Testing Times for the Adelaide Crows Bigmen
Well it is official Rhett Biglands will miss the entire 2008 AFL Premiership Season with another knee reconstruction (his second). The Crows were heavily relying on Biglands as their number one ruckman for season 2008 and are now left with no experienced ruckman to play. As I have mentioned in a lot of the Club by Club 2008 Previews the Ruck department was one of the main areas that the likes of Geelong and Port Adelaide dominated in last year and the Crows, who I think may struggle regardless will be forced to go with the youngsters to go up against the likes of Ottens, Blake, White and Sandilands. Get your money on those guys for Brownlow votes against the Crows.
Coach Neil Craig is getting on the front foot as all coaches do in this type of situation saying:
“But we’re on the attack, so don’t send messages to me about us getting defensive in that area [ruck]. We understand they’re young and inexperienced, but they have some talent and they want to play.
“They have to start somewhere and it looks like it starts here.”
Ivan Maric and Jon Griffin look the most likely to fill the roles left by Biglands and also Ben Hudson (Western Bulldogs). They are both youngsters who had a small taste of it last year but are no where near the level they need to be at to fill those positions.
The Crows in my opinion will now NOT Make the 8 in 2008.
