Adelaide Lions

[Roylion]

Adelaide Lions
Manager
Roylion
Senior List (as at November 19)
1. Tom Barrass - $77,000 (1) - KPD
2. Harley Bennell - $724,000 (4) - MID
3. Rohan Bewick - $219,000 (3) - MF
4. Aaron Black - $198,000 (2) - KPF
5. Jarryd Blair - $408,000 (2) - SF
6. Angus Brayshaw $115,000 (2) - MID (Draft Pick 2)
7. Tom Campbell - $150,000 (2) - bid - KPF
8. Jake Carlisle - $360,000 (2) KPF / KPD
9. Harry Cunningham - $148,000 - MID
10. Joe Daniher - $624,000 (4) - MID
11. Lynden Dunn - $250,000 (2) - KPD
12. Shaun Edwards - $121,000 (1) - MD
13. Brady Grey - $77,000 (1) - MID / SF
14. Josh Hill - $236,000 (1) - MF
15. Jayden Hunt - $77,000 (1) - MID / SB
16. Zak Jones - $100,000 (1) - MID / SB
17. Josh Kelly - $215,000 (1) - MID
18. Chris Knights - $317,000 (1) - MF
19. Jake Lever - $90,000 (2) - KPD ( Draft Pick 20)
20. Ivan Maric - $405,000 (3) - bid - RCK
21. Angus Monfries - $325,000 (1) - SF
22. Rhys Palmer - $250,000 (2) - MID
23. Cameron Pedersen - $136,000 (1) - KPF
24. Lachlan Plowman - $225,000 (2) - KPD
25. Sam B Reid - $278,000 (2) - KPF
26. Nick Robertson - $250,000 (2) - MID
27. Sam Russell - $77,000 (1) - SD
28. Ryan Schoenmakers - $192,000 (1) - KPD
29. Ben Sinclair - $165,000 (1) - MID
30. Danny Stanley - $300,000 (2) - MID
31. James Toohey - $77,000 (1) - KPD / KPF
32. Jimmy Toumpas - $624,000 (4) - MID
33. Andrew Walker - $288,000 (1) - MD
34. Sharrod Wellingham - $410,000 (1) - MID
35. Trent West - $303,000 (2) - RCK
36. Brendan Whitecross - $324,000 (2) - MID

Unpassable Picks
Draft Pick 2 - $115,000 (2) - Angus Brayshaw - MID
Draft Pick 20 - $90,000 (2) - Jake Lever - KPD
37. Draft Pick 57 - $79,000 (2) - Jayden Foster - KPF
38. Draft Pick 75 - $79,000 (2) - Harris Andrews - KPF/RCK
39. Draft Pick 83 - $79,000 (2) - Josh Clayton - MF / MID
40. Draft Pick 89 - $79,000 (2)

Total: 40

TPP: $9,735,000
Salary Cap: $10,000,000
Salary Spare: $265,000

Breakdown by position:
KPF: Aaron Black, Tom Campbell, Cameron Pederson, Sam B Reid, Jayden Foster,
MF: Rohan Bewick, Josh Hill, Chris Knights,
SF: Jarryd Blair, Brady Grey, angus Monfries,
MID: Harley Bennell, Angus Brayshaw, Harry Cunningham, Joe Daniher, Josh Kelly, Rhys Palmer, Nick Robertson, Ben Sinclair, Danny Stanley, Jimmy Toumpas, Sharrod Wellingham, Brendan Whitecross.
SD: Jayden Hunt, Zac Jones, Sam Russell,
MD: Shaun Edwards, Andrew Walker,
KPD: Tom Barass, Jake Carlisle, Lynden Dunn, Lachlan Plowman, Ryan Schoenmakers, James Toohey, Jake Lever,
RCK: Ivan Maric, Trent West, Harris Andrews


Delisted:
10. Dayle Garlett - $78,000 (1) - delisted
•. Ben Rutten - $150,000 (UC) - delisted
•. Brent Renouf - $110,000 (UC) - delisted
9. Aaron Edwards - $288,000 (1) - delisted
8. Isaac Conway - $77,000 (1) - MID (paying 75% of his 2015 salary)
20. Robin Nahas - $244,000 (1) - SF (paying 75% of his 2015 salary)
11. Michael Evans - $244,000 (1) - MID (paying 75% of his 2015 salary)
25. Luke Reynolds - $77,000 (1) - MID / MF (paying 75% of his 2015 salary)

