Unofficial Preview Changes & discussion v the Saints round 13 @ Gabba.

[M Malice]

The problem with Rich, Birch and Witho all in the team. None are too fast and defence/body wise Birch and Witho not as good as Rich.
Birch picks better targets under pressure as many years older than Witho. Hence Witho missed out for weeks.
Still not sure the backline is settled..
Andrews if he needs to lock down the best forward then we loose his intercepting.
So we often playing Darcy on the best tall to free up Andrews.. He can get outsized.
Starc/Answerth taking the dangerous small.
We sort of missing the another Key defence with Adams out and Walker gone. We been using Lester and Darcy for this role
Some weeks it works and others it does not

Having 3 mainly offensive players in a 6 man defence can get caught out.

I actually think Rich's speed is quite good albeit not at elite level, doesn't get caught out for pace too often IMO.

 

[KissKiss]

Its clearly a problem in the backline we have too many fit and playing well to fit in the team. Either someone gets dropped or needs to play elsewhere on the field right now.
We have been playing 1.5 talls and 1.5 mediums (Harris, Darcy and Lester), 2 smaller fast defenders (Starc and Answerth) and two distributors (Birchall and Witherden) last week. And we have Rich to come back in.
St Kilda have good combination of tall and fast forwards. So we potentially need more height in the team but can't lose our pace against guys like Butler.
Its really unfortunate but structurally someone is going to have to miss out. Its not because they have played badly just not enough spots to go around.
If anyone "deserved" to be dropped for a poor defensive effort it would be up the field in the mids and forwards who let the ball come back too easily

 

[The Flying Belgian]

I actually think Rich's speed is quite good albeit not at elite level, doesn't get caught out for pace too often IMO.

Richy being slow is a myth that I think sprung from his draft camp 20m sprint time (which wasn't even that bad). True he's not going to keep up with the jets of the game, but he's not the worst and generally has a pretty good awareness and timing of when to dispose of the ball.

 

[Comeback Lions]

Anyone???


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Adams listed as 2 weeks on AFL website, Martin as 5 weeks and Archie Smith as 4 weeks. Adams would need 2 to 3 games in twos to get back match fitness, so hard to see him returning before finals. Steph to play in last game against Carlton if all goes well, but who knows, could struggle to get back as well.

 

[bato]

Richy being slow is a myth that I think sprung from his draft camp 20m sprint time (which wasn't even that bad). True he's not going to keep up with the jets of the game, but he's not the worst and generally has a pretty good awareness and timing of when to dispose of the ball.

He doesnt get himself into positions where he’s chasing anyone. His positioning is very good every time. When he does have to chase, he always gives his 100% all and ends up on the ground. That’s what you want to see from your defender. Love it.

 

[iBeng]

Harris vs King will be...interesting.

 

[Scubaveg]

Reading between the lines, I wouldn't expect Adams to play again this year.

Oh wow, that’s an issue I think. Particularly comes finals playing against teams with two big forwards. Dizzy is a far better third tall then second tall.


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[KissKiss]

Harris vs King will be...interesting.

Harris should be able to handle him fine. If he sticks to him. He seems to have been caught out a lot recently trying to cover every other contest

 

[Dalions]

Harris should be able to handle him fine. If he sticks to him. He seems to have been caught out a lot recently trying to cover every other contest

A good defensive unit have faith in one and other.
Harris tends to play as though he does not trust others to beat their man and goes in to help sometimes when he shouldn’t, leaving his man with an easy stroll into goal when the ball gets over the top or even when he gets the ball to ground, But if they have someone to swoop it is an easy handball over the top to Harris‘s unmarked man.
it was never more evident than when Payne was in the side.

 

[Scubaveg]

Adams listed as 2 weeks on AFL website, Martin as 5 weeks and Archie Smith as 4 weeks. Adams would need 2 to 3 games in twos to get back match fitness, so hard to see him returning before finals. Steph to play in last game against Carlton if all goes well, but who knows, could struggle to get back as well.

Went looking for that and couldn’t find it. Thank you!


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[Dalions]

Went looking for that and couldn’t find it. Thank you!


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This is from last week.

 

[T Rick]

It is clearly obvious to me that in this highly compromised season that anyone from the "two's" being called up is struggling to pick up the pace and without the selectors persevering with them it is going to be a revolving door. Matho did well given these circumstances. Looking for someone to come in and immediately make an impact is unrealistic in my opinion and judging Ballendan, Skinner, Payne, Eagles and Matho in such circumstances is incredibly harsh.

 

[trikster]

We have been playing 1.5 talls and 1.5 mediums (Harris, Darcy and Lester), 2 smaller fast defenders (Starc and Answerth) and two distributors (Birchall and Witherden) last week. And we have Rich to come back in.

If you replace Lester with a FB to negate their #1 key forward I think this becomes our ideal lineup. Which is exactly what Adams was recruited to do while also having some intercept ability

 

[mpal6]

A good defensive unit have faith in one and other.
Harris tends to play as though he does not trust others to beat their man and goes in to help sometimes when he shouldn’t, leaving his man with an easy stroll into goal when the ball gets over the top or even when he gets the ball to ground, But if they have someone to swoop it is an easy handball over the top to Harris‘s unmarked man.
it was never more evident than when Payne was in the side.

Interesting observation... I felt that way with Andrews against Richmond, it was a bit better against Dogs and then back to the same against North. Even commentators were saying (in Q4 I think) that the rest of the team is waiting for Andrews to come over the top with that fist and it is leading to an uncertainty one way or the other.

