Training 2023 Pre-season thread

[Mr Ripper]

North won a flag after starting 0-4. I reckon we could go 0-6 and still win it.

 

[Grasshopper17]

It wasn't quite miracle on the grass but it was beautiful and one of the highlights of the year (along with Joey's goal the week before for the win and that three kick coast to coast goal that I can't remember what round it was in)

The one three kick coast to coast goal I remember was actually in 2021 against Geelong. Rich in the back pocket bisected 3 Cats players between defensive 50 and the back edge of the centre square to find Zorko. Zorko then wheeled onto his left and hit McCarthy in similarly little room at the front edge of the square. He went bang from 53 and the goal umpire barely moved. It was about as well executed a goal as I've ever seen from any team.

 

[Section 5]

North won a flag after starting 0-4. I reckon we could go 0-6 and still win it.

Stop talking about our VFL side

 

[jfn]

away to Port, Home Demons, away Dogs.... not out of the question could be 0 and 3, or 3 and 0. Tough start I think!

Every game is tough, but just think, Lions have had two practice games against last years grand finalists and beat both by big margins.
Admittedly Geelong and Sydney had players out, but so did Brisbane. I don't think they could be more ready to commence the season with some wins.

 

[Grasshopper17]

Just finished watching a replay of the Geelong practice game. One thing that really stood out to me that didn't as much whilst I was at the game was the performance from Jimmy Tunstill. He was/is absolutely desperate to chase from behind and put pressure on the ball carrier. Even just trying little things like that lunge at the very end to try to get body on to slightly affect an opponent's kick. Watching him do that it became noticeable how many of our guys DON'T do that. It was Mitch Robinson

5

Mitch Robinson

Age

36

Ht

184cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.9

5star

K

11.2

4star

HB

8.7

5star

M

4.1

4star

T

4.7

5star

CL

3.2

5star

D

15.8

4star

K

11.3

4star

HB

4.5

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

1.9

3star

CL

1.8

4star

D

13.2

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.6

5star

-esque in that regard.

What was not Mitch Robinson

5

Mitch Robinson

Age

36

Ht

184cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.9

5star

K

11.2

4star

HB

8.7

5star

M

4.1

4star

T

4.7

5star

CL

3.2

5star

D

15.8

4star

K

11.3

4star

HB

4.5

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

1.9

3star

CL

1.8

4star

D

13.2

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.6

5star

-esque however was his disposal. Several brilliant quick hands from the bottom of packs to find team mates in better positions, and a great kick to pick out Dev for his goal in the last quarter. Really the only blight on his game was hitting the post from his set shot in the third quarter, but even that kick he flushed from 50 basically and hit the post halfway up.

If I'm picking my best 23 he's hard to leave out for mine. Simply for his pressure on the opponent... I think he really sets an example for the rest of the team and in a big game you'd like to think that would be contagious. Would have him as part of the half forward-midfield rotation.

 

[Quested]

The one three kick coast to coast goal I remember was actually in 2021 against Geelong. Rich in the back pocket bisected 3 Cats players between defensive 50 and the back edge of the centre square to find Zorko. Zorko then wheeled onto his left and hit McCarthy in similarly little room at the front edge of the square. He went bang from 53 and the goal umpire barely moved. It was about as well executed a goal as I've ever seen from any team.

That's right! I'm living in the past ha ha. Footy can't come soon enough so I can stop reminiscing and start living it again!

 

[a mayes ing]

Just finished watching a replay of the Geelong practice game. One thing that really stood out to me that didn't as much whilst I was at the game was the performance from Jimmy Tunstill. He was/is absolutely desperate to chase from behind and put pressure on the ball carrier. Even just trying little things like that lunge at the very end to try to get body on to slightly affect an opponent's kick. Watching him do that it became noticeable how many of our guys DON'T do that. It was Mitch Robinson-esque in that regard.

What was not Mitch Robinson-esque however was his disposal. Several brilliant quick hands from the bottom of packs to find team mates in better positions, and a great kick to pick out Dev for his goal in the last quarter. Really the only blight on his game was hitting the post from his set shot in the third quarter, but even that kick he flushed from 50 basically and hit the post halfway up.

If I'm picking my best 23 he's hard to leave out for mine. Simply for his pressure on the opponent... I think he really sets an example for the rest of the team and in a big game you'd like to think that would be contagious. Would have him as part of the half forward-midfield rotation.

Exciting to think that this is his only 2nd? season and right on the cusp. Imagine what he will be like with 4 seasons under him. He has a fast development rate and appears to be very coachable from what l have read.

 

[Berrygood]

away to Port, Home Demons, away Dogs.... not out of the question could be 0 and 3, or 3 and 0. Tough start I think!

Collingwood are rnd4, it's a very tough start to the season. I'll have a crack at some predictions.

I think we beat Port. Payne v Dixon will be interesting. Maybe some teething problems, errors. Port may even get away early, thru errors, but I think we're too good not to run over them by the final whistle. Hope they're switched on and hard arsed.