Possible Delisting

Best 2015 team

B: Andrew Walker, Jake Carlisle, Ryan Schoenmakers
HB: Cameron Pederson, Lynden Dunn, Brendan Whitecross
C: Rhys Palmer, Danny Stanley, Jimmy Toumpas
HF: Aaron Black, Sam Reid, Rohan Bewick
F: Jarryd Blair, Joe Daniher, Angus Monfries
R: Ivan Maric, Harley Bennell, Josh Kelly
I: Angus Brayshaw, Jake Lever, Sharrod Wellingham, Harry Cunningham

Reserves:
B: Tom Barrass, Jake Lever,
HB: Zac Jones, Lachlan Plowman
C: Ben Sinclair, Nick Robertson, Harry Cunningham
HF: Sharrod Wellingham, Chris Knights,
F: Robin Nahas, Josh Hill, Jayden Foster
R: Trent West, Angus Brayshaw
I: James Toohey, Sam Russell,

 

[Roylion]

THE ADELAIDE LIONS believe it got one of the bargains of the year after Calder Cannons defender Jake Lever slipped to pick No. 20 in the AFLTM National Draft.

Calder region manager Ian Kyte said the Lions were thrilled Lever, who had been linked with picks as high as No. 2 and No. 3, fell to their second selection.

“They were rapt to get him, they had him rated as one of the best players in the draft.” Kyte said.

“When he was still there at 20, they were never not going to take him.

“They really rated him on last year’s performance with Vic Metro and with the Cannons and were just over the top to be able to get him at 20.

“(They) see him fitting in nicely to their side.”

Lever did not play a TAC Cup match this year as he recovered from a serious knee injury, but after the Lions took inside midfielder Angus Brayshaw at Pick 2, he remained the Lions’ preferred second pick, after showcasing his quality in 2013.

Kyte said he was unsure what role Adelaide would deploy the Romsey junior in, with whispers several clubs had considered the 192cm tall as a midfield option.

“He’ll start down back and then they’ll see how he goes I think,” he said.

Lever was the third Calder player whose name was called after Paul Ahern joined the Gippsland Sharks and the Ballarat Dragons snapped up Peter Wright at Pick 6.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Love it Roylion

Lever was the third Calder player whose name was called after Paul Ahern joined the Gippsland Sharks and the Brisbane Bears snapped up Peter Wright.

There is only one team in this competition that has a collection of Wright's and it's not Brisbane.

 

[Roylion]

There is only one team in this competition that has a collection of Wright's and it's not Brisbane.

Fixed.

 

[Roylion]

The Adelaide Lions have selected Jayden Foster with Pick 57 in the AFLTM draft. Foster is a 19-year-old prospect who led the TAC Cup goal kicking in 2014, with 49 goals in 16 games. With an average of just over three goals per game for the Cannons, who finished second, most would assume that Foster is a dominant key forward. On the contrary, Foster is a role player, who capitalises on the opportunities he is given.

In last season's TAC Cup, Foster shared a forward line with Peter Wright. Working alongside Wright allowed Foster to understand the value of spacing within a forward line. His reading of the play is immaculate, and combined with his separation off the lead, Foster can often find himself taking easy chest marks 30 metres out from goal.

Foster is great at ground level too. He often kicks opportunistic goals, so even when he isn’t getting much delivery, his output is still solid.

One of the better aspects of Foster’s game is his contested marking. His 25 contested marks in 16 games is very solid. Considering he plays out of the goal square, his forward 50 contested marking all of a sudden become extremely dangerous, as his set shots come from less than 40 metres out.

The most impressive aspect of Foster’s game is his goal kicking. His 49 goals came with just eight behinds. He is a sharp shooter, although those stats are skewed because he kicked many from close range.

At Adelaide, Foster will likely be groomed into the secondary or third tall option, as he isn’t the type to build a forward line around.

 

[Roylion]

The Adelaide Lions have selected Harris Andrews with Pick 75 in the AFLTM draft.

Although his name sounds largely back to front, Harris Andrews is a towering key position prospect whom the Adelaide Lions are very bullish about internally in terms of what lies ahead.

