Training 2025 Pre-Season Thread

[On the quiet]

Levi must play.

There were times early in Rayners career when his selection was debated, but a kid with this much talent, you just gotta play him.

Levi will play at some stage, but the big difference between him and Rayner's first year, is that the Lions were wooden spooners (2017) and this year we are the defending champions of 2024. Cam was given plenty of opportunities, especially in 2018. Also there was the potential unwanted media attention that would have likely come along with dropping a #1 draft pick, which rightly or wrongly Levi was not.

Lets not rush the kid and besides which premiership player (assuming they are fit, except Eric) is making way for Levi?

 

[martinson]

Quite a few of Levi's disposals were very poor and would lead to a turnover goal in the H&A, but its entirely down to it being his first hit-out and trying to get the speed of the game, settled in with the team, playing against men and professionally drilled AFL players etc.

He will have a breakout game in say rd 3 once he has settled in and then all of the VFL clubs will be up in arms. I have stores of popcorn ready to crack open waiting for this day. Tiocfaidh ár lá.

Just a feeling I have but I don't think we have any intention of playing him in the seconds unless he's obviously underdone.

 

[Elixuh]

Just a feeling I have but I don't think we have any intention of playing him in the seconds unless he's obviously underdone.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. You don't drive a Ferrari on a dirt track. Anyone suggesting that Levi play in the 2s needs to drink some courage.

 

[martinson]

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. You don't drive a Ferrari on a dirt track. Anyone suggesting that Levi play in the 2s needs to drink some courage.

Anything I've seen of him he's running around in a different zone to most players.

Hate pumping anyone's tyres up before they've done anything at the top level but he moves like a top class thoroughbred.

 

[On the quiet]

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. You don't drive a Ferrari on a dirt track. Anyone suggesting that Levi play in the 2s needs to drink some courage.

I am all for continual improvement, as we must, but which fit premiership player is going to be dropped for Levi?

I can possibly see Levi being selected OR, IF we only play two talls (whilst Eric is injured).

 

[martinson]

I doubt they'll play Gallop for a while but at just 19 at his height and the ability he shows we could have picked up a potential LT KPP for peanuts.

Obviously he has needs a lot more conditioning and experience to get him up to speed but he's not far away as someone you would expect at Pick 42.

Lots to be excited about with our younger players.

 

[Section 5]

Levi will play at some stage, but the big difference between him and Rayner's first year, is that the Lions were wooden spooners (2017) and this year we are the defending champions of 2024. Cam was given plenty of opportunities, especially in 2018. Also there was the potential unwanted media attention that would have likely come along with dropping a #1 draft pick, which rightly or wrongly Levi was not.

Lets not rush the kid and besides which premiership player (assuming they are fit, except Eric) is making way for Levi?

If the Club thinks he is ready, and his shoulder is fine i won't have a problem with that.
Same if the club thinks a few games in the VFL is needed until he feels no soreness in the shoulder
It's a long year so no rush really.

On whom you drop it would be McKenna for mine. Then a matter on who plays sub.

 

[p4p1]

View attachment 2231253

17 touches in a half of footy during his first exposure to opposition teams is pretty handy. Not sure what everyone was expecting. He wasn't bad by any means.

 

[p4p1]

Just a feeling I have but I don't think we have any intention of playing him in the seconds unless he's obviously underdone.

He has shown last year he is probably too good to play VFL. Sure we need to get our best team on the park but sometimes you drop someone who may be slightly better for a 18 year old who will gain nothing from playing seconds.

 

[p4p1]

I am all for continual improvement, as we must, but which fit premiership player is going to be dropped for Levi?

I can possibly see Levi being selected OR, IF we only play two talls (whilst Eric is injured).

Well, Joe is gone so there is immediately one spot. McKenna was OK last night and although he plays a different position to Levi, some rejigging could be done to have Levi in for him. Though I don't know who would step in and play Kenny's backline time.
I don't think any of us are really sure whether the coaches are going to go for 2 or 3 tall forwards that will impact who does or doesn't come out for Levi.

 

[LongLion]

He has shown last year he is probably too good to play VFL. Sure we need to get our best team on the park but sometimes you drop someone who may be slightly better for a 18 year old who will gain nothing from playing seconds.

The real positive with Levi coming in is the pressure that it puts on other players to play to their max. I thought Bailey's game was a good indicator of that watching him play last night. The other one was Fletcher who I also thought was very solid.

 

[p4p1]

The real positive with Levi coming in is the pressure that it puts on other players to play to their max. I thought Bailey's game was a good indicator of that watching him play last night. The other one was Fletcher who I also thought was very solid.

Bailey was very good but we already knew he was very good. It looks like the wing rotation will be Bailey, Fletcher and Berry.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Bailey was very good but we already knew he was very good. It looks like the wing rotation will be Bailey, Fletcher and Berry.

If it ain't broke

 

[SizeMatters]

Gallop doesn't look as tall as he's listed. Looks more like 192cm or so. Bit of Hogan about him.

