Review Round 9, 2023 - Brisbane Lions vs. Essendon

[p4p1]

I thought Charlie was good tonight. Working pretty hard and some nice efforts in that first half when we were on struggle street.

Had an almost night for me. If some of those kicks towards him/to him were a bit better he would have kicked a few IMO.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Just watched a replay of the game, some observations that confirmed my thoughts on the night and/or what I missed.

1- Jack Gunston was pretty ordinary, Hind and Redman ran off him all night, he's a worry.
2- Cam Rayner did some very good things off the ball, good pressure, always involved in goals.
3- Big O was very good, Anthony Hudson said near the end of the final quarter > Big O has been imposing.. Draper and Phillips no match for him.
4- Harry Sharp 17 disposals, apart from a couple of OOFs he was good.
5- Bailey, Coleman and McCluggage building nicely.
6- Payne and Andrews the best 1-2 key defender combination in the competition?

YELLOW CARD - NO MENTION OF LESTER!

I just watched all of Lester’s three games this year and the other thing he does, which is so physically taxing, is he forces key stoppages in defence by taking possession, absorbing some big tackles and causing the ball up. This sort of stuff goes unnoticed by people who are not watching closely, but it is massive.

 

[p4p1]

If Gardiner was to come back in, could you have him, Andrews, Payne and Lester all playing at once? It would be at the expense of Rich but if last couple of games are anything to go by, Lester may not be as much of a penetrating kick that Rich is but he makes up for it everywhere else. He looks to be quicker and potentially have a better tank than Rich. I was really impressed by his last couple of games and I don't believe his height dictates that he needs to play on a tall or come out for Rich's matchup.

 

[KissKiss]

It was all of the criticism last year about how the forwards (and mids), despite scoring a lot, didnt defend well enough and teams were able to run off them too easily. Dunkley has helped massively with the mids. And the pressure applied by Cameron and Linc has been top notch. Even saw Hippy right up there this week with inside 50 tackles. Its been the massive improvement this year that increase in defensive effort. However Gunston is the real odd man at the moment.

I'd defer to those who have been able to see more games live but at the moment he seems like the one weakness. He might be doing some smart leading (and coaching) to open up space. But he's not scoring and he's not defending. Can we keep playing him?

 

[p4p1]

It was all of the criticism last year about how the forwards (and mids), despite scoring a lot, didnt defend well enough and teams were able to run off them too easily. Dunkley has helped massively with the mids. And the pressure applied by Cameron and Linc has been top notch. Even saw Hippy right up there this week with inside 50 tackles. Its been the massive improvement this year that increase in defensive effort. However Gunston is the real odd man at the moment.

I'd defer to those who have been able to see more games live but at the moment he seems like the one weakness. He might be doing some smart leading (and coaching) to open up space. But he's not scoring and he's not defending. Can we keep playing him?

Our group is mature enough they shouldn't need a designated on field coach on any line now. Just because it has worked previously for us, doesn't mean we need to keep doing it either.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

View attachment 1688290
YELLOW CARD - NO MENTION OF LESTER!

I just watched all of Lester’s three games this year and the other thing he does, which is so physically taxing, is he forces key stoppages in defence by taking possession, absorbing some big tackles and causing the ball up. This sort of stuff goes unnoticed by people who are not watching closely, but it is massive.

That’s my Leigh Matthews stat, which is who hands the ball back to the ump at a ballup. Matthews had the best numbers here I ever saw and Black was number two
Go through our grand final wins and Black doubles anyone else.
Good to see someone else has noticed the Leigh Matthews stat. It may be I am not the only perceptive footy fan on this site

View attachment 1688290
YELLOW CARD - NO MENTION OF LESTER!

I just watched all of Lester’s three games this year and the other thing he does, which is so physically taxing, is he forces key stoppages in defence by taking possession, absorbing some big tackles and causing the ball up. This sort of stuff goes unnoticed by people who are not watching closely, but it is massive.

