Changes Vs Adelaide

[a mayes ing]

Watched the reserves play Eastlake in Canberra yesterday and I didn't see anyone who deserved a call-up. Mayes was ok, Golby tried hard, Staker yelled instructions a lot.
Not much to get excited about.

Andrews and harwood..

 

[lions27]

Actually not the worst suggestion I've ever heard

I wouldnt be suprise if Rocky demands selection and they rush back merrett this week for Tex & co. In which case I'd play Andrews at FF (with Mayes upfront too)

I'm hoping Tex misses this week which will give Merrett a chance to get some match fitness in the 2s. Tex would thump him after missing the last 10 weeks.
It would be great to have Rocky back but I think he done his dash last time coming back to early.

 

[a mayes ing]

Actually not the worst suggestion I've ever heard

I wouldnt be suprise if Rocky demands selection and they rush back merrett this week for Tex & co. In which case I'd play Andrews at FF (with Mayes upfront too)

Why play Andrews at FF where he hasn't shown a lot. He should stay with the defenders where he has shown immense potential.

 

[ooby]

Andrews and harwood..

Harwood had a pass mark. I should have mentioned him.

 

[Ceebee]

Pretty sure Rocky will have to abide by medical advice this time.
Too risky to play too early again and maybe risk permanent damage.

 

[POBT]

Why play Andrews at FF where he hasn't shown a lot.

Because this is a team game and sometimes you make decisions which aren't necessarily the best for the individual but might help the team.

I think Andrews is a better option up forward than Leuenberger right now. The question is whether we can cover Andrews' absence down back and I think Gardiner and one of Bourke/Merrett (fitness pending) probably could.

I'm not exactly advocating for this move but it makes sense on a few levels, if we assume that the Leuenberger experiment is doomed to fail.

I think Andrews is on a steep learning curve regardless of where he plays. I don't believe having a run at forward/ruck is necessarily going to be detrimental to his development.

It is worth noting that, unless Leppa throws Merrett forward (not out of the question), there may not be room for Andrews at senior level in defence, assuming Clarke, Gardiner and Paparone all get games.

 

[Football Pope]

Because this is a team game and sometimes you make decisions which aren't necessarily the best for the individual but might help the team.

I think Andrews is a better option up forward than Leuenberger right now. The question is whether we can cover Andrews' absence down back and I think Gardiner and one of Bourke/Merrett (fitness pending) probably could.

I'm not exactly advocating for this move but it makes sense on a few levels, if we assume that the Leuenberger experiment is doomed to fail.

I think Andrews is on a steep learning curve regardless of where he plays. I don't believe having a run at forward/ruck is necessarily going to be detrimental to his development.

It is worth noting that, unless Leppa throws Merrett forward (not out of the question), there may not be room for Andrews at senior level in defence, assuming Clarke, Gardiner and Paparone all get games.

Leuey certainly needs time in the Magoo's ... According to our injury list... Staker & West should almost be back.....Leppa was a big wrap for Archie Smith....Is he injured ?

Cian Hanley (Knee) - Season
Jonathan Freeman (Ankle) - 4-6 weeks
Trent West (Knee) - Test
Jackson Paine (Ankle) - Season
Michael Close (Knee) - Season
Dan Merrett (Hamstring) - 1-2 weeks
Jaden McGrath (Foot) - 8-10 weeks
Matt Maguire (Concussion) - Indefinite
Brent Staker (Hamstring) - Test
Luke McGuane (Knee) - Indefinite
Dan McStay (Finger) - Test
Jack Redden (Back) - Test
Jed Adcock (Calf) - Test
James Aish (Jaw) - 1-2 weeks
Tom Rockliff (Ribs) - 2-3 weeks
Darcy Gardiner (Calf) - Test
Claye Beams (Knee) - Season
Ryan Harwood (Concussion) - Test
Josh Watts (Groins) - TBC

http://www.lions.com.au/news/news/bupa-health-centre

 

[POBT]

Leuey certainly needs time in the Magoo's ... According to our injury list... Staker & West should almost be back.....Leppa was a big wrap for Archie Smith....Is he injured ?

I think Leppa made the point that we have no-one else who can play forward right now. Hopefully that can change soon with guys returning.

Staker played reserves on the weekend. West didn't. I think we're at least another week away from seeing those guys at senior level.

Smith is really only a ruck at this point and, even then, there are concerns about his development.

 

[Skoob]

Because this is a team game and sometimes you make decisions which aren't necessarily the best for the individual but might help the team.

