2nds 2020 Lions Reserves and NEAFL thread

[Mighty Lions]

Hi Found this article on the AFL site. Mentions a few of the young Lions players who are pushing for spots in the first 22, so provides some idea who has been playing well in the ressie matches over the past month or so. Still club could provide us with some info"

Where are you? The players we're yet to see in 2020

Who are we yet to see so far, and who might get a run before the year is out

www.afl.com.au

Apparently Skinner was well below average yesterday. Ballenden played 1/2 of the game & contributed well.

 

[Nunez]

Apparently Skinner was well below average yesterday. Ballenden played 1/2 of the game & contributed well.

I know the narrative with Ballenden (on Big Footy) is that he isn't physical enough for AFL, but last year seemed to compete just fine. He'll never be a pack crashing forward, but has elite disposals and if he can keep improving on his rucking and marking he'll get his chances at AFL level.

 

[jackess]

I know the narrative with Ballenden (on Big Footy) is that he isn't physical enough for AFL, but last year seemed to compete just fine. He'll never be a pack crashing forward, but has elite disposals and if he can keep improving on his rucking and marking he'll get his chances at AFL level.

Looked way off the pace in the preseason game he played.

 

[Nunez]

Looked way off the pace in the preseason game he played.

So did plenty.

 

[X AE A12]

Hi Found this article on the AFL site. Mentions a few of the young Lions players who are pushing for spots in the first 22, so provides some idea who has been playing well in the ressie matches over the past month or so. Still club could provide us with some info"

Where are you? The players we're yet to see in 2020

Who are we yet to see so far, and who might get a run before the year is out

www.afl.com.au

Thanks, Mathieson and Christensen appear to have continued to provide what they are known to offer which is good to know we have as quality depth. That Coleman and Cox are being commended is good, hope Cox is tidying up his kicking and tightening his decision making, has looked shaky in the past which we can't afford and as per ah Chee don't cop much of as fans.

I'm quietly excited for if/when Coleman comes in because I think he is going to help us with our delivery inside 50, although Berry been commendable in this regard.

Skinner may have been impressing as a marking forward or may have been well under average, I guess that equals, satisfactory. Knowing we have someone who is satisfactory who can come in up fwd if and when required makes me rest easy

 

[briztoon]

Hi Found this article on the AFL site. Mentions a few of the young Lions players who are pushing for spots in the first 22, so provides some idea who has been playing well in the ressie matches over the past month or so. Still club could provide us with some info"

Where are you? The players we're yet to see in 2020

Who are we yet to see so far, and who might get a run before the year is out

www.afl.com.au

Ask Mike Whiting (the author) if he’s watched many/any of our praccy matches.

I believe that article is written off him watching our preseason training and
preseason matches.

And seeing which players were taken to Sydney as back ups.

I don’t believe he’s watched any of our praccy matches to have an informed opinion of who’s performed well.

 

[briztoon]

I know the narrative with Ballenden (on Big Footy) is that he isn't physical enough for AFL, but last year seemed to compete just fine. He'll never be a pack crashing forward, but has elite disposals and if he can keep improving on his rucking and marking he'll get his chances at AFL level.

Ballenden couldn’t compete in the ruck at NEAFL level last year.

He gets out bodied by players 10cm to 15cm shorter than him.

At this stage I can’t see him competing in the ruck or contest up forward at AFL level.

He’s very good in the open, with no contact. Good mark and good field kick.

 

[Nunez]

Ballenden couldn’t compete in the ruck at NEAFL level last year.

He gets out bodied by players 10cm to 15cm shorter than him.

At this stage I can’t see him competing in the ruck or contest up forward at AFL level.

He’s very good in the open, with no contact. Good mark and good field kick.

I thought he was progressing in that ruck forward role. Given the club are furthering his time in the role this year they must see that potential in him. Realistically a second ruck doesn't need to dominate the hitouts, but neutralize and in his case impact around the ground (which as you said in the open is where he is at his strongest). If he can manage that then he has a future in the role. Certainly not suggesting he'd be a #1 ruck.

