Review Round 5, 2019 - Brisbane Lions vs. Collingwood

[Billy Bob65]

Commiserations on the loss.

Here are the midfield frequency stats from the match (ie. how often players lined up as one of your 5 mids at centre bounces).

Overall Summary - 30

Neale 27
Robinson 25 (23w, 2i)
J.Berry 23 (21w, 2i)
J.Lyons 19
Zorko 18 (2w)
Mathieson (inj) 11
McCluggage 10 (2w)
Christensen 10 wing
Cameron 4 (2i, 2w)
Rayner 2
McCarthy 1

Rucks:
Martin 22
Big O 8

1st Half - 15

Neale 14
J.Berry 14 wing
Robinson 12 wing
J.Lyons 8
Zorko 8
Mathieson 7
McCluggage 6
Christensen 4 wing
Cameron 1
McCarthy 1

Martin 13
Big O 2

2nd Half - 15

Neale 13
Robinson 13 (11w, 2i)
Lyons 11
Zorko 10 (2w)
J.Berry 9 (7w, 2i)
Christensen 6 wing
Mathieson 4
McCluggage 4 (2i, 2w)
Cameron 3 (2w, 1i)
Rayner 2

Martin 9
Big O 6

 

[AFLQLD]

This was a game lost in the middle. We were well and truly outclassed by the Collingwood midfield. Their centre clearances were inevitably clean and quick, ours were scrappy and imprecise. That alone lost us the game. The rest of the scoreboard damage was done through bad turnovers, a few unlucky bounces of contested ball, at times poor defensive running and a few bad umpiring decisions. But the game was lost in the middle.

Our midfield was too unresponsive and our defenders too slow to react to their tidy centre clearance work. At the very worst we needed to make them earn untidy ball when they did win it. Instead, more often than not, they can out of the middle at speed. The two quick goals at the start of the third quarter were emblematic if this.

The 6-6-6 rule now gives the whip hand to the team that wins clean possession out of the centre. Win it clean and your chances of being inside 50 within a kick are very high. Then you can either be taking a set shot for goal or lock the ball in your forward half.

The opposite happened for us. If we weren’t scored against quickly we had to win possession from a very good contested team and then fight our way out of defence after they had set up. It was laborious.

We desperately need more midfield muscle and class. We have to find a way to nullify a dominant opposition ruckman. If we are going to lose clean possession out of the middle we won’t beat the better teams.

McCluggage is now our best ball user. If we get the ball in his hands out of clearances, we will win games off that alone, such is his class.

It is going to be a season of learning and adapting. Hopefully the younger players in NEAFL develop quickly because we probably need two or three more to shoulder the midfield work.

 

[jackess]

Commiserations on the loss.

Here are the midfield frequency stats from the match (ie. how often players lined up as one of your 5 mids at centre bounces).

Overall Summary - 30

Neale 27
Robinson 25 (23w, 2i)
J.Berry 23 (21w, 2i)
J.Lyons 19
Zorko 18 (2w)
Mathieson (inj) 11
McCluggage 10 (2w)
Christensen 10 wing
Cameron 4 (2i, 2w)
Rayner 2
McCarthy 1

Rucks:
Martin 22
Big O 8

1st Half - 15

Neale 14
J.Berry 14 wing
Robinson 12 wing
J.Lyons 8
Zorko 8
Mathieson 7
McCluggage 6
Christensen 4 wing
Cameron 1
McCarthy 1

Martin 13
Big O 2

2nd Half - 15

Neale 13
Robinson 13 (11w, 2i)
Lyons 11
Zorko 10 (2w)
J.Berry 9 (7w, 2i)
Christensen 6 wing
Mathieson 4
McCluggage 4 (2i, 2w)
Cameron 3 (2w, 1i)
Rayner 2

Martin 9
Big O 6

Interesting. Lyons went to 19 centre clearances and didn't win one.

 

[Sausages]

Who'd be a coach?

