Unofficial Preview Changes v Giants Round 7?

[martinson]

It seems Fagan had a clear plan in mind with recruiting Adams, where he and Harris take the main threats, freeing Gardiner to play as the third tall. And that seems like a sensible plan. What concerns me is that whenever Adams is injured, we seem to be deviating from that plan and using Gardiner on a main threat, which I'm not sure is his best role. Why isn't Adams being replaced with a similarly big body?

I get that Josh Walker was too similar to Harris, and perhaps Payne isn't ready for the seniors yet, but there are other options. Maybe Eagles gets promoted now that McFadyen is out long term, he could fill that role. I personally think the best option would be sending McStay back to take advantage of his aerial ability and field kicking better, but Fagan isn't likely to move him from the forward line unfortunately.

I'd play Eagles every day of the week. I realise it ain't gunna happen and his cards were marked once he got injured but if I had my choice between him and 2 or 3 guys that are in there it'd be him. Just my take on what he would add.

It's really unfortunate that Skinner ,Fullarton Payne and others aren't getting the chance to showcase themselves this year . Anyone who comes in now is going to be lacking match fitness but it is what it is .

The GWS match is going to be an important game for some of our fringe players. We've had the 9 day break , big game against a good opponent.

 

[dizzysquizz]

I’m into the idea of Starc/Bailey/TBez rotating though Robbos wing spot.

starc was my 1st thought as well if Robbo doesnt get up, and bring in Answerth across HB

 

[dizzysquizz]

Our defense will be a bit different from the GWS final in 2019
These were the Lions defenders who played last year.
Rich, Gardiner, Andrews who all played last week
Adams, Hodge, Answerth, Witherden

i think Witherden in for Lester.

So: Rich - Gardiner - Andrews -
.....Starcevich - Birchall - Ah Chee & Witherden

Nick Robertsen successfully tagged Whitfield
Also de Boer successfully tagged Neale

But in the match during the home and away season, Lester played in defence, and it was Marcus Adams 1st match ( i think ) and he played as forward

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I’m not sure if coaches actually recruit players.

I believe it more likely that Noble and Ambrogio recruited Adams.

It’s more likely the coach identifies areas of need to fill as part of list management discussions.

Regardless, my point is the same. Fagan would have identified that he wanted another strong key defender who had different characteristics to Walker as part of his game plan, but we seem to abandon that plan whenever Adams is hurt.

 

[briztoon]

I'm not entirely convinced he's a natural defender.

I was at a pre-season training session late last year and I recall Keirdon Coleman and Ah Chee going head to head in match simulation. I reckon Coleman did him cold on nearly every occasion.

Sure, I know match simulation is different to the real thing but after watching that I was left with the impression that either Coleman was seriously good, or Ah Chee wasn't really a defender on a like for like basis.

Whatever, I seriously hope Coleman gets a run sometime this year.

Sorry. I meant “doesn’t appear natural”...

 

[Mighty Lions]

Mathieson has had he’s chance. He’s had plenty of chances and hasn’t taken them.


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So because he's had his chance thats it for him? Really? I would never not want a fringe player to get a chance & always would love seeing them shine no matter how many chances they have had in the past. (Lester the perfect example) We are fortunate to have considerable depth now however that doesnt help the guys like Skinner, Matheson, C.Lyons, Hinge, Eagles & Co to get their chance. All these boys deserve a go in my opinion but sometimes in life, some get it and others dont. Maybe some deserve it more than others in our eyes, but they all deserve & earn the chance if they get one.

 

[Ralphy2017]

Walker was delisted as we have an upgrade in Adams. Adams did a fine job on Hawkins last year. Adams is injures yes, but he’s the big body we are missing down back.


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Did you see Adams game against Hawthorne in round 1. His preseason games in the Marsh series, and generally last year, except for a few good games. Has a history of injuries at the Dogs and now has had two or three operations whilst up at the Lions.

 

[Quigley]

Adams is a solid defender. Nothing more. Walker has shown for North that he is at that level as well and has more size than Adams.

In the ressies last year I thought both Eagles and Payne looked just as good as Walker and I have no doubt both could play well at AFL level. Fagan though seems not to be keen to restructure his defensive set up which I can understand although I think it is a mistake. We lack size and pace and despite their size both Eagles and Payne are quicker and more mobile than Birchall and Lester. Both are also better ball users than Ah Chee, Starc and Lester.

I hope they get a chance shortly.

 

[Happy_Neale]

Eagles and Christensen not the answer IMO.

 

[Clarkythelion]

Robbo has a corkie per Fagan so there is a chance he plays. Hopefully Clug doesn't have any lasting damage from his shoulder.

Looking at the team I'm not sure there are really any unforced changes we should be making. I'd have dropped Ah Chee prior to last nights game but he was pretty good. Stef and Oscar were pretty poor but I don't trust Skinner to do a better job.

Your right, Skinner is aggressive and hits packs hard but he is not a ruckman, held his own in NEAFL helping out but that's it. Mcstay is playing the role he played last year or go back a bit he was playing maybe Darcy Gardneir/Adams type role.

