2013 Team

[Bert Man]

People are going to be shocked about how good we will be next year

 

[irel]

 

[BlairForceOne]

Have a feeling that if he stays uninjured, Staker will have a massive start to the season. He has already had some training under the belt and is set to have a big preseason in Arizona, can't wait to see him in round one.

 

[Grimreepah]

Hopefully Rockliff will be moved back into the middle. As a forward, Hamilton's comment has a grain of truth to it. IMO he is only genuine quality as a midfielder, who pushes forward occasionally.

On Merrett I'm a bit undecided. He was good as a forward, but he was a gun in defence. But if he plays forward, it allows Maguire to play as 1, and Patfull to play as 2, which suit them both a lot better, and with Lester as 3, the backline has a lot better balance. Both Lisle and Martin have very different strengths and weakness to each other, and to Merrett, and then you've got to assess how much improvement can expected when they settle in the role. So many variables, it's hard to come up with a definitive answer.

 

[Simba Moyo]

It's been said many times that Merrett feels at home in defence. Though he contributed wonderfully this past season, having him back creates a strong backbone for the backline and adding the likes of our B&F, Golby, Hanley and the possible inclusion of Staker here and there sounds pretty good to me.

 

[_Gin]

I’ve prepared the following thoughts for myself, but I ended up giving up on trying to name a team because if everyone is fit it becomes a nightmare. Though it might spark some discussion or be a useful reference for someone else though.
I remember a few years back when we were putting Draft Pick #7 into these team predictions. IIRC that didn’t happen too much last year and I reckon it shouldn’t happen this year at all.
Below is the team that took on the Bulldogs in Round 23. I’ve struck out the names of players who are no longer with us.
Backs:
Round 23 2012 Team:

Daniel Merret, Joel Patfull, Jed Adcock, Pearce Hanley, Ryan Lester, Elliot Yeo, Ryan Harwood (Sub).​

Which ‘backs’ didn’t play in the above side that should be available for Round 1 next year?

Goose Maguire, Mitch Golby, Ash Mcgrath, Sam Docherty, Niall McKeever(will either be on the list or gone), Stephen Wrigley (R).​

If everyone is fit what does that do to team selection?

This gives us a huge amount of flexibility. Goose can either replace Merrett to allow him to move forward or slot into the CHB and shift Patfull back to the third tall who he is able to dominate. Mitch Golby or Ash Mcgrath could release Lester or Hanley up into the midfield. We might decide to let Ash play up forward as well.​

I really rate Golby, Lester, Yeo and Harwood and think they all play years better than their actual experience.​

Midfield:
Round 23 2012 Team:

Simon Black, Andrew Raines, Clay Beams, James Polkinghorne, Daniel Rich, Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff, Amon Buchanon​

Which ‘mids didn’t play in the above side that should be available for Round 1 next year?

Callum Bartlett, Jesse O’Brien, Jared Polec, Brent Moloney(T), Jack Crisp (R).​

If everyone is fit what does that do to team selection?

Gives us a bit of depth, more if you consider we’ve got a few backs and forwards that can shift into the middle when necessary. Brent Moloney probably takes Amon’s place, otherwise there probably isn’t much more to change.​

Ruck:
Round 23 2012 Team:

Hudson​

Which ‘rucks’ didn’t play in the above side that should be available for Round 1 next year?

Matthew Leuenberger, Billy Longer, Stefan Martin Sam Michael (R)​

If everyone is fit what does that do to team selection?

Probably just gives us the minimum level of depth the ruck needs, I doubt there has ever been a team that had all its rucks available for an entire season. Leuenberger goes back to 1st ruck with Billy or Stefan as number 2. Hudson probably plays a lot of reserves games unless needed in the seniors.​

Forwards:
Round 23 2012 Team:

Jonathon Brown, Jordan Lisle, Rohan Bewick, Joshua Green, Dayne Zorko, James Hawksley​

Which ‘forwards’ didn’t play in the above side that should be available for Round 1 next year?

Aaron Cornelius, Brent Staker, Patrick Karnezis, Todd Banfield.​

If everyone is fit what does that do to team selection?