I think Andrews is a better option up forward than Leuenberger right now. The question is whether we can cover Andrews' absence down back and I think Gardiner and one of Bourke/Merrett (fitness pending) probably could.

I'm not exactly advocating for this move but it makes sense on a few levels, if we assume that the Leuenberger experiment is doomed to fail.

I think Andrews is on a steep learning curve regardless of where he plays. I don't believe having a run at forward/ruck is necessarily going to be detrimental to his development.

It is worth noting that, unless Leppa throws Merrett forward (not out of the question), there may not be room for Andrews at senior level in defence, assuming Clarke, Gardiner and Paparone all get games.

I think this is spot on. If Gardiner can come back in, or even not and Bourke stays, it's worthwhile risking them to hold down the back line. As good as Andrews has been, I'm not sure he'll be the difference down back. On the other hand, we are desperate for a marking target up forward, and in the same way forwards can benefit from learning in the back line, a stint up forward would do him more good than bad.

 

[lions27]

I think this is spot on. If Gardiner can come back in, or even not and Bourke stays, it's worthwhile risking them to hold down the back line. As good as Andrews has been, I'm not sure he'll be the difference down back. On the other hand, we are desperate for a marking target up forward, and in the same way forwards can benefit from learning in the back line, a stint up forward would do him more good than bad.

Worked pretty well with the Eagles and McGovern, a bit older though still hadn't played much senior footy

 

[Bert Man]

I don't think O'brien should be dropped as he has shown that he can play well enough at AFL standard and although he wasn't fantastic last night he still laid 10 tackles, four more than the next bloke. Keep him in until someone else decides to lift. We aren't exactly flush with inside mids ATM. With Hanley being eased back, Rocky out, Reddo and Zorko horribly out of form, Harwood should play back and provide run, Beams potentially out and Rich clearly not running at 100%, we don't have a plethora of options. This was his first real poor performance for the year, Leppa isn't one to drop players after one bad game. The only real positive in dropping Z'OB is that we'd see someone else give it a go as we'd have to bring in one of Golby or Mayes to play as an inside mid or move Zorks or Lester into the middle full time. The latter option is more logical as it'd allow us to play Mayes up forward.

Beasely was ok, but again not fantastic, keep him in for mine, but if Dizzy is ready to go bring him in.

Harwood really needs to come back ASAP. He provides better run than anyone else and we really missed that run last night, we were slow and ineffective coming out of the back half, we must address this ASAP.

 

[baaaall!]

If Merrett is fit he should take Luey's place in the side

 

[jackess]

Would we want to risk Merrett in the ruck?

 

[a mayes ing]

Because this is a team game and sometimes you make decisions which aren't necessarily the best for the individual but might help the team.

I think Andrews is a better option up forward than Leuenberger right now. The question is whether we can cover Andrews' absence down back and I think Gardiner and one of Bourke/Merrett (fitness pending) probably could.

I'm not exactly advocating for this move but it makes sense on a few levels, if we assume that the Leuenberger experiment is doomed to fail.

I think Andrews is on a steep learning curve regardless of where he plays. I don't believe having a run at forward/ruck is necessarily going to be detrimental to his development.

It is worth noting that, unless Leppa throws Merrett forward (not out of the question), there may not be room for Andrews at senior level in defence, assuming Clarke, Gardiner and Paparone all get games.

I think it comes down to where will Andrews be of more use and more valuable to the team. I think that is down back, the marks and intercept marks are so valuable atm considering our current defensive inability to take contested marks. His development would skyrocket a lot more being played in defence than up forward when he would be getting more of the ball. Haven't we learned from Mayes when he was going very well as a HFF then being shifted down back. Lost form and now he is constantly being shifted around.

Yes it is a team game and Andrews averages a goal a game and probably would be better than Leuy up forward but it probably wouldn't be the best for the team. Gardiner can play on a small so l don't see why they wouldn't play all down back but if we needed to shift someone forward then it should be Merret

 

[POBT]

Not opposed to Merrett moving forward but, gee, a lot of people were pretty critical of Leppa last year for doing just that.

 

[Football Pope]

I think Leppa made the point that we have no-one else who can play forward right now. Hopefully that can change soon with guys returning.

Staker played reserves on the weekend. West didn't. I think we're at least another week away from seeing those guys at senior level.

Smith is really only a ruck at this point and, even then, there are concerns about his development.

