The positives thread

[briztoon]

I wasn't sure where to post this. This line of thinking carries on from a post I made in the Sydney post match analysis.

We're going to be the youngest team in the comp for the next couple of years until Hawthorn gut their list and go for a complete rebuild. Every team will add a year of experience going in to next season. As has been mentioned a few times, we have so many poor quality or limited footballers on our list, that for the next three years or so, we're going to be de-listing them and going to the draft and our academy to rebuild our squad.


We've seen we have a couple of 19 year old academy players, playing as top up players for our reserve team.

I do not know how much longer the rookie list is going exist for, but I am wondering if we'll see a tactic of carrying a couple of over age academy players each year as top ups for the reserves, and then at the end of the year rookie listing the best one or two, effectively being able to get four years of development in to them before we have make a decision whether they be promoted to the senior list or not.

Certainly through preseason and the NEAFL games, Sam Copland has looked good as a small forward.

 

[spotthedog1]

It has been a long long time since a ballplayer stood up to Franklin like this - he became very limp and passive once Robbo took it up to him...I think he was very surprised that he couldn't bully Robbo. So good to see a Lion with a lionheart ready to stand his ground and not take this nonsense from big Buddy. As a matter of interest what is their size/weight difference?

Plus - and seeing as we're in the Positives Thread... I got a new avatar out of it!

 

[Dylan12]

Ben Keays is one of the biggest positives for mine, particularly since his return to the seniors.

His attitude and commitment has been faultless and there really has been a noticeable improvement.

 

[Rally]

Ben Keays is one of the biggest positives for mine, particularly since his return to the seniors.

His attitude and commitment has been faultless and there really has been a noticeable improvement.

Keays is the one I've been hoping to take the next step for a while. The kid bleeds for the Lions - he'd be one of the few on the list that grew up a genuine die-hard supporter of the club. Having Queenslanders like him performing well is very important in my opinion.

 

[Eons]

Keays really looks like he belongs at the level now. Had my doubts when he was playing mainly forward but the more midfield time he's got the better he's looked.

 

[Kevvo]

One thing I do really like about Keays (there are a few) is that he gets on the move around stoppages. We're pretty good at getting first hands on the ball but horrible at spreading it. A few more players looking for the ball at pace may hurt our clearance numbers a little bit, but I'd like to think it'll improve the quality of our movement away from stoppages.

 

[Dylan12]

Keays is the one I've been hoping to take the next step for a while. The kid bleeds for the Lions - he'd be one of the few on the list that grew up a genuine die-hard supporter of the club. Having Queenslanders like him performing well is very important in my opinion.

Spot on; it's called ownership and Ben is one of the few IMO that takes ownership of this team and club and it is pretty evident, unlike many on our list.

 

[SizeMatters]

Ben Keays is one of the biggest positives for mine, particularly since his return to the seniors.

His attitude and commitment has been faultless and there really has been a noticeable improvement.

No surprises there. He is a midfielder and the fact that he is playing increased time up the ground corresponds with his great form.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

And Keays being a leftie is a bonus, one of the reasons I would dearly love to see Bewick lift his game.
My other positive is that after 7 rounds we are scoring more heavily than Hawthorn, Collingwood and Carlton and about level with Freo. Scores against is for another thread.

 

[Forward We Go]

One thing I do really like about Keays (there are a few) is that he gets on the move around stoppages. We're pretty good at getting first hands on the ball but horrible at spreading it. A few more players looking for the ball at pace may hurt our clearance numbers a little bit, but I'd like to think it'll improve the quality of our movement away from stoppages.

Watching Ben in the 18's carnival, everyone knew he was going to be an AFL player but once he played a few senior games I was surprised at his lack of pace. In the 18's it wasn't noticeable at all but at Senior level and even now its evident. In saying that, he has adapted his game and is now seeing the benefits in this change. Full credit to him because some players wouldn't have been able to change & be successful. I think he should now hold his spot in the 1's and keep on improving with every game. Lets get him re-signed and have him playing a part of our long awaited resurgence up the ladder soon.

 

[AFLQLD]

I think that Keays could surprise a few people.

I had an interesting discussion about a year ago with one of those old footy blokes that have been around the game forever at junior level and still marks the field and puts the pads on the posts. He had seen and known a few players at junior rep level over a lot of years. He said back then that Keays would definitely make it as an AFL player and end up being a very good one.

When I asked him why, he said that some players go through junior rep footy easily because they have natural advantages (height, size, speed, agility) that gradually become less noticeable as the competition gets tougher and others catch up to them physically. Eventually they reach their ceiling either just before or just after their draft year. He said that Keays had never been a player who was naturally ahead of the pack, yet he clawed his way up there by his sheer determination to be a good footy player at each level. He felt it might take a while but Keays would get there and keep on improving because he had pretty much been doing it since he started his footy.

