Preview Lions lunch on pies

[Gadzorks]

Sorry for the late preview - Mods please move into the unofficial preview if that is better.

The season so far​

The top teams outside the Lions are GWS, Geelong and Hawks. Suns have played Eagles, Dees, Crows and North so they have not yet earned top team recognition.

Of those top teams we have played one (Geelong) and won and Pies have played one (GWS) and lost. Not conclusive, but worth noting.

Last week​

I watched the pies game on the weekend. Ugghhh. My eyes are healing from all the in-game attempts to poke my own eyers out so I didn’t have to keep watching.

Pies were a cany old team exploiting the narrow 125 m width ground to their advantage. There was little avenue for switches, play was forced down the corridor reducing the running load to suit the aged Pies. They closed down the corridor and across the back line causing poor entries that their defenders could manage.

We played on an even narrower 110 m wide ground. The dead straight sidelines looked odd and clearly created a problem for the first half. The half time break allowed a reset of tactics to counter the narrow ground, which the player’s executed brilliantly.

This week​

We meet on the Gabba’s 138 m width field, neutralizing the Pies strength and our struggles of last week. The width puts running power into focus and we are the better at using the full ground.

• Run and carry through the corridor – check.
• Switch and move fast – check.
• Find a pathway through – check.

We do it all.

On the injury front​

The Pies will likely get De Goey and Mitchell back. Two good ins. Our possible ins from injury are Lohman, all class, and Smith.

Ruck forward​

On Smith, I am not sure of the consensus here but personally, as serviceable as Day is, I’m keen to give Smith a chance. Or use Fort. Day was a serviceable role player at the Suns, but he hasn’t adapted to our game plan yet, and I believe that Smith and Fort are far enough ahead in that aspect for them to be an upgrade on field atm. Let Day learn in the reserves, then give him another chance if Smith has not dazzled.

Doedee​

Will Doedee get a run this week?? How??? Jasper has been magnificent across the half back and I want him to continue to explore this potential. Seems like a waste to put him back on the wing, and no other defender deserves to be dropped.

Flicking the switch​

When we are on, we are by far the best team in the competition. Our first four quarter game last year was AWESOME, and earnt a premiership. This year the mountain the team needs to climb is how to play four, or even three, quarters every week. Good luck Fagan, we are counting on you to find the platitude that works.

The outcome - Lions by 17​

First will be an arm wrestle, we will not let them break away. The second will be lead changes. The third will be a Lions burst and in the fourth Lions take control and the gap stays around 17 points.

 

[Nunez]

Sorry for the late preview - Mods please move into the unofficial preview if that is better.

The season so far​

The top teams outside the Lions are GWS, Geelong and Hawks. Suns have played Eagles, Dees, Crows and North so they have not yet earned top team recognition.

Of those top teams we have played one (Geelong) and won and Pies have played one (GWS) and lost. Not conclusive, but worth noting.

Last week​

I watched the pies game on the weekend. Ugghhh. My eyes are healing from all the in-game attempts to poke my own eyers out so I didn’t have to keep watching.

Pies were a cany old team exploiting the narrow 125 m width ground to their advantage. There was little avenue for switches, play was forced down the corridor reducing the running load to suit the aged Pies. They closed down the corridor and across the back line causing poor entries that their defenders could manage.

We played on an even narrower 110 m wide ground. The dead straight sidelines looked odd and clearly created a problem for the first half. The half time break allowed a reset of tactics to counter the narrow ground, which the player’s executed brilliantly.

This week​

We meet on the Gabba’s 138 m width field, neutralizing the Pies strength and our struggles of last week. The width puts running power into focus and we are the better at using the full ground.

• Run and carry through the corridor – check.
• Switch and move fast – check.
• Find a pathway through – check.

We do it all.

On the injury front​

The Pies will likely get De Goey and Mitchell back. Two good ins. Our possible ins from injury are Lohman, all class, and Smith.

Ruck forward​

On Smith, I am not sure of the consensus here but personally, as serviceable as Day is, I’m keen to give Smith a chance. Or use Fort. Day was a serviceable role player at the Suns, but he hasn’t adapted to our game plan yet, and I believe that Smith and Fort are far enough ahead in that aspect for them to be an upgrade on field atm. Let Day learn in the reserves, then give him another chance if Smith has not dazzled.

Doedee​

Will Doedee get a run this week?? How??? Jasper has been magnificent across the half back and I want him to continue to explore this potential. Seems like a waste to put him back on the wing, and no other defender deserves to be dropped.

Flicking the switch​

When we are on, we are by far the best team in the competition. Our first four quarter game last year was AWESOME, and earnt a premiership. This year the mountain the team needs to climb is how to play four, or even three, quarters every week. Good luck Fagan, we are counting on you to find the platitude that works.

