Football Related Random Thread - PART 2

[braddsey]

Made number one on Josh Jenkins list but did not make Cooneys list.
Just opinions of course and others may or may not include Jasper

1: Jaspa Fletcher (Brisbane)​

“At the risk of having already popped, I’ve gone with what I think will be the next captain of the Brisbane Lions, and the next best half back flanker in the competition.
“Sensational. I watched the Grand Final from behind the goals, and I was so drawn to him all day. He moves beautifully, he’s graceful across the turf. When you watch it from the crowd, you see a target and you think, ‘just hit that target, no worries!’
“You’ve played, you know how fast it is, and you know how that space gets closed. With him, he makes those kicks look easy. Everything he does looks easy. He’s got really good athleticism, he’s taken a couple of big hangers, he’s got courage in the air.
“He looks like he is the complete package.”

The new Steven May? Players predicted to pop in 2026

“They are about to pop!”

www.sen.com.au

JJ is pretty good value. I hated listening to him when he first joined the media, but he’s grown on me. He generally has a pretty smart opinion and doesn’t go in for the clickbait sensationalist bullshit.

 

[Viceregal]

Is it bad that part of me would enjoy seeing the Suns win a flag before the Giants (as long as they aren't playing us to do it!)

 

[Section 5]

I wonder if we jump up this list if we get a 3 peat

Your LEAST favourite AFL club: SEN fan survey results are in!

The votes have been counted.

www.sen.com.au

We used this question in the 2023 survey, and the top five clubs were the same).
See the full list below:

Collingwood (26%)
Geelong (14.3%)
Hawthorn (12.8%)
Carlton (12.4%)
Essendon (11.2%)
Port Adelaide (6.5%)
Adelaide (3.5%)
West Coast (2.4%)
St Kilda (2.3%)
Brisbane (1.3%)
Richmond (1.2%)
Western Bulldogs (1.2%)
GWS Giants (1.0%)
Fremantle (0.8%)
Gold Coast (0.7%)
Sydney (0.7%)
North Melbourne (0.7%)
Melbourne (0.6%)

 

[Saucery]

I wonder if we jump up this list if we get a 3 peat

Your LEAST favourite AFL club: SEN fan survey results are in!

The votes have been counted.

www.sen.com.au

We used this question in the 2023 survey, and the top five clubs were the same).
See the full list below:

Collingwood (26%)
Geelong (14.3%)
Hawthorn (12.8%)
Carlton (12.4%)
Essendon (11.2%)
Port Adelaide (6.5%)
Adelaide (3.5%)
West Coast (2.4%)
St Kilda (2.3%)
Brisbane (1.3%)
Richmond (1.2%)
Western Bulldogs (1.2%)
GWS Giants (1.0%)
Fremantle (0.8%)
Gold Coast (0.7%)
Sydney (0.7%)
North Melbourne (0.7%)
Melbourne (0.6%)

Na while poppy Fages is the spokesman we golden. Can't believe how low Richmond are though and Melbourne? Is that a pity vote?

 

[Full Wingspan]

Our new media polos look horrendous.

 

[Viceregal]

I wonder if we jump up this list if we get a 3 peat

Your LEAST favourite AFL club: SEN fan survey results are in!

The votes have been counted.

www.sen.com.au

We used this question in the 2023 survey, and the top five clubs were the same).
See the full list below:

Collingwood (26%)
Geelong (14.3%)
Hawthorn (12.8%)
Carlton (12.4%)
Essendon (11.2%)
Port Adelaide (6.5%)
Adelaide (3.5%)
West Coast (2.4%)
St Kilda (2.3%)
Brisbane (1.3%)
Richmond (1.2%)
Western Bulldogs (1.2%)
GWS Giants (1.0%)
Fremantle (0.8%)
Gold Coast (0.7%)
Sydney (0.7%)
North Melbourne (0.7%)
Melbourne (0.6%)

The Carlton folks I know will be kind of ok with this ... they have never felt complete as a club when they are not being hated and are confident that when they get on top again performance wise they will rise back to their rightful place as the most hated of clubs.

It is almost like living rent-free in your own head...

 

[morsie]

I know it's clickbaitbut according to Zero Hedge we have the 7th best forward line.

 

[braddsey]

I know it's clickbaitbut according to Zero Hedge we have the 7th best forward line.

I actually went looking for it (Zero Hanger), but considering it's one of those shit websites that make you click through a list to read the content and maximize the advertising revenue I really can't be bothered!

 

[Section 5]

I actually went looking for it (Zero Hanger), but considering it's one of those shit websites that make you click through a list to read the content and maximize the advertising revenue I really can't be bothered!

Every AFL team's forward line ranked 1-18

Our verdict on the competition’s best, and worst, forward groups from the 2025 season.

www.zerohanger.com

Last year they had us 5th

BRISBANE
The back-to-back premiers forward group isn't the most potent group of players, but that makes their budding dynasty so impressive.

