2nds 2025 VFL thread

[Lazza16]

Did we win?

 

[TheMan_Bun]

Does anyone have any idea how Doedee looked? Really hoping he can find his way to a spot in the backline.

 

[Mayestro]

Does anyone have any idea how Doedee looked? Really hoping he can find his way to a spot in the backline.

Did just ok. Took a few marks, was beaten a few times but a solid enough effort for the first competitive game in 2 years.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

View attachment 2273057
View attachment 2273056

They've updated it now, Smith with 30 disposals, Tunstill 28, Marshall 23.

 

[pod17]

Smith’s form at the lower level must be rewarded, those are ‘beat down the door’ numbers.

Day’s output, perceptions aside, doesn’t merit selection over him after this week.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Smith’s form at the lower level must be rewarded, those are ‘beat down the door’ numbers.

Day’s output, perceptions aside, doesn’t merit selection over him after this week.

He's had 1 good game this season playing a different position

 

[pod17]

Days had zero good games in the last two years. Smith needs to play seniors. We all know the hole Joe’s left, time to give him the opportunity to fill it.

Plus, he’s served a long apprenticeship in the reserves, not playing him only serves to delay his development (or to know whether he’s capable).

I understand those wanting to give Day a little more time to settle into a new structure, but I just don’t think his body is capable. Watching him today he struggles to get across the ground. Smith is clearly doing that at a bare minimum given his stats.

 

[Tom14]

He's had 1 good game this season playing a different position

I left at 3QT and thought that smith had played decently, obviously finished strong.

Definitely a positive sign but he probably needs at least another week in the VFL given how little he did over the summer.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I left at 3QT and thought that smith had played decently, obviously finished strong.

Definitely a positive sign but he probably needs at least another week in the VFL given how little he did over the summer.

Unfortunately they have another week off next week because of gather round

 

[Tom14]

Unfortunately they have another week off next week because of gather round

Beyond stupid.

 

[Perrip]

Beyond stupid.

It's probably a pre-requesite from clubs that there's a bye during gather round. Would be a lot of boring games if most teams were without their star players due to the VFL/SANFL game.

 

[Lace Out]

Few lads out there with concerning numbers.

I just thought of the time I ran out for Therry 3rds with 75 on my back

 

[Mr Ripper]

I just thought of the time I ran out for Therry 3rds with 75 on my back

Worked with a bloke who played footy for Therry.

 

[knaf]

Days had zero good games in the last two years. Smith needs to play seniors. We all know the hole Joe’s left, time to give him the opportunity to fill it.

Plus, he’s served a long apprenticeship in the reserves, not playing him only serves to delay his development (or to know whether he’s capable).

I understand those wanting to give Day a little more time to settle into a new structure, but I just don’t think his body is capable. Watching him today he struggles to get across the ground. Smith is clearly doing that at a bare minimum given his stats.

Smith played first ruck all day against two reasonable sized opponents. Collected a lot of possessions around the ground, playing to his strength below his knees for his size. Don’t think he took a contested mark and in my view didn’t real effect many marking contests. Did not see him playing forward, may have missed it.

Really like the kid and he is developing as a ruck, firmly believe he should get the next opportunity to play in his preferred position in the afl.

Could be argued that he could not give us less than Day’s output in the afl but like Day I don’t think he going to give us much as the third tall forward.

 

[Tom14]

Smith played first ruck all day against two reasonable sized opponents. Collected a lot of possessions around the ground, playing to his strength below his knees for his size. Don’t think he took a contested mark and in my view didn’t real effect many marking contests. Did not see him playing forward, may have missed it.

Really like the kid and he is developing as a ruck, firmly believe he should get the next opportunity to play in his preferred position in the afl.

Could be argued that he could not give us less than Day’s output in the afl but like Day I don’t think he going to give us much as the third tall forward.

Took a really good contested mark just before the quarter time siren RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, unfortunately shanked the shot. Watching the VFL showreel for him looks like his two late goals were from a ruck free, and then a 50m penalty.

Still was good around the ground and I think that's what he'd mainly do for us in the seniors, be a better second ruck. Forward craft remains a work in progress.

I think Day gets the next 2 games to show more and Henry has one more run in the VFL in two weeks, then I'd consider bringing him into the team.

 

[knaf]

Took a really good contested mark just before the quarter time siren RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, unfortunately shanked the shot. Watching the VFL showreel for him looks like his two late goals were from a ruck free, and then a 50m penalty.

