Changes Vs Geelong (Round 2)

[James North]

Difference of opinion James.

I rate Goose a lot higher than Merrett, although similar to what Haso said, think both work well together.

For reasons unclear to me, it doesn't seem as though that is likely to happen in 2014. What confuses me even more is the comments that unless Goose can play forward he won't play seniors. Considering Merrett can play forward and Maguire is more than competent, or in my opinion, better than or at worst as good as Merrett at full back, I don't quite get why they both aren't selected.

I don't think that either Goose or Merrett should play in the seconds ... but I also don't think they're competing for a spot. I think Clarke is against Goose for a spot because Merrett is quite evidently our first picked tall defender.

I'm also not sure Goose is 100%, which is a shame because he had a great year in 2013.

 

[SizeMatters]

Rocky, Taylor out for Robbo and McGuane

 

[blynd_freddie]

In: McGuane, Raines, Polkinghorne, Maguire
Out: Rockliff, Merrett, Taylor, Close

Geez you're a pot stirrer Dylan - but I can see how a case could be made for Goose - he had a better than fair game on Hawkins last year. And statistically Goose probably outshines big Rog - but I think it is Dans better mobility that keeps giving him the edge. Facetious? Yep, you'd be disappointed if you weren't currently up with the club leaders at this point of the year. No?

 

[Dylan12]

FWIW, aside from McGuane (injured), I'd have had named all of Maguire, Raines and Polkinghorne in the 22 against Hawthorn as I would this week against Geelong. I appreciate the need to get games into kids, but I honestly didn't think against last week and this week was the time.

 

[jackess]

If we were playing the grand final tomorrow I'd probably pick Goose ahead of Clarke against most oppositions but Merrett would probably be close to my first selected each week.

 

[lionshine]

So our forward line would include Brown, McGuane, Close Paparone and one of West/Leuenberger.

That's too tall and far too slow.

Did you even read my post?

 

[lionshine]

Who comes in for Rocky? Surely Robbo is a chance after being named the 1st emergency for Round 1? I would love to see young Nick's aggression on full display in his debut for the Lions at the Gabba against the Cats. Even with Rocky out I still don't think it is all gloom and doom in regards to our chances. It is our 1st home game of the year and we always lift at the Gabba. I am not saying we will win but I think we can be quite competitive and give the Cats a real shake.

I would rather we don't challenge the Rocky suspension and instead just accept it and look forward to having him back for the Q-Clash.

 

[Billy Puller]

I don't think there will be too many changes next week.
Out: Rockliff, Close
In: Robbo, Mcgaune

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Adcock - Merrett - Clarke
Golby - Patful - Hanley
Aish - Rich - Zorko
Paparone - McGuane - Bewick
Mayes - Brown - Green
Leuy - Moloney - Redden

West - Lester - Cutler

Crisp/Harwood/Taylor

 

[lionshine]

I don't think there will be too many changes next week.
Out: Rockliff, Close
In: Robbo, Mcgaune

I am all for McGaune coming straight in if fit but I would rather Close get a string of games at senior level before dropping him. It could pay huge dividends if he adjusts fairly quickly at senior level and adapts to the fast pace of professional footy. I don't think 1 senior game against the reining premiers in Tasmania is very beneficial after his big build up throughout the pre season coming into this year. Does anyone else agree?

 

[lionshine]

My changes would be:

In: McGuane Robertson
Out: Taylor Rockliff

B Adcock Merrett Harwood
HB Rich Clarke Patfull
C Hanley Lester Aish
HF Zorko Close Mayes
F Green Brown McGuane
R Leuenberger Moloney Redden
I West Robertson Golby
S Paparone

I know this is quite a tall side but I would rather persist with Close then drop him after 1 debut game vs the reining premiers. I don't think that is beneficial to his development at all. McGuane is an auto inclusion if he is fit imo. The good news is that despite having a tall side, Close and McGaune are both able to apply pressure on the opposition and are quite mobile. Close laid 5 tackles vs the Hawks which is pretty solid for a KPF. I was tossing up between Robertson and Paparone(Who I thought played very well against the Hawks and should easily retain his position) for the sub position which isn't ideal because they both share a strength known as endurance. I ended up placing Paps in the sub position though to give Robbo a full game for his debut but that sub vest could go to several players including Close or McGuane perhaps. The good news is that the likes of Zorko, Green, and Mayes will be crumbing in the forward line so despite having a tall forward line we do have a some smaller players who are excellent at applying pressure on the opposition and they should add class and speed to our forward line

It is not ideal to drop Taylor after 1 game but I think he needs to go back to the reserves and get some more match fitness against bigger bodies before coming back in. I do rate him though.

Overall I really like the look of this side and it is exciting having players like Aish, Robertson, Close, Taylor and Paparone in serious contention for senior spots at the moment!

