Talls a focus for Crows
Tall, key-position players will be Adelaide's priority in the NAB AFL Draft on November 25. But coach Neil Craig says any such players gained in the draft will
Tall, key-position players will be Adelaide's priority in the NAB AFL Draft on November 25.But coach Neil Craig says any such players gained in the draft - at this stage, before the October 9-13 exchange (trade) period, the Crows have picks 14, 32, 48 and 64 - will 'not be a quick fix'."Two years ago we went with some tall ruckmen, last year we went for more midfield types and this year, because of the type of draft it is, all indications are that the number of bigger, key-position-type players is as good in this draft as it's ever been - and they're always hard to come by," Craig said on Friday."If you look at our list at the moment - Trent Hentschel and Rhett Biglands with the knee injuries and the loss of a Fergus Watts, who we had earmarked as a key-position forward for us - we need to, as a priority, look at that type of player."So that's what we'll go for, and there'll obviously be some midfielders. There are always midfielders, always guys my size."Unless that draft player is an exceptional young player, the chances of that person coming in and being able to play 22 games … how often does it happen in the total pick of the draft?"We had (Richard) Douglas, who played three games this year, (Nathan) van Berlo, who played seven or eight (11) the year before."But you're not talking about a player there who takes charge of a game and you put him at centre half-forward and put that sort of responsibility on him. So we understand if we're able to get that type of player, it won't be a quick fix for us."Craig left little doubt Adelaide would not be pursuing experienced ruckmen Michael Gardiner (West Coast) and Peter Everitt (Hawthorn)."I'm not sure yet," he said initially before becoming even less enthusiastic about the idea. "Two years ago we recruited (John) Meesen (now aged 20 and 200 centimetres), (Ivan) Maric (20, 198cm), (Jonathon) Griffin (20, 202cm) … and you can say, well, that's okay because circumstances have changed radically because of Rhett Biglands' situation (knee reconstruction), not so much Matthew's (Clarke's retirement) because we half expected that or budgeted for it. So the dynamics have changed a little bit."But from what I saw of Ivan Maric this year, I've got some real confidence that Ivan will be able to come in and hold up - more than hold up, progress again."I've watched Ben Hudson play this year in the SANFL (after recovering from a knee reconstruction). It gives me a great degree of confidence that Ben can come back and perform in the AFL again."John Meesen has improved significantly this season and I know he's wanting to prove himself - and Jonny Griffin the same sort of thing. So if I had to err to one side at the moment, I'd say let's back those young kids in. With all young kids there's a bit of pain but that's why we recruited them to the club."It will put some more responsibility back on the coaching group to accelerate their learning and their expertise. They bring enthusiasm, new skills, they don't bring any preconceived ideas, so it's all pretty fresh and new, and that's the way I would certainly lean."Craig said nothing had changed from Adelaide's charter of two years ago - 'to rebuild our playing squad'."We understood we had some highly talented senior players and we still have them," he said. "But (we had) to underpin that by getting young players into our football club who we think have got the talent and the character to be able to play outstanding winning football. Nothing will change. Certainly nothing's changed so we will not deviate and say, 'let's go and get two senior players now'. That's going backwards, and that's not where we're going."Asked whether defender Ben Hart, 32 and a veteran of 311 AFL matches (only 13 this season because of injuries) would be offered another one-year contract, Craig said: "I'm not sure. I've just started to talk to the players in the last couple of days. I need to find out how Ben's feeling."His form at the start of the year was very good - very good - until he broke his arm. And from then it was disjointed - his preparation and his ability to be able to come back. The form wouldn't have been what Ben wanted."I'll be having a discussion with Ben just to see how he's feeling. He's got huge experience, great leadership qualities and is a really important player in our playing group. But the reality of it is that Ben has got to be convinced he can handle the physical side of the game and the training loads we expect from our players."What I won't allow to happen in our football club is people not being able to prepare to perform. You've got to be able to do the work."