The outcome - Lions by 17​

First will be an arm wrestle, we will not let them break away. The second will be lead changes. The third will be a Lions burst and in the fourth Lions take control and the gap stays around 17 points.

Great preview!

 

[Sproj]

They are a recent bogey side, so should nice to break one of those chains. I don’t know what it is about them. We have so much more class but like when we play Hawthorn, we just can’t seem to get over the line with these guys.

Hopefully our hot and cold performances in game this season can start to point towards more hot and lukewarm. We are good enough to beat most sides even when well below our best but Collingwood is not one of them. I hope we’ve been saving ourselves for a big game and show who is boss with a statement win.

 

[luthor]

Just beat the scum Lions

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Round 23, 2024 at the MCG.
The team and club won't forget.
Giving up 6 of the last 8, and especially the nightmarish last 3.

This cannot, will not happen again

 

[Viceregal]

I like the sound of not letting them break away...

 

[3KZ is Football]

Just beat the scum Lions

 

[buttermuffs]

I think Fages said Doedee will be spending a month in the magoos to build up match fitness lost from being two years from last playing.

Wouldn’t surprise me if Coleman spends a good chunk of time there getting fit as well.

Or maybe just an excuse because it’s genuinely difficult to fit them into the side right now.

 

[Kernel Kurtz]

I feel with Washcroft helping Lockie we have it all over them, , kind of like two Lockies at the coal face or just as a receiver and relay with class disposals.

Getting exited.
No matter what though , after last year it's well the finals count , just got to get wins on the way. But.
I feel this is going to be the downwood spiral for the old pies , no mercy , this game hopefully means something more than just a possible chance for another win for the team, we need to flog them into humiliation.
Great preview Gads by the way.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I think Fages said Doedee will be spending a month in the magoos to build up match fitness lost from being two years from last playing.

Wouldn’t surprise me if Coleman spends a good chunk of time there getting fit as well.

Or maybe just an excuse because it’s genuinely difficult to fit them into the side right now.

It is. We have started the season with five straight wins and taking a slightly longer term view, we have won our last ten games including a finals campaign and a Premiership in that run. During that time, our entire defensive unit has been fantastic and Premiership players like Answerth and Fletcher have consolidated their hold on a senior spot. Fletcher, in particular, has been sensational and there is no way he could be shuffled out of his new role at half back. Andrews, Lester and Payne are a versatile and cohesive trio of highly successful defenders and Zorko is currently sitting fifth in the AFL player ratings.

Both Doedee and Coleman are going to need to get plenty of reserves football under their belts before they be considered for senior selection and even then, they may have to wait for an injury to get a call up. Of the two, Coleman is most likely to come back by playing around with our sub option, but even that appears to be at least a month or more away.

PS. Starcevich will come straight in when he is right.

 

[Section 5]

Since 2020 the ledger is square with 5 wins each.
That alone makes this Easter Thursday clash a 50/50game.

The Pies have won the previous 3 encounters including the 2023 Grand Final.
Lions won the three before that.

Starting from and including the Aug 2021 game someone from either team has kicked 4 goals or more
From 2021 they are:
Cameron 6
Daniher & De Goey 4 each
Cameron 6
Cameron 4
Hill 4 (GF 2023)
Elliott 4
Daniher 4

 

[twhowler]

Scores conceded this year:

82 vs swans
75 vs eagles at the gabba
61 vs geelong (v wet first half)
90 vs Richmond
97 vs dogs

None of these are particularly good performances. 7th ranked defence.

We need to be harder to score against. I’d like to see that be an emphasis on thursday

As good as Fletcher has been off half back, is the balance right with him replacing Starce?

 

[Nathan Barley]

Scores conceded this year:

82 vs swans
75 vs eagles at the gabba
61 vs geelong (v wet first half)
90 vs Richmond
97 vs dogs

None of these are particularly good performances. 7th ranked defence.

We need to be harder to score against. I’d like to see that be an emphasis on thursday

As good as Fletcher has been off half back, is the balance right with him replacing Starce?

The midfield has played a big role in this giving up easy clearances and not transitioning defensively

 

[twhowler]

I certainly noticed that v geelong

I thought v dogs it was a lot of ground ball losses

We also have given up some very timid stoppage d50 goals

 

[Nunez]

No 100+ scores against though. Not bad for a team that is giving up big deficits.

 

[KissKiss]

Scores conceded this year:

82 vs swans
75 vs eagles at the gabba
61 vs geelong (v wet first half)
90 vs Richmond
97 vs dogs

None of these are particularly good performances. 7th ranked defence.

We need to be harder to score against. I’d like to see that be an emphasis on thursday

As good as Fletcher has been off half back, is the balance right with him replacing Starce?

