Preview Lions 2019 Discussion

[Cousin Jed]

Yeah, nah. I wouldn't boo Santa.

I know you're being light hearted, but I'm not normally this angry after a loss.

I believe it might have something to do with greater expectations for this season and selling our first round draft pick. More to do with selling our first draft pick obviously.

Maybe take a spell until draft time then.

 

[jackess]

Best and Fairest top 3 right now

1. Neale
2. Rich
3. McCluggage

What are peoples thoughts?

 

[M Malice]

Watching Collingwood, teams like Essendon and Richmond, even Port. We need a serious injection of speed in to the team.

I know I've banged on about it for a couple of weeks now, as as have others. But I seriously believe some people are missing the point when myself and others talk about adding speed to the back line and midfield.


We're not just focussing on our inability to defend, and thinking having some faster players in defence would make us better defensively.

It might help, but as has been pointed out, when the opposition is slingshotting the ball out of their defensive 50 and our team structures are caught out, even fast players aren't going to stop such fast ball movement to often.


For me, adding a couple of faster players to the back 6 and midfield, will in turn improve our ability to break lines, move the ball fast and increase our ability to score as well.

Of course if we can't win the ball from centre bounces or stoppages, things are going to be hard and this needs improving to.


But right now, we are so ponderous bringing the ball out of our defensive 50, we let other teams set up defensively before we even look to move the ball on.

It's a worrying sign when Rich is your fastest offensive player out of defensive 50, both by foot and boot.


My concern is, if we can't fix our contested footy and give Neale more support, we're going lose a lot more matches from here on out, and our 3 and 0 start to the season will be a faded memory or what could have been be seasons end.


Teams I'm cautiously optimistic play against and possibly winning for the rest of the season, Sydney, Hawthorn and Carlton. That's it.

I agree briz, we need speed all over the ground IMO, mainly for defensive pressure and overlap run out of defense, we desperately need an Adam Saad type player, hopefully Zac Bailey is that player.

Very very early I know but James Madden has shown some fantastic glimpses in the NEAFL considering he is only a few games into his AFL journey, he is lightning quick and looks like he knows how to use it on field, his disposal and tackling skills also look well advanced.

Cedric Cox and Tom Cutler also are quick + apparently one of Tom Berry's strengths is his explosive pace so there's another 3 already on our list, we just need them all to grab their career by the scruff of the neck and demand a spot in our side. With Cameron, McCarthy, Zorko, Bailey, Cutler, Cox, T.Berry and Madden in the side we would suddenly look extremely quick IMO.

 

[mpal6]

I watched both the port vs eagles and richmond vs swans, the stark contrast was how the forwards would advance at manic pace towards the opposition player hunting the footy. There is no stop n prop, waiting to see what ball carrier wants to do and THEN react. They just hammered away and harassed to the extent that the swans /eagles were making mistakes due to perceived pressure when players were not even there.

The next phase of our growth will come from being militant about our game plan. If Cutler gets measured against certain benchmark / standards before he can get a run in seniors, the same standard needs to be applied across the whole group. If players are off that non-negotiable, they can play in 2s until they are back in form and ready.

 

[Football Pope]

Watching Collingwood, teams like Essendon and Richmond, even Port. We need a serious injection of speed in to the team.

I know I've banged on about it for a couple of weeks now, as as have others. But I seriously believe some people are missing the point when myself and others talk about adding speed to the back line and midfield.


We're not just focussing on our inability to defend, and thinking having some faster players in defence would make us better defensively.

It might help, but as has been pointed out, when the opposition is slingshotting the ball out of their defensive 50 and our team structures are caught out, even fast players aren't going to stop such fast ball movement to often.


For me, adding a couple of faster players to the back 6 and midfield, will in turn improve our ability to break lines, move the ball fast and increase our ability to score as well.

Of course if we can't win the ball from centre bounces or stoppages, things are going to be hard and this needs improving to.


But right now, we are so ponderous bringing the ball out of our defensive 50, we let other teams set up defensively before we even look to move the ball on.

It's a worrying sign when Rich is your fastest offensive player out of defensive 50, both by foot and boot.


My concern is, if we can't fix our contested footy and give Neale more support, we're going lose a lot more matches from here on out, and our 3 and 0 start to the season will be a faded memory or what could have been be seasons end.