Melb at home. Gee's, hope Melb are slow starters, or I'm hoping everything clicked in the Port game and we're ready to play. Bit of home ground advantage, huge crowd, should be a ripper. I can't pencil in a win here, nor can I write us off. I wouldn't be calling for heads on pikes if we lose, so as not to be overconfident ill chalk it in for a loss.

I think Beveridge is shitty on us. I reckon he's thinking our weakness at the moment is our tall defenders. He maybe thinks playing 4 talls will stuff us up. Hasn't he been trialling this way preseason. I think we win, an away game tho, but I'm happy to take the odds here and take the win.

Collingwood, The Pies, my brother in laws team. I hope we flog them. Hope we put 60 on them. If we've hit some good form, players are gelling, the game plan is solid, at home, again with the crowd behind us. I reckon a statement game is on the cards. 24 point win at worst. Ashcroft v Daicos will be the media focus.

3-1 I have it, 2-2, if we stumble v Bulldogs. Either way encouraging for the season. Lids off if we're 4-0, lol. Fingers crossed we don't have a mess of long n med term injuries. It's the only way we could start 3-1, 0-4.

 

[rye]

Just finished watching a replay of the Geelong practice game. One thing that really stood out to me that didn't as much whilst I was at the game was the performance from Jimmy Tunstill. He was/is absolutely desperate to chase from behind and put pressure on the ball carrier. Even just trying little things like that lunge at the very end to try to get body on to slightly affect an opponent's kick. Watching him do that it became noticeable how many of our guys DON'T do that. It was Mitch Robinson-esque in that regard.

What was not Mitch Robinson-esque however was his disposal. Several brilliant quick hands from the bottom of packs to find team mates in better positions, and a great kick to pick out Dev for his goal in the last quarter. Really the only blight on his game was hitting the post from his set shot in the third quarter, but even that kick he flushed from 50 basically and hit the post halfway up.

If I'm picking my best 23 he's hard to leave out for mine. Simply for his pressure on the opponent... I think he really sets an example for the rest of the team and in a big game you'd like to think that would be contagious. Would have him as part of the half forward-midfield rotation.

dont think his tanks there to play 4 quarters yet but wouldnt mind seeing a fair bit of tunstill as starting in the team with the plan of subbing him out when he runs out of gas

 

[Berrygood]

Exciting to think that this is his only 2nd? season and right on the cusp. Imagine what he will be like with 4 seasons under him. He has a fast development rate and appears to be very coachable from what l have read.

Yep I reckon he's a ripper, for the reasons Grasshopper17 gave. I reckon it's a W.A. thing. Dev and Prior also have that mongrel and chase. Big year for all those lads. I really like all 3.

I was looking up Priors details, he's only 3cm shorter than both Gardiner and Adams. He's 189cms on the lions site. That surprised me. I think he could play on a 3rd tall in defense (not a monster like Adams can). If Rayner does play back I think Prior as bench back allows Rayner to rotate into the midfield and we lockdown his man with Prior. Prior could also rotate thru the wing.

 

[briztoon]

Yep I reckon he's a ripper, for the reasons Grasshopper17 gave. I reckon it's a W.A. thing. Dev and Prior also have that mongrel and chase. Big year for all those lads. I really like all 3.

I was looking up Priors details, he's only 3cm shorter than both Gardiner and Adams. He's 189cms on the lions site. That surprised me. I think he could play on a 3rd tall in defense (not a monster like Adams can). If Rayner does play back I think Prior as bench back allows Rayner to rotate into the midfield and we lockdown his man with Prior. Prior could also rotate thru the wing.

Prior is a defender in the mold of Grant Birchall. Better defender, but he's not a third tall type.

 

[FeastOrFamine]

Just finished watching a replay of the Geelong practice game. One thing that really stood out to me that didn't as much whilst I was at the game was the performance from Jimmy Tunstill. He was/is absolutely desperate to chase from behind and put pressure on the ball carrier. Even just trying little things like that lunge at the very end to try to get body on to slightly affect an opponent's kick. Watching him do that it became noticeable how many of our guys DON'T do that. It was Mitch Robinson-esque in that regard.

What was not Mitch Robinson-esque however was his disposal. Several brilliant quick hands from the bottom of packs to find team mates in better positions, and a great kick to pick out Dev for his goal in the last quarter. Really the only blight on his game was hitting the post from his set shot in the third quarter, but even that kick he flushed from 50 basically and hit the post halfway up.

If I'm picking my best 23 he's hard to leave out for mine. Simply for his pressure on the opponent... I think he really sets an example for the rest of the team and in a big game you'd like to think that would be contagious. Would have him as part of the half forward-midfield rotation.

There was an effort in particular on the wing that stood out to me the most. Chased and influenced three separate contests. I can't remember exactly if he got HTB for one of those tackles but the effort as a whole was great to watch.

 

[M Malice]

Just read the below linked article on Foxsports and this little bit of info caught my eye.

