Lions 2016 Team

[Maverick]

Below is a team I have selected from our list (excluding rookies - although I consider McKeever a good prospect) for the 2016 season.

All players born 1985 or later have been included (i.e. each player will be 30 year old or younger at the start of the calender year 2016).

Of course we also look forward to successful drafts in 2012, 13, 14, 15.

I have included year of birth beside each players name below:

B Harwood 91 Lester 92 Golby 91
HB Hanley 88 Lisle 90 Docherty 93
C Polec 92 Redden 90 Yeo 93
HF Bartlett 91 Karnezis 92 Polkinghorne 89
F Banfield 90 Cornelius 90 Green 92
R Leuenberger 88 Rockliff 90 Rich 90
I/C Adcock 85 Longer 93 Zorko 89 Shelden 89

Emergencies: Beams 91 Berwick 89 Hawksley 89 O’Brien 91 Raines 86 Retzlaff 91 Stiller 86 Wearden 93

I think this team could be well positioned for a tilt at the flag by 2016 if not earlier?

Would be interested in what others think of the chance of another flag.

 

[blackpowerlappin]

Below is a team I have selected from our list (excluding rookies - although I consider McKeever a good prospect) for the 2016 season.

All players born 1985 or later have been included (i.e. each player will be 30 year old or younger at the start of the calender year 2016).

Of course we also look forward to successful drafts in 2012, 13, 14, 15.

I have included year of birth beside each players name below:

B Harwood 91 Lester 92 Golby 91
HB Hanley 88 Lisle 90 Docherty 93
C Polec 92 Redden 90 Yeo 93
HF Bartlett 91 Karnezis 92 Polkinghorne 89
F Banfield 90 Cornelius 90 Green 92
R Leuenberger 88 Rockliff 90 Rich 90
I/C Adcock 85 Longer 93 Zorko 89 Shelden 89

Emergencies: Beams 91 Berwick 89 Hawksley 89 O’Brien 91 Raines 86 Retzlaff 91 Stiller 86 Wearden 93

I think this team could be well positioned for a tilt at the flag by 2016 if not earlier?

Would be interested in what others think of the chance of another flag.

What no Brownie?

 

[Fatcat08]

Not a lot of height in that backline. Shows we need to address that at the next draft

 

[BlackCaviar]

myself I think if we are playing finals in 2016 would be great

 

[BuntonRules]

One would hope we draft 1 or 2 A graders before then,

 

[Baby_Jenks]

Going back to the old addage of "defence wins championships" that team won't win the flag. Lester will probably be a quality third man up/ loose defender but we still need a FB and CHB in the next two drafts. It should be easier with a non compromised draft though.
McKeever might fill one of those holes but I don't think he's premiership winning defensive material. Love to be proven wrong though.
I do like the midfield/small forwards though. Bucket loads of talent and potential there.

Just out of interest, are we assuming Adcock will be captain of that side?

 

[Grimreepah]

B Harwood 91 Lester 92 Golby 91
HB Hanley 88 Lisle 90 Docherty 93
C Polec 92 Redden 90 Yeo 93
HF Bartlett 91 Karnezis 92 Polkinghorne 89
F Banfield 90 Cornelius 90 Green 92
R Leuenberger 88 Rockliff 90 Rich 90
I/C Adcock 85 Longer 93 Zorko 89 Shelden 89

Emergencies: Beams 91 Berwick 89 Hawksley 89 O’Brien 91 Raines 86 Retzlaff 91 Stiller 86 Wearden 93

The bolded players have 'runs on the board'. The rest are only hopefuls at this stage.

 

[lions2010]

Below is a team I have selected from our list (excluding rookies - although I consider McKeever a good prospect) for the 2016 season.

All players born 1985 or later have been included (i.e. each player will be 30 year old or younger at the start of the calender year 2016).

Of course we also look forward to successful drafts in 2012, 13, 14, 15.

I have included year of birth beside each players name below:

B Harwood 91 Lester 92 Golby 91
HB Hanley 88 Lisle 90 Docherty 93
C Polec 92 Redden 90 Yeo 93
HF Bartlett 91 Karnezis 92 Polkinghorne 89
F Banfield 90 Cornelius 90 Green 92
R Leuenberger 88 Rockliff 90 Rich 90
I/C Adcock 85 Longer 93 Zorko 89 Shelden 89

Emergencies: Beams 91 Berwick 89 Hawksley 89 O’Brien 91 Raines 86 Retzlaff 91 Stiller 86 Wearden 93

I think this team could be well positioned for a tilt at the flag by 2016 if not earlier?