 

[Nunez]

Love reading the Keays love considering he was one of the designated whipping boys in the preseason. If I recall some people even went as far as saying he won't make it based off that bad jlt game. I think his maturity shows as it was like we were discussing a 5th year player. He's only a few games into his second season and has shown tremendous growth. Above all else he bleeds maroon, blue and gold. I am excited to watch him grow. I'm also excited to see he and Beastmode defile the Hawks this week

 

[Forward We Go]

I think that Keays could surprise a few people.

I had an interesting discussion about a year ago with one of those old footy blokes that have been around the game forever at junior level and still marks the field and puts the pads on the posts. He had seen and known a few players at junior rep level over a lot of years. He said back then that Keays would definitely make it as an AFL player and end up being a very good one.

When I asked him why, he said that some players go through junior rep footy easily because they have natural advantages (height, size, speed, agility) that gradually become less noticeable as the competition gets tougher and others catch up to them physically. Eventually they reach their ceiling either just before or just after their draft year. He said that Keays had never been a player who was naturally ahead of the pack, yet he clawed his way up there by his sheer determination to be a good footy player at each level. He felt it might take a while but Keays would get there and keep on improving because he had pretty much been doing it since he started his footy.

Thats true up until he was named an underager U18 All Australian & then was named QLD captain in the year we took out Division 2 in the Championships. He was definately ahead of the pack in those years and the marque player who was QLD based & tipped to be on of the top 10 draftees. He's going to be a good AFL player, and should be a good AFL player for the Lions.

 

[Forward We Go]

Love reading the Keays love considering he was one of the designated whipping boys in the preseason. If I recall some people even went as far as saying he won't make it based off that bad jlt game. I think his maturity shows as it was like we were discussing a 5th year player. He's only a few games into his second season and has shown tremendous growth. Above all else he bleeds maroon, blue and gold. I am excited to watch him grow. I'm also excited to see he and Beastmode defile the Hawks this week

Cant see Rhys playing Seniors just yet. His game against Sydney NEAFL side was ordinary and dont think Fagan rewards mediocre performances with promotion.

 

[Jivlain]

Cant see Rhys playing Seniors just yet. His game against Sydney NEAFL side was ordinary and dont think Fagan rewards mediocre performances with promotion.

I wouldn't be too critical, endurance is not his strength, though he's been diligently working on it. Few weeks off due to an injury will have hurt him there and he'll need to rebuild his match fitness. He'll need a few weeks in the NEAFL and that was just always going to be the case.

 

[Forward We Go]

I wouldn't be too critical, endurance is not his strength, though he's been diligently working on it. Few weeks off due to an injury will have hurt him there and he'll need to rebuild his match fitness. He'll need a few weeks in the NEAFL and that was just always going to be the case.

Not being critical at all. Saying the same as you basically. He's not ready yet and needs to find his feet & I cant wait to see him back playing in the ones.

 

[Nunez]

Cant see Rhys playing Seniors just yet. His game against Sydney NEAFL side was ordinary and dont think Fagan rewards mediocre performances with promotion.

I 100% agree, but with Robbo out I assume they'll take the gamble unless they're really against it in which case Basti will come in.

 

[dlanod]

I was worried about the three year deal for Taylor but he's looking pretty good this year.

 

[winged1]

I was worried about the three year deal for Taylor but he's looking pretty good this year.

Showing fight at least.

 

[Sherrinator]

I don't care if Robertson is lacking in the skills dept. His mongrel is what makes other players doubt themselves and those spotfires help slow momentum when we are getting dominated.

If even half our players aimed to inflict damage in the contest, it would be a great improvement. It gees everyone up and forces a bit of comradery.

 

[Caiphus]

Nick Robertson is starting to break those tackles that has been his instinct to plow through since his first season which is a real positive in my eyes. I think it is worth giving him a crack in the midfield since Mitch Robbo is out.

 

[Kevvo]

I don't care if Robertson is lacking in the skills dept. His mongrel is what makes other players doubt themselves and those spotfires help slow momentum when we are getting dominated.

If even half our players aimed to inflict damage in the contest, it would be a great improvement. It gees everyone up and forces a bit of comradery.

I know it's an old argument with him, but I don't think his skills are bad. I think he kicks pretty well and that he marks and tackles very well. His spoiling is pretty good for a mid-sized player too.

I think his issue has always been decision making, and it looks to me like he isn't overthinking it so much this year. He's very much like Lewy in that respect. He's still making mistakes (as is the rest of the side), but he's making fewer of them.

 

[M Malice]

Nick Robertson is starting to break those tackles that has been his instinct to plow through since his first season which is a real positive in my eyes. I think it is worth giving him a crack in the midfield since Mitch Robbo is out.

He would certainly have the tank to play in the middle.

 

[ooby]

Mrobbo only broke one foot

 

[fanackapan]

As much as he'd be capable, I think he's one of our best small-mid sized defenders, and it'd hurt our defence too much to move him to the midfield, especially given the Hawks' strength in small-mid sized forwards (Rioli, Puopolo, Breust, Shiels). I'd prefer to ask Keays and Berry to continue to step up in the midfield, and maybe bring Bastinac in (clearly our best performed midfielder in the NEAFL, despite the flak he gets here).