The Adelaide Crows have well and truly moved on from the departure of former favourite Patrick Dangerfield, but what size dent will the midfielder’s absence leave in the club’s finals chances?
Not a very big one, apparently.
Patrick Dangerfield will play for Geelong in 2016
Analyst James Fitzgerald, writing for Fox Sports, has outlined a relatively rosy outlook for the Crows in 2016, despite losing their best player.
“As a young club brimming with confidence and with a new coach in the highly regarded Don Pyke, Adelaide’s playing list is in far better shape than outsiders suggest and another tilt at a finals campaign is well within their grasp,” says Fitzgerald.
Injuries to Brad Crouch and Brodie Smith throughout 2015 meant the club relied too heavily on Dangerfield and Rory Sloane for clearances and to win contested ball, according to Fitzgerald.
He said Smith’s absence in particular hurt the Crows in 2015.
Brodie Smith’s elite leg is important for the Crows, says Fitzgerald | Image | Herald Sun
“His absence for a majority of the 2015 season, through injury, meant more play had to be created through midfield clearances, hard ball gets and relied too heavily on kicking efficiency from midfielders Sloane and Dangerfield,” he said.
Also helping the Crows chances in 2016 are shrewd trades made during the off-season.
“With Dangerfield’s exit, and with the additions of traded players Paul Seedsman and Curtly Hampton providing run from half back, Adelaide can benefit from the high levels of kicking efficiency, clean disposal and run-and-carry from a now fit Brodie Smith and Brad Crouch as inside and outside midfielders respectively,” Fitzgerald said.
He said the Crows would benefit from clean disposals and accurate kicking from midfield clearances – “providing ample chances for Adelaide’s forwards, namely Taylor Walker”.
“Adelaide could yet prove they have the playing group to taste finals success once more and improve on last year’s finish — even without Patrick Dangerfield.”
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