Preview Lions v Dogs Saturday March 7 @ 6.35pm AEST

[dlanod]

The only interesting thing in the team announcement is Marshall not even an emergency. Either injured or maybe further down the pecking order.

Forgot to mow Fages' lawn over the summer.

 

[martinson]

Marshall's just learning what it will take to be an AFL player but that he will be in a year or two.

 

[Section 5]

We all know the team named positions are often not correct.

I never took much notice of where Fletcher played in the 2 preseason games.
Fletcher (one of the best HBF in the AFL) is named on the wing.
He has played there before and Marshall is missing.

Reville usually wing/forward but he was playing in defense for those games. Maybe a learning experience.
Coleman played forward and defense in those games.
So, who will actually play defense out of Fletcher, Coleman, Reville.
The others will be Andrews, Dizzy, Zorko, Wilmot, Lester

Wings: Still using Fletcher as named. We have Fletcher, Berry, Levi

It is most likely the players go back to their usual spot being Reville wing and Fletcher defense.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Marshall's just learning what it will take to be an AFL player but that he will be in a year or two.

Would assume hes still first in if one of Berry, Levi or Bruce are injured

 

[irel]

So, who will actually play defense out of Fletcher, Coleman, Reville.
The others will be Andrews, Dizzy, Zorko, Wilmot, Lester

Wings: Still using Fletcher as named. We have Fletcher, Berry, Levi

It is most likely the players go back to their usual spot being Reville wing and Fletcher defense.

LAshcroft.

 

[WheildonTheAxe]

Gee whiz. Our team is stacked with talent. The calibre of players on the bench is enviable.

Looking at the named team, every one is either a bona fide star, an emergent talent that has already delivered key moments or a very high performing role player (esp with Gardiner's end of year form). ZZ is an exception and he's clearly covering an immediate and specific need.

 

[twhowler]

Marshall is a bit stiff but also got pretty lucky to play in a flag.

Played as an inside / outside mid as a junior. Clearly his weapon is his running. While he is not the same player as Bez he should be the player replacing him when Bez is injured IMO. Bez has pretty dodgy shoulders so he might get a few games to keep giving him a taste.

In any event if the team stays successful and he is playing a few games the next 2 years he should be happy enough.

Our trickiest juggle right now is the fringe mids. Marshall / Reville / Annable / Levi all deserve a shot, and would all be targets of other teams if they wanted to leave. So giving them enough games / hope of breaking in would be ideal, while of course trying to win another flag. Neale leaving will not be good overall but help that situation. Someone like Fletcher i think would be an absolute gun as a mid. That's often a way teams tempt players to leave. Amazing we have him signed until 2030.

We also now have 4 key forwards that are theoretically best 23. Does Hippy need to become a defender? ZZ and Curtin look like they will be pressing their case, but the current ruck rules allow i think one of them to play each week.

Turnover is good for sides no matter how good they are i think - adds fresh ideas, keeps people on their toes, but mostly as per above, you have to give some hope to the next tier.

 

[M Malice]

Marshall is a bit stiff but also got pretty lucky to play in a flag.

Played as an inside / outside mid as a junior. Clearly his weapon is his running. While he is not the same player as Bez he should be the player replacing him when Bez is injured IMO. Bez has pretty dodgy shoulders so he might get a few games to keep giving him a taste.

In any event if the team stays successful and he is playing a few games the next 2 years he should be happy enough.

Our trickiest juggle right now is the fringe mids. Marshall / Reville / Annable / Levi all deserve a shot, and would all be targets of other teams if they wanted to leave. So giving them enough games / hope of breaking in would be ideal, while of course trying to win another flag. Neale leaving will not be good overall but help that situation. Someone like Fletcher i think would be an absolute gun as a mid. That's often a way teams tempt players to leave. Amazing we have him signed until 2030.

We also now have 4 key forwards that are theoretically best 23. Does Hippy need to become a defender? ZZ and Curtin look like they will be pressing their case, but the current ruck rules allow i think one of them to play each week.

