Crows & Power 13/14 Off Season

Vince for Polec? Take it but doubt Brisbane would be that stupid.

Speculation in the paper today that Polec is leaning towards Adelaide as his preferred choice, and is willing to go into the pre-season draft if need be.

Not sure the AFL will be too happy with that if it eventuates, it all but circumvents the draft penalties they imposed last year.

Only if nobody takes him prior to Adelaide doing so.

I'm starting to think you can have him since I've looked into his injury concerns. Lots of soft tissue, calf/hamstring/groin. That doesn't look good for a young lad trying to live with the demands of AFL training.

You might be right, and perhaps the Port administration are starting to feel the same way too.

As far as Adelaide go though, without draft picks this is probably a case of 'beggars can't be choosers', certainly if they can get him for free in the pre-season draft anyway.

Betts is pretty much a done deal if you believe the Rooch in todays rag.

Also speculation of Henderson being shopped around for a second round draft pick so that a deal for Polec can be done. Not too happy about this one, but I guess Adelaide has to give up something in an effort to thwart the draft restrictions imposed on them.

The Herald Sun is reporting that Eddie Betts is a confirmed starter for Adelaide.

Some would say he's not worth the cash Adelaide have offered him, but I think it's a good move. He would be in the top 5 small forwards in the competition and will add another dimension to our forward line IMO.

Carlton hasn't had a genuine key forward feeding him crumbs during his time there either, he could take things to anther level at the feet of someone like Taylor Walker.

Has decided he wants to come to Adelaide

http://www.afc.com.au/news/2013-10-03/crows-confirm-eddie-betts-interest

That's a very good pick up if it goes ahead.

We've had Callinan and others doing a fair job, but Betts adds a new dimension, especially with speed and crumbimg ability.

Good start.

Yep. Perhaps Adelaide are paying overs for him, but they don't have draft picks to barter with at the trade table so with dollars in the kitty it makes sense to shop around the free trade market.

If they can snaffle Polec too, I'll be very pleased at what they have been able to achieve considering the draft penalties.

It takes the pressure off not having a first or second round pick. Get Polec and we are in front.

Absolutely.

There are some pretty decent names on the free agency list at the end of next year also - it wouldn't surprise me if they keep some coin aside to angle for another reasonable name then.

A certain former number 1 draft pick and now former Bett's teammate comes to mind......

By next season, might have a few more retirements and a bit of coin available

I'm going to throw out a bit of a conspiracy theory here - I wouldn't be surprised if Adelaide present a public front of 'doing everything in their power to arrange a fair trade' for Polec, while quietly working towards picking him up for free in the pre-season draft......

Gingernuts wrote:I'm going to throw out a bit of a conspiracy theory here - I wouldn't be surprised if Adelaide present a public front of 'doing everything in their power to arrange a fair trade' for Polec, while quietly working towards picking him up for free in the pre-season draft......

totally agree

All this talk makes me miss the season already...lol  

Eddie Betts says he wants Graham Johncocks number 18 and Ben Ruttens shorts.

brodlach wrote:

Gingernuts wrote:I'm going to throw out a bit of a conspiracy theory here - I wouldn't be surprised if Adelaide present a public front of 'doing everything in their power to arrange a fair trade' for Polec, while quietly working towards picking him up for free in the pre-season draft......

totally agree

I would not be surprised if Brisbane called his bluff and picked him up in the preseason draft before Adelaide. Leppitsch has mentioned this in a presser.

sapaul wrote:Eddie Betts says he wants Graham Johncocks number 18 and Ben Ruttens shorts.

LOL! That's funny.  

Fox Sports reporting Adelaide interested in Podsiadly and Gumbleton.

Interesting. Not sure we need either to be honest.

sapaul wrote:Fox Sports reporting Adelaide interested in Podsiadly and Gumbleton.

One is a flat track bully and the other is vastly over rated IMO.

I'd say Adelaide should go after both.

 

Confirmed in the Age:

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/adelaide-crows-confirm-interest-in-james-podsiadly-20131009-2v7m9.html

I guess they're just looking for cheap insurance just in case Walker's return from a knee injury doesn't go as planned. Still not sure about it though. We'd basically have to get them for nix.

Certainly a capable back up for Walker, but......what if he kicks 8 in the first 5 games, do you drop him for Walker, play Jenkins elsewhere or fit all 3 in?

IMO, I think Walker would be raring to go but Jenkins might be the one who battles to come back easily. It wasn't a shocking break, but I think broken legs seem to take longer to build confidence in than knee's do.

Yea I agree. Then you've got Johnston & Lynch who have both proven that they have the potential to be reasonable pinch hitters at the very least.

Wasting their time I think.

I think Adelaide has a good young squad who just had a shocker of a year this year with injury and form. Recruit a decent free agent or two, if you can jag Polec then good, otherwise stick with what we've got.