Brisbane....the great pretenders???

[Blues2001]

Well they've gone and done it again. A few nice wins north of the border and everyone thinks the Lions are world beaters - only to see them crash in Melbourne. Do you think Leigh will say again that they are overrated? I'd be one to agree.

I noticed that after a few wins the Lions were put into third favourite for the flag behind the Dons and Hawks. I couldn't believe this, because I have always thought that the only way the Lions could make the GF is to finish 1 or 2 - otherwise they'd have to play and win in Melbourne to get there - Buckley's chance of that. And if they did make the GF they'd obviously have to play it in Melbourne - Buckley's again. Brisbane are still an excellent chance to make the 8 because they almost always win at home, but are a no hoper as far as the flag goes. I wonder if the bookies will finally agree?

Blues played their best footy this year today, including the Essendon game (which was more about G&D than great skill) - I hope they keep it up......!

 

[SpecialBruce]

Brisbane won't win a match in Melbourne. Finals contenders? I don't think so. They havn't played 1 good game this year and it's round 8. At the moment, I don't rate them finals contenders.

 

[JUBJUB]

I think Port Adelaide are making a late running for "Great Pretenders" title.

 

[Richmondfan#1]

I thought that was Richmond's title .

 

[Joe Mama]

Port Adelaide and Richmond merely fold like origami paper under pressure so they can't really be called pretenders, just gutless.

But in terms of talent on paper and ferociousness (or lack of), it surely has to go to Brisbane, although they were missing their running players but that doesn't excuse them from a typical (piss weak) Melbourne performance.

Leigh Matthews and his whole posse should be sacked for getting rid of the only two hard nuts we had (Stevie Lawrence and Jarrod Molloy) because at the moment, playing Brisbane in Melbourne is like getting flogged with a wet newspaper, we are like the team in the bubble, the outside will kill us).

Go TATURA and MURCHISON

 

[kretchy]

Pretenders

The lions definetly are the great pretenders they have got no hope of winning a game in Melbourne.

They have though been missing Leppitisch and Power up forward to give them some bite around goal.

 

[Mouldy Oldie]

It must be the airline food. How the hell can a team leave their skills behind to the degree the Lions seem to do with monotonous regularity. Talk about frustrating. Losing is something every team has to accept at times. It's the manner in which the game is lost that is unacceptable. It really makes me want to pull my hair out (what's left). At home, you would never back against them because they can beat almost any team. When they play away & it doesn't matter if it's in Melbourne or anywhere else for that matter you could never back them with any confidence at all. At this point then that makes them a one dimensional side. The answer? I don't have one. Injuries perhaps? We have had worse injuries & still won at home. To me it's the disappearance of the skills when we play away. Is it the home crowd that is the difference? Does that give them the confidence? I can't believe it's the fault of the coach, as it's happened with previous coaches. It's almost become a habit to lose away & until we can consistently win away & CONSISTENT means more than half their away games per season against the top teams, we will never be a threat to the flag, just a mere frustration to other teams vying to make the finals.

 

[WCE2000]

The Lions have promosid for years the are a formidable line-up, but have never really delivered.

I think they're inability to play out of Melbourne is the key. When you look at their list, it's one of the best going around, but inconsistency is the problem.

 

[ruth]

When they were the Bears, in 95/96 they travelled well, and won 3 in a row at Optus.They even won at Western Oval.
The problem is the whinging and continual excuses made.
The players are not totally to blame here.
They are the marshmallow team on 2001.

 

[Mouldy Oldie]

ruth,
Did you used to be in the Lions cheer squad last year??

 

[ruth]

Maybe there are too many assistant coaches. Get back to basics.
They have won away in 1999, consistantly as well. In 98, 2000 and this year, when we hear rumblings about players unhappy at the club.Mainly due to coaches or admin problems. Thats when they faulter, when they are continually unhappy.
Also someone has to take the blame for letting Voss, Lawrence and Molloy leave. All were hard at the ball players.All contracted, all asked to leave.
On yesterdays game.They never stood a chance. Matthews takes responsibility for his decision to replace 2 small crumbing forwards, when rain is forecast, with a tall ruck and a tall backman.Stupidity.Of course they were going to flounder .Also
Matthews should stopp stuffing around with there heads. Moving them willy nilly around. For christs sake, stabilitly, brings confidence, brings wins.Stop having the shrink talking to them when they reach the boundry line, thats rubbish.
Fancy having White in the ruck, with 3 ruckmen playing.Daft.
Having Lynch at FF, and Brown at CHF is great, but you also need a leading forward and a couple of crumbers. Common sense.
Also there was no way Keating was match fit. They should never have played him.
WE have Charman to play if they wanted 3 rucks. He is a good player.
We have Mc Grath and others to replace Powers and Mc Crae.
The club needs to ask questions, and actually do something.
Maybe a second team in Queensland, will stir up the whole club.
Bring on the Southport whatevers.

 

[ruth]

Mouldy Oldie.
Yes I was.

 

[Danni]

"Brisbane....the great pretenders???"

Please do not use the word "Great" in any context what so ever in relation to my team.

It is an insult to the word 'great' in general.

 

[ruth]

Ouch.
Still cross Danni.
So this family group.
Sick of excuses by the club.

 

[SpecialBruce]

This has gone on long enough. It's time for some sackings up there. At the moment, I am willing to stick to this that Fremantle will get a flag before us.

 

[joshhem]

Sacking sacking sackings.....Just one question....What could any other coaching staff have done to help us win that one? Half our side is injured!! And we lost Akka half way through.

We were out classed lacking a lot of confidence, because there was bnit enough experience in our lineup. I know this will be labled as making an excuse, but surely it is a valid one???