Fagan was defending Andrews in Richmond post-match saying he'll continue to protect the younger teammates, but it does beg the question - is Andrews doing too much too early, could he hold back a bit and see if Payne can handle it etc. I guess our players are all learning about their teammates as well as themselves this season, interesting times .

 

[Scubaveg]

This is from last week.

View attachment 937478

If that’s a week ago, then in theory Adams is only a week away. Then a further 2-3 after that to get some running in, he might be good to go after the bye.


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[mpal6]

Harris should be able to handle him fine. If he sticks to him. He seems to have been caught out a lot recently trying to cover every other contest

I hope Payne gets the opportunity to play lock down on the deep forward - whether it's King or Membrey.

He could potentially get the next 5 games to cement his spot come finals.

 

[Scubaveg]

It is clearly obvious to me that in this highly compromised season that anyone from the "two's" being called up is struggling to pick up the pace and without the selectors persevering with them it is going to be a revolving door. Matho did well given these circumstances. Looking for someone to come in and immediately make an impact is unrealistic in my opinion and judging Ballendan, Payne, Eagles and Matho in such circumstances is incredibly harsh.

I can get on board with that for inexperienced guys like Payne, Eagles, Ballenden, but not Mathieson. He’s had plenty of opportunity, should know what the step up is and be prepared for it.


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[Saucery]

Interesting observation... I felt that way with Andrews against Richmond, it was a bit better against Dogs and then back to the same against North. Even commentators were saying (in Q4 I think) that the rest of the team is waiting for Andrews to come over the top with that fist and it is leading to an uncertainty one way or the other.

Fagan was defending Andrews in Richmond post-match saying he'll continue to protect the younger teammates, but it does beg the question - is Andrews doing too much too early, could he hold back a bit and see if Payne can handle it etc. I guess our players are all learning about their teammates as well as themselves this season, interesting times .

One can only imagine what kind of a KPB line we would have now if Justin Clarke's career hadn't have been so cruelly cut short.

 

[snooplions]

if there is a team other than Richmond or Geelong capable of putting us to the sword while we stuff around with inaccuracy in front of goal, I reckon it's the saints. They've played at the Gabba a lot since they have come into the hub also.

 

[TheZork]

I think Payne has to come in, not just for this game but potentially for the finals (we can get 5 valuable games into him). Because of Adams injury history and since we delisted Walker. We need a 2nd big tall for when we play games against the big forward lines. This is somehow a controversial opinion on here, but as good a defender as Gardiner is, he is absolutely rubbish on the bigger talls. Payne is the only option.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

I like the idea of McStay being tried as second ruck. He could also be our number two backman. He's bigger than Gardner who looked too short yesterday.

We don't see key position players being swung from one end to the other anymore. Leppa and Lynchy come to mind. Hipwood was actually recruited as a backman and he has not been back at all that I can remember. Plenty of people have called for Andrews to go forward and he did last year in Ballarat against the Doggies. I was there. Maybe we are too stereotyped.

We won't rest any player this week as it is an eight point game.

Eagles goes. Rich and Rayner come in. Not sure what else the selectors will do.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Anyone with any idea of when Martin and Adams return from injury? Has to be getting close now.

Adams was reported as 6 weeks on 11 May. That’s the best part of 13 weeks ago now.

Martin 8 weeks on 23 July not too far away either.

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Even if fit Adams is not in our best 22. Here are his stats from the only game he’s played this year in Round 1.

Brisbane Lions - 2020
Gm	Opponent​	Rd	R	#	KI	MK	HB	DI	GL	BH	HO	TK	RB	IF	CL	CG	FF	FA	BR	CP	UP	CM	MI	1%	BO	GA	%P
38​	Hawthorn	1​	L​	24​	2​	1​	3​	5​					2​		1​	1​		1​		4​	1​	1​					85​
	Totals	1 (0-0-1)	2	1	3	5					2		1	1		1		4	1	1

 

[mpal6]

if there is a team other than Richmond or Geelong capable of putting us to the sword while we stuff around with inaccuracy in front of goal, I reckon it's the saints. They've played at the Gabba a lot since they have come into the hub also.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/a...t/news-story/114a4e9d45c81751bf6fba99a8b2dcac

Interesting to watch Dermott Brereton talk about how Max King gave a hard time to Hurley. Vision was quite compelling too. We need to be on guard or will be shown up quick. 200cm forward jumping high on air with long outstretched arms - looks pretty formidable already young Max.

 

[Dylan12]

I like the idea of McStay being tried as second ruck. He could also be our number two backman. He's bigger than Gardner who looked too short yesterday.

We don't see key position players being swung from one end to the other anymore. Leppa and Lynchy come to mind. Hipwood was actually recruited as a backman and he has not been back at all that I can remember. Plenty of people have called for Andrews to go forward and he did last year in Ballarat against the Doggies. I was there. Maybe we are too stereotyped.

We won't rest any player this week as it is an eight point game.

Eagles goes. Rich and Rayner come in. Not sure what else the selectors will do.

Even Daniel Bradshaw was swung to defence to very good effect when required.

Similarly, Dan Merrett was also swung forward to good effect too.

You’re right though, rarely are our keys swapped around anymore.

 

[3KZ is Football]

You get a sense of how ordinary Adams was from the ‘highlights’ package from Round 1. There is no way he is currently in our best 22 if available and anyone who thinks he is a walk up start once “fit” is doing a disservice to our current defensive unit, which is doing very well.