2017 Trade and FA thread

[Lazza16]

He was a real hit with the lads,really pulled them into line

He may have felt threatened by an up and cumin A.Bonar

 

[Groo2]

Just on Cian I thought David Noble said they would delist him and re rookie him after the draft. So I thought he’d be back on our list.

Yeah I thought so as well. This statement appears to put that hope to bed

"We are grateful for Michael, Claye, Reuben, Matthew and Cian’s contribution during their tenures with the Lions,” Ambrogio said.

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2017-10-26/lions-delist-five

 

[Sproj]

Yeah that statement is pretty final, isn’t it.

 

[Chezz]

Myth. Can kick it long but accuracy was never his strong suit and he's turned to shit now after a very promising start to his career. Outside of Schache he would be the weakest body on body player I have seen. Pass for mine.

I disagree for sure. There's a reason he's represented Australia in the international rules. He can play a fair bit.

Injuries have set him back a bit though, but fully fit I think he'll be a really good player

 

[notliondown]

So no, I don't view the glass as half full. I'm hopeful that a well coached team of B graders can make finals... eventually. But I've been burnt too many times to think we can get premiership glory under the current player contract rules. I just think there's too much stacked against us.

You're right, things are stacked against us... and that's before we kick the odd own goal ourselves. Despite the A, it's still a game slanted to the VFL. 14 out of the 18 clubs come from VFL/AFL heartland states. The amount of potential draftees every year is heavy stacked towards those states as well. If we really dig into the system and the stats none of us would support the Lions. The odds are against us in so many ways and so many levels that on an unemotional level no one in their right mind would give us a chance.

But for me it's exactly for those reasons I've been a member of this club for almost 20 years.

History makes most A grade players. It certainly makes premiership players. Analysing our list and ranking our players is only ever a snap shot of the here and now. It's certainly not proof of where those players will be in 1 or 2 or 3 years time. It's easy to dismiss the improvement in our players this year as them getting back on track.

But the reality is with more time, more guidance, more experience and more maturity both physically and mentally the Mayes, Robertson, Taylor, Bastinac, Rich, Walker, Zorko, McStay, Allison improvements could well be continual instead of fleeting. We are still young, and inexperienced.

In 2001 the start of our year was a shambles. We lost a string of games we should have won. I was adamant it was another wasted year. I looked at the Scotts who were tough but their skills were questionable, Lynch who could hardly see a game through, Power and Lappin annoyed hell out of me with flashes of brilliance but plenty of butchery with it, Pike was a castoff, Leppitsch was a nomad, Brown was off the field more than on... I was sure we were going no where. We had stars for sure... but not a team of them. Not at that point. Looking back at the 2001 yearbook there were some dismal failures on our list.

Now we are hearing of the struggles those players had with the same issues we confront today like homesickness I realise very little has changed. We had to take a group of what could have easily been described as B graders, lots of low to middling draft picks, a few zone selections, players forced up here by a merger... and make success with them. No one that I knew of had the slightest inkling of what the next 4 years would bring.

I'm not for a minute suggesting this current team is a premiership one. I'm sure for all the reasons you mention it will change. But looking back, one of the biggest parts we've lacked in recent times, was a strong, united, driven and experienced "off field" side of the club. We had it then. And I believe we again have it now. We focus so much on the players - and rightly so. But the ability to mould them, improve them and keep them comes off the field.

Call me naive, but I believe if you create an environment where people belong, feel part of something and are proud of it, anything is possible. And I believe that a lot of the decisions made this trade period were centered on that very thing. And for a lot of reasons known only to those inside the club.

If we can build a club with the same passion and pride we used to have, we give ourselves the best chance to retain, improve and create Brisbane Lions "citizens" that will believe their best chance of success is with us. And once that happens, it's almost impossible for us to be a contender once again.

 

[M Malice]

Bravo notliondown great post

 

[pauldrc]

I've watched big O a bit this year (very bloody impressed), and IMHO, he really is a forward who can ruck, a better proposition than either Close or Hammer in the now (more) modern game, and I think he will be someone to really watch over the next 1-2 years....

 

[Comeback Lions]

Really looks like they have one (if not two) uncontracted/DFA's lined up, perhaps an upgrade for Barrett or big O. They have 7 spots to fill. Surprised at Cain not getting another chance - maybe Gold Coast have said they would take him and we replied "ok".

Agree with you about DFA's, but no need for an upgrade with all Cat A rookies now able to play from round 1.