 

[Darren Downunder]

Levi will play at some stage, but the big difference between him and Rayner's first year, is that the Lions were wooden spooners (2017) and this year we are the defending champions of 2024. Cam was given plenty of opportunities, especially in 2018. Also there was the potential unwanted media attention that would have likely come along with dropping a #1 draft pick, which rightly or wrongly Levi was not.

Lets not rush the kid and besides which premiership player (assuming they are fit, except Eric) is making way for Levi?

This pretty much sums up my position, OTQ.

Who would you drop for him? Sure he played quite well, but was he better than AhChee or Fletcher? If we drop Mc Kenna or Answerth for him, who takes that defensive roll? I’m glad I’m not a selector, but if was, I’d be in no rush to play him.

 

[Dalions]

On Levi. Assuming we replace Joes with a tall and Oscar replaces Fort, what other player comes out?

Been various suggestions in this thread, popular suggestions include Bailey (my suggestion which looks stupid after last night), AhChee, or with a shuttle of positions, Answerth or McKenna.

After last night I can’t see any of those dropping out. I just think unless there is an injury to one of the grand final team smalls, Levi will have to wait, despite reasonable form last night and one vfl game last year that just about demanded elevation to the afl.

Problems with a very strong list rather than a knock on Levi.

As far as the Grand Final team goes, there is a place in the 23 for Levi,
Day or Gallop to replace Joe, Oscar for Fort and Levi for McKenna.
Whether he plays in the 22 or the Sub will be the dilemma.

 

[Dalions]

Gallop doesn't look as tall as he's listed. Looks more like 192cm or so. Bit of Hogan about him.

It’s because he doesn’t have a neck!

 

[martinson]

As far as the Grand Final team goes, there is a place in the 23 for Levi,
Day or Gallop to replace Joe, Oscar for Fort and Levi for McKenna.
Whether he plays in the 22 or the Sub will be the dilemma.

If everyone is good to go it is a bit of a dilemma and I would love to see the 23 who got us through the finals to a Premiership run out as we unfurled the flag. They deserve that.

But I also think if he's fit to play he's in. So yeah.

A lot can still happen over the next couple of weeks.

 

[dlanod]

If everyone is good to go it is a bit of a dilemma and I would love to see the 23 who got us through the finals to a Premiership run out as we unfurled the flag. They deserve that.

Joe can go out as the mascot?

 

[twhowler]

Any word on Oscar anywhere? i haven't seen his potential injury mentioned which i guess could be good news.

Seems like players not available for OR set to be: the 4 acls, hipwood,

Unclear: Starce

Unlikely available: Fort

It's not many players out, but i still think we will have a few underdone.

And it's telling our two most senior KPF will be out.

So from GF team:

Out Fort In Oscar
Out Daniher In Day (i assume we just need some ruck minutes here)
Out Hipwood In Gallop? or do we go shorter?

Then there is Levi. I guess if Starce misses then McKenna gets the starce spot, maybe levi sub?

 

[Berrygood]

Fair discussion about Levi, where n when he plays. I noticed in the general discussion about the trial that Rayner played deep fwd for a good trial at it. Should he take more of a taller fwd role while Hippy is still out, Levi could slot in to Rayners role if he's fit. If that's not the case with Rayner, I could see Levi getting the nod over Mckenna. Also reading here that the midfield of Neale, Dunkley, Clug and Will look pretty settled so he may not fit there just yet. But if he needs time in the 2s to sharpen up, gain some match fitness so be it.

The tall fwd set up for O rnd, assuming Hippy misses, from what I've read maybe Rayner is a chance of playing taller alongside Morris. If that's the leaning I think Day rounds out the 3 talls. He just adds a bit of experience and a bigger bodied ruck option. I'm OK with those 3 to start the season. All are fit, and it's a different look.

I'm excited about what I've read of Gallop. I would wait a bit before introducing him. Wait until Hippy is back, give him n Morris time to gel. Let Gallop continue to press his claims in a few Vfl games like Morris did. Then if Day gets injured or is playing poorly give the lad a crack.

It's good reading Bailey showed some spark, Answerth strong is good. Fletcher seems to have impressed. A few different things tried during the hit out. Players to come back. Good signs.

 

[morsie]

If it ain't broke

A management guru I went to see once said "if it aint broke, break it".Not certain I agree but a bit of chaos can be advantageous

 

[Not a Psycho]

I think Fletcher must be the most maligned player on our list, purely by admission.
He's a midfielder playing on the wing, who also just so happens to be coming into his third year at the top level.
I'll die on the hill that any of his potential replacements are anywhere near his level.

 

[Nunez]

I think Fletcher must be the most maligned player on our list, purely by admission.
He's a midfielder playing on the wing, who also just so happens to be coming into his third year at the top level.
I'll die on the hill that any of his potential replacements are anywhere near his level.

He is 100% best 23.

 

[p4p1]

Another question is who makes way for Coleman when he comes back to full fitness. The first answer most come up with would be Answorth but he has greatly improved over the past couple of seasons. He is not playing to Zorko's level but he isn't playing the same role either. At 25 he still has room for improvement so I don't know that dropping him for Kiddy is as easier call as I originally though. I'm almost but not quite leaning towards it making more sense for Zorks to come out for Kiddy or one of Zorks or Kiddy to move to a sub role.