Training 2023 Pre-season thread

[BuntonRules]

Was, that a full house last night? Cos on the tele there looked room for plenty more on the hill.

 

[drapes11]

Was, that a full house last night? Cos on the tele there looked room for plenty more on the hill.

Not quite as full as the AFLW GF, alot of people started leaving from half time but that isnt too surprising given it was a school night and there were plenty of kids there. It was a pretty good turn out for a game and stadium that some on here said no one would go to …

 

[pOleK]

So you’re saying the team who’s been top 3 in points for each of the past 3 seasons isn’t doing a good enough job.

Interesting take

To a degree, yes.

Yes, we have a dynamic forward line but we certainly aren't clinical. There have been numerous games where we've had periods of dominance without it reflecting on the scoreboard. Yes, we can put 100+ on teams outside the 8 all we like, but against top-tier teams, we need to make the most of our opportunities going forward. I can barely think of a player in our forward line that I'm confident will go back and convert a set shot from anywhere in the arc. Conversely, apart from Neale, I can't think of a midfielder who's charging inside 50 that can more often than not land the knockout blow either.

Yes, we're doing a good job, but it hasn't brought us a flag quite yet and until then, we've still got plenty to improve on.

 

[briztoon]

Was, that a full house last night? Cos on the tele there looked room for plenty more on the hill.

No.

There were still seats available in the stand, and plenty of room around the ground.

I arrived at the car park across the road at 7:05pm, got waved in by security, and found a car park in the second row pretty quick.

 

[Saucery]

From the Geelong game,

We out muscled another mature team, big tick.

Keidean could be anything, AA beckoning.

Fort might be our Paul Salmon up front if given the chance, good chance if Fagan's love of playing two rucks continues.

Rayner is like the ghost of Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson

Age

49

Ht

180cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.7

4star

K

8.6

3star

HB

5.1

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

down back, perhaps even better.

All the big new recruits definitely best 22, depth is insane; if not equally distributed.

The kids are O.K. Well O.K. better than O.K.

So many years of entertaining footy to come!

Top two for me!

 

[Section 5]

I went to the game last night and thought it was a good hit out for both teams with round one 2 weeks away.
Was hoping for no injuries and was very worried about Hippy and the way he landed.
After later reading the brief media report and seeing the footage a few times he should be okay.
Did not notice Payne coming off but he was playing well early, especially in the first quarter.

I don't have Fox or Kayo, so it was good to see the replay is now available via AFL website - Matchers - Fixtures- AFL Preseason then find the game you want.
Link below for anyone without Fox & Kayo. It looks like the AFL site is showing all replays sometime the day after the game.
I will sit down after dinner and cast the replay onto my TV, the replay always gives you a different perspective.

I can't give a direct link to the full replay for some reason.
The below link goes to "Match Highlights".
From there look towards the right (on a PC) for other videos. Find "Pre-season Match replay: Brisbane v Geelong" 1 hr 59 minutes 57 seconds

Pre-season Highlights: Brisbane v Geelong

The Lions v Cats clash at Brighton Homes Arena

www.afl.com.au

 

[lioninthesand]

Impressed with Payne.......could have doubled his mark stats if Dad didnt spoil him so often. Worried about Rich.....speed of the game may have passed him by and McKenna needs to improve heaps...... hopefully in the 2s til/if he gets back to his best..

I personally thought rich was really good

 

[M Malice]

From the Geelong game,

We out muscled another mature team, big tick.

Keidean could be anything, AA beckoning.

Fort might be our Paul Salmon up front if given the chance, good chance if Fagan's love of playing two rucks continues.

Rayner is like the ghost of Chris Johnson down back, perhaps even better.

All the big new recruits definitely best 22, depth is insane; if not equally distributed.

The kids are O.K. Well O.K. better than O.K.

So many years of entertaining footy to come!

Top two for me!

Yep I'm about as upbeat as you are, the only small downside is we still haven't nailed down who our wingers are going to be... although the coaches probably have it sorted. If fit Berry will be on 1 wing but the other seems from the outside to be a bit of a lottery.

 

[BuntonRules]

From the Geelong game,

We out muscled another mature team, big tick.