The psychology of the team is as much an issue as personnel - we do need to change something to the 22 though, absolutely.

But, it's troubling that we just don't start the games well - it's been a recurring theme all season and against the better teams, that's going to make it even more difficult.

I dunno - whoever we bring in as replacements are likely even less experienced than the guys they are replacing, but hopefully some positivity would flow from that.

 

[Gadzorks]

That's actually pretty cool, other than, you know, the losing. I can't remember a time in the last few years where a club or player acknowledged that we actually had a strength they had to account for...

Agree but the fact they used the Essendon plan with the same result has to trigger a counter move tactically. And it’s needs to be in place before suns game or it will another horrible loss for us.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

From an outsiders perspective I think playing two ruckman is a mistake as it leaves you short of run and pace, two weeks in a row you have been exposed in this manner. You would be better off replacing one of them with a more mobile player and getting McStay or Walker to do the relief ruck work

I want a relief from my hopes for McStay. He has disappointed again after the first game of the season where he got little of the ball but competed well. I, and many reading this, want him to 'make it' but my patience has worn out.

Our major problem is we allow the opposition to score easily due to a lack of defensive pressure by our forwards and on-ballers but for much of last night we did not look like winning a contest forward of the center. I would have tried Walker forward and McStay back, a straight swap, at some time over the last two matches. Possibly they do not want to rob a strength (Walker this season down back) to plug a weakness up forward but when you are losing you have to try things.

The Big O has had one good quarter this year and I agree that we probably need to pinch hit with our second ruckman and go in with another smaller, more mobile forward.

 

[Sausages]

Looking through the stats, you'd have to say Lyons and McStay are on pretty shaky ground.

Defensively though....we need more toe back there, but I have no idea how to fix that.

 

[Dylan12]

I want a relief from my hopes for McStay. He has disappointed again after the first game of the season where he got little of the ball but competed well. I, and many reading this, want him to 'make it' but my patience has worn out.

Our major problem is we allow the opposition to score easily due to a lack of defensive pressure by our forwards and on-ballers but for much of last night we did not look like winning a contest forward of the center. I would have tried Walker forward and McStay back, a straight swap, at some time over the last two matches. Possibly they do not want to rob a strength (Walker this season down back) to plug a weakness up forward but when you are losing you have to try things.

Good point; I think Walker is probably our most natural key position forward although I understand why he was shifted back. That being said, it is easy to question why a swap didn’t occur during the game, but I’m not sure it would’ve changed a lot due to our midfielders copping a hiding around the ground.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Alex Witherden on The Roar Deal this week was saying we play a zone defense, unless there is good pressure up the field they have no chance.

Collingwood were just so much better structured when there was a turnover, offensively or defensively, that's to be expected, they were within a goal of winning a grand final last year and they are one of the favorites this year.

They were getting goals from centre bounces though. All the players would have been set. A team as slow as ours should not set up in a zone style.

 

[Albi_Mangler]

Commiserations on the loss.

Here are the midfield frequency stats from the match (ie. how often players lined up as one of your 5 mids at centre bounces).

Overall Summary - 30

Neale 27
Robinson 25 (23w, 2i)
J.Berry 23 (21w, 2i)
J.Lyons 19
Zorko 18 (2w)
Mathieson (inj) 11
McCluggage 10 (2w)
Christensen 10 wing
Cameron 4 (2i, 2w)
Rayner 2
McCarthy 1

Rucks:
Martin 22
Big O 8

1st Half - 15

Neale 14
J.Berry 14 wing
Robinson 12 wing
J.Lyons 8
Zorko 8
Mathieson 7
McCluggage 6
Christensen 4 wing
Cameron 1
McCarthy 1

Martin 13
Big O 2

2nd Half - 15

Neale 13
Robinson 13 (11w, 2i)
Lyons 11
Zorko 10 (2w)
J.Berry 9 (7w, 2i)
Christensen 6 wing
Mathieson 4
McCluggage 4 (2i, 2w)
Cameron 3 (2w, 1i)
Rayner 2

Martin 9
Big O 6

Interesting. Where do you source this info? Do you have Pies stats for the game?

