Review Round 6, 2020 - Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong

[M Malice]

I was critical of Martins lack of effort in the ruck and around the ground, I know he has been injured but you can’t dish that effort up. At times when he was attempting to handle the ball it was like watching a pinball machine, the ball was bouncing off him that much. I also don’t understand why he constantly tapped the ball to his feet (When he won the tap) knowing that the Cats were winning clearances and contested possession, it was dumb ruck work.

Yep, looks like father time may be catching up with Stef, been unimpressive this season, looks very cumbersome, OOC at the end of the season, I heard an interview with him earlier in the week where he said he would like to play on for another 2-3 seasons, may not even get 1 if he doesn't find some form.

 

[Gadzorks]

After such a strong powerful win last week - we looked flat after the first 30 mins and when Geelong lifted the tempo and starting bashing us about in contested footy we had no answers. Dangerfield relished not having someone tag him and destroyed us. Almost looked like he has been going through the motions this year but really set himself for this match against an upcoming team with the current best mid fielder.

Also looked like a game where we had played the top team the week before and had a 5 day break and while the Cats also had a 5 day break they paced themselves against the Suns and looked to have more in tank even with a couple players ruled out early.

I was looking at the stats at HT and said to my son not sure we are going as well as we think - apart from Neale and Zorko no other Lions player had more then 10 disposals and the Cats had a heap of players who had won the ball. The signs were already there and Charlie Cameron had a stinker a night.

McStay after playing his best game last week was quiet and Hippy just fumbles too much. Need to get more from them when we are doing it tough and they need to stop going for the same ball - need separation some times.

The mids got beaten up big time and we had to take Lester off Rohan who exposed Froggys pace. Gardiner looked banged up to me. Thought Ah Chee probably played his best game so that was a positive.

Stef is struggling but could have got a few free kicks but umps were waiting for Ablett - Danger and Selwood to tell them what to do. No team does it better in the AFL than the Cats when it comes to this stuff. Always in umps ears and Dangerfield is an expert and holding onto the ball for a few extra seconds when its other teams free kick. Special mention for the Dangerfield effort to hold the ball up and push and shove a few of our players and then turn to umpire and say its my free kick right, knowing full well it wasn't. Should have been 50m every time.

The shorter game time makes fatigue

I’m trying to find footage of the Berry miss.. don’t think I was watching when it happened.


The worst part about losing like that on a Thursday night is that it’s ruined the weekend before it starts.

Or you’ll have a stress free weekend where you can try winter weekend activities you’ve never tried before cause the lions own our winter weekends

 

[dlanod]

Literally no point in following this club

If that's true, then why are you not only apparently following them but also going out of your way to post in an online forum about them? That seems an awful lot of investment given you literally only post to abuse the club and the players. If you are a legitimate poster instead of just trying to stir people, I'd suggest consider balancing your act out a bit more otherwise you won't be posting on the forum much longer.

 

[Gadzorks]

These posts got me thinking about our history in this 'unusual' timeslot. Being curious, I went back and looked at our history coming off a 5-day break.

Since 2000, we’ve played only 11 games off a 5 day break, and whilst we’ve won 4 of those, 3 of them were in a different era under Lethal, and the last win coming under Vossy in 2010.

Since 2010 we have produced some absolute howlers off 5-day breaks, most of which have been at home. Notably we have never won an away game coming off a 5-day break (and recent home games have been a sorry affair).

5 Day Breaks (Since 2000)

Rd 6 2020 – Lost to Geelong by 27 points (5 day break for opposition) @ SCG
Rd 5 2019 – Lost to Collingwood by 62 points (6 day break for opposition) @ G
Rd 5 2014 – Lost to Richmond by 42 points (6 day break for opposition) @ G
Rd 10 2013 – Lost to Collingwood by 49 points (6 day break for opposition) @ G
Rd 2 2012 – Lost to Carlton by 91 points (7 day break for opposition) @ G
Rd 14 2010 – Lost to Carlton by 55 points (5 day break for opposition) @ Docklands
Rd 2 2010 – Defeated Carlton by 19 points (7 day break for opposition) @ G
Rd 2 2007 – Defeated St Kilda by 52 points (6 day break for opposition) @ G
Rd 3 2006 – Lost to St Kilda by 37 points (6 day break for opposition) @ Docklands
Rd 3 2004 – Defeated Collingwood by 60 points (5 day break for opposition) @ G
Rd 4 2003 – Defeated Collingwood by 14 points (5 day break for opposition) @ G

Sadly these 5 day breaks make up the majority of our ‘primetime’ games, but I’ve dug up the remaining Thursday/Friday night games we’ve played since 2000.