Turnover is good for sides no matter how good they are i think - adds fresh ideas, keeps people on their toes, but mostly as per above, you have to give some hope to the next tier.

Sam Marshall is a better Harry Sharp "type", I agree on Jaspa, an under appreciated skill of his is ground ball clean hands.

I think the Eel should play a string of games as a KPD in the VFL when his knee is good to go, he showed some potential there in his limited runs down back a couple of seasons ago(what year was that?), would be handy backup if our doomsday scenario eventuated.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Sam Marshall is a better Harry Sharp "type", I agree on Jaspa, an under appreciated skill of his is ground ball clean hands.

I think the Eel should play a string of games as a KPD in the VFL when his knee is good to go, he showed some potential there in his limited runs down back a couple of seasons ago(what year was that?), would be handy backup if our doomsday scenario eventuated.

Jaspas pick up to start the chain that resulted in our first goal in last years GF really stood out to me watching the documentaries this week

Pretty sure Hippy was down back in 2024 and he was horrific

 

[M Malice]

Jaspas pick up to start the chain that resulted in our first goal in last years GF really stood out to me watching the documentaries this week

Pretty sure Hippy was down back in 2024 and he was horrific

I must be looking back through rose coloured glasses, not a world beater but my memory is that he showed some good signs.

 

[StevoJenkins]

I must be looking back through rose coloured glasses, not a world beater but my memory is that he showed some good signs.

He was lost back there playing in defence.

He's a very good linkup/roleplaying forward. Guy is still best 23 when he's back. Lot of people here cheapening his output - it's the Lewy Taylor effect all over again.

Gallop played Hippy's role for all the games he played, but Hippy is better at it. We'll see that when Hippy is back in the team. At the very least Hippy is the most senior forward we have and should be in the side to at least protect a Gallop or two so they can bulk up for the big time.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I must be looking back through rose coloured glasses, not a world beater but my memory is that he showed some good signs.

Actually might’ve been last year

Shifted down back against GWS the game Payne was injured and looked completely lost and Hogan and Cadman won the game for them

 

[Section 5]

We have a few injuries that will take some time to be ready in 2026. Hippy, Payne. Doedee is a big?
A few others that are not best 23 for now.

So, the list is in reasonable shape going into the first round.
Every season has injury concerns, so depth is a big advantage

Selectors had a hard decision for this first game, but fringe players will get games as the season progressors.

For the first game the selectors decided on Zane Zakostelisky & Coleman over premiership players Answerth (maybe needed more time) and Marshall. Also, McCarthy and pick 6 Annable
They settled on a 2nd ruck over a more mobile player.
Two rucks have worked for the Lions on many occasions as the playing 23 runs very deep.
I think the remaining players are very capable but down the list a bit.

Oscar Allen

4

Oscar Allen

Age

27

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.2

4star

was always going to be selected if fit. We just have to see how he performs and stays uninjured.

 

[braddsey]

Marshall is a bit stiff but also got pretty lucky to play in a flag.

Played as an inside / outside mid as a junior. Clearly his weapon is his running. While he is not the same player as Bez he should be the player replacing him when Bez is injured IMO. Bez has pretty dodgy shoulders so he might get a few games to keep giving him a taste.

In any event if the team stays successful and he is playing a few games the next 2 years he should be happy enough.

Our trickiest juggle right now is the fringe mids. Marshall / Reville / Annable / Levi all deserve a shot, and would all be targets of other teams if they wanted to leave. So giving them enough games / hope of breaking in would be ideal, while of course trying to win another flag. Neale leaving will not be good overall but help that situation. Someone like Fletcher i think would be an absolute gun as a mid. That's often a way teams tempt players to leave. Amazing we have him signed until 2030.

We also now have 4 key forwards that are theoretically best 23. Does Hippy need to become a defender? ZZ and Curtin look like they will be pressing their case, but the current ruck rules allow i think one of them to play each week.