 

[tate13]

Am I the only one annoyed about the "Lions have to perform" to maintain this game crap coming from the AFL and run with by various media? Melbourne were nursed through years with nobody even showing up on Queen's Birthday and when was the last time Richmond vs Carlton was actually a good game? Anzac eve - a new tradition didn't have a performance criteria either. Why are we having them placed on us?
While we didn't play well, we sold the game out, the viewing audience would've been high. If they want the game to grow in QLD they should support the team.

 

[Daniels Riches]

Like many, I’ve calmed down and started to reflect a little.
From my personal perspective, for the first time in years, I’m actually expecting to win games, rather than hoping we at least come close to a win. That was obviously due to our 3-0 start. Before our first game I had us finishing about 10th, but after a blistering start, finals slightly entered my mind. I got a little bit too carried away.

As a team we have a long way to go. Are we improving? Damn straight we are! Are we a team that should genuinely be challenging a top 8 spot? Not yet IMO. I think some of us need to temper our expectations a little, including me.

We looked tired and slow last night. The 8 day break will be great for our young team. J Lyons lack of pace may be a liability going forward, saw so many pies players run straight past him with ease. Thinking we should replace him with Corey for a game and see how the young fella goes. He deserves a chance on the big stage.

Is it just me or does Witherden seem like a lazy footballer at times? I know he is a great kick, but makes some poor decisions and sometimes he seems to play with a lack of urgency.

Terrible to see Harris pull a hammy, but we could unearth another great defender. Remember that Walker looked like he was cooked last year, but really stepped up in Andrews absence and kept his spot on the list.

On a positive note, I have loved Rich’s attack on the football. One time he gave away a free kick for below the knees, but great to see him put it all on the line.

Cluggs will be an absolute superstar. I think Essendon and GWS will regret passing on him! He is a jet.

To be honest, I don’t think we could have played any worse last night. No doom and gloom at the moment, but we really need to bounce back from the last 2 weeks with a really strong performance next game.

Football is a bloody emotional game. I know it brings out the best and worst of me! Keep the faith and let’s continue to build our next dynasty.

Go Lions [emoji881]


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[Tom14]

Completely irrelevant to the overall result but the AFL has admitted to 2 goal review errors: https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-04-19/afl-admits-goal-review-blunders-in-lions-v-pies-game

 

[jackess]

Completely irrelevant to the overall result but the AFL has admitted to 2 goal review errors: https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-04-19/afl-admits-goal-review-blunders-in-lions-v-pies-game

What happens if we miss out on the 8 by a tiny percentage?

 

[Daniels Riches]

What happens if we miss out on the 8 by a tiny percentage?

Would be absolutely spewing, but we would still have a successful season if that was the case.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Albi_Mangler]

Completely irrelevant to the overall result but the AFL has admitted to 2 goal review errors: https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-04-19/afl-admits-goal-review-blunders-in-lions-v-pies-game

What about the free kicks inside offensive 50. These frees are hugely influential. Do they review those? Would like to see a coaches challenge system implemented - one per half similar to NFL.

 

[FLVanLandingham]

Ok time to invert air and water and make this glass 3/4 full.

I'm glad we got smashed. Now the narrative of the mighty lions from the media who probably don't know as much about us as they need to, spout grandiose statements about our strengths and weaknesses. Now i can watch in ignorance just like the media commentators too and judge us for how we actually play, not for the 'vibe' or potential.

 

[martinson]

What happens if we miss out on the 8 by a tiny percentage?

Those blunders were shockers.

Even more perplexing were the TV commentators failing to question the ref.