We’ve only played an additional 6 ‘primetime’ games over the past 20 years, and the only ‘away’ win has come at a neutral ground in New Zealand.

Other Thu/Fri Games (Since 2000)

Rd 6 2014 – Defeated St Kilda by 3 points (Friday night) @ NZ
Rd 5 2011 – Lost to St Kilda by 13 points (Thursday night) @ G
Rd 4 2009 – Lost to Collingwood by 17 points (Friday night) @ G
Rd 2 2008 – Defeated Collingwood by 2 points (Friday night) @ G
Rd 1 2005 – Defeated St Kilda by 23 points (Thursday night) @ G
Rd 14 2000 – Lost to North Melbourne by 4 points (Friday night) @ Docklands

Quick maths and ignoring finals, we’ve played 446 matches since the start of 2000 (20 x 22, + 6), with only 17 (or less than 4%) of those games falling in ‘primetime’. I don’t think we can discount the fact that playing a Thursday or Friday night game is a rather unusual experience for our players, and we can only get better from experience.

Now consider our opposition’s record going into last night’s game, in the past 3 and a bit years alone (since the start of 2017), Geelong have played 22 Thursday/Friday night matches (7 of which have been finals) compared to our ONE. Feel a little better about our performance yet?

I think our preparation coming off 5 day breaks probably also needs to be better, over the last 10 or so years my memory of these games has been running out of legs and copping a hiding (is it a positive that that didn’t quite happen last night?). Interestingly our recent form coming off 6-day breaks is much better, having won the last 5 of these.

6 Day Breaks (Since 2019)

Rd 5 2020 – Defeated Port Adelaide by 37 points (7 day break for opposition) @ G
Rd 21 2019 – Defeated Gold Coast by 91 points (6 day break for opposition) @ G
Rd 18 2019 – Defeated North Melbourne by 12 points (7 day break for opposition) @ G
Rd 11 2019 – Defeated Hawthorn by 19 points (7 day break for opposition) @ TAS
Rd 3 2019 - Defeated Port Adelaide by 17 points (7 day break for opposition) @ G

Given we haven’t won at the SCG since 2009, the 5-day break hoodoo (that is now 10 years young), and throw in the Leigh Fisher curse, we pretty much stood no chance last night.

Stats don’t always tell the full story but this clearly shows that our expectations before the game were far too high.

Maybe we need your analysis before every ‘unusual’ game to help moderate the after game angst.

Thanks btw.

 

[Gadzorks]

Only played 70% game time while Oscar played 67%. Both well down on their normal average. Clear that they struggled to back up the game and I think we missed a trick in not resting one of them

The bigger the body, the longer the recovery time maybe?

I’m sure this is the type of learning that’ll come from this game.

I still think it was harder for the young players that are still heavily reliant on their routines to be up for the game.

While the talk is all any team, anytime, anywhere we need a lot more maturity before we live up to that motto.

 

[Section 5]

Nothing between teams in the first quarter but by half time we should have had a good lead but was not to be.
They dominated the third. At least we did not let them run away with a big win.
Coaches have mentioned in the past that if you are getting well beaten by three quarter time it's how the team plays that last quarter of football that's important.
If you can either stem the tide or get a small win in the last you have something positive to go into the next game.

Geelong were good and i believe they adapted to the conditions after half time better than us.
Our players after half time just could not hold the ball, it was slipping out of their hands way to much.
Good pressure from Geelong did not help.
Wow that third quarter. The players now know how Port felt last week.

GWS at home in a day game next week. Time for payback on that final loss in 2019

 

[lofty]

Cats pantsed us in the 3rd quarter no doubt. Some issues though- Rohans third hit, a bump to the head of a lions player near the interchange bench after his first 2 indiscretions needs to be looked at. It was dangerous. Ablett loitering within the clear zone of a lions free kick and the umpire who clearly saw him doesn't blow the whistle because he's a good bloke and thirdly, as previously mentioned by someone,
Geelongs constant appealing for free kicks is clearly a cultural issue which works for them..Very annoying.