Still was good around the ground and I think that's what he'd mainly do for us in the seniors, be a better second ruck. Forward craft remains a work in progress.

I think Day gets the next 2 games to show more and Henry has one more run in the VFL in two weeks, then I'd consider bringing him into the team.

I stand corrected. Must have been toasting a sandwich. I ment to say that I thought his ruck work was very good all day against two reasonable opponents rather than just implying it.

I agree another vfl game to consolidate his good form.

 

[Section 5]

Smith improved a lost last year and needs to improve again at VFL level in 2025.
He is just 22.5 years old and at 202 cm and reasonably mobile he could be our future ruck.
However, when Fort returns to the VFL, Henrys ruck time gets reduced
Smith is an above average shot for goal so is a possibility to get an AFL forward/ruck role.

His 4 AFL games last year did not result in any goals.
He was not overly impressive, but he filled a role, and we won 3 of those 4.
It is a long year and fringe players usually get a chance, he just needs to be fit when that happens.

 

[Nunez]

Smith improved a lost last year and needs to improve again at VFL level in 2025.
He is just 22.5 years old and at 202 cm and reasonably mobile he could be our future ruck.
However, when Fort returns to the VFL, Henrys ruck time gets reduced
Smith is an above average shot for goal so is a possibility to get an AFL forward/ruck role.

His 4 AFL games last year did not result in any goals.
He was not overly impressive, but he filled a role, and we won 3 of those 4.
It is a long year and fringe players usually get a chance, he just needs to be fit when that happens.

I don't think the team could have both he and Joe given they played the same hybrid forward ruck role. With Joe gone, it really is his for the taking.

 

[Section 5]

I don't think the team could have both he and Joe given they played the same hybrid forward ruck role. With Joe gone, it really is his for the taking.

In Henrys 4 games last year Joe also played. Henry with 25 hit outs to Joes 3.
But agree the position may be his if good form continues. Next year depends on any trades the Lions may do

Smith replaced Morris in R19, Hippy in R21,22.
In R20 Andrews and Joyce were out and i think that's when Hippy filled in at defense with Berry initially named and played there.

Smith could turn into a good forward ruck as he is still young, takes a good mark and is above average goal kick.
It still looks like Fagan will use Fort when Oscar is injured or needs a break and Smith when one of the talls gets injured or dropped. The likely one to be dropped is defiantly Day.
So, Day has to prove his worth in the next month.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Really like the kid and he is developing as a ruck, firmly believe he should get the next opportunity to play in his preferred position in the afl.

Could be argued that he could not give us less than Day’s output in the afl but like Day I don’t think he going to give us much as the third tall forward.

What if, we brought in Smith to be the main ruck, and sent the Big O forward more? He does alright as a forward marking target.

 

[knaf]

What if, we brought in Smith to be the main ruck, and sent the Big O forward more? He does alright as a forward marking target.

I am not sure if Big O does alright as a forward target? There seems to be a difference with a ruckman running back from the center and occasionally taking a mark; and a ruckman running forward leading patterns all day (and not disrupting other forward structures). Would need to be tested in a live game with perhaps Big O and big H sharing the ruck. Really only the coaching staff could tell which is more effective in improving forward connection.

I’m ambivalent on the whole Day, Fort, Smith forward/back up ruck question. None of them is ideal in my view. However at some stage we need to give Henry a real go in the ruck at afl level, for his own development and for future list management reasons. For those reasons I wouldn’t be unhappy if your suggestion was tried.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I am not sure if Big O does alright as a forward target? There seems to be a difference with a ruckman running back from the center and occasionally taking a mark; and a ruckman running forward leading patterns all day (and not disrupting other forward structures). Would need to be tested in a live game with perhaps Big O and big H sharing the ruck. Really only the coaching staff could tell which is more effective in improving forward connection.

Whenever Oscar has rested forward he's been effective in my mind. But I don't know all the nuances.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Whenever Oscar has rested forward he's been effective in my mind. But I don't know all the nuances.

How often in the last 4 seasons has he rested forward?

 

[LionCub29]

You'd think that playing Smith in place of Day for either the Bulldogs this week (when the VFL has a bye) or the Pies on Easter Thursday would make sense given the short back up between those games.

 

[Nathan Barley]

You'd think that playing Smith in place of Day for either the Bulldogs this week (when the VFL has a bye) or the Pies on Easter Thursday would make sense given the short back up between those games.

When was the last time we rested someone?