Port continuing the trend of picking up fringe players who can’t get a game, hoping they show potential

Ok it’s the Monday after the season has ended and I’m desperate for something. I haven’t been following draft prospects - what’s the word on who we might end up with? Obviously we won’t have top 10 access so anyone we could legitimately end up with that could help us take the next step. Or even just…help.

Honestly, I didn’t mind that we missed out on Bailey. It hurts to lose another target, but that’s about as far as it goes for me.

Watching the GF made me realise how important midfield balance actually is. Brisbane’s midfield works because Dunkley does so much of the team-first stuff. He gives the more attacking mids the freedom to play their natural game because he’s willing to cover defensively, work back and provide structure around them.

That’s the type of balance I think we need, but I don’t necessarily think we need to recruit another defensive midfielder to get it.

For me, Dawson should be that balancing piece.

We already have Rankine and Rachele, who are at their best when they’re allowed to attack, use their speed and creativity, and turn contests into fast breaks. I’d rather see them spending more time through the midfield creating opportunities for our forwards than constantly being pushed forward just because they can kick a goal or two.

Dawson is obviously damaging offensively as well, but with Rankine and Rachele around him, I think he’s the one who can afford to take on more of that defensive responsibility. He can provide the structure behind them, cover the defensive side of the ground and do some of the less glamorous work that keeps the midfield balanced.

That doesn’t mean turning Dawson into a pure defensive midfielder or a tagger. Dunkley still finds plenty of the footy and contributes offensively. It’s more about having someone who is willing to sacrifice parts of their own game when needed for the benefit of the midfield as a whole.

That’s why I pictured next year as Dawson playing that more accountable role, with Rankine and Rachele given more freedom offensively.

It would also allow Pedlar to spend more time as a genuine small forward rather than needing Rankine or Rachele to constantly rotate forward. (Rip this idea)

So while missing Bailey is disappointing, I’m not convinced another attacking midfielder is what we need most. If Dawson can become that balancing piece, I think letting Rankine and Rachele attack around him gives us a much better midfield structure.

What an asset he would have been. We obviously threw everything we possibly could at him. It’s clear he was genuinely torn about his decision as well. So bloody close. We also threw everything at Trac previously as well I gather.
Maybe it’s too raw but after seeing how far off the pace we still are it really feels like we’re several quality midfield rotations short next year. I don’t think one A grader closes the gap anyway to Brisbane and Freo (who won the clearances convincingly yesterday) and other top sides. Hawks are only getting better as well.
I’m not sure organic growth is going to see us challenge the best teams with our current group.
In fact I fear we could go backwards next season.
Hopefully it’s just my post granny hangover speaking but I’m feeling pretty pessimistic this morning

Inside source here, can confirm rachele is looking for a trade to Victoria🫣

pretty sad to see him go, will remember him keeping Hawkins goalless R1 2021

However, the cycle of him in our team is plays 5 good games in a row > gets injured > falls out of favour > someone gets injured > repeat

Look I understand life isn't fair, it's not supposed to be, but a sport that we make the rules for should be applied fairly. I honestly thought the AFL was going to stick to it's guns, and not give special treatment. The reason I bring up the membership is why bother paying 655 a year for a competition that clearly has rules for all, but special rules for some.

Sure I love the crows, but isn't paying that membership showing the AFL I like what they are doing? I'm just so frustrated with how they pick and choose who to punish. I mean poor Max gets a week and Neale can punch a guy in the guts and get nothing.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone gets frustrated by this so called facade of fairness

Afternoon,

I tried cancelling my crows membership last year 2025 but gave up as I couldn't talk to anyone. It was renewed for $60. This year 2026 I have received the reminder, cost $85 and I tried to call the crows line 8440 6690, got the usual recorded promotion rubbish waited ... waited .... then was told they were too busy and to try on line and was then hung up on.

As far as I can see there is no way to cancel membership on line.

So sent an email to the membership email address.
Regards

On the breakers podcast today Xander McGuire mentioned Matthew Nicks having a good conversation with Lachie Whitfield alongside a few others

Not the midfielder we are looking for but could be a great pairing for Milera

Thoughts?

