Game plan v Brisbane

[SriLankanCat]

I think Geelong should keep Varcoe to apply as much forward line pressure on the Lions defence. Shutdown Lappin and Black and I think if Scarlett can keep Brown quite then we can go a long way to winning.

Brennans is a enigmatic player as well

 

[rizzo]

Dont change our game plan up to much. Make the lions try and stop us.

Egan to go with Brown and Scarlo to go with Clarke while Harley can take Brennan.

Ling to tag Black (Not good for my dream team )

Get the ball and run, take risks and hit our forwards up. We will win by stretching the lions small defense.


Otto must spend his time resting up forward. The key will be to stop the run the lions get from Drummond and Adcock.

 

[SriLankanCat]

When is Luke Power back for Brissy?

Yeah id put Ling on Black.

We have to stop their run from defense that is why guys like Varcoe are important.

I agree we should keep a tall forward line. Put Ottens up there when he needs to rest.

Id plant Blake at centra half back as well and get him to block browns space.

Brennan is an enigma and i reckon if we keep him accoutnable we will do well.

I tip the cats by 50 points. I just hope we arent too tired, Thomposon said they didn train well last week. The break is just in time i think

 

[rizzo]

to shut down adcock/drummond play chap/varcoe out of the square.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

What is with the backflip? I thought you wanted Varcoe out, SLC?

 

[rizzo]

What is with the backflip? I thought you wanted Varcoe out, SLC?

Maybe he watched a game

 

[GeeCat]

On face value, we should get by fairly easily if we continue to play with the same intensity and skill level at which we've played at for much of the year.

My quick two cents:

- The Lions of the preseason and the Lions of the past month or so are on opposing sides of the spectrum; really have to wonder what Leigh and his group are doing up there. Their early form wasn't too dissimilar to ours in the way they approached the game - high intensity, high pressure, hard running football. I'm confident we can go head to head and beat them in a shoot-out, but obviously it would be tougher were they to play this sort of football than that of their current brand.

- Their current brand of football seems them slow the game down by pushing sufficient numbers down back, and then gradually work their way forward. Basically, it's "safe" football - they're refusing to take risks with the ball, kick to contests, and back themselves. Watching the Bulldogs game, they persisted with a zone defense, but struggled to contain the Dogs early onslaught. Their use of an extra loose man, as per their risk-free football brand, was of little advantage. Brennan is probably the player that best characterizes the turnaround - his start to the season saw him with a license to run, back himself, and attack from defense, whilst his current state of form is probably the exact opposite.

- Their young mob currently look hesitant in winning the contested ball. I'm not a fan of stats, but they will tell you that Brisbane are struggling to find the pill. Winning the decisive contested ball by getting first hands will set us up well. Otto and Blake will be instrumental here, assuming Leigh continues his mantra of playing the lone ruckman in Charman.

- The Lions are getting mauled on the opposing fast break from turnovers in their fifty, which pretty much plays into our hands given our strength in rebounding from defense. Again, pressure on the younger Lion bodies to cough it up needs to be followed by quick, decisive football back up forward. All things going to be plan and they'll struggle to match us.

- Aside from the usual players to watch (Brown, Black, Lappin etc.) I believe we need to keep an eye on the following

1. Richard Hadley - seems to have gone under the radar since he's returned from his knee ops, but I've got alot of respect for the lad. Was on the verge of adding his name to the famed midfield quintet of Voss, Black, Aker, Lappin, and Power before the knees, but has picked up nicely since returning. His importance to the Lions is in close winning the hard balls and contested possessions. If we want to stop the runners, stop the source.

2. Jed Adcock - could also put Josh Drummond here, but basically, their run from defense. Both can pick out targets with their disposal, which already makes them dangerous in that sense. But whilst Drummond is more of the forementioned loose man down back, Adcock balances the fine art of defending and attack with his dour approach to defending and penchant for running hard to find space and begin forward thrusts on the rebound.

3. Mitch Clark - for mine, he's the X-Factor, not Brennan. Athletic, pacy, a nice size, good hands, and a smooth, smart mover across the ground. His athleticism and pace may worry Harley (assuming Egan takes Brown), which is why I think Scarlett needs to be the one to give him the 101 on all things football come Sunday.

 

[re cat]

What is the weather forecast for Sunday?

 

[Herbs]

Agreed on Mitch Clark, he's a gun in waiting. Forwardline pressure will be of the utmost importance, Brisbane have shown lately that they're susceptable here. If Luke Power comes back for them too, would have to be aware of what he's capable of. IMO Brisbane are capable of better footy than what they're showing atm so I'm not thinking it'll be an easy game for our boys.