 

[briztoon]

I thought he was progressing in that ruck forward role. Given the club are furthering his time in the role this year they must see that potential in him. Realistically a second ruck doesn't need to dominate the hitouts, but neutralize and in his case impact around the ground (which as you said in the open is where he is at his strongest). If he can manage that then he has a future in the role. Certainly not suggesting he'd be a #1 ruck.

Don’t get me wrong here. I would love nothing more than for Ballenden to succeed.

But up forward he plays just like Schache, and in the ruck he gets bullied worse than Tim English, at NEAFL level.

If only Matty Eagles mongrel would rub off on him.

 

[Ralphy2017]

Ask Mike Whiting (the author) if he’s watched many/any of our praccy matches.

I believe that article is written off him watching our preseason training and
preseason matches.

And seeing which players were taken to Sydney as back ups.

I don’t believe he’s watched any of our praccy matches to have an informed opinion of who’s performed well.

You would hope that he has spoken to a coach or someone from the club before publishing...but you never know.

 

[briztoon]

You would hope that he has spoken to a coach or someone from the club before publishing...but you never know.

Yeah, zoom interview, off the record.

His article didn’t mention anything or anyone new, that hasn’t already been discussed a hundred times on here already.

If you know anything about Mike Whiting, you know he doesn’t drive, catches public transport everywhere. Now that he’s back working for AFL.com, and covering all the teams in the Gold Coast hub, it’s going to be hard for Whiting to go watch any of the scratch matches, and he has to stay outside the nice big fences they’ve erected around Leyshon park, as far as I’m aware.

 

[Zhesty]

I actually thought Ballenden was our most improved player in the reserves last season.

 

[Nunez]

Don’t get me wrong here. I would love nothing more than for Ballenden to succeed.

But up forward he plays just like Schache, and in the ruck he gets bullied worse than Tim English, at NEAFL level.

If only Matty Eagles mongrel would rub off on him.

A comment like this confuses me - Schache is a lead up marking forward, as is Ballenden. As is Ben Brown who outside of 2020 has been a 50+ goal a year forward. Being a lead up marking forward is not a bad style, and in his case would be as a third tall (resting ruck) and would be a point of difference to McStay, Hipwood and Oscar (assuming Oscar is playing as the #1 ruck).

You yourself said he is a good mark and kick, so realistically he is quite suited to that role.

His work in the ruck is where the improvement is needed. Who knows how he's gone this year given we have no vision, but based off Mighty Lions comments it sounds like he's impressing the coaches.

If he can neutralize in the ruck and use his marking/field kicking around the ground and in the forward 50 then he could be a good fit as the forward ruck. I don't know how close or far he is from being AFL standard, but reckon he'll get his chance this year if Archie struggles.

 

[Mighty Lions]

A comment like this confuses me - Schache is a lead up marking forward, as is Ballenden. As is Ben Brown who outside of 2020 has been a 50+ goal a year forward. Being a lead up marking forward is not a bad style, and in his case would be as a third tall (resting ruck) and would be a point of difference to McStay, Hipwood and Oscar (assuming Oscar is playing as the #1 ruck).

You yourself said he is a good mark and kick, so realistically he is quite suited to that role.

His work in the ruck is where the improvement is needed. Who knows how he's gone this year given we have no vision, but based off Mighty Lions comments it sounds like he's impressing the coaches.

If he can neutralize in the ruck and use his marking/field kicking around the ground and in the forward 50 then he could be a good fit as the forward ruck. I don't know how close or far he is from being AFL standard, but reckon he'll get his chance this year if Archie struggles.

Feedback I have regarding Ballenden is that they like how he is developing and he isnt that far away from a senior game. The only down side with him at the moment is his inability to play games with any type of niggling injury. Almost ALL players play with something that bothers them every week. Conner struggles a bit with this.

 

[a mayes ing]

Feedback I have regarding Ballenden is that they like how he is developing and he isnt that far away from a senior game. The only down side with him at the moment is his inability to play games with any type of niggling injury. Almost ALL players play with something that bothers them every week. Conner struggles a bit with this.

Problem with his mental fortitude to play with an injury. If he wants to become a great AFL player, he will have to work on that.

 

[Nunez]

Feedback I have regarding Ballenden is that they like how he is developing and he isnt that far away from a senior game. The only down side with him at the moment is his inability to play games with any type of niggling injury. Almost ALL players play with something that bothers them every week. Conner struggles a bit with this.