 

[X AE A12]

"

It's just all so disappointing. This was meant to be our period of dominance, but we have the yipps. There is nothing about this club that tells me they can pull through on the big occasion because they literally haven't. We win all of our games under the raider and when we're finally noticed, we fold.

Literally no point in following this club as even when we're good we're still embarrassing

Thats one angle

 

[lofty]

Should have also mentioned- The SCG has not been a good hunting ground for us recently. The small ground doesn't suit our gameplan. However the good teams learn how to adapt.

 

[Paul Mac]

I don't know who you're thinking of that was free in the goal square. Reviewing the game I was wrong - it wasn't Charlie there, it was McCarthy (not in the shot below) but he was definitely not open. McCluggage is the one people are complaining about because he had his arms out demanding a handball just prior to this shot, so it seems easy to blame the results. I'm not going to get my knickers in a twist over Berry having this shot instead of handballing it given every disposal introduces a chance of a turnover, McCluggage is known to only be ok at goalling on the run and it's not like he was running into an open goal square, and Berry is not under any pressure. The handball was probably a better option but only marginally - there's been plenty of complaints in previous weeks about guys getting too fancy and I'm sure that line would've been pulled out if the handball had occurred and there was a stuff up or a miss.

Here's the vision:

View attachment 909412

When watching the game my main point with this incident was not at this point. When berry received he ran a fair way with the ball and then ended up at this point how you have the picture. When he received the ball(between wing and forward fifty roughly) and ran a little you kid see hughie on his own. That's where i would have liked for him to dish off initially after receiving the ball. He took the punt and failed.If you burn your team mates and score a goal not much said, but burn them and miss then you will hear about it.

 

[Jungle_Drums]

I hate the SCG with a passion. It is a crap ground and we have always struggled there in any era. It doesn't suit the lions faced paced game as there is simply not enough space. It suits Geelong and its grinding negative style of game that chokes up the space. On any other ground I would say the lions would have won. Hopefully we don't have to play too many games there. I'd be confident of a strong rebound next week. Despite Collingwood's outs, I think they will beat Geelong on the bigger Perth Stadium.

 

[Paul Mac]

It's just all so disappointing. This was meant to be our period of dominance, but we have the yipps. There is nothing about this club that tells me they can pull through on the big occasion because they literally haven't. We win all of our games under the raider and when we're finally noticed, we fold.

Literally no point in following this club as even when we're good we're still embarrassing

Why is football in some peoples eyes have to be a life or death situation. We pay our memberships to support our club but in my eyes we are not owed anything by the club are we IMO? I don't understand if you say "no point in following the club" why you would even post anything. My family and i as a supporter and a member of course want our team to win but i would never got to the extremes to abandon my club. I don't get this at all. We can all be unhappy and disappointed but i just don't understand comments like that. If you don't want to follow the club don't, i don't know why you need to let everyone know about it. Im disappointed with the result and so is my family but a loss, a thumping a massacre will never stop us from supporting our club.

 

[Jungle_Drums]

The bigger question really is this...

How the absolute f**k is Geelong still a decent side??? It feels like forever they have been there or there abouts while others have come and gone. They are fast becoming the team I want to beat most... And if I have to listen to Brooooce and Jobe (seriously????) Watson polish their knobs over them again I may well switch to Soccer...




Not.

Completely agree. Unfortunately their negative style of play suits the SCG. For us, the SCG does not suit our style. As always Geelong will be found out on the bigger grounds. Expect Collingwood to beat them next week at good odds.

 

[harvester]

I'm surprised Jarrod Berry didn't get more votes, I thought he was our best player

 

[LongLion]

It's just all so disappointing. This was meant to be our period of dominance, but we have the yipps. There is nothing about this club that tells me they can pull through on the big occasion because they literally haven't. We win all of our games under the raider and when we're finally noticed, we fold.

Literally no point in following this club as even when we're good we're still embarrassing

Clearly a troll and now blocked.

 

[Jungle_Drums]

I can't stand Geelong. But they are literally one injury away from collapsing. Once Dangerfield is down they are gone. Long term they really have nothing. A list that is old without too many coming through. Once Dangerfield and Selwood move on, turn out the lights.