So far 8 out and 2 in, so only 6 senior list spots, unless there's a retirement we don't know about. Suspect this 7 is just a journalist's mistake, going off AFL indicative draft order. Will be confirmed when list lodgement happens early next week.

 

[a mayes ing]

I've watched big O a bit this year (very bloody impressed), and IMHO, he really is a forward who can ruck, a better proposition than either Close or Hammer in the now (more) modern game, and I think he will be someone to really watch over the next 1-2 years....

The problem is that is pretty much the same position as Ballenden.

 

[Lace Out]

They're both incredibly average - Lennon is borderline terrible compared to the standard of players around him.

Yes Lennon is definitely shot

 

[briztoon]

Agree with you about DFA's, but no need for an upgrade with all Cat A rookies now able to play from round 1.

So far 8 out and 2 in, so only 6 senior list spots, unless there's a retirement we don't know about. Suspect this 7 is just a journalist's mistake, going off AFL indicative draft order. Will be confirmed when list lodgement happens early next week.

So guessing Eagles becomes a Cat A rookie.

 

[luthor]

In 2001 the start of our year was a shambles. We lost a string of games we should have won. I was adamant it was another wasted year. I looked at the Scotts who were tough but their skills were questionable, Lynch who could hardly see a game through, Power and Lappin annoyed hell out of me with flashes of brilliance but plenty of butchery with it, Pike was a castoff, Leppitsch was a nomad, Brown was off the field more than on... I was sure we were going no where. We had stars for sure... but not a team of them. Not at that point. Looking back at the 2001 yearbook there were some dismal failures on our list.

Nice post @notliodown.

Re 2001

Not only was the start of the year a shambles, there were some really dark times later that season

I well remember trudging out of Optus Oval (then Princes Park) on a bleak Melbourne evening after witnessing my beloved Lions being absolutely smashed by Carlton by 74 points

That was Round 8, 19 May 2001

We were a joke. Cocky blues supporters were jeering and laughing at us. I dont think I've ever felt a deeper sense of despair as a Brisbane Lions or Bears supporter, We were going nowhere, we were a rabble. Our players looked dispirited and almost disinterested. Leigh was a has been, too old, dining out on his past glories as coach of Collingwood. The Sunday Melbourne papers the next morning were writing us off as failed experiments, destined to be nothing other than whipping boys and cannon fodder for the "traditional" AFL clubs.

We lost our next game against the Crows at the Gabba by a very narrow margin, beat the "invincible" Bombers the next week in the "if it bleeds" game and never lost another game that season.

I think that somehow there may be this idea that 2001 was a glory ride for from start to finish.

Far from it.

Something great grew from a total train wreck and that's why, like you I will always have faith that it can be done again.

The Doggies in 2016 and Richmond 2017 are further evidence that it can be done.

It is possible to turn things around ....and fast

I contnue to live in hope

 

[pauldrc]

The problem is that is pretty much the same position as Ballenden.

Not so sure....

Balla looks a bit undersized to play ruck (or 2nd ruck?), and still feel he will end up more than likely as a back, and maybe not a forward.

Happy to be proven wrong tho....

 

[a mayes ing]

Not so sure....

Balla looks a bit undersized to play ruck (or 2nd ruck?), and still feel he will end up more than likely as a back, and maybe not a forward.

Happy to be proven wrong tho....

Same height as Martin. As long as he can compete while still pinching in for a goal or 2 a game and bringing ball to ground then he will be doing his job. Will still have a main Ruck somewhere, maybe Archie

 

[notliondown]

I well remember trudging out of Optus Oval (then Princes Park) on a bleak Melbourne evening after witnessing my beloved Lions being absolutely smashed by Carlton by 74 points

That was Round 8, 19 May 2001

I remember that game... or at least the aftermath of it vividly. I walked into work on the Monday morning still pissed off and convinced we were heading for the spoon again, ready to begin the postmortem with the only other Lions supporter I had found in the world it seemed at the time. We swore, we cursed, we blamed Matthews, Voss, the waterboy, the pie vendor, the government - just about anyone we could think of.

We were so bad, so disinterested like you said, there was just no way we were going anywhere. We were embarrassing. Really embarrassing. It was another season of false hope... and I was over it.





Sounds so familiar doesn't it

 

[pauldrc]

Same height as Martin. As long as he can compete while still pinching in for a goal or 2 a game and bringing ball to ground then he will be doing his job. Will still have a main Ruck somewhere, maybe Archie

Really, hmm, fair enough then.

Martin isn't big, but he has mobility. Not a FWD tho, and we really need someone to help cover that position, whether it be Balla or Big O.