Seemed like the world was against us last night

 

[dlanod]

Completely irrelevant to the overall result but the AFL has admitted to 2 goal review errors: https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-04-19/afl-admits-goal-review-blunders-in-lions-v-pies-game

F me. That's basic shit.

 

[a mayes ing]

F me. That's basic shit.

Yep, absolutly ridiculous.Is that all what happens? Admit they got it wrong, then move on... What if it decides a GF, surely there should somethign done to the people involved. Like if you get too many wrong, you get demoted or something.

 

[Tom14]

F me. That's basic shit.

I have absolutely no idea how they can claim that they 'review every goal'. Incredible stuff.

Could be worse I guess - we could have turned up in the second half and lost narrowly and then had to read this!

 

[CarterS]

Thought Beams saying he was pointing to the members bar where his dad used to go, after he kicked the goal, was actually a great moment.

 

[carnthemlions]

We're stuck in a difficult position. We have Matho and Lyons in the team to win contested footy but they are a liability on the spread. They have then been useless this year in contested footy. Plan A would be to win the footy first which is why we're playing them but with those two in the team they hold us back when we have to rely on transitioning the footy quickly from the backline. Not helped by losing Bailey's run from the back half and Zorko forgetting how to win a clearance.

More recently we've drafted better balanced midfielders. Might need some patience to sort out our midfield.

I can only assume Berry isn't 100% yet, otherwise I have no idea why we continue to go with Neale and some guys at centre bounces. I guess we can't play Lyons and Mathieson anywhere else, so why play them at all if they're going to get ~15 possessions a game and have no influence?

I didn't think he was that bad and definitely no worse than our midfielders standing behind their opponents at centre bounces. I thought Stef rucked a lot better than Oscar and Grundy didn't have much influence around the ground.

A huge game for Grundy is much worse than what we got last night, for one he didn't have 25 touches. Stef and Oscar have been a really good combo in the ruck this year, and Oscar did nothing in the ruck at all this time, meaning Stef had to ruck most of the game.

Commiserations on the loss.

Here are the midfield frequency stats from the match (ie. how often players lined up as one of your 5 mids at centre bounces).

Overall Summary - 30

Neale 27
Robinson 25 (23w, 2i)
J.Berry 23 (21w, 2i)
J.Lyons 19
Zorko 18 (2w)
Mathieson (inj) 11
McCluggage 10 (2w)
Christensen 10 wing
Cameron 4 (2i, 2w)
Rayner 2
McCarthy 1

Rucks:
Martin 22
Big O 8

1st Half - 15

Neale 14
J.Berry 14 wing
Robinson 12 wing
J.Lyons 8
Zorko 8
Mathieson 7
McCluggage 6
Christensen 4 wing
Cameron 1
McCarthy 1

Martin 13
Big O 2

2nd Half - 15

Neale 13
Robinson 13 (11w, 2i)
Lyons 11
Zorko 10 (2w)
J.Berry 9 (7w, 2i)
Christensen 6 wing
Mathieson 4
McCluggage 4 (2i, 2w)
Cameron 3 (2w, 1i)
Rayner 2

Martin 9
Big O 6

Why do we have Berry and particularly Robinson starting so many centres bounces on the wings? There's a lot wrong with our setup at the moment.

 

[seanthelion]

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[Gadzorks]

I can only assume Berry isn't 100% yet, otherwise I have no idea why we continue to go with Neale and some guys at centre bounces. I guess we can't play Lyons and Mathieson anywhere else, so why play them at all if they're going to get ~15 possessions a game and have no influence?

A huge game for Grundy is much worse than what we got last night, for one he didn't have 25 touches. Stef and Oscar have been a really good combo in the ruck this year, and Oscar did nothing in the ruck at all this time, meaning Stef had to ruck most of the game.

Why do we have Berry and particularly Robinson starting so many centres bounces on the wings? There's a lot wrong with our setup at the moment.

Re Robinson - when he moved to the centre from wing we saw an instant improvement in clearances. Would think he would start there at some point.