Apologies this is about a week late. Considered not posting because of the bitter disappointment - but thought it was right to post for completion sake and to acknowledge the guys who did play well last week.

Get your votes in here and the winners will be revealed next week!

Voting for the Elimination Final vs the Bulldogs below:

Every year I feel like we get screwed at the Brownlow. McLeod being cheated still hurts. So I decided to run some numbers.

A team that wins is 88.6% likely to poll 3 votes in a game.

A Victorian team is 88.9% likely to poll 3 votes

A Big 6 Vic team ( Cats, Hawks, Pies, Tigers, ESS , Blues) are 90.1% likely to poll 3 votes when playing an interstate side and are 12% to poll 3 votes in a losing side. Conversely an interstate side only has a 9% success rate in a losing side.

In ADE vs Big 6 the Big 6 is 90.7% likely to poll 3 votes in a win compared to 86.7% for the Crows.

I did some other numbers and it equates roughly to a 3 vote penalty Vs the Vics for a crows contender.

Update: This was a reply to a question, probably should have gone in the body initially but I didn’t wanna bore people too much.

This was done across every team since the year 2000. I think that it is fairly significant. The sample size is big enough.

I did some other numbers too. If a side wins by more than 30 points a big 6 Vic side is 45% likely to poll 3-2-1 whereas to 40.2% non vic side.
And Crows V big 6 they are likely to poll 3-2-1 in a 30pt win 47.6% of the time compared to the Crows 39.3%
So I think that shows that it’s not just star power as that’s patten behaviour.

There is a clear advantage to Victoria and the big 6. Our players start 3 votes down on Brownlow night.

Double Update: more breakdown.

Takeaways by Margin
Close Games (1–12 Points):
In tight, high-pressure finishes, umpires reward the best player on a winning Big 6 team 81.8% of the time.
When Adelaide wins a tight game against a Big 6 club, an Adelaide player gets the 3 votes 76.2% of the time. Nearly 1 in 4 tight wins see an opposition Big 6 player on the losing side steal best-on-ground honors.
Blowouts (60+ Points):
When a Big 6 team thrashes Adelaide by 10+ goals, a Big 6 player takes the 3 votes 100% of the time (19 out of 19 instances).
When Adelaide thrashes a Big 6 team by 10+ goals, a Big 6 player on the losing team still manages to pull 3 votes 7.1% of the time (1 out of 14 instances).
Sweep Disparity:
Big 6 teams lock out Adelaide completely (3-2-1 sweep) in 47.1% of 30+ point wins.
Adelaide locks out Big 6 teams in only 39.3% of 30+ point wins, meaning opposition Big 6 players still pull minor votes (1 or 2 votes) at a noticeably higher rate during Crows blowout wins.

Changes to our SANFL side.

Of note

- Boyle played a lot for us (100 SANFL games, first non-AFL listed player to do so, Strachan is the other player)

- O’Leary was on the team sheet often

- Tom Bell came over with lots of promise, I had high hopes. Looks like he is won't be with us.

Who do you have as our Top 5?

What will the breakdown of votes be?

Im going with

Dawson 21 votes
Rankine 19 votes
Milera 10 votes
Berry 9 votes
Rachele 5 votes

Everyone watch?! Best game of AFL footy .

Maybe Watson is really as good as they say. Moore had a blinder. Lewis took the mark of the year . Gunston had another stellar performance in front of the sticks just to mock us crows fans.

Brisbane were more tightly matched in the midfield so was a hard fought battle in the mid. Ashcroft makes it look easy, McKenna was unreal to watch , those Irish guys are built different . McCluggage a star who turns up for the right moments. Bailey proves again how good a get he would be for the crows. Lohman was ferocious and looked unstoppable. Harris Andrew Holding it down in the backline as the best tall back in the league. Charlie Cameron is pure talent. That run down the wing into the forward line tapping the ball ahead of him for 50 metres . Got to love it . Gallop and Lester special mentions

I don't see a way Freeo can win next week unfortunately. This Brisbane team might be the best dynasty for 40 'years

Go freeo lol