Again gives us a bit of depth, anyone’s guess as to who takes Hawksely’s spot all 4 have their merits for being in the top 22 and it’s just about who comes on more during the preseason.​

Utilities:
I don’t recall anyone being used as a utility in the Bulldogs game but I might be wrong. I define a utility as someone that can play forward and back, if they can play in the middle as well all the better. If some can play mid and forward/back I would call them a midfielder who can push forward/back.
I think we’ve got a pretty good number now who include:

Brent Staker, Stefan Martin (T), Ryan Lester, Pearce Hanley (I love it when he sneaks forward and think he would do awesome in the forward line), Patrick Wearden (haven’t seen him in the seniors so didn’t even nominate a nominal position for him, Rohan Bewick, Daniel Merret (it’s criminal to call him a utility but he fits my definition now), Ash Mcgrath .​

These are the players who make guessing at team selection so bloody hard, if they play forward team selection goes one way, if they play back another or if they play in the midfield a third direction. They are what made me give up in the end.

 

[Brisbane2013]

People are going to be shocked about how food we will be next year

We have the team but we just lack consistency, if we can get that right next year then who knows where we will end up

 

[Karnezis_13]

People are going to be shocked about how food we will be next year

Yep, a Leuenberger with some Sauce, hopefully that's not too Rich.
People are going to be so shocked at our wealth of food

 

[SizeMatters]

Martin Merret Staker
Adcock Goose Golby
Hanley Rich Rockliffe
Zorko Brown Bewick
Mcgrath Patfull Green
Luey Moloney Redden

Black Lester Beams
Sub Yeo/Polec/Banfield

 

[Karnezis_13]

Here's my shot at it
B: Patfull - Merrett - Golby
HB: Adcock - Goose - Hanley
C: Rich - Black - Zorko
HF: Bewick - Brown - Rockliff
F: Staker - Martin - Green
Foll: Leuey - Redden - Moloney
I/C: Raines - Beams - McGrath
Sub: Karnezis
Emg: Polec - Lester - Harwood

 

[Dan12]

FB Patfull Merrett Adcock (Bold= lock)
HB Hanley Maguire Golby (underline= young and hopeful/possible lock by the end of the season)
C Polec Black Rich
R Leuenbeger Moloney Redden
HF Zorko Lisle Rockliff
FF McGrath Brown Bewick
I Raines Lester Polkinghorne
S Green
E Martin Beams Karnezis
Unlucky Harwood Staker Yeo
Depth Cornelius Longer Docherty McKeever Clarke and more
Heaps of depth there, we should be able to field a really competitive side with few holes all season.

 

[Milk Steak]

Martin Merret Staker
Adcock Goose Golby
Hanley Rich Rockliffe
Zorko Brown Bewick
Mcgrath Patfull Green
Luey Moloney Redden

Black Lester Beams
Sub Yeo/Polec/Banfield

I don't wanna be super critical, but that is a very tall backline with next to no run and I noticed you took our BnF defender and moved him into the forward line which I thought was odd. Each to their own though.

 

[patfullfankezz]

I don't wanna be super critical, but that is a very tall backline with next to no run and I noticed you took our BnF defender and moved him into the forward line which I thought was odd. Each to their own though.

Especially going on his last performance down there...he should have kicked me at least one goal.

On the plus side, I still get to rub it in his face that I kicked more goals than him in his BnF season, and I intend to enjoy it!

 

[Brisbane2013]

i could actually see lisle taking brown's half forward spot.

 

[cotter101]

Adcock Merrett Golby
Lester Patful McGrath

Hanley Rich Yeo

Bewick Brown Redden
Zorko Lisle Green

Foll: Leuenberger Moloney Rockliff

Int: Yeo, Black, Raines. Sub: Beams

Missed anyone?

 

[Karnezis_13]

Adcock Merrett Golby
Lester Patful McGrath

Hanley Rich Yeo

Bewick Brown Redden
Zorko Lisle Green

Foll: Leuenberger Moloney Rockliff

Int: Yeo, Black, Raines. Sub: Beams

Missed anyone?

I am impressed with Yeo's ability to both play wing, and also reside on the interchange.

 

[BamBam10]

Obviously very early on and this will change once we get into the new year with injuries/NAB Cup form etc contributing but i'll give it a crack now for a Round 1 team (keeping in mind we're playing a relatively quick yet small Bulldogs line up).