 

[M Malice]

Why is football in some peoples eyes have to be a life or death situation. We pay our memberships to support our club but in my eyes we are not owed anything by the club are we IMO? I don't understand if you say "no point in following the club" why you would even post anything. My family and i as a supporter and a member of course want our team to win but i would never got to the extremes to abandon my club. I don't get this at all. We can all be unhappy and disappointed but i just don't understand comments like that. If you don't want to follow the club don't, i don't know why you need to let everyone know about it. Im disappointed with the result and so is my family but a loss, a thumping a massacre will never stop us from supporting our club.

Terrific post, I look on following the Lions as great entertainment, I would rather watch them than spend my money on going to the movies, concerts, playing golf or going out to a restaurant too often, certainly more emotional involvement for me in supporting the Lions and it's great being on Big Footy confabulating on all things Lions.

If I can follow the Lions as a game attending member, go on the occasional holiday, go to Yoga and Pilates, socialise and be around family my life is sweet.

 

[BRAB]

I can't stand Geelong. But they are literally one injury away from collapsing. Once Dangerfield is down they are gone. Long term they really have nothing. A list that is old without too many coming through. Once Dangerfield and Selwood move on, turn out the lights.

Think the last decade should have taught people not to write off Geelong. They have a very good system and have done very well to stay at the top for as long as they have.

Geelong have had their bad days over the years as well and bounced back. Probably a positive lesson for us.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

Charlie was well-manned. McCluggage was apparently free around the 50? I couldn't see that as I was on the opposite site of the ground. Either way I would've expected a shot on goal there from any player who had the range - he was pretty much straight on and wasn't under particular pressure. It's a high percentage shot other than being on the run, and a set shot from a worse angle is probably a similar percentage shot.

Clug was standing right next to him

Berry was streaming wide open into the 50m arc. If he DOESN'T take that shot then there's a problem

 

[Johnny Bananas]

The most damning stat from last night is efficiency inside 50: Geelong 61%, Lions 35%. We went inside 50 more times than them (43-38) but they had far more scoring shots (23-15).

I understand our game plan involves chaos ball at the ground level, but we lost plenty of those last night and suffered from a lack of leading targets for marks. By comparison Geelong kept finding Hawkins, Rohan and Dangerfield.

Perhaps we need a shakeup in the forward line, maybe Linc out for Bundy. I still think Ah Chee works better as a small forward, but it's probably not going to happen.

 

[Royboys44]

A

If that's true, then why are you not only apparently following them but also going out of your way to post in an online forum about them? That seems an awful lot of investment given you literally only post to abuse the club and the players. If you are a legitimate poster instead of just trying to stir people, I'd suggest consider balancing your act out a bit more otherwise you won't be posting on the forum much longer.

Are you serious???? This club and all that make it up supporters, admin, players and past players are the most special and stoic bunch you can hope to meet. We mock adversity and when we again rise to the top we will hunt as one and feast upon the carcasses of those who have betrayed us and or been too soft to see it through. Now drink your cup of concrete and Harden up mate because our boys/ club need us to stick fat and ride through some challenges as our cubs grow, learn and develop to rise up again.

 

[Quigley]

Hard to disagree with any of that. Certainly gets a tick for enthusiasm but that is where it abruptly ends. Offers next to nothing offensively and too small for the midfield given our mature mids already easily get knocked off the ball.

This is why I think Christensen should come in. Offensively he is very good and causes headaches for opposition defences and last year he demonstrated how valuable he was as a defensive forward locking the ball in. He had some great tackles that went rewarded late last year.

Surely his non-selection has nothing to do with age /development given Fagan is selecting Birchall who looks slow and has no long-term future at the expense of Answerth, Witherden and Cox.

I don't want to say Fagan plays favourites, but you can't help but think he is bias with the likes of Birchall and Tom Berry.

Christensen is okay but not consistent and only really applies pressure within a 10 metre radius. Outside of that he just cruises around too much. For me that attitude is at odds with the mindset we are trying to develop.

For me I would play Coleman who is a true small forward and is a great deliverer of the ball into the forward 50. I would still pick Berry Jnr and give him a bit more mid time without Mitch. Berry Snr onball most of the time addresses size issues and Zorko to get more wing time in Mitch Robbo's absence as well.

 

[Nunez]

LOL we are not one way runners.

 

[Lionheart182]

Some people seem to be way more active on here after a loss.

 

[Berry Picker]

Anyone catch Bruce saying that Ablett is done, got me really pumped up thinking that's it we have finished this guy off, we've ended his career. Next quarter the guy has set up a few goals and kicked 2 from outside fifty.