Teams I'm cautiously optimistic play against and possibly winning for the rest of the season, Sydney, Hawthorn and Carlton. That's it.

I don't see it as all doom and gloom..injuries have taken their toll and at games that exposed us..we have the talent just injured. it's wait and see unfortunate but it's only a few weeks...

Last year Gardnier had incredible closing speed on opposition players..since he ruptured his right leg posterior cruciate in the pre-season he's lost that speed..As we travel almost every 2nd week it may take him longer than expected to get back to having that closing speed...

Starcevich’s decision making and accuracy were perfect down back as he's shown great efficiency with his kicking and handball under pressure. He's going to be a very good player

Adams, from the games I have seen him play for the dogs has shown exceptional speed and power for his size, great in the air and like Rich and Witherden can roost a long kick.

Bailey..since the coaching crew moved him back from a midfield/forward has given us that run off half back where he can use his speed.

 

[M Malice]

I don't see it as all doom and gloom..injuries have taken their toll and at games that exposed us..we have the talent just injured. it's wait and see unfortunate but it's only a few weeks...

Last year Gardnier had incredible closing speed on opposition players..since he ruptured his right leg posterior cruciate in the pre-season he's lost that speed..As we travel almost every 2nd week it may take him longer than expected to get back to having that closing speed...

Starcevich’s decision making and accuracy were perfect down back as he's shown great efficiency with his kicking and handball under pressure. He's going to be a very good player

Adams, from the games I have seen him play for the dogs has shown exceptional speed and power for his size, great in the air and like Rich and Witherden can roost a long kick.

Bailey..since the coaching crew moved him back from a midfield/forward has given us that run off half back where he can use his speed.

We have had and continue you to have one of the shortest injury lists in the competition.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Zorko needs to turn it up now. He hasn't been bad but he hasn't delivered to is full potential this season. Time for him to step up and impact the games more. Berry needs to lift a bit too, we need to give Neale more help through the middle.

 

[M Malice]

Zorko needs to turn it up now. He hasn't been bad but he hasn't delivered to is full potential this season. Time for him to step up and impact the games more. Berry needs to lift a bit too, we need to give Neale more help through the middle.

I agree with this, with Matho out send J.Berry into the guts more often and bring in Taylor or Cutler for some outside run.

IMO the defensive side of Zork's game has been really good but his attacking game has been down, he may be playing a slightly different role this season.

 

[BuntonRules]

Have made my thoughts about Ely clear. He will develop better in the A grade, IMO.

The other in for me is Tom Cutler. Despite his deficiencies, we need his penetration and line breaking abilities. I would be tempted to play him as Andrew's replacement, given the relative lack of height in the Suns forward line. Can create some havoc with his run.

Out: Andrews & Matheson

In: Ely Smith & Cutler.

 

[bungalow_bill]

I agree with this, with Matho out send J.Berry into the guts more often and bring in Taylor or Cutler for some outside run.

IMO the defensive side of Zork's game has been really good but his attacking game has been down, he may be playing a slightly different role this season.

Berry Neale E.Smith could be a potent inside trio. With cameos by Rayner & McCluggage. With an improved tank Rayner could be a Cripps/Martin like beast in the middle

 

[a mayes ing]

Berry Neale E.Smith could be a potent inside trio. With cameos by Rayner & McCluggage. With an improved tank Rayner could be a Cripps/Martin like beast in the middle

Possibly. Ideally l think the best inside trios are where they are really different. So imo, a really potent 3 would be an inside bull like Berry, a smaller bodied but evasive inside/outside player in Neale and a really fast but explosive player like Dangerfield Or Rayner when he gets a better tank

 

[Football Pope]

We have had and continue you to have one of the shortest injury lists in the competition.

Yep, and from the start of the year we were short on replacements with our back 6..Adams and Starcevich..There was a cloud over Dizzy, which I touched on above.. after round 2 we lost Bailey and really miss his speed..Now Andrews..

 

[briztoon]

Berry Neale E.Smith could be a potent inside trio. With cameos by Rayner & McCluggage. With an improved tank Rayner could be a Cripps/Martin like beast in the middle

Until Rayner shows he has a tank, he shouldn’t even be entering discussions about playing midfield.