Hiding away in the Queensland under 18 football in the NEAFL’s Northern Conference, Andrews slotted 80 goals over the course of 17 games as a bottom-age prospect in 2013.

Of those 17 games, Andrews bagged five goals or more on four occasions and kicked upwards of seven goals three times. Andrews also finished in the best for Aspley 12 times. As expected, he took home the leading goal kicker award and polled well in the league’s best and fairest.

It’s easy to understand why clubs might have been interested in the gigantic key forward, who looks more a ruck prospect rather than a bona fide goal kicking monster.

But Andrews’ talents don’t just stop up forward. It’s down back where he has made serious in roads, which is demanded from key position talls in the modern game. Andrews, however, hasn’t taken a backwards step as there is still sizeable debate over which end of the ground he’s best suited to.

Earlier in the year, Andrews slotted five goals in an academy hit out against the Gold Coast academy in a convincing win. What is perhaps more alarming is that Andrews is an elite raw talent, who over his junior career hasn’t exactly knuckled down and applied himself fully to AFL. His natural talent has seen him surpass kids that have been playing since they could walk. The past six months has seen him realise he is more than capable of making it at AFL level, which has seen him go from casual footballer to professional buddying AFL footballer.

Andrews has stacked on 10 kilograms to fill out what is still considered a light frame, and has made serious in roads in his development. During the National Championships he found himself tossed into full back for the first time in his short career, and played a commanding role down back, out-muscling his opponent, taking defensive marks and showing poise beneath his knees and rare agility which one recruit said was “hard to fathom”.

Andrews played two out of his three games in the defensive post, and averaged numbers that far exceeded expectations. Across his three games, Andrews managed 7.3 disposals at 77% efficiency and 1.6 marks at full back, alongside three tackles, one clearance and 5.3 contested possessions per game.

Since the championships, Andrews has gone back to playing senior football for Wilston Grange in the QAFL and has even tasted senior NEAFL action along side current listed Brisbane Lions players, slotting a goal in the Lions’ one-point loss to the Northern Territory.

He has also rejoined the Queensland side, which features in Victoria’s TAC Cup competition, and has returned results that have caused quite a stir within the recruiting fraternity.

Against top-four side North Ballarat, Andrews slotted one goal on his way to picking up 23 disposals at 97 per cent efficiency, six handball receives, a total of 11 marks and three frees for, convincingly winning man of the match.

A week later playing against the Geelong Falcons, Andrews finished again with best afield honours, racking up 17 disposals at 96 per cent, eight marks (three contested) and three tackles.

Throughout his six games this year for Queensland in the TAC Cup, Andrews has averaged a tidy 14 disposals, 2.3 tackles and 4.8 marks playing a mixture of forward and down back.

Andrews is a fantastic development prospect because he is a natural footy player. Down back, he isn’t afraid to back his strengths. He often patrols and controls the defensive 50 and he has all the traits that make him number one forward/defender material. His ability to read the play and judge the ball is encouraging, he’s not afraid to play a bit off his man and his overall judgement is of AFL level standard. He has long limbs, so he spoils at the highest point but importantly he’s got that required leg speed over his early steps to keep up with the big leading forwards, and conversely up front he uses it to create separation and breakaway from an opponent.

He’s quite a coachable player, and already we’ve seen him thrive when handed an otherwise foreign position. His ceiling is high in terms of his projection for development five years from now, which will really suit a number of clubs looking to groom him into a dominate swingman.

A good preseason hitting the gym will hold him in good stead. He has a good base fitness, agility and athleticism but he’s largely a bean pole now, despite being 91 kilograms. In order to compete against AFL bodies he’ll need to fill out, so it could be realistic to suggest he won’t be ready for at least a few seasons. However given the current trend of similar types of key position types I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at the very least in contention for a debut in his first season. What you’re looking at is a key position swingman who could quite easily take the competition by storm in the coming years.

 

[Roylion]

The Adelaide Lions have selected Josh Clayton with Pick 83 in the AFLTM Draft. Clayton played for Vic Metro this year as well as Sandringham in the TAC Cup under 18 competition. Touted as a versatile player capable of playing as a lead-up forward, Clayton’s speed, aerial ability, agility and footy smarts have had him on Adelaide’s radar for some time.