Keidean could be anything, AA beckoning.

Fort might be our Paul Salmon up front if given the chance, good chance if Fagan's love of playing two rucks continues.

Rayner is like the ghost of Chris Johnson down back, perhaps even better.

All the big new recruits definitely best 22, depth is insane; if not equally distributed.

The kids are O.K. Well O.K. better than O.K.

So many years of entertaining footy to come!

Top two for me!

Rayner better than Chris Johnson? Big, big statement

 

[BrisVegasDru]

Rayner better than Chris Johnson? Big, big statement

Love Rayner and he's taller than Johnno, but Johnno had no weakness, an absolute gun!

 

[Tassie4ever]

Love Rayner and he's taller than Johnno, but Johnno had no weakness, an absolute gun!

I have great admiration on how Johnson got the best out of his ability toward the latter part of his career, but I was at the Gabba one night when we were getting our usual flogging. Johnson was contributing zip and into the bargain was noticeably overweight, and I walked out that night on the grounds that if he wasn't interested then neither was I.

IIRC, during the following off-season the penny dropped and he put in the hard yards, involving bike riding etc and improved from then. And needed to.

 

[Saucery]

Rayner better than Chris Johnson? Big, big statement

I said the ghost of, footy smarts and brutal strength; and many years to improve. Could be better than CJ, hope so. Don't go #1 pick for no reason.

 

[Saucery]

I have great admiration on how Johnson got the best out of his ability toward the latter part of his career, but I was at the Gabba one night when we were getting our usual flogging. Johnson was contributing zip and into the bargain was noticeably overweight, and I walked out that night on the grounds that if he wasn't interested then neither was I.

IIRC, during the following off-season the penny dropped and he put in the hard yards, involving bike riding etc and improved from then. And needed to.

Yes Johnson was a very um, variable player. Sublime skills one moment, brain fade the next. But in a trench no one was more accountable. Brutal.

 

[Saucery]

I personally thought rich was really good

Yes worked hard and made good decisions as always.

 

[BangyBangy]

I won't say Cam can't be as good or better than Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson

Age

49

Ht

180cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.7

4star

K

8.6

3star

HB

5.1

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

, I'd be very happy if he gets just close tbh, but I doubt Cam will ever have the evasiveness of Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson

Age

49

Ht

180cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.7

4star

K

8.6

3star

HB

5.1

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

. That was top tier.

It's one of the attributes that makes Lachie a superstar. A bit of a cross between Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson

Age

49

Ht

180cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.7

4star

K

8.6

3star

HB

5.1

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

& Diesel Williams.

 

[luthor]

Wilmot is a player.

Plays Round One thank you.

If it's at the expense of Rich or even Rayner, then so be it.

 

[Dalions]

Wilmot is a player.

Plays Round One thank you.

If it's at the expense of Rich or even Rayner, then so be it.

Would prefer him in the backline ahead of McKenna at the moment.

 

[NotQuiteJezza]

My Rnd 1 team if fit
B: Rayner/ Andrews / Starcevich
HB: Coleman / Payne/ Zorko
F: Tunstill / Neale / Berry
HF: McCarthy / Daniher / Bailey
F: Cameron / Hipwood / Gunston
Fol: Fort / Dunkley / Ashcroft
Int: Robertson / Gardiner / Prior / Madden / Wilmott

Overrated. No my bad, Mcluggage in for wilmott.

 

[rye]

B: Rayner Andrews Starcevich
HB: Coleman Payne McKenna
C: Prior Dunkley Berry
R: McInerney Neale McCluggage
HF: Bailey Daniher Hipwood
F: Cameron Gunston McCarthy
Int: Rich Ashcroft Zorko Wilmot

pick sub based on who we are playing

strong pressure from robertson and tunstill for selection based on preseason form

youd hope oscar has been in cruise mode during the scratch matches as well - fort can play and should get a chance if form slips

 

[dlanod]

Would prefer him in the backline ahead of McKenna at the moment.

I was very much on the McKenna bandwagon but he looked very rusty out there, both disposal and pace. I'd have Wilmot ahead at this stage, though I suspect we might see both with one pushing up to the wing (like Wilmot on Thursday).