Would be interested in what others think of the chance of another flag.

I think our side is building a great list all round but the massive gap is the spine. the spine is full of players either average or unproven. Lester has potential but his only played three games and is he a full back? We have good rucks, mids and overall flexibility, just the spine needs work. Next years draft with another top10 pick, and a compo pick or two should start filling these gaps.

I also do not see players like shelden, and the likes of hawkley and stiller on the lions list in 2016. If they are, forget any potential for playing finals.

 

[POBT]

I can understand the age cutoff but it is worth noting that, with a birthdate in December 1984, Dan Merrett will only be 31 for the entire 2016 season. Put him into that backline and move Lisle or Lester to a key forward role and it starts to look like a decent spine. Patfull is the same. I think sides always look more solid with a grizzled veteran or two in the backline and it wouldn't surprise to see one or both of these guys still playing in 2016. For the same reason, I'd have Adcock in defence too if he's still playing. Put Merrett/Patfull and Adcock in that defence and it looks quite solid, with the dash of Docherty and perhaps Hanley/Yeo/Polec etc to provide the run and carry.

Longer might move into a key forward role rather than a bench spot, allowing another midfielder to replace a tall (either Acorn or Lisle, I'd say).

Excluding rookies is a good idea given they can be hit and miss but I reckon McKeever is a rookie in name only. He's shown as much as Retzlaff or Cornelius IMO and will be likely on the senior list in round 1 anyway. For different reasons, I think Newell would ordinarily also be on a senior list. That side will need a tagger so I'd imagine either Newell or Raines will be in the side.

What this exercise tells us is that we're still missing some elite talls. Assuming we don't trade, a top notch marking forward taken in the 2012 draft will have 3 years of development in him and would hopefully be ready to play a significant role in a premiership tilt by 2016. Another tall defender or two is also needed. IMO, if 2016 is to be the opening of the premiership window, next year is the absolute last year for us to put the KPP pieces of the puzzle in place.

 

[POBT]

Good thread btw.

 

[Quigley]

Expect the 2013 academy class to be dominating by then. That should fill out a few positions.

 

[BigCat2]

Here's my attempt, assuming Merrett and Adcock's longevity

B: Docherty, Merrett, Lester
HB: Hanley, Lisle, Adcock
C: Rockliff, Harwood, Polec
HF: Karnezis, Retzlaff, Banfield
F: Zorko, Cornelius, Longer

R: Leuenberger, Redden, Rich

IC: McKeever, Polkinghorne, Beams, Green

EMG: O'Brien, Golby, Bartlett, Yeo, Wearden

And of the rookies, I think Clarke, Newell and Crisp are good long term prospects. Dyson and Harvey are also potential pocket dynamos.

Defence
Merrett will remain a force as long he has that good closing speed.
Lisle is tall and strong, best match up for opposition's resting ruckman. Can be used as CHF if our other key forwards are no good.
McKeever is tall and athletic, good match up for roaming CHFs.
Adcock will be the general if he stays in defence.
Hanley and Docherty will be our attacking defenders.
Lester has shown potential as a 3rd tall, probably eventually a midfielder.
Golby will be important if he comes on, as we lack good shut down small defenders.

Midfield
Good ruck tandem in Leuenberger and Longer. Once Billy builds up his tank, they will be able to stay on the field at the same time - one in the ruck, blocking the hole in defence, marking target on the wing; the other up forward and rucking in forward 50. Swap around when one is tired.
Rockliff, Redden, Rich - our 3 Rs are our most proven midfield prospects.
Polkinghorne and Harwood are solid inside midfielders. Have the potential to become very good. Green also, and adds pace at the contest.
Polec is our best prospect as a midfield linebreaker. Look for Bartlett and Yeo to come through also.
I like O'Brien and Beams as endurance running midfielders.
Like Lester, Wearden looks like a true utility also. Needs a bit of time.

Forwards
Cornelius and Retzlaff, style wise, is a good combination (deep marking forward and hard working CHF). They are really our only prospects and really need to step up here.
Karnezis is all class.
Banfield and Zorko will see plenty of time in the forward 50. Will also play midfield when we have more small forward prospects.

My observations:
1. Good talent and depth in midfield stocks. The outside prospects are less proven, but they've had less time on our list so far and should come good.