Clayton trained with the Lions squad last December. Sources at Adelaide spoke highly of Clayton’s training standards, his dedication on the track and the way he branched out to older players asking questions about rehabilitation and preparation as well as seeking feedback regarding his own game.

As a Adelaide supporter, it’s the team he wants to play for, given that his father Scott Clayton played 160 games at Fitzroy, including winning a best and fairest. So far Clayton has had a solid start to the season which has seen him average 19 disposals, eight handball receives, five marks and two tackles a game in the TAC Cup.

On top of that, he’s pulled on a Vic Metro jumper twice in this year’s National Championships, averaging 15 disposals at 68% efficiency, 4.5 marks, two tackles, six contested possessions and three inside 50s playing mostly off the bench, which is a sample size of what he is really capable of.

The pleasing aspect for Clayton is he fits the mould of the new-age tall midfielder. At 190 cm, he stands out given his size, and in doing so exploits it around the ground. Clayton is a terrific overhead mark, he has clean hands and a deft touch, and really glides around the wings for a big guy. Oddly enough, he also has a great goose-step. It’s that motion through his hips that’s not too dissimilar to Scott Pendlebury in the way he floats through a passage of play that makes Clayton look so elusive when in possession.

Still, there is areas in his game which need refining. Sometimes, it looks as though Clayton is in two minds and that’s purely because he’s such a team-orientated player. It affects his decision making, because although he’s got enough talent to pull off some amazing pieces of play himself, he tends to always be looking for another option or tries to do a bit too much. There are pros and cons to both, but sometimes it’s a lack of confidence or over-confidence to go the journey himself. Those habits will fizzle out quickly at a league club and he will learn the balance between backing his instincts and looking for an option but only if it’s the right one.

For a player of Clayton’s size, however, he’s learned how to use his body physically in a contest. He tackles hard, he hits hard and he cracks in with his head over the ball which all point to his scope to work hard in close at the coal face. Although he can win his own contested ball, I really see him becoming a tall wingman who can push forward to create an option and impact the scoreboard.

Around the ground, Clayton is athletic – he’s got strong power through his legs to leap high for a mark, and is equally good below his knees in how he tracks the ball. Given his awkward height, he’s often a mismatch for the opposition, given he can play several positions. His fend-offs are first class and he’s got confidence in way he plays. If he can work a bit harder defensively, he’s going to be a special talent.

Overall, Clayton is a really a very clever player. He spreads well, reads the game very well and although he can sometimes over-think what he wants to do next with the ball, he shapes as a brute of a player who has good endurance, pace and fantastic contested marking ability who looms as a utility type at AFL level.

 

[Roylion]

Adelaide Lions senior list as at August 29th 2015
Senior List
1. Harris Andrews - $79,000 (1)
2. Tom Barrass - $77,000 (UC)
3. Harley Bennell - $724,000 (3)
4. Rohan Bewick - $219,000 (2)
5. Aaron Black - $198,000 (1)
6. Jarryd Blair - $408,000 (1)
7. Angus Brayshaw - $115,000 (1)
8. Tom Campbell - $152,000 (1)
9. Jake Carlisle - $360,000 (1)
10. Josh Clayton - $79,000 (1)
11. Harry Cunningham - $148,000 (1)
12. Joe Daniher - $624,000 (3)
13. Lynden Dunn - $225,000 (1)
14. Shaun Edwards - $121,000 (UC)
15. Jayden Foster - $79,000 (1)
16. Brady Grey - $77,000 (UC)
17. Josh Hill - $236,000 (UC)
18. Jayden Hunt - $77,000 (UC)
19. Zak Jones - $100,000 (UC)
20. Josh Kelly - $250,000 (1)
21. Chris Knights - $317,000 (UC) - retired
22. Jake Lever - $90,000 (1)
23. Ivan Maric - $405,000 (2)
24. Angus Monfries - $325,000 (UC)
25. Robin Nahas - $244,000 (UC)
26. Rhys Palmer - $225,000 (1)
27. Cameron Pedersen - $136,000 (UC)
28. Lachlan Plowman - $225,000 (1)
29. Sam B Reid - $278,000 (1)
30. Nick Robertson - $250,000 (1)
31. Sam Russell - $77,000 (UC)
32. Ryan Schoenmakers - $192,000 (UC)
33. Ben Sinclair - $165,000 (UC)
34. Danny Stanley - $270,000 (1)
35. James Toohey - $77,000 (UC) - retired
36. Jimmy Toumpas - $624,000 (3)
37. Andrew Walker - $288,000 (UC)
38. Sharrod Wellingham - $410,000 (UC)
39. Trent West - $303,000 (1)
40. Brendan Whitecross - $324,000 (1)
Eligible Veterans
none
Promoted Rookies
none
Veterans
none
Long Term Injury List
none
Rookie List
41. Logan Austin ® (UC)
42. Xavier Richards ® (UC)