The Lions ranked behind most top eight sides in points scored, shot accuracy and actually ranked dead last in offensive one-on-one contests won, highlighting the importance of the recruitment of Oscar Allen to the club.

However, despite no real superstar or Coleman Medal contender headlining the forward mix, Brisbane's goalscoring depth is off the charts. From 20-year-old Logan Morris breaking out to kick 53 goals in the calendar year, to Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner's ability to hit the scoreboard in moments that matter, it's no surprise the Lions ran rampant over the Cats on the final Saturday of September

 

[Jivlain]

I know it's clickbaitbut according to Zero Hedge we have the 7th best forward line.

Seems a reasonable enough analysis. I'll also note that we were 10th on goals per inside 50. And pretty much in the weeds there in terms of the actual numbers. The lack of a standout key certainly was an issue. Hopefully Allen gets going and Gallop keeps improving!


They had our midfield and defensive lines best in competition.

 

[Section 5]

Fagan knew with the KPF's he had after Jo's departure things had to change a bit.
It appeared to me the number one thing he required from Day and then his younger PKF's was try not to get out marked by getting to that ball drop area.
At a minimum a contest, then follow up when ball hits the ground with some sort of pressure.

I am sure Logan Morris improved more than Fagan had hoped

With Allen hopefully playing regularly i don't see this attitude changing drastically but he should help with marks inside 50.
However, Ah-Chee had 30 and 29 the last 2 years so Allen has to at least get that many
Below i only listed the players above 20 marks I50.
Lohmann dropped out this year due to injury
Bailey only took 10 Marks I50 in 2024 and jumped to 29 in 2025.

I compared Big O to Draper and they both average around 0.5 MI50 so Draper not likely to improve our team totals.

When you look at totals the last 2 years, we are well placed but we did play more games than other clubs so that helps with ranking.

Marks I50 Totals
2024 Marks I50: 360 rank 1 playing 27 games. (On averages rank 2)
2025 Marks I50: 321 rank 5 playing 27 games. (On averages rank 9)

Below from https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/tr-brisbane-lions?year=2025&rt=TT&pt=&st=M5&mg=1

 

[Jivlain]

Fagan knew with the KPF's he had after Jo's departure things had to change a bit.
It appeared to me the number one thing he required from Day and then his younger PKF's was try not to get out marked by getting to that ball drop area.
At a minimum a contest, then follow up when ball hits the ground with some sort of pressure.

I am sure Logan Morris improved more than Fagan had hoped

With Allen hopefully playing regularly i don't see this attitude changing drastically but he should help with marks inside 50.
However, Ah-Chee had 30 and 29 the last 2 years so Allen has to at least get that many
Below i only listed the players above 20 marks I50.
Lohmann dropped out this year due to injury
Bailey only took 10 Marks I50 in 2024 and jumped to 29 in 2025.

I compared Big O to Draper and they both average around 0.5 MI50 so Draper not likely to improve our team totals.

When you look at totals the last 2 years, we are well placed but we did play more games than other clubs so that helps with ranking.

Marks I50 Totals
2024 Marks I50: 360 rank 1 playing 27 games. (On averages rank 2)
2025 Marks I50: 321 rank 5 playing 27 games. (On averages rank 9)

Below from https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/tr-brisbane-lions?year=2025&rt=TT&pt=&st=M5&mg=1

View attachment 2497513


View attachment 2497510

Looking at marks inside 50 per inside 50 gets a bit uglier:


(H&A games only)

You can certainly see the difference Joe's absence made!

 

[Section 5]

Looking at marks inside 50 per inside 50 gets a bit uglier:
View attachment 2497570

(H&A games only)

You can certainly see the difference Joe's absence made!

It does go to show that one or a few important stats does not really tell the whole story of a footy teams success.
You certainly don't want to be poor at a lot of these things either if you want to make top 4, a GF and then win it.
Of course, there is no stat for mindset on any given day either.

 

[Dalions]

 

[Royboy1961]

Seems a reasonable enough analysis. I'll also note that we were 10th on goals per inside 50. And pretty much in the weeds there in terms of the actual numbers. The lack of a standout key certainly was an issue. Hopefully Allen gets going and Gallop keeps improving!
View attachment 2497427

They had our midfield and defensive lines best in competition.

Our forward line was our weakness for sure. We manufactured goals through our midfield and kicked too many points. I reckon we improved once Gallop came into the side and we straightened up our entries into the forward line. Hopefully our new recruits will improve our efficiency.

 

[BuntonRules]

A christmas present for 3KZ is Football from SEN



The AFL's 10 most underrated gems

Ryan Lester (Brisbane)​

He just flies under the radar, does his job with no fuss, and rarely loses a battle. A coach’s dream.
[PLAYERCARD]Ryan Lester[/PLAYERCARD] doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves league-wide although there is little doubt how highly regarded he is by the Lions.

