Unofficial Preview Changes for Lions v Western Bulldogs

[Carlos Danger]

Any news on potential injuries?
Berry & Rayner would have to be doubtful this week based on how they looked at the end of the game

 

[trikster]

Assuming no injuries (Rayner?)
Out : Big O, Allison
In : Robbo, Mayes

Forward line is too tall (Eagles can chip in in the ruck) and Allison looks not quite ready for this level still. Hipwood and McStay need lots of weeks to try to form a partnership and also McStay has been F*ed around moving backwards and forwards that it is only fair that he gets a good run in his new spot to see what he can do.

 

[Lions Flag 2020]

Only one change this week. Robertson in. Out will be dependent on injury updates. If no injuries then Allison out.

 

[lioninthesand]

Big O had 7 tackles. Reckon he will play this week.

 

[Dylan12]

The one guy I am really looking forward to being back in the team is Ben Keays, although I doubt it will be this week.

Appreciate there are many knockers on here, but I really like the way this lad goes about it and reckon he will carve out a pretty solid career for the Lions.

 

[lions27]

Robertson in for eagles is probably the only change unless there are injuries

 

[cotter101]

I must be watching the wrong Allison. Surprised at the calls for him to be dropped. He didn’t rack up a lot of the ball but I thought he really got us out of trouble on more than one occasion. Seems to be trying to find that offensive/defensive balance. It’ll click soon.

I don’t think I’d be making any changes.

 

[DanT7]

McStay out for NRobbo. Lazy.
One more week for big O before Walker is back in.

Mayes, Keyes later.
Next in line CBeams.
Cox & Mayes need to be smashing the door down in the NEAFL before they are back in.
Bell done.
Bewick maybe one more chance.
Not sure about Bastinac: given up maybe?

Am worried that Berry may not be right.
Also concerns on Rich & Rayner.

 

[Gibbo_88]

I think Mayes is a victim to a degree of "recent game" syndrome.

He had a shocker against Richmond, that's beyond dispute ....and deserved to be dropped

But let's not forget his body of work over the period. He was 4th in the B&F last season and hass been a solid contributor over the years since he was drafted.

I would like to see him have a run up forward though.

Would he take the position of Rayner, Cameron or Christensen?

His form of 2018 is poor, whether that's because of a poor pre-season or whatever it was, it doesn't matter. As a defender, he is not someone who can dominate his opponent and nor is he someone that can cut through a zone with his elite kicking skills. That makes you one of the most replaceable players in our side. Yes he played very well last year and he is one of our experienced players but if Cox or Allison is giving us a similar output to Mayes then I'd rather play one of them for now.

 

[royboys4eva]

Out - Hipwood, Allison
In - Mayes - Robertson

McStay can be the roaming forward with Big O the target man.

McStay roaming hahah. Have you not watched him over the years? Dropping Hipwood is just silly. Last week everyone wanted Zorko dropped.

 

[royboys4eva]

I would be keeping the tall forward line. First week we went with three tall's and look how many goals we kicked. Also Dogs don't have a particularly tall defence so we might be able to expose them. Might also mean Charlie Cameron gets the third best defender not the second best defender.

 

[LongLion]

I would be keeping the tall forward line. First week we went with three tall's and look how many goals we kicked. Also Dogs don't have a particularly tall defence so we might be able to expose them. Might also mean Charlie Cameron gets the third best defender not the second best defender.

I felt that the Big O caused the Pies defenders some real headaches with his height and our small forwards benefited accordingly. He's quite mobile and good below his knees & tackles. He' won't be dropped this week.

 

[Kernel Kurtz]

McStay roaming hahah. Have you not watched him over the years? Dropping Hipwood is just silly. Last week everyone wanted Zorko dropped.

Just on Hipwood.
We sit only about 8 rows back on the Stanley St side, so fairly close to ground level.
Had a great view of Hipwood attempting to mark.
Long kick coming in and he was on a lead and as most times he ran under it.
To me the ball had too much on it for him too run full pelt and mark , so he would of had to check his run, hold up for a second.
He just doesn't read it that well yet to adjust to a ball that isn't perfect.
Also it seems to be happening with Walker and it happened with Close.
The ball coming in has got too much on it and the boys can't hold back a defender or like I said just haven't read the flight.
It might be more to do with the kick coming in , bit of A and B ,I would think.
Its also easier to read the trajectory and power of the kick from afar and side on in the stalls ,so I could see it early that he was going to run under it.

He's a bit out of form with regarding his disposals as well , like some of our young players he seems to refuse the early option even though the player is forward of ball and clear. Wtf.
Still confident he should stay in at the moment but if say Walker was demanding a spot I would almost be inclined to keep the big O in and give Hippy a stint in the twos . No one should be safe from demotion .
We still need that player to gut run to the wing when we switch , Bewick anyone. He plays this role well imo.( not popular I know)
Not sure who comes out for Nick , Eagles very impressive , but also dropped some marks , more to do with adjusting to the pace though I would think.
I'd be inclined to leave Nick out at this point .
Maybe Alison could be dropped , but he gives us better offensive play .
Good problem to have .

 

[Cockliff38]

The only thing that worries me about the tall forward line is what could potentially happen on the rebound, given we're playing at Etihad. I do, however, agree the balance is about right atm and things seemed to click after quarter time.

 

[TheZork]

All I know is that we're probably a bit too tall for Etihad with 3 KPP's down each end. Whether they deserved it or not, one of Eagles, Big O and McStay probably needs to be dropped as theres no way Gardiner, Hipwood or Andrews are.

 

[dlanod]

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/thre...e-lions-etihad-stadium.1193426/#post-55588873