2013 Team

[Warwick]

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.

If only Marc Murphy wasn't a mummy's boy...

If only Bradshaw and Rischitelli agreed to move for Fev...

If only Clark wasn't such a douche...

Nah, just shit stirring. But throw Murphy into the centre, Henderson to CHB, and Clark to FF into some of these teams and you wouldn't be booking holidays in late September.

(Btw, not trying to open a can of worms here. I know every team can look back and wonder "if only").

 

[Bert Man]

If only Marc Murphy wasn't a mummy's boy...

If only Bradshaw and Rischitelli agreed to move for Fev...

If only Clark wasn't such a douche...

Nah, just shit stirring. But throw Murphy into the centre, Henderson to CHB, and Clark to FF into some of these teams and you wouldn't be booking holidays in late September.

(Btw, not trying to open a can of worms here. I know every team can look back and wonder "if only").

If only we didn't pick Rich at pick 7 we wouldn't have the kick in the AFL

 

[_Gin]

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.

I think my post is a bit misleading in terms of midfield depth. I didn't want to put people down more than once, I think we have a few forwards and backs who can push into the middle if the opportunity presents itself. I think we're ready for finals, though I would like a KPF other than Brown to cement their place in the side.

 

[charles202]

My attempt at our 2013 team.
Golby Merrett Lester
Adcock Patfull Hanley
Raines Moloney Rich
Polec Brown McGrath
Green Martin Bewick
Leuey Redden Rockliff
Beams Zorko Black Docherty

Comments:
Golby
I thought was our best small defender before breaking his foot. Needs to put together a full season to show that he can be a durable long term solution.

Merrett
Quite simply our best defender the only time he should go forward is of he gets confused after Brownie wins the toss.

Lester
I have gone for generation next over the proven warhorse in Goose. Will likely not get the nod (or will play a utility role) but I would play him as a third tall. The extra run from the back six will be essential with the Drummo’s retirement.

Adcock
Mr reliable often does not get enough credit, would love to have another one in the team.

Patfull
Coming off an exceptional season, continues to do the job no matter how much he is supposedly outmatched physically.

Hanley
Could play midfield and will more than likely pop up there quite a bit on one of his forward excursions, but if he has another like 2012 could be a smokey for AA.

Raines
Under appreciated by some (including myself) but has redefined himself as a tagger. Might need to keep an eye on young Jack Crisp who might have designs on his role – but his spot would seem to be more than safe in the foreseeable future.

Moloney
Our biggest weakness last year was clearances, Moloney has been brought in to address this area. Should help free Rich up to play more outside and use the cannon disguised as left foot.

Rich
The more times we get this guy in space the more goals we will kick, improved endurance will help this shift to a more outside role.

Polec
One of my two picks for most improved in 2013, been watching replays of the 2012 season the kid is all class and clean, needs a run with injuries and a good pre-season. If he we are unable to resign him I will be devastated as is a massive talent.

Brown
I can’t write anything here that isn’t already known.

McGrath
Will be a dangerous forward option if left to play the entire season up there, I would think he should be our second option to goal after the captain.

Green
Needs to consolidate a break-out season, big preseason will help him keep in front of the chasing pack of mosquitos looking to fill his role.

Martin
I think will beat out Lisle, but should be a good battle pre-season will provide a genuine ruck backup to keep both ruckman fresh.

Bewick
Whilst being undersized for a third tall role, has shown to be a devil of a match up. Too quick and good an endurance runner to be matched up with a tall and to big a leap for a small to consistently spoil. I think will be the surprise of our forward 50.

Leuey
Needs to find a way to stay on the park. I think that having a genuine second ruck will help ease the burden and for him to be managed through the season

Redden
Just keeps getting better, if he played down south would be much more hype, this will be the season that he starts to get the recognition that he deserves.

Rockliff
I have no doubt that he was playing this season under duress. Often talked about as a future captain, whilst I’m not sure about his role as captain I do think that he will be the future (if not already) heart and soul of the team.