 

[Dalions]

I was very much on the McKenna bandwagon but he looked very rusty out there, both disposal and pace. I'd have Wilmot ahead at this stage, though I suspect we might see both with one pushing up to the wing (like Wilmot on Thursday).

Agree totally.
McKenna looked off the pace of the game a bit and seemed to not have much pace which may just take a bit of time to get up to speed with all of the running involved with an AFL team.
The fact that we have been playing Wilmot on a wing lately makes me think with McKenna playing largely back makes me think they are trying to find a spot for both.
If Berry is unable to get up for round 1 it may make that a little easier.

 

[lionshine]

Yeah with the debate between McKenna and Wilmot I suspect the coaches have both in the 22.

According to a poster in the VFL thread who watched the reserves last night, Answerth dominated. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is named for Round 1 either. Coaches rate what he brings highly and I suspect in their eyes he is still ahead of guys like Dev, Prior and Tunstill.

I know Answerth isn’t a huge favourite on here and I myself at times rate others ahead e.g. Dev, however, it is probably easy to forget he has had a tough run with injury in his time here and last year was his first full season back after injury troubles. I do like the strengths he brings and in 2019 he was showing potential to be as valuable as guys like Starcevich. His best may still be to come. You cannot fault his effort and hardness at the contest. He also works very hard defensively.

I’d actually love to see Dev and Answerth in the seniors together playing specialist defensive roles off the wings and flanks allowing guys like Zorko, McCarthy, McCluggage, Bailey, Coleman, Rich and Wilmot to get forward of the ball and do damage offensively. Only issue is there aren’t enough spots for everyone. I think the coaches are still trying to find the right balance and mix of players but based off pre season form we look a lot closer to getting that mix right compared to previous years which is exciting!

 

[martinson]

Yeah with the debate between McKenna and Wilmot I suspect the coaches have both in the 22.

According to a poster in the VFL thread who watched the reserves last night, Answerth dominated. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is named for Round 1 either. Coaches rate what he brings highly and I suspect in their eyes he is still ahead of guys like Dev, Prior and Tunstill.

I know Answerth isn’t a huge favourite on here and I myself at times rate others ahead e.g. Dev, however, it is probably easy to forget he has had a tough run with injury in his time here and last year was his first full season back after injury troubles. I do like the strengths he brings and in 2019 he was showing potential to be as valuable as guys like Starcevich. His best may still be to come. You cannot fault his effort and hardness at the contest. He also works very hard defensively.

I’d actually love to see Dev and Answerth in the seniors together playing specialist defensive roles off the wings and flanks allowing guys like Zorko, McCarthy, McCluggage, Bailey, Coleman, Rich and Wilmot to get forward of the ball and do damage offensively. Only issue is there aren’t enough spots for everyone. I think the coaches are still trying to find the right balance and mix of players but based off pre season form we look a lot closer to getting that mix right compared to previous years which is exciting!

I think the issue is there isn't a lot between Dev ,Prior, Tunstill and Answerth presently. Throw in Wilmot , McKenna and Ah Chee when he's right as well . Sometimes it will depend on the opposition. Any of them will do a reasonable job . It's a good position to be in if not a little frustrating if you rate or don't rate any over the others.

 

[Warwick]

The problem with playing both Dev and Answerth together (especially in those distributing positions such as wing /HBF) is the number of skied, hurried kicks that result. They also don’t offer a lot of pace.

Dev makes my 22 as a relief inside midfielder - offering a harder defensive edge to others, whereas I’d rather speed and/or better users (Coleman, Wilmot, McKenna, Rich, Ah Chee, Tunstill) to Answerth at this stage.

The whole point of having a squad of players with different strengths, however, is not just to cover injuries. We should be more flexible depending on the condition and opposition, a “horses for courses” if you will… Answerth should get a look against sides with multiple smaller-mid forward options like Collingwood, Sydney and Adelaide.

 

[Nunez]

I thought McKenna was a lot better this week compared to the last. With that in mind, he's still quite rusty.

would not be surprised to see him named round one, but equally wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't hold that spot for long if he doesn't perform.