Yeah, Leuey is really only a ruck too but we play him there...but that's a discussion for another day...At the game last night, in the area I was seated, most of the talk or better said; "concerns" centered around the way we develop our young and the injury list that has decimated our forward line...Close, Freeman, Paine, McGuane, Staker, Rockcliff and of course Merrett...Talk was of the same ilk as on here nothing too out there. One interesting bit was we should try Bourke, who started off as a forward, with McStay ...and play other hard nuts up there like Mitch Robbo, Harwood, Golby or Moe (Lester) as well as Cutler...Another humorous comparison, since announcing themselves as the mozzie squad they've done nothing..better to revoke the name...And the winner this year..."Green has a touch of the 'Bamfields' about him.".

 

[carnthemlions]

Not opposed to Merrett moving forward but, gee, a lot of people were pretty critical of Leppa last year for doing just that.

It wasn't exactly a resounding success, but I think we can conclude that Merrett at least being able to bring the ball to ground in most contests he was involved in actually did help the team last year. A forward who provides structure but no goals is better than no structure at all.
We probably miss Close as well in that area.

 

[mikey127]

Nah we have to get games into the kids but you have to wonder how much they learn from being in a side consistently belted.

The GWS kids learnt from it.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

“Daniel should be right to play next week but is more likely to play in NEAFL because he has had a long time out,’’ he said.

“Then Rocky should be back the week after.

Both expected to play Freo

 

[lions27]

Just remembered Aish... No one has mentioned him for a while should be ready soon too

 

[BrizzyBandit]

Ins: Mayes, Gardiner, Harwood, Andrews.
Out: ZOB, Beasley, Leuenberger, Robertson (inj.)

- Harwood back in working with Rich off half back.
- Bourke to Full Forward. Better option than Leuy.... He can at least take a grab. Time to try something different Leppa.
- Lester in the middle... occasionally forward
- Adcock permanently into the middle.
- Bewick to kick 3 goals coming on as the sub.

FB: Paparone - Clarke - Gardiner
HB: Harwood - Andrews - Rich

C: Hanley - Adcock - Christensen
Foll: Martin - DBeams - Lester

HF: Mayes - McStay - Taylor
FF: Green - Bourke - Zorko

Bench: Redden, Robinson, Cutler
Sub: Bewick

 

[Ironmonger]

Andrews straight back in.

Mayes and Harwood for Robertson and either O'Brien or Lester.

 

[Lace Out]

I doubt Beams will be playing

 

[BrizzyBandit]

Injuries are beyond a joke now. This has to be addressed.

 

[Wounded Lion]

This is the team I would select:

Paparone Merrett Gardiner
Hanley Clarke Harwood
Taylor Redden Christensen
Zorko Andrews Robinson
Mayes McStay Bewick

Martin Beams Rich

Adcock Bourke Cutler Lester

Out:

Green: What a selfish piss poor performance he delivered on Saturday. Has 2 decent games and decides "that's all I need to do." Squandered several chances at goal with poor decision making and execution. I hope Leppa is as frustrated as we are with Greeny. Replaced by Mayes.

Leuenberger: The clock is sadly ticking on this mans well-hyped but injury ruined career. 0 confidence and he cannot adapt to the forward role we desperately require. Replaced by Andrews.

O'Brien: Tries hard but doesn't have the size or strength we need in the contest at the moment. Replaced by Harwood with Lester pushing into the midfield role.

Beasley: Has had a taste but still needs development in the reserves. Has shown good signs but won't cut it against Walker, Jenkins & Co. Replaced by Merrett if he is fit.

Robertson: Out of all the players to get injured, I am shattered it was him. He has given 100% every week and shown commitment to the club both on and off the field. Hopefully only a few weeks out with a Ligament strain, good news there was no fracture. Replaced by Gardiner with Cutler pushing into a loose defender/wing role.

I won't be surprised if Greeny holds his place, purely because of his upside compared to Mayes.

Let's face the cold hard facts, some players just do not believe in their role or the game plan. It seems the quick and most exciting way we score a goal is when we overlap handball either McStay or Greeny into an open square, but that is not sustainable and cannot be done every quarter. This execution requires players zoning correctly and turning the ball over, which we cannot do at the moment. I know that Leppa is against Man on Man because we are too young, small and will be outbodied, but there needs to be better direction with zoning. Too often teams are able to transition the ball from one end to the other as if they plan it leading into the game.

I believe we can beat Adelaide this weekend but bloody hell, how much longer can our senior players just accept mediocrity in their performances?