Beams
My other pick for breakout season, his finish to the season was brilliant needs to start in the same manner, will be hard to push out of the team.

Zorko
Brilliant debut season, if he can match it again in 2013 will have very important role in the midfield rotation. Extra defensive pressure has been important.

Black
He shall not grow old, as we that are watching him grow old. Will probabaly be the last season for the champ and I will enjoy watching his every game, would be a deserved holder of the games record. A player you are always proud of that they play for your team.

Doccherty
Throw a blanket over the options for the last spot. I went with the closest thing that we have to Drummo to help replace what will be a sorely missed laser left foot.

 

[Warwick]

Is it just be or does Niall get a bad rap around here? I thought he did a commendable job down back when I saw him last year (admittedly missed the last 4 or 5 games). I wouldn't have him best 22 just yet but I also would persevere with him.

 

[Swanny10]

Is it just be or does Niall get a bad rap around here? I thought he did a commendable job down back when I saw him last year (admittedly missed the last 4 or 5 games). I wouldn't have him best 22 just yet but I also would persevere with him.

I'm with you. Here's not quite there yet but he's shown quite a bit for mine. His improvement in a short space of time has been quite amazing.

Needs to improve his kicking obviously and his body on body work but has fantastic height/ endurance/ speed to make him well worth persevering.

 

[dlanod]

Is it just be or does Niall get a bad rap around here? I thought he did a commendable job down back when I saw him last year (admittedly missed the last 4 or 5 games). I wouldn't have him best 22 just yet but I also would persevere with him.

He's divisive IMO. Those that like him can see him being serviceable. Those that don't like him don't have any hope for him.

 

[jjami15]

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.

I'll haaaave........one of each then please.

 

[Dylan12]

Is it just be or does Niall get a bad rap around here? I thought he did a commendable job down back when I saw him last year (admittedly missed the last 4 or 5 games). I wouldn't have him best 22 just yet but I also would persevere with him.

He was more than just comprehensively beaten in that game against Sydney against a very out of form Reid who kicked 5 on him, he was terrible and looked very far removed from being AFL standard.

 

[patfullfankezz]

He was more than just comprehensively beaten in that game against Sydney against a very out of form Reid who kicked 5 on him, he was terrible and looked very far removed from being AFL standard.

Our B&F winner was completely destroyed, torn limb from limb, given a lesson and comprehensively teabagged in that game, yet we all still love him (some more than others).

I wouldn't use a game against Sydney as a yardstick for any Lions player.

 

[dlanod]

He was more than just comprehensively beaten in that game against Sydney against a very out of form Reid who kicked 5 on him, he was terrible and looked very far removed from being AFL standard.

Worst of all cases at that point. I think he's workable as a second or third tall defender at this point, depending on the forward line in question. Unfortunately with Merrett up forward and Maguire out, he got thrown to the wolves. As kezz points out, Patfull got dominated by Goodes as well because of our woeful play in general that game. Since we're using single data points, I present his smother in the West Coast game as the counterexample and why he's going to be a 300 game player.

 

[LION UP]

I present his smother in the West Coast game as the counterexample and why he's going to be a 300 game player.

 

[Toffee Lion]

FB : Patfull, Merrett, Harwood
HB : Adcock, Maguire, McGrath

C : Beams, Rich, Hanley

HF : Rockliff, Lisle, Zorko
FF : Bewick, Brown, Green

Fol : Leuy, Redden, Raines

Int : Lester, Black, Moloney
Sub : Yeo
-----------------------------

As posted by Michael Whiting on the AFL website.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150669/default.aspx

 

[Gibbo_88]

FB : Patfull, Merrett, Harwood
HB : Adcock, Maguire, McGrath

C : Beams, Rich, Hanley

HF : Rockliff, Lisle, Zorko
FF : Bewick, Brown, Green

Fol : Leuy, Redden, Raines

Int : Lester, Black, Moloney
Sub : Yeo
-----------------------------

As posted by Michael Whiting on the AFL website.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150669/default.aspx

Not a bad team when you know we have Staker, Martin, Golby and Polks as decent replacements and Polec and Doc closing in on a regular game. Definitely going to see quality players miss out on spots this year.