I wonder if he had a little trauma after fracturing his cheekbone? I know when I got hurt playing sport years ago I was apprehensive on playing when sore and eventually quit because I realised I'd rather feel good than play sore. As I got older that mindset wore off (thankfully!) But can see how young people can have issues in that area. The fact he's still competing and hasn't just thrown in the towel is a good sign - hopefully with time and maturity he'll build that mental resilience.

 

[briztoon]

A comment like this confuses me - Schache is a lead up marking forward, as is Ballenden. As is Ben Brown who outside of 2020 has been a 50+ goal a year forward. Being a lead up marking forward is not a bad style, and in his case would be as a third tall (resting ruck) and would be a point of difference to McStay, Hipwood and Oscar (assuming Oscar is playing as the #1 ruck).

You yourself said he is a good mark and kick, so realistically he is quite suited to that role.

His work in the ruck is where the improvement is needed. Who knows how he's gone this year given we have no vision, but based off Mighty Lions comments it sounds like he's impressing the coaches.

If he can neutralize in the ruck and use his marking/field kicking around the ground and in the forward 50 then he could be a good fit as the forward ruck. I don't know how close or far he is from being AFL standard, but reckon he'll get his chance this year if Archie struggles.

We don’t play our tall forwards as lead up marking forwards.

The coaching staff place an emphasis on contested marking, bringing the ball to ground etc.

Playing as a lead up forward is just a bonus in our system.

If Ballenden can’t play both roles, he doesn’t suit what our coaches ask of our tall forwards.

 

[Nunez]

We don’t play our tall forwards as lead up marking forwards.

The coaching staff place an emphasis on contested marking, bringing the ball to ground etc.

Playing as a lead up forward is just a bonus in our system.

If Ballenden can’t play both roles, he doesn’t suit what our coaches ask of our tall forwards.

We've been honouring leads much more this year than last year - our much improved marks inside 50 and corridor use is the perfect example of that. I could easily see a place for a lead up target resting ruck in 2020, although wouldn't have thought so last year.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

We don’t play our tall forwards as lead up marking forwards.

The coaching staff place an emphasis on contested marking, bringing the ball to ground etc.

Playing as a lead up forward is just a bonus in our system.

If Ballenden can’t play both roles, he doesn’t suit what our coaches ask of our tall forwards.

He will be given the time to work on his weaknesses. 200cm types that can kick the footy as well as he does don't come around too often.

 

[Dalions]

Probably still rate Fullerton as a higher ceiling than Ballenden.

 

[jjami15]

We don’t play our tall forwards as lead up marking forwards.

The coaching staff place an emphasis on contested marking, bringing the ball to ground etc.

Playing as a lead up forward is just a bonus in our system.

If Ballenden can’t play both roles, he doesn’t suit what our coaches ask of our tall forwards.

Adcock (could be wrong) came out and publicly stated in an article that we are not wanting the ‘need’ to only have one or two to kick goals and have even spread.

 

[Nunez]

Probably still rate Fullerton as a higher ceiling than Ballenden.

Me too. I think Fullarton will develop into a very good player.

 

[Dalions]

Me too. I think Fullarton will develop into a very good player.

Speaking of Fullerton, does he need to be promoted to the Senior list at the end of this year?

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Adcock (could be wrong) came out and publicly stated in an article that we are not wanting the ‘need’ to only have one or two to kick goals and have even spread.

It's a great idea in the sense that the opposition shutting down one player is no hindrance for us, the downside is that most of these players are pretty inaccurate. Mind you even the main forwards like Charlie and Hippy have been inaccurate this season.

I feel we'd be even more dangerous with a leading forward too though. In games where the chaos ball simply isn't working for us, like against Richmond in last year's QF, switching tactics to have a leading forward could work. It creates an additional problem for the opposition. I don't think we need a hyped up player like Ben Brown or Daniher to fill this role though, just someone who can mark it and kick straight. That's why I'm in favour of chasing Aliir Aliir.

 

[Nunez]

Speaking of Fullerton, does he need to be promoted to the Senior list at the end of this year?

Yep