Go Lions!

 

[a mayes ing]

I don't think there will be too many changes next week.
Out: Rockliff, Close
In: Robbo, Mcgaune

I agree. I dont think there will be too many changes. I am not sure if it will be robbo as we would have too many kids playing. I would like to see him tho

 

[lionshine]

I agree. I dont think there will be too many changes. I am not sure if it will be robbo as we would have too many kids playing. I would like to see him tho

It could quite possibly be 1 youngster to many but the thing with Robbo is, he has the body of a 25 year old Out of all of our young players he is the one I am most looking forward to debuting.

 

[Luke Kathutian]

I don't think there will be too many changes next week.
Out: Rockliff, Close
In: Robbo, Mcgaune

Think you nailed it. The issue with close is he's a hard worker and all that but at the moment he just isnt a goal threat. Would rather he learns to be a dominant key forward in the seconds so he can come into the seniors as a 2+ goal forward. Robbo probably isnt ready and will struggle massively with the pace of afl... but what other options is there? Go back to the dark days of raines and polkinghorne?

 

[a mayes ing]

the problem l have with rich and hanley in the half back line is that, while they are very good users of the ball, they dont provide enough defensive pressure on their opponents.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

I want too see Zorko play the entire match in the guts.

 

[Haso]

With Rocky out, you would imagine that Rich will be starting in the middle again.

 

[lionshine]

With Rocky out, you would imagine that Rich will be starting in the middle again.

Or Hanley? Neither Rich nor Hanley are a like for like for Rocky. I would expect Leppa to move one of them up to accommodate for that loss though.

 

[a mayes ing]

Think you nailed it. The issue with close is he's a hard worker and all that but at the moment he just isnt a goal threat. Would rather he learns to be a dominant key forward in the seconds so he can come into the seniors as a 2+ goal forward. Robbo probably isnt ready and will struggle massively with the pace of afl... but what other options is there? Go back to the dark days of raines and polkinghorne?

Agreed, l think Close spent most of last season in the ressies playing a half back or full back position.

 

[Haso]

Or Hanley? Neither Rich nor Hanley are a like for like for Rocky. I would expect Leppa to move one of them up to accommodate for that loss though.

Exactly. There will be some reshuffling, but part of the shuffle will be one of those moving back up. My money is on Rich, given he is much more experienced as a starting mid.

 

[Haso]

Agreed, l think Close spent most of last season in the ressies playing a half back or full back position.

Wot?

Close spent last year playing forward in the ressies.

 

[a mayes ing]

Wot?

Close spent last year playing forward in the ressies.

Really? I know he didn't get a lot of goals and l thought someone said he spent time in the back area to get his defensive pressure up. Not certain tho, so if wrong my bad.

 

[Haso]

Really? I know he didn't get a lot of goals and l thought someone said he spent time in the back area to get his defensive pressure up. Not certain tho, so if wrong my bad.

He swung back occasionally, but was drafted and played as a forward:

1 Foot.
2 Foot.
3 NEAFL Started forward and swung back, got through first game well. -
4 NEAFL Second game back, will be better for the run. -
5 NEAFL Third game back from injury, didn’t do much. -
6 NEAFL Working back to full fitness, didn’t do a lot. -
7 NEAFL Bye. -
8 NEAFL Played centre half back and competed well all day. -
9 NEAFL Swung forward, and presented very well all day. -
10 NEAFL Presented well all day. Work rate was impressive. -
11 NEAFL Bye. -
12 NEAFL Worked hard all day for little reward. -
13 NEAFL Did some nice things. Eight tackles. -
14 NEAFL Presented well all day playing up forward. -
15 NEAFL Played as a tall forward and gave a good target. -
16 NEAFL Played up forward and worked hard. Kicked one. -
17 Rested.
18 NEAFL Bye. -
19 NEAFL Played up forward and presented well. -
20 NEAFL OK in front half with three majors. -
21 NEAFL Great for second week in a row with 12 marks. -
22 NEAFL Bye. -
23 NEAFL Presented well, but not impactful. -
QF
SF NEAFL Did some handy things to catch the eye. -
PF NEAFL Kicked three goals to cap strong season finish. -

 

[MICKYCONLAN]

Out = Aussie Rules Football

In = Insanity

Can not believe what the AFL is coming to with the Rockliff decision. We might as well all just pack up go home and play soccer because that is where things are heading.

Lions should send a "Please explain" letter to the AFL, and a copy to the media.

 

[Dylan12]

Lions should send a "Please explain" letter to the AFL, and a copy to the media.

Which would either be deleted the minute it hits anyone's inbox, put in the recycle bin after so much as a glance or binned with one look at the Lions embossed envelope.