Tom Berry would be closer to that explosive mid we’re looking for. He has that ball winning ability and top end pace.

Personally I’m looking forward to a midfield rotation of Neale, J.Berry, Zac Bailey, Ely Smith and T.Berry, with Cutler and McCluggage on the outside.

 

[jackess]

Until Rayner shows he has a tank, he shouldn’t even be entering discussions about playing midfield.

Tom Berry would be closer to that explosive mid we’re looking for. He has that ball winning ability and top end pace.

Personally I’m looking forward to a midfield rotation of Neale, J.Berry, Zac Bailey, Ely Smith and T.Berry, with Cutler and McCluggage on the outside.

Is his tank any better than Rayner's?

 

[briztoon]

Is his tank any better than Rayner's?

Easily yes.

 

[Scubaveg]

Thought Rayner played better as the game went on. Still some concerns but I would still pick him for the next game.

There where two pieces of play he did particularly well. One was a clearance about 70m out from our goal. Kicked across his body and diagonally downfield the field about 40m to find Zorko on his own. Was a really class piece of play. The other his mark and banana. Those two pieces showed the class he has.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[jackess]

Easily yes.

Hasn't been running out games too well in the NEAFL.

 

[Scubaveg]

I agree with this, with Matho out send J.Berry into the guts more often and bring in Taylor or Cutler for some outside run.

IMO the defensive side of Zork's game has been really good but his attacking game has been down, he may be playing a slightly different role this season.

Zorks is going to get 8 posies in his next game.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[mpal6]

Zorks is going to get 8 posies in his next game.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Miller has gone to Sloane in Adelaide vs Suns, so its likely he'll go to Neale.
Zorko might have a better chance of running free and kicking those long bombs off the square.

 

[jackess]

Miller has gone to Sloane in Adelaide vs Suns, so its likely he'll go to Neale.
Zorko might have a better chance of running free and kicking those long bombs off the square.

If Neale gets shut down we'll really need more output from Zorks

 

[Surly Boy]

If Neale gets shut down we'll really need more output from Zorks

And the others that run through the midfield....

 

[Sausages]

If Neale gets shut down we'll really need more output from Zorks

Zorks is funny this year - I've been trying to decide if he's down on form, doing things differently or just learning to adapt to a slightly different role. He hasn't been terrible, but he also hasn't set the world on fire yet.

I'd hazard it mostly a combination of the last 2 points, not so much the first one. But I agree jackess - any time Neale is getting tagged out of a game, we'll need Zorko to step up and shoulder some heavy lifting, which I think he's still pretty capable of doing.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Miller has gone to Sloane in Adelaide vs Suns, so its likely he'll go to Neale.
Zorko might have a better chance of running free and kicking those long bombs off the square.

No doubt will tag Zorko after the history they have had.

 

[Dylan12]

The Tackle: Mark Robinson’s likes and dislikes from Round 5

Dislikes
5. Brisbane Lions

THEY might be sexy, but they need to get dirty. Contested possession is not always the panacea it seems, as the Hawks have previously shown. However, the Lions don’t yet have players of the same quality as the Hawks, which means they must start getting their hands dirtier. The Lions have lost the contested possession count in their past four matches and are ranked 14th. Lachie Neale was the only Brisbane player to win 10 contested possessions against Collingwood. The Lions have won the contested count once in five games this year.

8. Dayne Zorko careless?

HE can count himself very lucky. The Lion was charged with engaging in rough play — he hit Taylor Adams in the head after Adams disposed of the ball — and it was assessed as low impact by the match review officer. This was an act of frustration, which is to put it nicely. In reality it looked to me like a deliberate cheap shot from behind, and Zorko escaped suspension only because Adams suffered no injury. Not good enough from the Lions skipper.

 

[bungalow_bill]

You mean like...

Rayner whipped himself into shape with four gruelling boxing sessions a week, plus regular discussions with Club dietitian Pip Taylor, who encouraged him to cut out full-cream milk and bread.

https://www.lions.com.au/news/2019-03-12/rayner

Watching the Lions Hawks JLT game and a commentator mentioned Cam had lost 3-4 Kg.