 

[Gibbo_88]

It looks like Golby and Harwood will be in competition for the one spot. I think Golby should be slightly in front of Harwood.

Golby has better kicking skills and has evasiveness and speed which is what you really want as a small defender but Harwood is the bigger body and is better in contested situations. Golby had more disposals, tackles, one percenters and TOG so everything points to him getting a spot over Harwood to me.

 

[POBT]

It looks like Golby and Harwood will be in competition for the one spot. I think Golby should be slightly in front of Harwood.

Golby has better kicking skills and has evasiveness and speed which is what you really want as a small defender but Harwood is the bigger body and is better in contested situations. Golby had more disposals, tackles, one percenters and TOG so everything points to him getting a spot over Harwood to me.

Agree with all of that. While I believe in incumbency, when a player is clearly best 22 before injury (as Golby was IMO), then I think he should be pencilled back into the side unless something remarkable has happened.

Harwood was OK in the defensive role. One really exceptional game and a couple of decent ones. But Golby was top notch and I don't believe Harwood did enough to push Golby out of the side.

 

[Brisbane2013]

Got this from afl.com
So is this our best 22? i hope so, although it lacks staker

 

[patfullfankezz]

This has me salivating for Monday's training session and absolutely chomping at the bit for the season to start!

 

[pauldrc]

Would have thought that Stakes and Golby would probably make the team....

 

[Kojihama]

That forward line seems a bit short...?

 

[whizkizz]

Not a bad team when you know we have Staker, Martin, Golby and Polks as decent replacements and Polec and Doc closing in on a regular game. Definitely going to see quality players miss out on spots this year.

Just need a good run with injuries.

You could add Banfield and Karnezis as potential depth too.

Oh and don't get me started on Pick #8.. #7?.. #6??

 

[Rally]

Golby is a starter for sure. I'd swap him and Harwood. I would've thought the same about Staker too, but finding his replacement isn't as easy. He, Lisle and Martin might find themselves having a fair battle this pre-season. Not a bad thing at all.

 

[Grimreepah]

Golby has better kicking skills and has evasiveness and speed which is what you really want as a small defender but Harwood is the bigger body and is better in contested situations. Golby had more disposals, tackles, one percenters and TOG so everything points to him getting a spot over Harwood to me.

Not sure I'd pick one over the other in terms of skills, but Golby is able to get more of the ball. He tends to be a bit more adventurous and push up the ground more.

 

[POBT]

That forward line seems a bit short...?

Pretty much how we lined up when we played our best footy in 2012, IMO. Using either McGrath or Bewick as the 3rd tall, we seemed to have more options in attack. We also looked more capable of applying defensive pressure.

FWIW, I kinda hope we can get Cornelius, Karnezis or Staker in that 3rd tall role without losing anything in terms of defensive pressure, mobility or effectiveness. But the young blokes in particular mostly looked less effective than Ash/Bewick playing a somewhat similar role.

 

[Ray Button]

Not a bad team when you know we have Staker, Martin, Golby and Polks as decent replacements and Polec and Doc closing in on a regular game. Definitely going to see quality players miss out on spots this year.

Whiting's team doesn't look too bad, although I'd have Golby in McGrath's place, move McGrath to Rockliff's flank, move Rockliff to the bench and unfortunately Lester would miss out. Yeo is probably a better impact player for the sub than Lester.

As stated, we look like having some excellent depth right down to player #40 on the list. What we don't yet have is that standout player (or two) who can consistently tear a game apart. Brown and Black could do this in the past, and probably still will on occasions but not consistently. We have a core of other A-graders (Rich, Merrett, Redden, Rockliff, Leuenberger) from which we need one or two to make that next step to elite.

And I don't think Tippett would make much difference.