Remove this Banner Ad

Leppa's third year.

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

James North said:
I'd say that a lot of the players who have bad form are in fact injured, but only minority, and that's where he's coming from.

Lots of players carry stuff through the year that we aren't told about until the end of the season.
Click to expand...


I don't think he has choosen to not address the fact every senior player on our list, bar our recruits, has gone backwards this year - because they are all carrying secret injuries, and therefore a blanket reminder about injuries covers it all.

I think he is not focusing on development issues, lack of understanding of game plan, terrible skills and all the things we see each week and want to hear about, because he would rather focus on excuses and age (which is largely fair enough) I just feel after a while, he has mentioned it too much - there comes a point where you say "narr we have had a decent mix of players at times and we haven't improved enough and our senior guys have been letting us down" or give us something at least, not just injuries injuries injuries..

I think he shouldn't be afforded this 'long haul', 'we need a PP', 'injuries', 'young kids','We don't have any keys', 'luck' style of presenting to the media and supporters in 2016 as senior - he has had 2 years to lay the foundation, now it's time to be a bit more ruthless and start drawing a line in the sand.

I feel he is encouraging a bit of a victim mentality, that Voss (for all his faults) would never have accepted and TBH I think it is resonating in a visible lack of confidence with all of our players, even Rocky! and its fine to this point, I love lots of things about Leppa, but from next year - this needs to change IMO.

3rd year... No more excuses, it's time to start driving standards and give us supporters a reason to come back to the footy, we have lost any swagger we were building.
 
lukiuslion said:
IMO Leppa talks about injuries too much. Have thought it since about round 10 - "well it's just been that sort of year, hasn't it?" Instead of discussing our devalopment issues, he hasn't discussed Rich's form, or the use of certain players etc. Just shrugs his shoulders and talks about luck, hope the playing group don't think a better run with injuries will change much.

Also.. The club have started revisiting classic moments on the website, my most hated time of the year.
Click to expand...
Not sure what you expect him to publicly acknowledge.
"Yeah, we just aren't good at getting the best of our experienced players, and they're a bit slack. We're also not very good at developing the young blokes. Our team has shit skills, so it's hard to win".
Some think the injury thing has been overstated, but I don't. It hasn't just been the number of injuries this year, it's been who and for how long. Like it or not (as an excuse), it's been very disruptive.
 
Skoob said:
Not sure what you expect him to publicly acknowledge.
"Yeah, we just aren't good at getting the best of our experienced players, and they're a bit slack. We're also not very good at developing the young blokes. Our team has shit skills, so it's hard to win".
Some think the injury thing has been overstated, but I don't. It hasn't just been the number of injuries this year, it's been who and for how long. Like it or not (as an excuse), it's been very disruptive.
Click to expand...

Nailed it Skoob. Just the sheer inability to gel a consistent group together - regardless of quality - for any period of time has been the hardest thing to quantify. Look how long it took Beam's to start to get a feel for the "new" players around him only for them to change over and over.

I'm willing to concede that we've entered the period of "lets just try things". It's sort of become a case of "lets see if someone surprises us" in new roles in a way.

Some might see that as a waste of time, but I confess at this point, I like the idea that the coaches have decided to see if they can get something out of this year even if its not wins.
 
Skoob said:
Not sure what you expect him to publicly acknowledge.
"Yeah, we just aren't good at getting the best of our experienced players, and they're a bit slack. We're also not very good at developing the young blokes. Our team has shit skills, so it's hard to win".
Some think the injury thing has been overstated, but I don't. It hasn't just been the number of injuries this year, it's been who and for how long. Like it or not (as an excuse), it's been very disruptive.
Click to expand...
**** I hate the "let's read too much into what the coach did/didn't say" game. If you were an AFL coach, what would you say?
They're under no obligation to tell you what they really think, and any coach who did probably wouldn't last very long.
 

Log in to remove this Banner Ad

carnthemlions said:
**** I hate the "let's read too much into what the coach did/didn't say" game. If you were an AFL coach, what would you say?
They're under no obligation to tell you what they really think, and any coach who did probably wouldn't last very long.
Click to expand...

Yeah my comments were about general messaging, not not picking over certain comments. third year, personally, I don't want to hear about injuries, priority picks, young players.. It's time to harden up the messaging - IMO. I also didn't say to this point I forbid him to use excuses, I just said - we have heard it, now it's time to get some bite back.
 