2. Ruck is sorted for the foreseeable future.

3. We need to make the call on Retzlaff and Cornelius this year as to whether they're going to be good enough. If not, immediate replacements will be needed. Key forwards the weakests point of our list.

4. Still lack a genuine crumbing forward in the Garlett, Ballantyne mould. Would like to have a good look at Dyson here.

5. Already have some key defensive prospects, although a classy CHB helps.

Assuming no defections next year, our drafting focus next year should be on key forwards, perhaps one tall defender, a small forward. Then again, a year is a long time in footy!

 

[Lace Out]

What no Brownie?

Coach.

 

[Lion Cub 16]

I'm really looking forward to the development of our midfield in the coming years. It's really exciting!!! Forward line looks pretty good but we really need to address the backline height etc.

 

[pauldrc]

Going back to the old addage of "defence wins championships" that team won't win the flag. Lester will probably be a quality third man up/ loose defender but we still need a FB and CHB in the next two drafts. It should be easier with a non compromised draft though.
McKeever might fill one of those holes but I don't think he's premiership winning defensive material. Love to be proven wrong though.
I do like the midfield/small forwards though. Bucket loads of talent and potential there.

Clarke could easily be the other KPD....

 

[Mayestro]

My observations:
1. Good talent and depth in midfield stocks. The outside prospects are less proven, but they've had less time on our list so far and should come good.

2. Ruck is sorted for the foreseeable future.

3. We need to make the call on Retzlaff and Cornelius this year as to whether they're going to be good enough. If not, immediate replacements will be needed. Key forwards the weakests point of our list.

4. Still lack a genuine crumbing forward in the Garlett, Ballantyne mould. Would like to have a good look at Dyson here.

5. Already have some key defensive prospects, although a classy CHB helps.

Assuming no defections next year, our drafting focus next year should be on key forwards, perhaps one tall defender, a small forward. Then again, a year is a long time in footy!

Whilst I was Tippett neutral during the last trade period (ie I'd like him but not at an exorbitant price), his presence in these teams would make them significantly more threatening.

 

[Haso]

Whilst I was Tippett neutral during the last trade period (ie I'd like him but not at an exorbitant price), his presence in these teams would make them significantly more threatening.

If the club were to acquire Tippett my hope is that he performs a bit better than he has for the Crows. He has the height and size, but Merrett was all over him in the first Lions v Crows match in 2011. I don't think that he has really consistently taken the game by the scruff since 2009. I guess this is similar to Mitch Clark in certain respects. However, it has been noted that he is homesick and would love to return home to Queensland (again similarly to Mitch) and you would hope that he would produce what he is capable of if he were to be signed by the Lions.

I agree that he could confortably fit a FF role in the Brisbane lineup without question.

 

[POBT]

With the addition of Longer and Lisle to the side, I'm no longer keen on trading for Tippett. A side with Leuenberger, Longer and Tippett in it lacks mobility. A big part of Tippett's value is his ability to play 2nd ruck but that won't be required once Longer develops.

 

[Mayestro]

With the addition of Longer and Lisle to the side, I'm no longer keen on trading for Tippett. A side with Leuenberger, Longer and Tippett in it lacks mobility. A big part of Tippett's value is his ability to play 2nd ruck but that won't be required once Longer develops.

Very fair call. I think subconsciously Longer is still a bit more a ruck to me rather than a marking target. If he can become a significant forward in the Petrie mould that would be a massive fillip to our structure.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

A big part of Tippett's value is his ability to play 2nd ruck but that might not be required if Longer develops.

efa

Sorry, am I doing this wrong?

To be fair, most teams could probably put a list like this together (OK, maybe not St Kilda) and have it look OK, particularly through their own one eye.

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

With the addition of Longer and Lisle to the side, I'm no longer keen on trading for Tippett. A side with Leuenberger, Longer and Tippett in it lacks mobility. A big part of Tippett's value is his ability to play 2nd ruck but that won't be required once Longer develops.

I couldnt agree with you more.

I was all for trading for Tippett prior to drafting longer, its seemed like a logical replacement for Clarke. As you stated a good modern day 2nd ruckman (70% forward / 30% ruck.) These players are becoming more valuable with the substitution rules. Hopefully Longer can develop into this type of player.

I think we all would have had different opinion about our off season recruiting if we gave up pick 8 and 12 or pick 8 and either Polec or Redden for Tippett like Adelaide wanted.