Harris Andrews

31

Harris Andrews

Age

29

Ht

200cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.8

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

151.7

2star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

3star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

MG

94.0

2star

is still a beast, but he had to defend a ridiculous 40 more one-on-ones than any other AFL player last year – and still had one of the better loss rates.

Contender to crash top four as Magpies’ brutal freefall: Full predicted ‘23 AFL ladder

 

[Grasshopper17]

Just read the below linked article on Foxsports and this little bit of info caught my eye.

Harris Andrews is still a beast, but he had to defend a ridiculous 40 more one-on-ones than any other AFL player last year – and still had one of the better loss rates.

Contender to crash top four as Magpies’ brutal freefall: Full predicted ‘23 AFL ladder

TL;DR: Expect to see Andrews push further up the field and have his midfield cover for him on a fast turnover.



Yeah this is really interesting stuff. As was seeing him venture much further up the ground against Geelong. In a way it makes sense, because if you are going to be exposed by a fast turnover, you actually don't want a lumbering 2m+ defender chasing people around in an open forward line.

You want smaller blokes instead who, granted, won't have the same physique as Harris Andrews, but they'll be quick. And when you are trying to stop blokes getting the ball on the lead, blokes who have pace are gonna be more useful than big blokes.

Andrews will be most useful behind the ball when it's either a slow play or the pressure on the ball carrier is sufficient to force a high or poor kick, which it was against Geelong much of the time.

 

[Berrygood]

Prior is a defender in the mold of Grant Birchall. Better defender, but he's not a third tall type.

I completely agree, I think that's his best role too. I'm just thinking, this year with the shortage of taller defenders he could be an option. I think he can play tall enough to pester the buggery out of players like Gary Rowen, Fritch, Rozee, others like that. He's certainly got the aggression and determination.

I also don't want Rayner to lose that improvement he made last year with his midfield work. If he is to play back, I'd love to see it as a def/mid role. He could be really damaging in a role like that. Prior is a good foil to allow that.

We're going to need more than plan A B n C this season in defense if injuries or form cause problems. I think Prior can contribute more, and be real handy doing it.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Just read the below linked article on Foxsports and this little bit of info caught my eye.

Harris Andrews is still a beast, but he had to defend a ridiculous 40 more one-on-ones than any other AFL player last year – and still had one of the better loss rates.

Contender to crash top four as Magpies’ brutal freefall: Full predicted ‘23 AFL ladder

Good stat behind the argument that it was our midfield letting down our defence

 

[Tom14]

Just read the below linked article on Foxsports and this little bit of info caught my eye.

Harris Andrews is still a beast, but he had to defend a ridiculous 40 more one-on-ones than any other AFL player last year – and still had one of the better loss rates.

Contender to crash top four as Magpies’ brutal freefall: Full predicted ‘23 AFL ladder

Good stat behind the argument that it was our midfield letting down our defence

Exact figure was 139 1 v 1s for Harris, Sam Collins second most at 99. Absolutely shocking way to expose your defenders - that is up there with the numbers of 1 v 1s Weitering and Liam Jones were facing under Teague.

 

[Jivlain]

Exact figure was 139 1 v 1s for Harris, Sam Collins second most at 99. Absolutely shocking way to expose your defenders - that is up there with the numbers of 1 v 1s Weitering and Liam Jones were facing under Teague.

It really speaks to the vibe we've had here, that our defensive woes have been largely due to a lack of pressure upfield, which should improve dramatically with the improvements in our midfield

 

[MSB ROYS]

This should come with a trigger warning for Richmond fans!

 

[Quested]

This should come with a trigger warning for Richmond fans!

I think the lawsuits are still being filed. I was behind the goals when Joey got us over the line. That was an epic and memorable moment

 

[Milux]

I think the lawsuits are still being filed. I was behind the goals when Joey got us over the line. That was an epic and memorable moment

I was directly in line behind Lynch when he kicked it over the post. Everyone on the ground knew he missed. The got it right in the end. But the goal ump messed up by calling it a goal.

 

[Dalions]

I was directly in line behind Lynch when he kicked it over the post. Everyone on the ground knew he missed. The got it right in the end. But the goal ump messed up by calling it a goal.

Even the Richmond fans at the game didn’t know if they should cheer or not.

 

[martinson]

Even the Richmond fans at the game didn’t know if they should cheer or not.

Blind Freddie knows it was a point and the carry on from Hardwicke was complte sour grapes and diminishes him personally in my estimation.

The policy to come out of this is that the goal umpire should have the option to say he doesn't know in which case the vision decides. This poor goal ump was hopelessly out of position with 2 minutes on the clock and was under enormous pressure to say yeah or nay so he just said the first thing that came into his head with the Richmond mob behind him.

As usual the AFL haven't seen the opportunity to make a policy change which would serve the code better.

 

[knaf]

I was in the old Olympic stand in the 2002 grand final. I reckon Rocco’s shot was a goal. I can’t understand why the woods didn’t take it to the high court.


Great times

 

[rye]

it was funny reading the month long meltdown by some on the richmond board though