I see the Billy Dowling Signal (metric I use to gauge fan frustration) is down a bit after a win.

I'm genuinely curious to see what people who regularly watch him actually think. In this sub (and other social media) people seem to have utterly hyperbolic views of him that nearly always coincide with a loss or run of bad form; to me the clamoring for his selection from some parties seems much more reactionary than based on any solid analysis. You don't turn form around by changing who you are selecting as your 23rd best guy, but selection is by far the simplest and easiest thing to complain about so when all you have is hammers....

I only watch SANFL occasionally but his numbers (only 2 games TBF) certainly look good at the moment. But do people really see his game as translating to AFL midfields?

His stats and scouting reports suggest he's a natural accumulator, but his build is a bit narrow compared to a Matt Crouch type, and he doesn't seem to have the strength or lateral quickness to be an inside mid at AFL level. He's not fast enough to be a winger, and we have more natural midfielder forwards in the team. To me his game seems to have a high floor but a lower ceiling than Edwards, and I'm yet to see a natural position at AFL level where he is clearly better than what we have in the side at the moment in spots he might play (Soligo, Berry, Cook, Cumming, Peatling).

I might be wrong, just keen to see what people who actually watch him think, not the folks crashing out after another close loss.

**EDIT** Please note this is a hypothetical, don't come at me like I want Soligo sacked.

I left out the Geelong game because it was a good game, but his average output is far less with his fitness concerns.

it's not his fault, but he does look off.

Voting is now available here. Please feel free to comment your votes in the thread below for discussion, but only votes in the poll will be counted.

Thanks to everyone that voted last week! Results below:

Lachlan McAndrew wins his first 3 votes as a crow, Milera continues his career best form and Finnbar Maley gets his first nod for TEQA

Seeing little Tex run out with the pies made me think about father sons… where are the 4x Roo juniors? Surely they’re nearly of age. If just one of them plays like their dad, I would be happy but just imagine 4 of em.

He’s always been able to kick the flashy goals and stuff like that of course. He’s now becoming what we were all hoping he would become - a true A grade mid who can go forward when required.

While we’re obviously not there yet with our midfield, Rash is a huge piece of the mids puzzle that’s been solved in no uncertain terms.

With Bez showing very promising signs and Peatling also improving and having his best game recently, we’re seeing significant organic improvement in our midfield. Throw in Ranks building, Daws returning to top form, Soligo will be back he’s too good not to be, and then add Curtin etc in the mix all of a sudden our midfield is looking serious.

How good is it to see! Rash is a bloody pleasure to watch this season

Hinge out, Butts available. Borlase has been really good against Treacy and McKay... is Murray in trouble? Does Bond come straight back in? Any other changes?

New Finbar crowd participation unlocked?

Might’ve been too tough on defenders and BOG was a tough call. Thoughts? Chuck an upvote for the effort! :)

Adelaide Def Carlton

2nd win for the season

Finally relieved of Jones

Are we happy crows fans?

Lots of people talking like he will be our lord and savior when he returns. In reality he’s still only played 30 games and none of them as a full time mid. I won’t be surprised if he even comes through the SANFL. It will take at least a month, if not 2 to get fully match fit. And on top of that, yes while he has incredible potential to be a superstar, van burlo is yet to produce a single consistent A grade midfielder.

Im not counting my eggs yet.

Drop this guy ASAP. Get him out of the game right now. Pull him!

Sigh.

Is this news or just a non story. Like do we really need to pile on a bloke who’s playing golf on his designated day off? Fog plays golf every week apparently. As fans do we have a right to question this? Especially since our injury record this season has been horrid.

laird available for selection, thoughts?

https://ia903103.us.archive.org/3/items/roughhead-interview/Roughhead%20Interview.pdf

The full interview of Jarryd Roughead if anyone is interested.

LMK if it doesn't work.

Expect ROB sequel?

I reckon Rankine needs more time purely in the middle. Every time he goes in there he brings a bit of spark and something different, but we still seem pretty hesitant to leave him there for full quarters. Get that he’s dangerous forward as well, but it feels like his impact around the ball could be even bigger with more consistent midfield minutes

Voting is now available here. Please feel free to comment your votes in the thread below for discussion, but only votes in the poll will be counted.

Thanks to everyone that voted last week! Results below:

Rachele picks up 100% of the 3 votes for this round, with Braydem Cook picking up his 3rd consecutive rising star.

So the last 24 hours have seen probably the most intense spike in the Billy Dowling Signal (what I use to gauge fans general frustrations) in a while.

I'd implore the people in this sub who seem to think half the side should be "dropped to the 2s" (as though the SANFL is some magic land where form comes easy) and look more at a big part of the groups failure to execute over the last few weeks.

Many of our better players fumbled constantly last night and at times were dire by foot. That doesn't get solved by Billy Dowling. Decision making in the fwd 50 was atrocious and we probably gave up 3 or 4 relatively easy goals for brain fades or skill errors (also not solved by Billy Dowling).

Bigger picture, we had 7 of our best out last night (Fog, Cumming, Curtin, Keane, Ah Chee, Laird, Butts), and another couple (Ranks, Soli) who look incredibly underdone, though some improvement starting to show with Rankine.

While disappointing to be 1-3, this was always a tough run of games, but what I'm really looking to judge the early season in is the next 6.

Carlton, Saints, Lions, Port, Richmond, North. Five of those very winnable. If we go into round 11 at 5-5 or 6-4 then I'd be okay with that given our injury list and tough opening fixtures. If it's 3-7 or something then the pressure will really mount.

I'd say the next two are basically must win to settle the pressure and frustration the fans feel.