Golby Merrett Adcock
Hanley Patfull Lester
Yeo Rich Bewick
Rockliff Lisle Zorko
Green Brown McGrath
Leuey Raines Moloney

Inter: Beams Redden Martin
Sub: Polec

What impresses me most is the depth of players who miss out including Staker, Patty K, Polks, Banfield, Longer, Doc, Ace and probably plenty of others I can't think of right now. I reckon our reserves are a massive shot at going back-to-back

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

As stated above a long way from the season and a lot of things could/will change, anyways here's the team I'd like to lineup for most of the season

FB : Patfull, Merritt, Golby
HB : Adcock, Maguire, Docherty
C : Hanley, Rich, Polec
HF : Rockliff, Brown, Zorko
FF : Karnezis, Lisle, Green
Fol : Leuy, Moloney, Redden
Int : Lester, Black, Raines
Sub : McGrath

The concern with this team would be the selection of Docherty, Polec, Karnezis and to a lesser extent Green. All four have the talent they just need a big preseason, their improvement will have the biggest impact on where the team will finish the year.

Backline : Merritt, Maguire and Patfull works against most opposition and offer the backbone to our defence. I'm not against Patfull having to play as the 2nd tall but if everyone is fit this is the lineup I like the most.

Adcock offers experience and reasonable rebound, with a balanced role hopefully can hurt opposition more this year. Golby was a real bolter last year and I was very impressed with him prior to his injury, hopefully has a big preseason and can really step up again a be able to play a shut down role on the opposition dangerous small, from what I've seen runs hard to give an option hopefully can work on his hurt factor.

I selected Docherty over Harwood because of his potential rebounding, both run and carry and damaging kicking. He could balance the back line out with picking up some of the slack that Merrett Maguire and Patfull lack.

Midfield : Really like the idea of Polec and Hanley on the wings. Both offer run and carry. This is where I see Polec being the most damaging hopefully an uninterrupted preseason he can build the fitness base required to play this role. Yeo could hopefully put some pressure for a position on the wing too

Like most I'd just love to see Rich playing exclusively "between the arcs" pin pointing passes to our forwards chest, hopefully Moloneys recruitment frees Rich up to do this.

Leuy, Moloney, Redden, throw in Black and Raines and any combination of these is our best team for centre bounces. I would like Redden (Lester also)to spend a lot of time with Moloney think they would benefit hugely from him.

Forwards : Still like Brown at CHF i like him pushing up the ground offer something there, then doubling back. At full forward I think he loses the threat of running back with the flight a little.

Lisle / Martin take your pick really could see this going either way. Martin might get games early if Leuenberger is a little underdone as I think he offers more in the ruck, but Lisle more as a forward.

Karnezis could be either Ace / Bewick (showed great signs late I the year) or McGrath all are marking lead up type players, I just see Karnezis with the biggest potential.

Had to fit Rocky somewhere showed he can be damaging forward, would like more midfield time as I think that's his best position but prefer on the ground then bench. Zorko and green offer defensive pressure and both can hit the scoreboard.

Bench : Lester has great versatility, Maguire is very injury prone and if injured during a game he can always been thrown back (like him as insurance for Maguire) also offers something.
Black and Raines for midfield rotations, Raines could very well start but I like the idea of trying to win the first few stoppages outright.

I like this side as its got some pace about it and seems reasonably balanced height wise.

That leaves Banfield, Beams, Bewick, Ace, Crisp, Hardwood, Longer, Martin, Polkinghorne, Staker and Yeo as depth. A great sign for the club.

 

[Dylan12]

People are going to be shocked about how good we will be next year

Based on what?

 

[Harris Specter]

Based on what?

On the talent that our team has when it's able to get everyone on the park.

 

[Bert Man]

Based on what?

Leuy and Staker are coming back. Moloney and Martin will really bolster our side

 

[Bert Man]

Based on what?

Oh yeah Rich, Redden, Rockliff, Lisle, Polec, Karnezis, Golby, Longer will all improve

 

[Dylan12]

Leuy and Staker are coming back. Moloney and Martin will really bolster our side

I don't know about Martin, but there are still big question marks on whether Staker will return to a similar level and Leuey to a lesser extent. No doubt, Moloney will be a huge addition for our young midfield, but my initial response was more to do with your expectations on roughly where that would translate on the ladder and/or win loss column.