Turnover is good for sides no matter how good they are i think - adds fresh ideas, keeps people on their toes, but mostly as per above, you have to give some hope to the next tier.

I'd put Marshall in the lucky to get a flag basket. From the players picked for round-0 (including emergencies), there are 9 top-20 draft picks under 190cm tall (Marshall is listed as 185cm). This doesn't count experienced trades Zorko, Lachie, Charlie, Dunks, or Bez (who is 192cm). We have a seriously talented list, top-10 picks will be first in until we run out of players. Our list management has been amazing to hold onto all the top-talent we've drafted over the past 10 years (Starc being the 1 exception), and we've been blessed by genetics (Ashcroft's, Fletcher) while we've been at the top so we don't have a bunch players drafted in the 20's trying to get a game.

 

[twhowler]

I don't think it's beyond Hippy to be a defender - as long as he is not playing on a brute. I guess the main issue is if we need Hippy to replace Payne he is far from a like for like. I guess hippy could replace Lester? very different but at least it's a tall defender role that is not playing on the main forward. it is not easy to find decent talls.

Anyone on to the game. i think it will be tough. But i really hope we play a bit better at the gabba this year. 11 h&a games. Out of them performances that were either poor or below average included gws, collingwood, west coast, melbourne, essendon, port (they were close for so long with i think 3 players injured??), swans. It seemed to largely be a concentration thing, like we would start horribly, or get 5 goals up and just switch off...

 

[LongLion]

ZZ's announcement and a nice cameo performance from OA

 

[LongLion]

https://www.lions.com.au/video/1964861/afl-debut-incoming-for-zane-zakostelsky?videoId=1964861&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1772682336001

 

[McIvor]

I wonder which players have been emergencies the most in their careers? Joyce has been a mainstay as key position coverage for almost every game the last 2 or so years

This is the list between 2019 to 2025 fwiw so your instinct is bang on

Rank	Player	Total Emergencies
1	Darragh JOYCE	36
2	Connor BALLENDEN	32
3	Darcy FORT	28
4	Deven ROBERTSON	25
5	Tom FULLARTON	25
6	Rhys MATHIESON	20
7	Thomas BERRY	17
8	Jaxon PRIOR	17
9	James TUNSTILL	17
10	Harry SHARP	15
11	Archie SMITH	15
12	Ryan LESTER	14
13	Jack PAYNE	14
14	Mitchell HINGE	13
15	Darcy GARDINER	12
16	Josh WALKER	12
17	Oscar McINERNEY	12
18	Nakia COCKATOO	11
19	Ben KEAYS	11
20	Sam SKINNER	11
21	Jarryd LYONS	10
22	Allen CHRISTENSEN	6
23	Kai LOHMANN	9
24	Henry SMITH	7
25	Connor McKENNA	3

 

[carry on]

Will we be forced to play Harris on Darcy? He is probably the only one that has the size and reach to compete with Darcy but then we lose his intercept marking if he plays a negative role.

has to happen, and has before, even when we had a fit Payne. Confident at home and Neale will fire...bigtime

 

[carry on]

The concept of round zero has always been to have AFL games in Sydney and Brisbane early when the NRL are playing in America which meant the NRL didn't get a head start on the AFL in NSW and Qld which are still very much predominately Rugby league states. It may or may not work, would have to see the TV ratings and crowd attendances.

The Broncos will play Friday night in Brisbane as premiers, the Lions play Saturday night in Brisbane as premiers. Suncorp stadium seats 52,000 the Gabba and measly 32,000 if they cram them in so the NRL will win attendance. TV ratings, who knows, the NRL does consistently out rate AFL (state of origin and grand final last year) i guess its the popularity of the teams they are playing.

Weather, well as a farmer I can tell you it's been bloody dry in SE Qld this calendar year so far until last weekend we got 100 ml on the Sunshine Coast.

IMO a good game of league is very watchable on TV, whilst a good game of AFL is not as attractive on the tele, but is so good at the ground with a slightly elevated position. We have to put up with the very outdated GABBA for another 6 years or so, hopefully Lions still competing for a flag when the new stadium is ready and crowds of 50,000+ will be the norm, and even bigger against the big Vic clubs.