SizeMatters said:
If Leppa doesn't push for top 8 next season he will be shown the door. Minimum of 10 wins. No excuses.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree but it is hard to see that happening if we are seeing Leunberger, Aish and probably others walk out the door with only draft picks coming back in.
 
lukiuslion said:
Yeah my comments were about general messaging, not not picking over certain comments. third year, personally, I don't want to hear about injuries, priority picks, young players.. It's time to harden up the messaging - IMO. I also didn't say to this point I forbid him to use excuses, I just said - we have heard it, now it's time to get some bite back.
Click to expand...
I sort of get what you're saying, but also think his "excuses" are quite valid. It has been a horrendous year and terrible circumstance. He has chipped the likes of Rich & Zorko, at times when leadership wasn't good enough.
He is vastly different to Voss, for example. Now, I love Vossy, but he used to drive me insane with his too calm "Oh well, we learnt a lot, and we'll try harder next week". There was a coach with a better team who should have been getting angry after games. Leppa on the other hand has had so much out of his control that a more cool, calm & collected approach has been appropriate. He told us last year, where we're headed and that this season would see us field a younger team with a lot of personnel changes, so we shouldn't expect too much. Again, I don't think the injury factor has been overstated, and with the number of changes, finding form/rhythm was never going to be easy. Yes we should have been better in many of our games and I believe he has said as much, but his demeanour comes across as calm, not apathetic (in front of the cameras, anyway). Having grabbed Zac the way he did shows there is plenty of passion and hard arse behind the scenes.
 
Skoob said:
I sort of get what you're saying, but also think his "excuses" are quite valid. It has been a horrendous year and terrible circumstance. He has chipped the likes of Rich & Zorko, at times when leadership wasn't good enough.
He is vastly different to Voss, for example. Now, I love Vossy, but he used to drive me insane with his too calm "Oh well, we learnt a lot, and we'll try harder next week". There was a coach with a better team who should have been getting angry after games. Leppa on the other hand has had so much out of his control that a more cool, calm & collected approach has been appropriate. He told us last year, where we're headed and that this season would see us field a younger team with a lot of personnel changes, so we shouldn't expect too much. Again, I don't think the injury factor has been overstated, and with the number of changes, finding form/rhythm was never going to be easy. Yes we should have been better in many of our games and I believe he has said as much, but his demeanour comes across as calm, not apathetic (in front of the cameras, anyway). Having grabbed Zac the way he did shows there is plenty of passion and hard arse behind the scenes.
Click to expand...

Yeah I do agree. I did saying (excuses which have been largely valid) when I commented. I do feel from about round 8 this year there has been too much shrugging of the shoulders and too many comments like "it's been that sort of year, hasn't it" with the ironic grin, and "that's what you get". Not to the point I am infuriated ir have even complained about this before, but I would like to hear stronger messaging from this point, no doubt he is right this year has been that way. I just feel lately he has been pushing the bad luck line a little too hard, and as a result.. I think there has been a softening of expectations. That chip you mentioned worked wonders if I re-call correctly, along with the ZOB incident, the softly softly approach is fine and warranted, it won't fly in third year though. I don't think. If it's this time next year and he is constantly rolling out "we are young" and "this is exactly where we should be at, we are right on track" after 70 point loses.. I don't think it will fly.
 
Leppa did say last year -

“That’s where our list is at, and it’s only going to get younger next year, that’s the reality of it.”
Click to expand...

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/heat-fixture-not-to-blame-for-lions-big-loss-to-crows-justin-leppitsch-20140810-102ilv.html

I think this year has gone even worse due to injuries and lack of consistency for those players, but I don't think it's a long way below where we would've been. Finals would've been ridiculous, and I'd say they're ridiculous next year too.

Just because as supporters we're all sick of not playing finals doesn't mean we're going to suddenly make it into the top half of the comp next year.

I also don't think you could employ early 2000s LeighMatthews and expect a whole lot better.

I'd love to be wrong - I just don't see how this list (with yet more youngsters in, and minus Aish and Leuey as is rumoured) is going to push into the top half of the competition.
 
Last edited:
James North said:
Leppa did say last year -



http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/heat-fixture-not-to-blame-for-lions-big-loss-to-crows-justin-leppitsch-20140810-102ilv.html

I think this year has gone even worse due to injuries and lack of consistency for those players, but I don't think it's a long way below where we would've been. Finals would've been ridiculous, and I'd say they're ridiculous next year too.

Just because as supporters we're all sick of not playing finals doesn't mean we're going to suddenly make it into the top half of the comp next year.

I also don't think you could employ early 2000s LeighMatthews and expect a whole lot better.

I'd love to be wrong - I just don't see how this list (with yet more youngsters in, and minus Aish and Leuey as is rumoured) is going to push into the top half of the competition.
Click to expand...

Agreed. We're a long way off the top 8.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

We would all like to see the club win 10 games next year but it's very hard to see that happening unless we get in some genuine talent ( key forward) and experience and that's unlikely.

The potential to get Schache, Keays and Hipwood in the Draft is exciting and quite rightly that's what the club will be aiming to do. Bringing in such talent and talent that is happy to stay in Brisbane is the priority. It means out list is building for the future. Unfortunately it means more tough times for the players, supporters and the coaching staff.

It would be harsh on Leppa if they said to him next year thanks for the re build and blooding the kids but we don't think your up to it. He deserves time.

That said my biggest gripe currently is what style/structure are we playing or trying to play? I can accept certain aspects of a bad season such as getting games into kids and we have been smashed by injuries but at some stage there should be signs of a game plan. At best we have seen the odd 5 mins here the odd quarter here but never a sustained 4 quarter game plan.