Delisted players (still under 2015 contract)
•. Dayle Garlett ($78,000) (UC)
•. Isaac Conway - $77,000 (75%) (UC)
•. Michael Evans - $244,000 (75%) (UC)
•. Luke Reynolds - $77,000 (75%) (UC)

TPP: $9,982,000 (under cap by $18,000)

Subtotal freed up: $476,000 (Garlett, Conway, Evans, Reynolds, Knights, Toohey)

2016 cap: $10,400,000

TPP: $9,506,000 (under cap by $894,000)

Breakdown by position:
KPF: Joe Daniher, Aaron Black, Cameron Pederson, Sam B Reid, Jayden Foster,
MF: Rohan Bewick, Josh Hill,
SF: Jarryd Blair, Brady Grey, Angus Monfries, Robin Nahas,
MID: Harley Bennell, Angus Brayshaw, Harry Cunningham, Josh Kelly, Rhys Palmer, Nick Robertson, Ben Sinclair, Danny Stanley, Jimmy Toumpas, Sharrod Wellingham, Brendan Whitecross.
SD: Jayden Hunt, Zac Jones, Sam Russell,
MD: Shaun Edwards, Andrew Walker, Josh Clayton,
KPD: Tom Barass, Jake Carlisle, Lynden Dunn, Lachlan Plowman, Ryan Schoenmakers, Jake Lever, Harris Andrews,
RCK: Ivan Maric, Trent West, Tom Campbell

 

[Roylion]

Adelaide Lions announce the retirement of James Toohey.

 

[Roylion]

Talented Adelaide Lions forward Chris Knights has announced that he will retire from AFLTM football at the end of the season.

A series of persistent injuries, which have cruelled the 28-year-old’s time at the Lions were the catalyst for his decision.

He told the Club’s playing group of his retirement decision earlier today.

Knights is the second Adelaide Lions player to announce his retirement in as many weeks, following veteran james Toohey's decision to retire.

“It’s a really sad ending for Chris. He has had horrible luck with injuries since he arrived at the Club, and it’s unfair for him to have to bow out in this fashion,” said Adelaide's General Manager of Football, John Blakey

“While he spent a lot of time in ‘rehab’, he was a fine role model for the playing group with his determination and professionalism to overcome a number of significant injuries.

“He will be rightly remembered as highly-talented player, who stopped at nothing to get the best out of himself.”

 

[Roylion]

Harley Bennell will play for the Ballarat Dragons in the 2016 AFL season after the Dragons and the Adelaide Lions agreed to a trade.

The Dragons gave up pick 1 in the national draft and youngster Liam Dawson, while securing pick 3 and Bennell from the Lions as part of the trade deal.

Bennell, a former number two draft pick who leaves the Lions following a series of off-field incidents, has agreed to a five-year contract with the Dragons.

"I'm excited about heading to the Ballarat Dragons," the 23-year-old Bennell said in a statement.

"I want to thank the Adelaide Lions for drafting me and the support they have offered me during my time at the club.

"My main focus now is to knuckle down and have a solid preseason over the coming months."

Bennell, who was drafted from WAFL club Peel Thunder, posted 81 senior appearances for the Lions after making his debut in 2011.

The trade deal ensures the Lions now have the first pick in the National Draft with which they are likely to select either Jacob Weitering or Josh Schache.

Adelaide Lions football operations general manager Roy Lion said the club was satisfied with what they would receive through the Bennell trade.

"We have done the best deal possible for the Adelaide Lions Football Club and as a result have strengthened our draft position," he said.

"As a club we've taken the steps necessary to build a strong culture on and off the field, and the players led by the leadership group, understand the expectations of representing the club and the Adelaide and Fitzroy communities."