If Carlton had 10 of their top players gone I can tell you what the result would be! I just think we're having a bit of bad injury luck atm and towards the end of the season we can prob make a good charge for the line. The Melbourne situation is over-rated. But I know that you all wont agree with anything I just said.

But to be a true supporter surely you have to "support" them through all situations. Danni what you said was a little harsh, because I am sure that when we win a flag you'll deny that you ever said that.

CARN THE LIONS!!!!!!!!!

 

[blues^rock]

i have to admit i thought Port was the real deal until last night, i thought thy might've been able ot get over essendon because they could handle the pressure, but if u can't handle pie pressure there is a very little chance u can handle don pressure so i guess there's only essendon left...again

 

[Blues2001]

Originally posted by joshhem
Sacking sacking sackings.....Just one question....What could any other coaching staff have done to help us win that one? Half our side is injured!! And we lost Akka half way through.

We were out classed lacking a lot of confidence, because there was bnit enough experience in our lineup. I know this will be labled as making an excuse, but surely it is a valid one???

If Carlton had 10 of their top players gone I can tell you what the result would be! I just think we're having a bit of bad injury luck atm and towards the end of the season we can prob make a good charge for the line. The Melbourne situation is over-rated. But I know that you all wont agree with anything I just said.

CARN THE LIONS!!!!!!!!!

Like you predicted, I couldn't disagree more. THe only thing that is overrated is your line-up. What about when you capitulated against the Bulldogs? Or when Richmond easily dealt with you? Or when Carlton belted you in the finals last year?

You will make a good charge for the line but that charge will be based north of the border. Who are these 10 TOP players gone? 10???? Don't exaggerate. Leppitsch, Power......Cupido I guess - don't say McCrae - he hasn't done anything for two years. You may have lost Akermanis - but you were already 9 goals down. We lost Whitnall for the rest of the game after he'd kicked 3 goals up til the 10 minute mark of the second quarter - he was on his way to 7 or 8 and Silvagni was injured too. Don't forget Allan either. If both sides had full sides we may only have won by 10 goals. You are pretenders. You'll have to play finals (if you make it) in Melbourne - you won't win them and hence cannot win the flag.

 

[FitzroyJamesDio]

I agree with Joshhem..we were outclassed..and the injuries and lack of depth really showed...losing power, mc rae, akermanis and having rocks in lepper and hart out were always gonna leave us wide open...they definately lacked in confidence - the woeful kicking at goal of late has proven that

questions do need be asked but sackings are a bit extreme..lions can field a great team on their day..but they cant keep using injuries as an excuse..depth is the problem

i honestly don't think the addition of younger less experienced players would have done much except see us flogged by even more on sat against opposition like the blues

carlton shallacked us, and they are an excellent team when firing..and therye definatley firing!

 

[Mouldy Oldie]

Originally posted by ruth
Mouldy Oldie.
Yes I was.

Do you have son who plays First XI cricket for JPC?? If so then my son also plays in that team.

 

[anna]

Interesting piece in this mornings Courier Mail by Darren Cartwright.
Basically said the 2nd year players of Headland,Shattock, Robbins,Notting and Picken had had enough chances, needed to be more consistent, step up.
That they needed to blood some more 1st year players .
I think that a review of the whole club's footy department needs to be done by an independent organiszation, like the AIS.People who are specialists in this area.
There are too many areas that seem to have problems. A simplistic approach is not the answer.
But....
The buck does stop with the match committee. Always does.
They made the choice to offload players in the past few years. Players are not happy to play at our club. This needs to be looked into.Why they are not happy.Who decided that the 3 tough footballers from last year could be traded.Our decision making at that level needs to be questioned.
Until the club takes its finger out, so to speak, they will continue to slide.
I hate to think what the crowd would do if they lost next week.
No one sitting near us has been happy with the standard of footy played ALL year.My sons under 12's could do a better job, in some matches. At least they want to be there, enjoy their footy.
Nup someone has to ask the hard questions, and get some answers.
Also please the powers that be,no more excuses.We are all sick of the continual excuses.

 

[InTheBack!]

Yes, the 2nd tier players as they are labelled, have not performed with some exceptions they are all either honest battlers or duds.

You need a whole team of good players to win an afl premiership, not just a couple of stars carrying the rest in their wake.

Of the newer players I would consider Brown & Cupido the only 2 likely to have some long term security at the club.

Now lets see - Lynch, Hart, Choppers to retire soon. White only has a couple of years left.

Bradshaw to be traded (hopefully).

There must be others?

That leaves ???????? to fill the gap.

 

[FitzroyJamesDio]

get rid of Mal Michael and Bradshaw for a start!

Lynch is a loose cannon and can be anything on his day..unfortunately we seem to be carrying him more than what he is giving in the cannon stakes..and that kicking...woeful!

Picken for a young player seems to be trying hard and doing well in my opinion

 

[Captain Sensible]

While your'e sacking people, get rid of your overpayed, over-rated coach.

 

[ruth]

I would start there.
I would keep Craig Brittain and Craig Lambert in their present jobs.
I would not get rid of Bradshaw. His problem is confidence.He is an excellent leading, forward. We need one of those. Lynch is the problem in the forward line. Way way too inconsistant.I would only play him off the bench.When Dunstall raves about a ff, over a period of 12 months, then they are good.....Thats Bradshaw. He wanted him at Hawthorn.The only problem with Bradshaw is the crumbing part of his match, but if our crumbers did their job that wouldn't be a problem.
I would stick him in a pocket, to lead out. Put Headland in a ff,, and McRae or Hart as the crumbers, or Mc Grath or Hadley.
Only play players when they are fit. Full stop. Get them amtch fit in the ressies, don't care who they are. Vossy even. Then they are less likely to reinjure themselves.