 

[cmt26]

I’ve prepared the following thoughts for myself, but I ended up giving up on trying to name a team because if everyone is fit it becomes a nightmare. Though it might spark some discussion or be a useful reference for someone else though.
I remember a few years back when we were putting Draft Pick #7 into these team predictions. IIRC that didn’t happen too much last year and I reckon it shouldn’t happen this year at all.
Below is the team that took on the Bulldogs in Round 23. I’ve struck out the names of players who are no longer with us.
Backs:
Round 23 2012 Team:

Daniel Merret, Joel Patfull, Jed Adcock, Pearce Hanley, Ryan Lester, Elliot Yeo, Ryan Harwood (Sub).​

Which ‘backs’ didn’t play in the above side that should be available for Round 1 next year?

Goose Maguire, Mitch Golby, Ash Mcgrath, Sam Docherty, Niall McKeever(will either be on the list or gone), Stephen Wrigley (R).​

If everyone is fit what does that do to team selection?

This gives us a huge amount of flexibility. Goose can either replace Merrett to allow him to move forward or slot into the CHB and shift Patfull back to the third tall who he is able to dominate. Mitch Golby or Ash Mcgrath could release Lester or Hanley up into the midfield. We might decide to let Ash play up forward as well.​

I really rate Golby, Lester, Yeo and Harwood and think they all play years better than their actual experience.​

Midfield:
Round 23 2012 Team:

Simon Black, Andrew Raines, Clay Beams, James Polkinghorne, Daniel Rich, Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff, Amon Buchanon​

Which ‘mids didn’t play in the above side that should be available for Round 1 next year?

Callum Bartlett, Jesse O’Brien, Jared Polec, Brent Moloney(T), Jack Crisp (R).​

If everyone is fit what does that do to team selection?

Gives us a bit of depth, more if you consider we’ve got a few backs and forwards that can shift into the middle when necessary. Brent Moloney probably takes Amon’s place, otherwise there probably isn’t much more to change.​

Ruck:
Round 23 2012 Team:

Hudson​

Which ‘rucks’ didn’t play in the above side that should be available for Round 1 next year?

Matthew Leuenberger, Billy Longer, Stefan Martin Sam Michael (R)​

If everyone is fit what does that do to team selection?

Probably just gives us the minimum level of depth the ruck needs, I doubt there has ever been a team that had all its rucks available for an entire season. Leuenberger goes back to 1st ruck with Billy or Stefan as number 2. Hudson probably plays a lot of reserves games unless needed in the seniors.​

Forwards:
Round 23 2012 Team:

Jonathon Brown, Jordan Lisle, Rohan Bewick, Joshua Green, Dayne Zorko, James Hawksley​

Which ‘forwards’ didn’t play in the above side that should be available for Round 1 next year?

Aaron Cornelius, Brent Staker, Patrick Karnezis, Todd Banfield.​

If everyone is fit what does that do to team selection?

Again gives us a bit of depth, anyone’s guess as to who takes Hawksely’s spot all 4 have their merits for being in the top 22 and it’s just about who comes on more during the preseason.​

Utilities:
I don’t recall anyone being used as a utility in the Bulldogs game but I might be wrong. I define a utility as someone that can play forward and back, if they can play in the middle as well all the better. If some can play mid and forward/back I would call them a midfielder who can push forward/back.
I think we’ve got a pretty good number now who include:

Brent Staker, Stefan Martin (T), Ryan Lester, Pearce Hanley (I love it when he sneaks forward and think he would do awesome in the forward line), Patrick Wearden (haven’t seen him in the seniors so didn’t even nominate a nominal position for him, Rohan Bewick, Daniel Merret (it’s criminal to call him a utility but he fits my definition now), Ash Mcgrath .​

These are the players who make guessing at team selection so bloody hard, if they play forward team selection goes one way, if they play back another or if they play in the midfield a third direction. They are what made me give up in the end.

Well done on the write up.
This is a really good way to look at our list. It reinforces the fact that we have the majority of the pieces of a very strong team, just some development away from pushing for finals.

However it also reinforces how we lack midfield depth and quality young up & coming KPP's at both ends of the field. Hopefully we can do something about this on draft day.

 

[Bert Man]

I don't know about Martin, but there are still big question marks on whether Staker will return to a similar level and Leuey to a lesser extent. No doubt, Moloney will be a huge addition for our young midfield, but my initial response was more to do with your expectations on roughly where that would translate on the ladder and/or win loss column.

I believe that I can be biased and have great expectations for the team I love. GOOO LIONS 2013-2016 premiers