 

[Deep North]

I think Brisbane's probs are relatively simple and is the reason we shouldn't adjust our gameplan AT ALL.

Most of them are young guys whose bodies are getting hurt and tired. They will be a very good team again very soon, but our bodies are harder, faster and more experienced. Brown could hurt us, Lappin and Black could hurt us, Brennen is a complete freak, but a slightly dumb one and the rest are young blokes learning about the game and how to relish the contest. Unless Brown goes mad and kicks ten we should be fine.

Our only other prob is how tired our blokes might be after that adelaide game, which I personally think was our best win of the season for two reasons. We got over the defensive desperate game plan and we got over one weekend of upsets.

There is always a couple of weekends a season that are upset rounds, where for some reason all the favs loose. WC, Collingwood and Hawthorn have been stung badly, we got through..... pheeeeewwww!!

 

[MrGFC]

When is Luke Power back for Brissy?

Lions Injury List

Haydn Kiel (hamstring) - test
Ashley McGrath (knee) - test
Luke Power (quad) - test
Sam Sheldon (leg) - 2-3 weeks
Chris Johnson (foot) - 3-4 weeks
Anthony Corrie (knee) - indefinite
Chris Scott (hip) - indefinite
Daniel Bradshaw (knee) - season
Pat Garner (knee) - season

Yeah id put Ling on Black.
- can't argue there

We have to stop their run from defense that is why guys like Varcoe are important.
- Varcoe may be a bit spent from the traveling? and Chappy will want to have more impact so I would expect to see a very angry bald man in our forwards for this game

I agree we should keep a tall forward line. Put Ottens up there when he needs to rest.

Id plant Blake at center half back as well and get him to block browns space.
-Blake is becoming a major winner for us, still waiting on him to get a goal and bring down the house and SS !!

Brennan is an enigma and i reckon if we keep him accountable we will do well.


I tip the cats by 50 points. I just hope we aren't too tired, Thompson said they didn't train well last week. The break is just in time i think

-Will be happy with 4 points, on top of the traveling they have been doing in recent weeks and will be better for the break.

 

[CoZi36]

Luke Power and Ash McGrath may come back in the side, still unsure at this stage.

Brown for the past couple of weeks hasn't been at his best. In round 9 V. Collingwood he had a terrible Flu prior to the match and took 3 courses of Antibotics for a week before the match and was very unwell. I think he just wants to protect his body also as he I think is worried about getting his stress fractures again. We are likely to recall Wood for the clash, and have a debut in Proud, he has been very good in the reserves and kicked 6 goals this weekend. Brennan will most likely play in the forward line as he did well in that position V. the Bulldogs.

 

[thegerman]

I think if we keep our current play, taking risks and playing to our skill level and not our opponents we will win comfortably.

Brisbane do have a couple of game winners, many mentioned above. I just think we have too much for them, with a few guys missing from last week due to being stiffled by the Crows defence.

I'd suggest Chappy, Nath and our onballers other than Jnr to look to really push themselves this week, they sort of had a week off so I think they will come out strong.

The changes to the lineup will be interesting, I think Selwood has to come back in, maybe also give Prismall another go. I'd like to see Callan in, but for who is a tough question.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Here is my detailed game plan for Geelong to beat Brisbane.

Turn up.

 

[thegerman]

Here is my detailed game plan for Geelong to beat Brisbane.

Turn up.

BD, I don't think it will be that easy, you do have some good players, who are just down at the moment. If they bring back Power, he usually carves us up from memory.

Hope your lads stand up for themselves this weekend, but not too well. Good luck, remain positive.

 

[Herbs]

Sounds like Power will be out until after the break, then again Leigh might be playing everyone, but I doubt it. Source: AFL website (yes it worked...........slowly)

 

[DanA]

Egan on Brown with Milburn/Mackie dropping in front of him and then running & creating (like Fletcher/Mal Micheals)

Scarlett on Mitch Clarke

Ling on Black (tore us apart in NAB cup)

Those are the only matchups I care about.

 

[CF]

a lot of you think Selwood should come in for Rooke, but personally I think Hunt will get the guernsey myself.

 

[BlueNWhite]

How did Djidi go in the reserves? Is he close to getting a game?

 

[Partridge]

How did Djidi go in the reserves? Is he close to getting a game?

