BigFooty Forum

First of all, keep safe everyone.
Seeing just about all arears around me have no power i will put this preview up now.
Hopefully the power stays on, but just in case it doesn't, a preview for some discussion for those that can.


Recent history in favor of the Lions since we became relevant in 2019
Lions have 6 wins to Sydney's 1 being an upset win round 1 in 2021 at The Gabba. Also beat them in the preseason game in 2024.

The Lions v Cats game postponed to round 3 so we missed out playing this week. Maybe a blessing, time will tell.

The Swans lost the opening round by 20 to the Hawks at the SCG. They trailed by 21 points at half time.
Swans fought their way back in the third quarter with a tag on Day (2 disposals for the quarter) and Hayman a defensive role on Sicily.
Both were effective moves by new coach Cox for that quarter anyhow.
They sent Wicks to tag the Wizard for the whole game, also effective.
After the Cox pressor i think Wicks goes to Cameron next week.
A dry game till about 7 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter when it was wet for the rest of the game.
However, in the 4th quarter Mitchell made his own change and moved Sicily forward to negate that defensive role on him.
Will the Swans go with some tagging roles against the Lions next week.
Both Swans halfbacks notched up good disposal numbers. Blakey & Roberts 26 each.
Warner looked more damaging in the first half but still played well with 2 goals and 21 disposals.
Warner did break a lot of tackles in that first half, so our guys need to stick most of them next week.
Heeney was okay with 21 disposals,10 clearances (6 centre). 7 tackles but i just don’t think he had much of an impact.
A bit hash i know with those stats. I suppose if you can keep him from scoring it is a reasonable win.
Swans have a new forward in their ex-defender McCartin. He had 7 marks and 7 disposals for 1 goal 1 behind.
We will have to keep an eye on him, but he is still new to playing forward.
Amartey chimed in with 3 goals 1 behind. They lost some height and leap in the forwards when Amartey went into the ruck though.
It was a fairly quick game and the skill level before the rain came was pretty good for the first game of the season.

The Swans have two advantages going into the Lions game. Playing at home and one game under their belt.
How the Hawks defeat effects their mindset and playing the grand final replay, we will find out next week.

Now to the Lions who likely fly to Sydney on Tuesday so they can get in some training.
With Starcevich likely to return who gets that last couple of spots and who is sub.

I think the side below is about 98% correct barring any training injuries.

B: D.Zorko, H.Andrews, N.Answerth

HB: B.Starcevich, J.Payne, R.Lester

C: J.Fletcher, J.Dunkley. J.Berry

HF: C.Rayner, E.Hipwood, C.Ah-Chee

F: C.Cameron, S.Day (F/R), L.Morris

FOLL: O.McInerney, L.Neale, H.McCluggage

I/C: K.Lohmann (F), W.Ashcroft (F/M/W), Z.Bailey (W/F/M), D.Wilmot (D)
Sub: L Ashcroft (toss-up between Bailey and Levi)

EMG: H.Smith, T.Gallop, L.McCarthy/C.McKenna

At this early stage i am not too worried about a possible Grand Final hangover.
However, playing the Swans away, a team after revenge for the grand final loss, and having 1 game under their belt makes it a bit of a challenge to get the win.
We are good enough to get the win, but our first game of recent past seasons has not always gone well either.
The Swans were okay against the Hawks but missing Gulden was telling in the end. Not sure when Mills is due to return.
Will the Swans do some tagging and have a defense focused forward go to Andrews like they did in the Hawks game.
The only one i think will happen initially, is Wicks to Cameron.
Someone may go to Neale but i noticed Neale spent a reasonable amount of time forward especially the Crows game.
That will break the tag, but he is used to it anyhow. Maybe it’s time Neale broke his season goal record of 16 from 24 games in 2015.
He kicked 13 last year but that was from 27 games.

Last year when we played our best, teams could not get near us.
Unfortunately, we were not at our best for quite a few games.

Listed below the players that got a game in 2024 and what i expect may occur in 2025.
Looking at our side an overall improvement from 2024 should be expected
Does not mean anything until we produce the goods though.

Improvement could be expected from:
Answerth, Wilmot, Payne, W. Ashcroft, Lohmann, Reville, Fletcher, Brain, Morris, Smith
Slight improvement:
McCluggage, Ah-Chee, Rayner, Starcevich, Bailey, Hippy
About the same:
Dunkley, Berry, McInerney, Neale, Fort, Robertson, Ryan
Possible decline:
Zorko, Cameron, Lester, McKenna
Unknown but AFL capable and return from injury players:
Day, Levi (the only one i listed without AFL game experience), McCarthy, Gardiner, Doedee.
The old "on paper we have a great side" is true for the Lions. We just need to do it on the field.

Our midfield is pretty flexible in Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage, Will Ashcroft, Rayner, Bailey & Levi when he gets a run.
It has taken a few years to get the correct wing combination. Fletcher starting his third year and will improve in 2025.
Our combination of Berry and Fletcher could move into the very good AFL rank wingers category in 2025.
Berry excellent in 2024 and no strapping this year, and Fletcher had a good year.
Our defense is a solid team unit and should stay the same.
Forwards still good but as we all know Joe is a big loss.
I think Day gets first crack at the ruck/KPF role. Time will tell if it is an okay decision. If not, then they move to other options.

Lions by 19 points.