 

[Marklar_33]

Poor reporting

 

[Roylion]

Poor reporting

That's the media for you.

 

[Roylion]

Current Adelaide Lions squad 18/11/2015

Breakdown by position:
KPF: Joe Daniher, Aaron Black, Cameron Pederson, Jayden Foster,
MF: Rohan Bewick, Josh Hill,
SF: Jarryd Blair, Brady Grey, Angus Monfries, Robin Nahas,
MID: Angus Brayshaw, Harry Cunningham, Rhys Palmer, Nick Robertson, Ben Sinclair, Danny Stanley, Jimmy Toumpas, Sharrod Wellingham, Brendan Whitecross, Liam Dawson, Ryan Bastinac,
SD: Zac Jones,
MD: Shaun Edwards, Andrew Walker, Josh Clayton,
KPD: Tom Barass, Jake Carlisle, Lynden Dunn, Lachlan Plowman, Ryan Schoenmakers, Jake Lever, Harris Andrews,
RCK: Ivan Maric, Matthew Lobbe, Trent West, Tom Campbell

Total: 36

In: Bastinac, Lobbe, Dawson, Pick 1, 13, 16, 37
Out: Bennell, Kelly, Reid, Hunt, Pick 3, 24, 42.

Picks 1, 13, 16, 21.

 

[Roylion]

Adelaide has snared 26 year old ruckman Matthew Lobbe from Geelong along with a first round pick at 16 and a early third round pick (37)

Geelong, in return, acquired Lions' midfielder Josh Kelly, youngster Jayden Hunt and mid third round pick (42)

The Lions now have four picks in the Top 25.

Lions coach Paul Roos said he was thrilled with the acquisition of 200cm ruckman Lobbe.

“We were looking to add to our ruck depth to help Ivan (Maric) and Trent (West) and we are very happy to have been able to add a player of Matthew's talent and experience to our list,” Roos said.

The Lions were coy on whether they would continue to seek trades, but did say they were in the market for a midfielder.

 

[Roylion]

FORMER Mozzies midfielder Ryan Bastinac says he jumped at the chance to join the Adelaide after his AFL career went “stagnant’’ at Mozzies.

The 24-year-old has joined the Lions on a four-year deal and is excited that the move to the City of Churches will see the quality of his football head in the same direction.

Bastinac had been a mainstay of the Bites on-ball division since his senior debut in 2010 as an inside midfielder but fell out of favour at The Swamp the past two seasons after he was forced to play more of an outside role.

Ready-made ball-winning mids with 121 senior games to their name do not grow on trees so Adelaide pounced at the chance to recruit Bastinac, who will form part of the solution to the club’s contested ball problems.

The 184cm, 84kg Bastinac cannot wait to get in and under packs and get his hands dirty for the Lions as he seeks to recapture his best form.

“I was looking for a fresh start because my last two years at Mozzie have been a bit stagnant. I felt like my footy was going in the right direction in my first four years and I was improving every year but that development just kind of stopped,’’ he said.

“That inside mid role is where I played all my junior footy and it is where I played my best footy at senior level but the last two seasons I was pushed outside.

“The move to Adelaide is exciting because it’s an opportunity to play my natural game alongside an exciting group of young players in a great city.’’

Bastinac is confident he can complement what established midfield leaders Rhys Palmer and Sharrod Wellingham bring to Adelaide as well as pass on some of his experience to the club’s young cubs.

“Palmer and Wellingham always get their job done and I’d like to think I can work in with them and add to the midfield mix,’’ he said.

“The Lions have some speed and some really good young talent with guys like Angus Brayshaw so it is an exciting time to join the club.

“They like to play quick and seem like they are on the right track.

“Overall, the Lions as a whole are a pretty young group and hopefully my experience at playing at a successful club like Mozzie that’s played a few finals will help the younger guys come through.’’

Bastinac played 17 senior games in 2015.

 

[Roylion]

2016 Best and Fairest

Progressive
3 Clayton Oliver, Harry Cunningham
2 Jimmy Toumpas, Jake Lever
1 Matthew Dea, Rohan Bewick

Round 3
Clayton Oliver - 3
Jimmy Toumpas - 2
Matthew Dea - 1

Round 2
Harry Cunningham - 3
Jake Lever - 2
Rohan Bewick - 1

Round 1