 

[Eyn Styn]

This is the list between 2019 to 2025 fwiw so your instinct is bang on

Rank	Player	Total Emergencies
1	Darragh JOYCE	36
2	Connor BALLENDEN	32
3	Darcy FORT	28
4	Deven ROBERTSON	25
5	Tom FULLARTON	25
6	Rhys MATHIESON	20
7	Thomas BERRY	17
8	Jaxon PRIOR	17
9	James TUNSTILL	17
10	Harry SHARP	15
11	Archie SMITH	15
12	Ryan LESTER	14
13	Jack PAYNE	14
14	Mitchell HINGE	13
15	Darcy GARDINER	12
16	Josh WALKER	12
17	Oscar McINERNEY	12
18	Nakia COCKATOO	11
19	Ben KEAYS	11
20	Sam SKINNER	11
21	Jarryd LYONS	10
22	Allen CHRISTENSEN	6
23	Kai LOHMANN	9
24	Henry SMITH	7
25	Connor McKENNA	3

Shows good depth, almost 25% of them have them gone on to win a premiership medal.

 

[p4p1]

Actually might’ve been last year

Shifted down back against GWS the game Payne was injured and looked completely lost and Hogan and Cadman won the game for them

I was sure it happened in 2024 as well where he actually started down back. Had a google. Round 21, the only KPD we in the team was Lester so Hipwood must’ve played down back. Andrews was out with concussion, Joyce out with a broken jaw, Payne with (I think) a foot injury. I’m pretty sure that when the team announcement came out Joe was named at FB. From memory Hippy was OK but he would definitely need to spend a bit of time down back to be good at the role.

 

[martinson]

I was sure it happened in 2024 as well where he actually started down back. Had a google. Round 21, the only KPD we in the team was Lester so Hipwood must’ve played down back. Andrews was out with concussion, Joyce out with a broken jaw, Payne with (I think) a foot injury. I’m pretty sure that when the team announcement came out Joe was named at FB. From memory Hippy was OK but he would definitely need to spend a bit of time down back to be good at the role.

From what I recall he was a bit of a trainwreck at times but it's only a game or two and with dedicated tuition He'll probably get the hang of it. He'd be awkward to play on.

 

[p4p1]

From what I recall he was a bit of a trainwreck at times but it's only a game or two and with dedicated tuition He'll probably get the hang of it. He'd be awkward to play on.

I had a quick scan of the match report. It was actually round 20 against GC not round 21. It said his 1st he was looking lost, found his feet in the 2nd. 8 intercepts in his 10 disposals and 9 1%ers. Luckily for us Ben King went 1 goal 3 and Hippy got a goal from a 50.

I agree he would be awkward to play on. It’s his strength as a forward as well. Great runner who happens to be 6’8. It will be very interesting to see how the coaches fit him back into the team if our KPFs are healthy and Gallop is having a really good year. Our coaches seem to prefer to pick the best 23 players and shuffle positions around to make it work.

 

[KissKiss]

I had a quick scan of the match report. It was actually round 20 against GC not round 21. It said his 1st he was looking lost, found his feet in the 2nd. 8 intercepts in his 10 disposals and 9 1%ers. Luckily for us Ben King went 1 goal 3 and Hippy got a goal from a 50.

I agree he would be awkward to play on. It’s his strength as a forward as well. Great runner who happens to be 6’8. It will be very interesting to see how the coaches fit him back into the team if our KPFs are healthy and Gallop is having a really good year. Our coaches seem to prefer to pick the best 23 players and shuffle positions around to make it work.

Yeah i think King had major major yips then. Might have missed another 1 or 2 on the full. Should have given Hipwood a bath if he had any confidence.

That was one of the more inspiring wins that game with how undermanned we were. I remember really praising Hippy, not because of him playing well but for being the guy that sacrificed his game