Review 2011: What Went Well

[POBT]

The first of a couple of threads to review the season. I'll try and keep the next post up to date so that we can get a collective view on the season. The second thread will be "What needs reviewing/improving/changing"

Can we put our responses under 3 headings:


1. On Field

2. Footy Dept

3. Off Field

 

[POBT]

NB: This post combines all responses below.


1. On Field

* The rise of Leuenberger to be reach near elite.

* The continued development of the next generation of onballers - Redden and Rockliff in particular.

* The competitiveness of the side, particularly in the second half of the year.

* The paddys - Pierce Hanley & Niall McKeever. Hanley will be elite, or very close to, & McKeever, for someone with less than 2 years of Aussie Rules, has been very solid. So much upside to the pair of them.

* Karnezis showed enough for supporters to get excited about

* Some great individual performances (Redden, Rockliff, Leuenberger, Hanley plus Cornelius turning his attitude around and lifting his workrate)

* Getting games into the rookies/youngsters - showed a lot of foresight, and gives young players a better understanding of what needs to be done to be prepared for next season

* competitive without our bookends - Brown and Merrett

* better spread of goalkickers in Brown's absence

* GEELONG GAME- Thought we were unpredictable in that game up forward. Brown was almost being played as a decoy - Goals came from the midfield, and looked like Clark and Brown were going to cause havoc.

* Improved clearances and kicking out from the goal square in the 2nd half of the season.

* McGrath- Became an experienced player and knew how to capitalise on it this year. True value is forward of the centre next year- can kick long goals and should continue to use this strength.

2. Footy Dept

* The development paths are obviously working OK.

* Drafting remains a strong suit for the Lions. Lots of wins, very few busts at this point in time.

* re-signing young players. Remember 8 weeks ago we were being told we'd lose Rich and Leuey and Clarke, not only did we sign two of those early but we locked in some other quality youngsters.

* Voss' game plan coming together.

* Voss having the confidence and support of the players.

3. Off Field

* The content on the website, particularly the player focused videos and write-ups, is a massive improvement.

* Members' Roar is a great way to get thoughts from the punters who pay out for a membership.

* Blast from the Past

* Members' Charter

* Members' text messages

* More detailed injury updates

* Renewed focus on Victorian members

* Fitzroy fences mended (or in the process anyway)

* Re-engaging with past players

* the Springwood club looks to be very popular (hopefully it will translate to profit)

* Notifying members/supporters of length of player contracts...a first in the merged club's history I can recall.

 

[BuntonRules]

On field

The paddys - Pierce Hanley & Niall McKeever. Hanley will be elite, or very close to, & McKeever, for someone with less than 2 years of Aussie Rules, has been very solid. So much upside to the pair of them.

Off field

The blast from the Past

 

[Rally]

I agree with the credit to the website team. They've made it a site that's actually worth going to week to week, not just a place that references articles on afl.com.au. Love to see what video segments they have next year.

 

[whatboutbob]

Agree with all of the above plus:

3) Off Field

- Members' Charter
- Members' text messages
- More detailed injury updates
- Renewed focus on Victorian members
- Fitzroy fences mended
- Re-engaging with past players

 

[LionKing]

On Field
Thought Karnezis showed enough for supporters to get excited about

 

[POBT]

Another one for off field - the Springwood club looks to be very popular (hopefully it will translate to profit)

 

[Milk Steak]

On field, Karnezis looks like he could be a Lecras type player with his ability to lead and also score crumbing goals.Also the fact that we can be competitive when we are without one of the best forwards (Brown), one of the best fullbacks (Merrett) and have a team full of teenagers or thereabouts. bring one a pre season and a fit Beams and Polec too

 

[Caiphus]

on field:
getting so many debuts showed a lot of foresight, and gives young players a better understanding of what needs to be done to be prepared for next season.
Cornelius starting to show some work-rate.

 

[matwt73]

Footy Department or Offfield, not sure which
- re-signing young players. Remember 8 weeks ago we were being told we'd lose Rich and Leuey and Clarke, not only did we sign two of those early but we locked in some other quality youngsters. We might still lose Mitch but if so it will be because we have put a price on him that doesn't match his price.

 

[Dylan12]

Off-Field:

Notifying members/supporters of length of player contracts...a first in the merged club's history I can recall.

On-Field:

Worst season in merged club's history (4 wins, 18 losses). In 1998, the year we won the spoon, we had 5 wins, 1 draw, 16 losses. I reference this point by saying that I am more satsified with season 2011, than say seasons such as 06-08 and 10, primarily due to the development of the young boys and the general vibe of the club.

Edit...on-field part should be in the other thread...well, I suppose it could somewhat be construed as a positive.

 

[LionKing]

On Field
Our spread of goal kickers when J Brown was out injured for long periods of time. Hope this continues in 2012 when Brown returns.

 

[Grimreepah]

I thought we finished as good a side without Brown as we started with him.

 

[karix]

On-field
Development of Brown-alternatives in the forward line
Improved clearances and kicking out from the goal square in the 2nd half of the season.
Competitive displays against much stronger teams.

Footy Dept
Voss' game plan coming together.
Voss having the confidence and support of the players.

 

[blackpowerlappin]

On FIELD

KARNEZIS!!!!!!!!!!! YOU BEAUTY!!!

LEUENBERGER- Whichever game at whatever minute of that game when he started to clunk 'em. His work around the ground, his hitout numbers. Great year, important player

PIG RRRs- Who said we aint got midfilelders? Rich, Rockliff, Redden- Loved their games against Ferralwood, Rockliff and Redden in particular racking up 25 to 30 plus aweek. When was the last time we had anyone other than Black or Power getting those numbers? Redden's tackle count equal second- becoming a very good player. Redden or Dane Beams?

HANLEY- Wow! Love his dare and dash- will be a damaging player as this team improves- time for the midfield.

GEELONG GAME- Thought we were unpredictable in that game up forward. Brown was almost being played as a decoy - Goals came from the midfield, and looked like Clark and Brown were going to cause havoc. I think they need to play more like that in the future. Don't look for Brown all the time, let him run the defenders down then kick to him at the end of qtrs and especially in the latter half of games. Allows for more midfielders to share goal kicking responsibilities.

McGrath- Became an experienced player and knew how to capitalise on it this year. True value is forward of the centre next year- can kick long goals and should continue to use this strength.

McKeever- Liked the Irishmen a lot. He is coming along nicely- nice run for a tall bloke.

Plenty still waiting for their chance to cement positions- Bartlett, Polec, Green, Lester, Harwood, Beams, Bewick, O'Brien.

Off FIELD:

The Texts regarding whats happening with contracts- the Brown passed the medical text- put a smile on our face.

Lots of what others have stated.

Footy Dept:

Game plan starting to emerge.
Recruitment
That most players have re-committed after the issues of 2010.

How long until Round 1?

 

[Nuggo]

On Field

Some great individual performances:

Redden – Star
Rocliff – Star
Luie – Star
Hanley – Star
Acorn – Turning his attitude around

Getting games into the rookies

 

[POBT]

Post #2 has been updated to combine everyone's responses. I've tried to avoid duplication.

 

[Milk Steak]

Whoa Nuggo, don't know about Hanley =star yet. Good running ability. Has to learn how to spoil and also that there is no point bouncing the ball when you're standing still haha. Love his potential though