 

[Clarkythelion]

If you look at most (not all) key forwards, they dont reach their peak until after 25-26 years of age. Dan has just turned 25 years old so you would expect his best footy is in front of him still. Hipwood is 22 years old (not 23 until mid-September) so you could easily argue that he has significant improvement & development coming up for at least 4-5 years before he nears his best footy also. Hawkins @ Geelong was heavily critisised for many years in his early 20's and really didnt start to dominate until well after 25 years old. Its a difficult issue that most clubs deal with almost every year. Ben Brown is another who won the Coleman not long ago but is now copping it from all angles.

Except maybe for big bad Johno Brown he was good after his first game which was a shocker, "his words".

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

The lack of match competition will make it hard for any of the young guys to come in and make an immediate difference. I think Fagan will stick with only forced changes, although it wouldn't surprise if one of Burchall or Lester is given a rest. I would opt for Answerth over Witherden to replace Burchall and Skinner to replace Lester.

 

[Harris Specter]

What I hope will happen:

Out: Birchall, T.Berry
In: Witherden, Answerth

Push Zac Bailey into the forward 50 and have Answerth take his role in the backline.
Gives us more drive and speed from the backline. Happy to give Martin another go but he is looking worse for wear with every game.

What I think will realistically happen:

No changes.

 

[Dalions]

I think we need a bit more grunt and size around the ball.
So one change for me.
Matho for T Berry

 

[bungalow_bill]

How tall is Matho and has he bulked up any in the last year?

 

[Dalions]

How tall is Matho and has he bulked up any in the last year?

188cm - 87kg
Out of the players Available already in Sydney. He would be it, for Midfiled size.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Adams is a solid defender. Nothing more. Walker has shown for North that he is at that level as well and has more size than Adams.

In the ressies last year I thought both Eagles and Payne looked just as good as Walker and I have no doubt both could play well at AFL level. Fagan though seems not to be keen to restructure his defensive set up which I can understand although I think it is a mistake. We lack size and pace and despite their size both Eagles and Payne are quicker and more mobile than Birchall and Lester. Both are also better ball users than Ah Chee, Starc and Lester.

I hope they get a chance shortly.

Eagles and Payne are quicker than Lester and better ball users than Starcevich? Really?

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Starc has one bad kick and people want to drop him and suggest he skills are no good. Peeps might want to have a look at the previous games I would suggest.

 

[Nunez]

Starc has one bad kick and people want to drop him and suggest he skills are no good. Peeps might want to have a look at the previous games I would suggest.

Personally I think we should drop most of the team and run our neafl after that game.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Personally I think we should drop most of the team and run our neafl after that game.

Yep crazy stuff, sometimes changes are warranted but knee jerk reactions not a good idea.

 

[darooda]

Ryan played well against WCE & Adelaide but that was above the standard he has produced in his years at the Lions
He was back to the basic Ryan Lester game in the last two rounds.
He has been a solid player for the Lions in his 131 games and now in his tenth year at the club.
I don't see much improvement in Ryan's game going forward. I will be happy to be proven wrong.
Playing over 130 games of AFL is a great achievement and Ryan should be proud of that record
If you want a player to fill a gap in the side Ryan will do a solid job

Ryan's best year was in 2017 when he averaged 16 disposals, played 22 games and finished 9th in the B&F.
The Lions finished last on the ladder that year.
He played 15 games in 2018 went the lions finished 15th.
He only played 9 games in 2019 where we finished 2nd in the H & A season.
Not in our best 22 last year. I imagine he would have got more games if we had more injuries last year.

Witherden is 21 and played 54 games and starting his 4th year.
I see more improvement in Alex going forward
Showed us in his first game in round 14 year 2017 that he had big potential.
Followed it up with another two excellent years in 2018 & 2019
His round 1 game against the Hawks was ordinary and after a long break to round two found himself out of the 22
Alex played okay against GWS in the final but we all remember he had no leg speed to chase down was it Lloyd who sealed the game for GWS
I am happy too have a smaller defender in against GWS and add another good kick out of half back

I still remember my angst as Daniels squeezed past Witho and slotted the goal in front of where we were sitting.



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[Big Sauce 21]

I still remember my angst as Daniels squeezed past Witho and slotted the goal in front of where we were sitting.



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here I am trying to play the video

 

[The Zork]

Going to need to put some time into Whitfield, he had a quiet start to the year but is finding quite a bit of it of late. Especially late in quarters.

Would have looked to give one of Lester or Birchall a rest but one of them will likely get the Finlayson matchup.
Going to need all hands on deck in the midfield this week.

 

[darooda]

Fox Sports article about talking points of the round identifies the territorial differential for GWS, last few weeks lost the inside 50 count by a dozen or more in the last month, we are a good team at locking it in and winning the territory battle, will be interesting here on the weekend.

We do all of the hard work but then don’t capitalize with our shots on goal. It happened to us in last years finals series (8.17 v rich then 11.14 v GWS). We unfortunately have continued the trend this year 59.77! We have kicked the most behinds in the league, this has to be rectified if we are any chance of making opponents pay.


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[Nunez]

Going to need to put some time into Whitfield, he had a quiet start to the year but is finding quite a bit of it of late. Especially late in quarters.

Would have looked to give one of Lester or Birchall a rest but one of them will likely get the Finlayson matchup.
Going to need all hands on deck in the midfield this week.

Birchall doesn't match up on anyone.