walters to two touches in first half. After being almost snapped in half last week, the kid showed his durability, courage, and skill throughout the day today.
Brandon Walker adds something to the Dockers. It’s odd to me he doesn’t play every week. Sure, his output as a pure defender might not be spectacular, week in, week out, but his dash and willingness to take the game on makes the Dockers look a better side.
The same can be said for Bailey Banfield. Often the 23rd man (the sub) Banfield started the game and kept the Dockers in it early, with two first quarter goals. He finds space and uses the ball pretty well. It’d be great to see him get a good run at it for Dockers fans, otherwise he could be one other club’s radar.
Ned McHenry returned to the Crows team today and had the most score involvements (10) of all players. He was involved in everything for the Crows, and his courage and spread add an extra layer to the small forwards/high half-forwards of the Crows.
Riley Th(r)illthorpe kicked a great goal in Q4 where he out-manoeuvred two more spritely opponents. Just a reminder of the skill he possesses for a bloke his size.
A shout out to Ethan Hughes who today scored his first goal since R11, 2019.
The Crows got the chocolates today, as their frenetic intensity and pressure overwhelmed the Purple Haze. They move to 2-2 and look ahead to Thursday night as the open Gather Round at Adelaide Oval against the undefeated Blues (minus Harry McKay if his one-match suspension is not overturned) in a mouth-watering contest. In contrast, the 1-3 Dockers head to Norwood Oval in the early Friday night game against the Suns.
Make sure you subscribe/follow the Mongrel Punt for reviews on those games to see if the Dockers can respond and if the Crows can maintain the rage.
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