That’s my Leigh Matthews stat. Who hands the ball back to the ump at a ball up. Matthews was the best at it. Black number two. Watch our Grand finals and see Black dominating here.
You are becoming more perceptive 3KZ. Gaining wisdom by thread osmosis by digitally hanging with me.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

I don’t know how the previous post disappeared from my phone but was there all along

 

[martinson]

That’s my Leigh Matthews stat, which is who hands the ball back to the ump at a ballup. Matthews had the best numbers here I ever saw and Black was number two
Go through our grand final wins and Black doubles anyone else.
Good to see someone else has noticed the Leigh Matthews stat. It may be I am not the only perceptive footy fan on this site

That’s my Leigh Matthews stat. Who hands the ball back to the ump at a ball up. Matthews was the best at it. Black number two. Watch our Grand finals and see Black dominating here.
You are becoming more perceptive 3KZ. Gaining wisdom by thread osmosis by digitally hanging with me.

Ah Chee was doing that for 3years when we played him in the backline and even when he went forward but that seems to have been forgotten.

 

[3KZ is Football]

That’s my Leigh Matthews stat, which is who hands the ball back to the ump at a ballup. Matthews had the best numbers here I ever saw and Black was number two
Go through our grand final wins and Black doubles anyone else.
Good to see someone else has noticed the Leigh Matthews stat. It may be I am not the only perceptive footy fan on this site

That’s my Leigh Matthews stat. Who hands the ball back to the ump at a ball up. Matthews was the best at it. Black number two. Watch our Grand finals and see Black dominating here.
You are becoming more perceptive 3KZ. Gaining wisdom by thread osmosis by digitally hanging with me.

Double post. Double smart. Double Compliment.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Ah Chee was doing that for 3years when we played him in the backline and even when he went forward but that seems to have been forgotten.

Not by members of The Over 50’s Clique!

 

[3KZ is Football]

If Gardiner was to come back in, could you have him, Andrews, Payne and Lester all playing at once? It would be at the expense of Rich but if last couple of games are anything to go by, Lester may not be as much of a penetrating kick that Rich is but he makes up for it everywhere else. He looks to be quicker and potentially have a better tank than Rich. I was really impressed by his last couple of games and I don't believe his height dictates that he needs to play on a tall or come out for Rich's matchup.

Check out some of his precision field kicking. Long and attacking. The two I’m thinking of both hit Gunston on the chest over about 50 metres. He had a team high 94% disposal efficiency.

 

[3KZ is Football]

COACHES VOTES FOR BRISBANE V ESSENDON

Brisbane v Essendon​

10 Joe Daniher (BL)
7 Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

32

Ht

177cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

(BL)
4 Andrew McGrath

1

Andrew Mcgrath

Age

27

Ht

180cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.7

5star

K

11.6

4star

HB

11.1

5star

M

1.6

2star

T

6.4

5star

MG

252.9

4star

D

22.7

5star

K

11.6

4star

HB

11.1

5star

M

1.6

2star

T

6.4

5star

MG

252.9

4star

D

22.0

5star

K

11.0

4star

HB

11.0

5star

M

1.2

2star

T

6.4

5star

MG

219.0

4star

(ESS)
3 Ryan Lester

35

Ryan Lester

Age

33

Ht

190cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.9

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.7

4star

MG

170.4

3star

D

10.3

3star

K

5.8

2star

HB

4.5

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

140.7

3star

D

12.6

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

5.8

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

0.6

3star

(BL)
3 Oscar McInerney

46

Oscar Mcinerney

Age

31

Ht

205cm

Wt

110kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.1

2star

K

4.1

2star

HB

3.9

3star

CL

1.4

4star

HO

14.3

5star

D

6.9

1star

K

4.1

2star

HB

2.7

2star

CL

1.9

4star

HO

16.4

5star

D

7.6

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.6

3star

CL

0.4

3star

HO

11.2

5star

(BL)
2 Mason Redman

27

Mason Redman

Age

28

Ht

187cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.2

4star

K

10.1

4star

HB

5.1

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.7

4star

MG

262.0

4star

D

12.0

3star

K

7.8

3star

HB

4.2

3star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.8

3star

MG

210.3

3star

D

12.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.4

4star

MG

144.2

3star

(ESS)
1 Harris Andrews

31

Harris Andrews

Age

28

Ht

200cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.8

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

151.7

2star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

3star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

MG

94.0

2star

(BL)

Equal third best Lion! Safe to say Lester is in the process of CEMENTING HIS SPOT!