I think Starc back would stiffen up our backline a fair bit and improve our midfield a lot. We also have a bit of a drop off in our wings at the moment without Fletcher there. Bruce cant quite do the hard running forward and back that Fletcher was doing. The midfield (and forward line) defensive drop offs have more to do with the scores conceded than the backline at the moment IMO.

Im sure we are not rushing Starc back and Fletcher is doing a really good job learning there, but for later in the year I hope we can go back to a preferred lineup.

I also am not against McKenna coming into the backline and Fletch going to the wing in the short term

 

[SeaOfFire]

Do you know what happens, if you stand and face off against a Lion?

It bites your FACE.

YOUR FACE BRO.

It doesn't mess about with arms, or legs, or rubbish like that.

IT BITES YOUR FACE OFF.

NOMNOMNOM

 

[GenericUsername202]

Hope we win it, but i'm aware we can't win them all. I also think a loss is needed, as i can't see our poor starts changing if we keep winning these games. Hoping for a win, but we're already 5-0. Even if we do lose, we are still set up for an amazing season. Hoping for a cracking game, and i swear, if we come back from being 60 points behind or something, i'll begin to think maybe we're actually unbeatable, lol.

 

[SeaOfFire]

Hope we win it, but i'm aware we can't win them all. I also think a loss is needed, as i can't see our poor starts changing if we keep winning these games. Hoping for a win, but we're already 5-0. Even if we do lose, we are still set up for an amazing season. Hoping for a cracking game, and i swear, if we come back from being 60 points behind or something, i'll begin to think maybe we're actually unbeatable, lol.

OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH!

We can win them all - whether or not we DO is another matter entirely. But let us not devolve into sophistry!!

Instead, come join me in the VERDANT, FLUFFY FIELDS OF PILLOWY SOFTNESS AND OBSTINATE POSITIVITY, WHERE THE LIONS REIGN SUPREME

(singing, as he rides on his unicorn, off along the golden road, to the rainbow-framed hills in the distance. Giant, polkadot mushrooms rise amidst the green shrubbery, shaggy oxen munching happily....)

VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
OF POS-I-TIV-I-TY!!

VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
OF LIONS SUPREMACY!!

 

[Saucery]

OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH!

We can win them all - whether or not we DO is another matter entirely. But let us not devolve into sophistry!!

Instead, come join me in the VERDANT, FLUFFY FIELDS OF PILLOWY SOFTNESS AND OBSTINATE POSITIVITY, WHERE THE LIONS REIGN SUPREME

(singing, as he rides on his unicorn, off along the golden road, to the rainbow-framed hills in the distance. Giant, polkadot mushrooms rise amidst the green shrubbery, shaggy oxen munching happily....)

VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
OF POS-I-TIV-I-TY!!

VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
VERDANT FLUFFY FIELDS!
OF LIONS SUPREMACY!!

I want some of what you're on PM me for address!

 

[Saucery]

Well I went to AI, and it's spookily correct!

Well, let's just say the odds aren't exactly in the magpie's favor! A lion is a powerful apex predator, built for strength, speed, and combat. Meanwhile, a magpie is small, agile, and clever—but hardly equipped for a physical showdown.

However, if we're talking about sheer audacity, magpies might surprise you. They're notorious for swooping at much larger animals (and unsuspecting pedestrians). If the lion had no interest in fighting and just wanted to avoid the hassle, perhaps the magpie could "win" by relentlessly pestering it into retreat.

 

[Dalions]

I certainly noticed that v geelong

I thought v dogs it was a lot of ground ball losses

We also have given up some very timid stoppage d50 goals

The doggies moved the ball far to easily from inside to out in the first half on the weekend.
That is usually due to a lack of midfield pressure.

 

[davemc_lions]

Round 23, 2024 at the MCG.
The team and club won't forget.
Giving up 6 of the last 8, and especially the nightmarish last 3.

This cannot, will not happen again

View attachment 2283592

you forgot the free kick count
Pies got if I remember 12 of the last 14 frees

 

[Chezzalenko Reborn]

Keen for this. First time at the Gabba in over six years, only my third AFL game live since 2019. Looking forward to seeing what has changed at the Gabbatoir.

 

[Son of Superboot]

Don't they fact check these news articles? Since when is Norwood in the Barossa ???

Team Tips: The comeback Lions pulled off their latest masterpiece after trailing the Bulldogs by 39 points at Barossa Park, and you’d think there wouldn’t be too many changes to their winning formula ahead of an Easter Thursday blockbuster against Collingwood back on their home deck.

Huge Pies boost for blockbuster; Blues issue that could return, Dons shake-up: AFL Team Tips

Huge Pies boost for blockbuster; Blues issue that could return, Dons shake-up: AFL Team Tips

www.foxsports.com.au