The fuss-less Lester is never high on Brisbane’s B&F chart, nor is he ever in All-Australian contention, but he is a vital player in the back-to-back premiership defence.
It felt his career was passing him by and it appeared as such when he was delisted at the end of 2022. But Chris Fagan kept the faith by recalling him and Lester repaid it handsomely by producing career-best footy in 2023.
His past two seasons have been exceptional and he remains an underrated gem.
Andrew Slevison

And next on their list

Darcy Wilmot (Brisbane)​

While [PLAYERCARD]Dayne Zorko[/PLAYERCARD] gets most of the plaudits for his performances off half back, Wilmot is proving to be just as important to his team’s success.
Having played in every game for the Lions since 2023, the 22-year-old has been an integral part of their premiership squads with his natural speed and kicking ability suiting Brisbane’s game plan.
His marking has also been a standout, particularly his intercepts, where he ranked 12th in the competition.
With his continual improvement in finding the footy and using it effectively, don’t be surprised if his impact becomes more and more pronounced next season.
Nicholas Quinlan

 

[3KZ is Football]

A christmas present for 3KZ is Football from SEN



The AFL's 10 most underrated gems

Ryan Lester (Brisbane)​

He just flies under the radar, does his job with no fuss, and rarely loses a battle. A coach’s dream.
Ryan Lester doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves league-wide although there is little doubt how highly regarded he is by the Lions.

The fuss-less Lester is never high on Brisbane’s B&F chart, nor is he ever in All-Australian contention, but he is a vital player in the back-to-back premiership defence.
It felt his career was passing him by and it appeared as such when he was delisted at the end of 2022. But Chris Fagan kept the faith by recalling him and Lester repaid it handsomely by producing career-best footy in 2023.
His past two seasons have been exceptional and he remains an underrated gem.
Andrew Slevison

And next on their list

Darcy Wilmot (Brisbane)​

While Dayne Zorko gets most of the plaudits for his performances off half back, Wilmot is proving to be just as important to his team’s success.
Having played in every game for the Lions since 2023, the 22-year-old has been an integral part of their premiership squads with his natural speed and kicking ability suiting Brisbane’s game plan.
His marking has also been a standout, particularly his intercepts, where he ranked 12th in the competition.
With his continual improvement in finding the footy and using it effectively, don’t be surprised if his impact becomes more and more pronounced next season.
Nicholas Quinlan

Lazy journalism. Lester finished 6th in the Best and Fairest in 2024, ahead of some very big names.

2024 Merrett-Murray Medal – Top 10
1. Lachie Neale - 73
2. Dayne Zorko - 72
3. Josh Dunkley - 71
4. Hugh McCluggage - 64
5. Dary Wilmot - 61
6. Ryan Lester - 60
7. Harris Andrews - 56
8. Jarrod Berry - 56
9. Joe Daniher - 56
10. Oscar McInerney – 54
10. Cam Rayner - 54

Other than that … nice recognition.

 

[Section 5]

The Guardian has a photo gallery from around the world each day. Can be anything really.
Today it is the best Australian sporting moments of 2025.
I am sure there are many more better images available from the AFL side of things. Two Lions images made the list.
Shannon Campbell has her eyes closed so i don't particularly like that one.
Lohman's eyes closed for a different reason
Four AFL images out of 32.

The best Australian sporting moments – in pictures

A Formula One title challenge, athletics sprinkled with star dust and spirited cricket celebrations – here’s the highlights from the 2025 year in sport

www.theguardian.com

 

[Viceregal]

I trust Kai received a free for that?

 

[MacMum]

Happy New Year everyone and hope you had a great Xmas etc...

This is not football related but it is random..(didn't know where else to put it)

Came across a YouTube video which will put a smile on your face....it's a song by JT song studio called "Merry Bloody Xmas"(Down Under)

It's done in cartoon style and features our Aussie animals and with a good tune. Simple, cute and just a break from the trials and tribulations of todays world..

Not important in the scheme of things but made me smile.......and god knows we need to smile after the last few weeks of terror and drama.....and high bills that keep rolling in.

Enjoy guys and gals

 

[Section 5]

Happy New Year everyone and hope you had a great Xmas etc...

This is not football related but it is random..(didn't know where else to put it)

Came across a YouTube video which will put a smile on your face....it's a song by JT song studio called "Merry Bloody Xmas"(Down Under)

It's done in cartoon style and features our Aussie animals and with a good tune. Simple, cute and just a break from the trials and tribulations of todays world..

Not important in the scheme of things but made me smile.......and god knows we need to smile after the last few weeks of terror and drama.....and high bills that keep rolling in.

Enjoy guys and gals

 

[MacMum]

Thanks heaps for putting up the video, I'm not very clever when it comes to doing stuff like that..

Simple little song but it made me smile, so Aussie...hope you enjoyed it too

 

[BigEasyPeasy]

Maths not a strong suit at foxsports.

 

[Viceregal]

Maths not a strong suit at foxsports.View attachment 2503948

So if Essendon manages 9th they still won't play in a final!

 

[Mr Ripper]

You, too, will do a double take 16 seconds in.