Bust out the traditional “Ryan Lester

35

Ryan Lester

Age

33

Ht

190cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.9

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.7

4star

MG

170.4

3star

D

10.3

3star

K

5.8

2star

HB

4.5

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

140.7

3star

D

12.6

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

5.8

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

0.6

3star

One Year Contract Extension” NOW!

Thanks Dalions - it was worth editing.

 

[Dalions]

COACHES VOTES FOR BRISBANE V ESSENDON

Brisbane v Essendon​

10 Joe Daniher (BL)
7 Lachie Neale (BL)
4 Andrew McGrath (ESS)
3 Ryan Lester (BL)
3 Oscar McInerney (BL)
2 Mason Redman (ESS)
1 Harris Andrews (BL)

Equal third best! Safe to say Lester is in the process of CEMENTING HIS SPOT!

Bust out the traditional “Ryan Lester One Year Contract Extension” NOW!

I think that looks like equal 4th doesn’t it?
Or you mean in our team I guess.

 

[martinson]

From time to time people here pipe up how idiotic Essendon were to take McGrath when we got McCluggage. Not much point comparing the two because they're different sorts of players but I've always thought McGrath had football smarts and was underrated and Saturday night to me confirmed. Haven't seen too many anticipate where Charlie's going and shut down contests like he did. Also able to play attacking footy.

Obviously we wouldn't be swapping McCluggage for McGrath but imo the disrespect McGrath's copped is unwarranted.

 

[Grasshopper17]

From time to time people here pipe up how idiotic Essendon were to take Walker when we got McCluggage. Not much point comparing the two because they're different sorts of players but I've always thought McGrath had football smarts and was underrated and Saturday night to me confirmed. Haven't seen too many anticipate where Charlie's going and shut down contests like he did. Also able to play attacking footy.

Obviously we wouldn't be swapping McCluggage for Walker but imo the disrespect Walker's copped is unwarranted.

Walker?

 

[martinson]

Walker?

Thanks buddy.

You know dementia's setting in when......

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Neale - kicking in to 50 was terrible i thought. Need him to be better as Dunkley / Ashcroft are not particularly polished kicks (both have good hands).

Also needs to invest in a better tattoo artist cause what on Earth is that pattern on his shoulder

 

[martinson]

Also needs to invest in a better tattoo artist cause what on Earth is that pattern on his shoulder

The opposition can't stop looking at it trying to work it out.

Diversionary tactic by Lachie . Any way to get an extra edge.

 

[Nunez]

From time to time people here pipe up how idiotic Essendon were to take McGrath when we got McCluggage. Not much point comparing the two because they're different sorts of players but I've always thought McGrath had football smarts and was underrated and Saturday night to me confirmed. Haven't seen too many anticipate where Charlie's going and shut down contests like he did. Also able to play attacking footy.

Obviously we wouldn't be swapping McCluggage for McGrath but imo the disrespect McGrath's copped is unwarranted.

Pick one on a lockdown defender though.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Also needs to invest in a better tattoo artist cause what on Earth is that pattern on his shoulder

Hard … two swallows.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

The opposition can't stop looking at it trying to work it out.

Diversionary tactic by Lachie . Any way to get an extra ed

 

[Morbidly_Obese]

Our defence should be ‘unchanged’ for as long as possible. Maybe when Rich is fit you could leave Sharp out to make a space on the bench for Rich… maybe.

Fages won't leave out Sharp as he's definitely all-in with his gegenpress strategy and you need marathon runners to make it work. I think Sharp will play every remaining game this season he's not my favourite player but I trust Fages he knows what he wants to achieve.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Fages won't leave out Sharp as he's definitely all-in with his gegenpress strategy and you need marathon runners to make it work. I think Sharp will play every remaining game this season he's not my favourite player but I trust Fages he knows what he wants to achieve.

I’ll be surprised if Sharp is still in our AFL side when Rich comes back, otherwise who’s gonna be the unlucky one then?

 

[M Malice]

I’ll be surprised if Sharp is still in our AFL side when Rich comes back, otherwise who’s gonna be the unlucky one then?

Richy.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Richy.

You ain’t saying what I think your saying, poor Richy never got a game for us.

Oh well, looks like Rich has got the runs on the board throughout his career after all