Not yet. Didn't do much. Mind you, apart from Selwood and Prismall he had plenty of mates.

 

[someday-somehow]

I would like to see hawkins get a run, if only to keep him up with the momentum of this level, if we lose Nablett or Mooney later in the year we need him to step up to the plate and play a part.

 

[bigdroppunt]

Key match up Selwood on selwood ha ha that would be funny
i think our boys will be very happy to be back at home after the last few trips to SA that said they would be tried aswell. i wouldnt think brisbane would think themself's a chance. i have herd Brown on the radio in the past few weeks saying there in a form slump and what not. if they rock up with that mindset.well, enough said.

 

[DanA]

Key match up Selwood on selwood ha ha that would be funny
i think our boys will be very happy to be back at home after the last few trips to SA that said they would be tried aswell. i wouldnt think brisbane would think themself's a chance. i have herd Brown on the radio in the past few weeks saying there in a form slump and what not. if they rock up with that mindset.well, enough said.

How good would it be to see him line up on his brother, kick 3, and give him a bit of curry. My little brother would love to do that to me.

 

[Budha32]

a lot of you think Selwood should come in for Rooke, but personally I think Hunt will get the guernsey myself.

Selwood for Rooke.

Hunt might only get a run if they axe Tenace.

Varcoe one more chance.

 

[BigCat2]

On face value, we should get by fairly easily if we continue to play with the same intensity and skill level at which we've played at for much of the year.

My quick two cents:

- The Lions of the preseason and the Lions of the past month or so are on opposing sides of the spectrum; really have to wonder what Leigh and his group are doing up there. Their early form wasn't too dissimilar to ours in the way they approached the game - high intensity, high pressure, hard running football. I'm confident we can go head to head and beat them in a shoot-out, but obviously it would be tougher were they to play this sort of football than that of their current brand.

- Their current brand of football seems them slow the game down by pushing sufficient numbers down back, and then gradually work their way forward. Basically, it's "safe" football - they're refusing to take risks with the ball, kick to contests, and back themselves. Watching the Bulldogs game, they persisted with a zone defense, but struggled to contain the Dogs early onslaught. Their use of an extra loose man, as per their risk-free football brand, was of little advantage. Brennan is probably the player that best characterizes the turnaround - his start to the season saw him with a license to run, back himself, and attack from defense, whilst his current state of form is probably the exact opposite.

- Their young mob currently look hesitant in winning the contested ball. I'm not a fan of stats, but they will tell you that Brisbane are struggling to find the pill. Winning the decisive contested ball by getting first hands will set us up well. Otto and Blake will be instrumental here, assuming Leigh continues his mantra of playing the lone ruckman in Charman.

- The Lions are getting mauled on the opposing fast break from turnovers in their fifty, which pretty much plays into our hands given our strength in rebounding from defense. Again, pressure on the younger Lion bodies to cough it up needs to be followed by quick, decisive football back up forward. All things going to be plan and they'll struggle to match us.

- Aside from the usual players to watch (Brown, Black, Lappin etc.) I believe we need to keep an eye on the following

1. Richard Hadley - seems to have gone under the radar since he's returned from his knee ops, but I've got alot of respect for the lad. Was on the verge of adding his name to the famed midfield quintet of Voss, Black, Aker, Lappin, and Power before the knees, but has picked up nicely since returning. His importance to the Lions is in close winning the hard balls and contested possessions. If we want to stop the runners, stop the source.

2. Jed Adcock - could also put Josh Drummond here, but basically, their run from defense. Both can pick out targets with their disposal, which already makes them dangerous in that sense. But whilst Drummond is more of the forementioned loose man down back, Adcock balances the fine art of defending and attack with his dour approach to defending and penchant for running hard to find space and begin forward thrusts on the rebound.

3. Mitch Clark - for mine, he's the X-Factor, not Brennan. Athletic, pacy, a nice size, good hands, and a smooth, smart mover across the ground. His athleticism and pace may worry Harley (assuming Egan takes Brown), which is why I think Scarlett needs to be the one to give him the 101 on all things football come Sunday.

Fantastic post. You seem to know the Lions a lot better than many of our own supporters.

You're absolutely spot on with the different style we're currently using compared to the preseason and in the early rounds. The question is why and how.

I'll take a few guesses
- many senior players in the side have had limited/no pre-season
- went too hard in the pre-season, and youngsters are struggling
- loss of confidence (but confidence is such a difficult thing to qualify)

I don't pretend to know the answer though....if I did, Brisbane would be signing me up as an assistant coach.