Crows in review

by SCOTT WICKSTEIN

FOR Adelaide's legion of fans, still licking their wounds after their brave but futile 2002 finals campaign, the feeling of a missed opportunity is still the dominant one. However, after reflection, 2002 will go down in Adelaide's history as one of their more successful years. True, a successful year is a year when you win the premiership, but the Adelaide Football Club's goal, recognising that you can't win a flag every year, is that the Crows play in the finals as often as is possible. In March, finals football was the most Adelaide's massive legion of fans were hoping for.

To finish fourth, and preliminary finalists would have been seen as major progress on 2001 by all of the fans. Finishing third after the home and away season was a new landmark for the club, and it's minor round results of 15 wins was also a record. The club's on field performances were highly pleasing, with the best part of the season being the emergence of a new generation of players looking ready to replace the older generation.

Ken McGregor and Nathan Basset provided valuable reinforcement to the old Smart-Hart duo up back. Graham Johncock was unheralded in the media but the 18-year-old played every game, mostly in defence, and proved himself a hard and thoughtful defender. Some weight work and more training will see him take the role of Ricciuto as the club's hard man.

Chris Ladhams, Tyson Stenglein, and Matthew Bode helped to reinforce the stellar midfield, which provides the club with enormous depth. And up forward, Brett Burton and Mark Stevens provided the much-maligned Crows attack with enough firepower to average 100 points a game.

Credit for the development of the team must go to Gary Ayers and his coaching staff. Ayers was not a universally popular choice to take over the Crows, despite the recommendation of Malcolm Blight, and 2002 was seen as his make or break year. The board was not keen to resign Ayers until the end of the season, but public pressure helped persuade the board to re-sign Ayers for another two years. There were rumours about town that Neil Craig was the preferred option around the board. But Ayers has bonded wonderfully well with the players and by the end of the season, his resigning was well received around town.

The only major on field disappointments were the continuing failure to beat Port Adelaide, and the disgraceful performance in the first final. Of the star players, Andrew McLeod had a quiet season, but all the other stars did well - Mark Bickley was resurgent until his suspension, Mark Ricciuto was an inspiring leader, able to win games such as against Geelong off his own boot, and was rewarded with All-Australian selection, as was Ben Hart.

The ruck combination of Rhett Biglands and Matthew Clark received few plaudits, but provided the midfield with great service, and developed well as the season wore on.

Off the field, the Adelaide Football Club continued to be a leader. The club continues to be a reliable profit maker, and with the completion of the new Northern Stand, crowds of over 40,000 were to be seen at all but one home game for the season. The waiting list for membership is reduced but still in existence, testimony to the remarkable appeal that the "Team for all South Australians" has in the community. Stephen Trigg was an articulate, thoughtful and available CEO, the president continues to be so low profile I don't know his name, and football manager John Reid continues to impress.

The biggest off field story was of course the signing of Wayne Carey. When the club first announced that it was interested in chasing Carey, there were many who were doubtful that the club could attract him. Graham Cornes was especially doubtful. But the board and the players united in presenting the Adelaide Football Club as a great place to play football, without being overwhelmed by the limelight. What Carey brings to the Crows is of course, a key marking forward, the main deficiency on the field, exposed several times during the season, especially Showdown 12, and the preliminary final.

A deal with North Melbourne still needs to be reached - the Crows might have to sacrifice a first round draft pick to secure The King's services. And with a surfeit of young talent, the Crows might be active in preseason trading. However, with reports that this year's draft is rather thin in talent, it remains to be seen what the club will target.

If the Carey gamble pays off, and the improvement of the younger players continues at its current rate, Adelaide will consider itself a serious contender for the 2003 premiership. Anything less than a grand final appearance next year will be seen as a failure. And considering the wealth of cash, facilities and playing talent at the club's disposal, this is not a harsh view.

Kane Johnson's good Crow too

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