Need a long term No. 1 ruck that can give hit outs to advantage over mostly getting cheap stats....still not sure who that is ATM.

 

[luthor]

I remember that game... or at least the aftermath of it vividly. I walked into work on the Monday morning still pissed off and convinced we were heading for the spoon again, ready to begin the postmortem with the only other Lions supporter I had found in the world it seemed at the time. We swore, we cursed, we blamed Matthews, Voss, the waterboy, the pie vendor, the government - just about anyone we could think of.

We were so bad, so disinterested like you said, there was just no way we were going anywhere. We were embarrassing. Really embarrassing. It was another season of false hope... and I was over it.





Sounds so familiar doesn't it

It was almost surreal when we won the premiership.

I was drunk for a week.

 

[lions27]

I remember travelling 400kms to watch the 2001 GF in a country pub(Esperance) with 3 mates. The event room was full of about 200 Essendon supporters and as far as I could see I was the only Brissy supporter. My mates were eagles but they rallied with me... aaah was such a magnificent day.

 

[bungalow_bill]

2001 GF was the first AFL game I'd seen - watched it to see how the local team would fare and they fared well. Thanks to that game have been a Lions /AFL fan since 2002

 

[luthor]

I remember travelling 400kms to watch the 2001 GF in a country pub(Esperance) with 3 mates. The event room was full of about 200 Essendon supporters and as far as I could see I was the only Brissy supporter. My mates were eagles but they rallied with me... aaah was such a magnificent day.

Down by by 20 just before half time.

Lynch kicks a pressure goal to get us back to -14.

We are at the Southbank Piazza in Brisbane watching the live feed on multiple big screens.

The mood amongst the 2000 strong supporters at half time is hopeful rather than confident, The beers are plentiful

The Bombers throw everything including several kitchen sinks at us in the first 8-10 minutes of the third quarter. The damwall is close to bursting. Most of us are hushed with a sense of impending dread.

Somehow we resist and hold the line . Somehow we manage to sweep the ball downfield through an impossibly unlikely chain of handballs and from memory Marcus Ashcroft tops it off by kicking a goal from a totally mongrel punt from 50 that is also his first possession of the entire game!!!

Then we never look like losing and the crowd goes wild and the beers are even more plentiful and when Luke Power slots a running shot from 40 out in the last quarter to put us 38 points in front it's all over and we are Premiers and complete strangers hug and kiss and pinch themselves in case they are dreaming.

And we are not even at the game.

An impossible dream came true.

So don't anyone tell me I'm not allowed to hope to experience that feeling again before I depart.

The day I give up on that hope is the day I give up following this club

GO YOU LIONS!!!!

 

[BigCat2]

Yes Lennon is definitely shot

I see what you did there.

 

[Nunez]

I see what you did there.

Tagged out by the Catcher in the...ah **** it.

 

[Lace Out]

Just finished work and catching up on the trades... pick 12!!!!
I'm not angry Mr Noble, just disappointed that's all

 

[harvester]

Great post Notiondown. A coffee, Friday morning and a positive post about our young team and all us die hard supporters is a great start for the day

 

[MacMum]

Down by by 20 just before half time.

Lynch kicks a pressure goal to get us back to -14.

We are at the Southbank Piazza in Brisbane watching the live feed on multiple big screens.

The mood amongst the 2000 strong supporters at half time is hopeful rather than confident, The beers are plentiful

The Bombers throw everything including several kitchen sinks at us in the first 8-10 minutes of the third quarter. The damwall is close to bursting. Most of us are hushed with a sense of impending dread.

Somehow we resist and hold the line . Somehow we manage to sweep the ball downfield through an impossibly unlikely chain of handballs and from memory Marcus Ashcroft tops it off by kicking a goal from a totally mongrel punt from 50 that is also his first possession of the entire game!!!

Then we never look like losing and the crowd goes wild and the beers are even more plentiful and when Luke Power slots a running shot from 40 out in the last quarter to put us 38 points in front it's all over and we are Premiers and complete strangers hug and kiss and pinch themselves in case they are dreaming.

And we are not even at the game.

An impossible dream came true.

So don't anyone tell me I'm not allowed to hope to experience that feeling again before I depart.

The day I give up on that hope is the day I give up following this club

GO YOU LIONS!!!!

I got goosebumps reading your posts luthor and notliondown....you both described it so well.

I see so many similarities to our young team now. I too, believe this team that Fages is putting together will catapult us up the ladder.

How far remains to be seen.....but I have faith we will give a lot of teams a helluva shock on the way.