Is our plan to run and gun and try to go through the corridor? A good style that can be attractive on the eye but also very risky - especially with a young side. Or is our style to chip around and try to maintain possession, slow the game down, therefore trying to keep the ball out of the oppositions hands. Again risky when we have a young team with poor skills.

Seems to be the message to the players isn't clear or the players don't have faith in the system. At times when we get the ball we look totally lost. Surely if your training the same message and structure at training every week then the players should be moving the ball a lot quicker. I am aware a quality forward would help with our ball movement.

So to summarise i think Leppa deserves time to make it work and he is making the hard decisions now for the future but he really needs to work hard on the game plan next year.
 
LicoriceAllsorts said:
If we get a decent KPF who can play a part consistently well enough (i.e. probably not a rookie) then finals aren't out of the question
Click to expand...


Cant see that happening. Going from 2 wins to 12/13 is unrealistic. Key forward will help, but finals is a massive stretch with the lack of player development in the Lions list.
 
LicoriceAllsorts said:
Look at Collingwood
Click to expand...

Yes, but Collingwood has more upside. This (for me) has been the most disappointing season in history. My reason is I cant name even 3 players who were on the Lions list last year, that has improved in development this year and has developed into solid players. All players have either not improved, gone backwards, or have had bad seasons.

At least with other sides like Collingwood, they have more players who have developed and have upside.
 
James North said:
Leppa did say last year -



http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/heat-fixture-not-to-blame-for-lions-big-loss-to-crows-justin-leppitsch-20140810-102ilv.html

I think this year has gone even worse due to injuries and lack of consistency for those players, but I don't think it's a long way below where we would've been. Finals would've been ridiculous, and I'd say they're ridiculous next year too.

Just because as supporters we're all sick of not playing finals doesn't mean we're going to suddenly make it into the top half of the comp next year.

I also don't think you could employ early 2000s LeighMatthews and expect a whole lot better.

I'd love to be wrong - I just don't see how this list (with yet more youngsters in, and minus Aish and Leuey as is rumoured) is going to push into the top half of the competition.
Click to expand...

Oh I can see where we went wrong then, it was a preemptive "we are going to be wooden spooner" message that resonated through the group - I forgot he said that.

Sorry but there was a fair bit of hope around the club at the start of the season, 9-10 people would have taken our list over the saints and the dogs.

I'm not saying "we should be top 8 now" or.. "We haven't had bad injuries" or even "leppa can't mention injuries"

I just hope, that Quotes like the one you highlighted above are largely removed from dialog when we move into next year. It doesent breed pride or confidence at this stage, we need to take the next step.

I'm not arguing that we are young or we have had horrific injuries, I'm not arguing leppa has it all againts him, just that is like a shift in messaging next year, a little less "injures" "kids" "frontier state" and a little more "we expect more" "the fans expect more" "effort was terrible" "our skills are way off" if it needs to be said.
 

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

lukiuslion said:
Yeah I do agree. I did saying (excuses which have been largely valid) when I commented. I do feel from about round 8 this year there has been too much shrugging of the shoulders and too many comments like "it's been that sort of year, hasn't it" with the ironic grin, and "that's what you get". Not to the point I am infuriated ir have even complained about this before, but I would like to hear stronger messaging from this point, no doubt he is right this year has been that way. I just feel lately he has been pushing the bad luck line a little too hard, and as a result.. I think there has been a softening of expectations. That chip you mentioned worked wonders if I re-call correctly, along with the ZOB incident, the softly softly approach is fine and warranted, it won't fly in third year though. I don't think. If it's this time next year and he is constantly rolling out "we are young" and "this is exactly where we should be at, we are right on track" after 70 point loses.. I don't think it will fly.
Click to expand...
True, but the same issues every week are bound to get the same response, although each week, I'm sure he too gets tired of saying it.
 
Skoob said:
True, but the same issues every week are bound to get the same response, although each week, I'm sure he too gets tired of saying it.
Click to expand...

Yeah true. Hopefully a key forward and slight improvement in our injury list and those sorts of excuses and that sort of constant dialog will become self regulating.

And also - id much prefer to be in our situation than better teams with no excuses - that are just crap.
 
What will be the excuses this week?

If we get smashed again next week what happens?
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Similar threads

Section 5
    • Love
    • Like
Resource Brisbane Lions Profit and Loss Year 2025
Replies
11
Views
557
Section 5
Section 5
ZoBlitz
  • Sticky
Women's Footy 2025 Women's Player of the Year Leaderboard
Replies
15
Views
3K
ZoBlitz
ZoBlitz
ZoBlitz
    • Like
  • Sticky
2025 Player of the Year Leaderboard 🏆
2
Replies
36
Views
9K
BuntonRules
BuntonRules
ZoBlitz
    • Like
Women's Footy 2024 Women's Player of the Year Leaderboard
Replies
14
Views
2K
ZoBlitz
ZoBlitz
ZoBlitz
    • Like
2024 Player of the Year Leaderboard 🏆
2
Replies
39
Views
8K
ZoBlitz
ZoBlitz

Remove this Banner Ad

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Back
Top Bottom