The positives thread

[Skoob]

 

[irel]

What do you know? Proven right!

Sureley you need a new name. May I suggest Nostradamusisagun

 

[POBT]

Still plenty to take from last night:

Lester - admittedly one of my favourites but I thought he was our best last night. 24 touches equates to a productive night, given he has struggled to find lots of the footy on occasion. 50/50 split contested v uncontested, a match high 7 clearances and team high 8 tackles - he loves to work. Good night out in a badly beaten side.

Aish - he's not ready to win his own footy and sure as hell wasn't getting much in the way of supply. Still moves nicely and showed he could play round 1 if that's the way they go. Probably best way to put it - didn't disappoint.

Mayes - I thought his game was underrated. He didn't use the footy particularly well (given his standards) but he won the footy (including 3 clearances) which is an interesting development in his career. He's not a first string midfielder yet but looks to have gone another notch physically and will be fine again across half forward or on a wing. Locked in for the best 18 IMO.

Robertson - Thrives on playing rough and tough footy. Made more mistakes than right choices (DE% of 35!) but is desperate and hard. Would like to see him trialled on a HFF in the next couple of games. Probably not in line for senior selection at this point but lots to like.

Zorko - tried his guts out in a less familiar primary mid role. Took the leadership to heart and tried to inspire with his attack on the contest. Will be better when he comes in as a second string midfielder behind the Rs and Beamer.

Harwood - tried to control things across half back in more of an Adcock type role. Might have put his nose in front for senior selection.

Close - thought he showed plenty. Moves incredibly well to get on the end of a few and was happy to throw himself around - 5 tackles was great. Nowhere near the finished product (as you'd expect) but is on the right track.

Bourke - very, very raw but did OK under difficult circumstances. Moves like a senior footballer and should eventually grow to the right size. Seemed to back himself in the air, sometimes to his cost. Like.

 

[Ridley This]

Still plenty to take from last night:

I know it probably means nothing at all, but I was very impressed with Leppitsh's press conference after, very self-assured. First time I've heard him speak really. Actually listened to the questions and was relaxed as you like. Focused on the long game and not flustered by immediate issues. Easy enough to do that in NAB Cup when playing the kids, however I think the Neeld's of the world would have seethed a little. If he can keep his head like that during the season, I think you're on a good thing.

 

[POBT]

I know it probably means nothing at all, but I was very impressed with Leppitsh's press conference after, very self-assured. First time I've heard him speak really. Actually listened to the questions and was relaxed as you like. Focused on the long game and not flustered by immediate issues. Easy enough to do that in NAB Cup when playing the kids, however I think the Neeld's of the world would have seethed a little. If he can keep his head like that during the season, I think you're on a good thing.

Yeah, he actually comes across like a 10 year coach in terms of his media work. We've commented on the difference between he and Voss and the same stage of their coaching careers.

 

[matwt73]

I like that Bourke has had broadly positive reviews from last night. Quite clearly the lions academy is an elite football factory that will be churning out 200 game players for the next millenium. I suspect that within 10 years we won't even need the draft.

 

[Ceebee]

I like that Bourke has had broadly positive reviews from last night. Quite clearly the lions academy is an elite football factory that will be churning out 200 game players for the next millenium. I suspect that within 10 years we won't even need the draft.

This is the most positive post ever for the positive thread.
Great work matt.

 

[pulpdriver]

Close - thought he showed plenty. Moves incredibly well to get on the end of a few and was happy to throw himself around - 5 tackles was great. Nowhere near the finished product (as you'd expect) but is on the right track.

This is particularly positive. Admittedly I didn't notice much in the way of his tackling but whoever steps up and takes that 2nd forward role will be probably be alongside Browny, a resting ruckman and maybe Staker as he alternates between forward and defense as necessary so that 2nd forward is going to have to be able to apply pressure and be a target. I imagine this got Close a big tick from Leppa.

 

[POBT]

This is particularly positive. Admittedly I didn't notice much in the way of his tackling but whoever steps up and takes that 2nd forward role will be probably be alongside Browny, a resting ruckman and maybe Staker as he alternates between forward and defense as necessary so that 2nd forward is going to have to be able to apply pressure and be a target. I imagine this got Close a big tick from Leppa.

I guess last night secured in my mind the Brown-West-Staker-McGuane combination as our first choice. But I definitely agree that Close's attributes would allow him to fit in instead of Staker/McGuane.

I'd really like to see Close play in front of an AFL-standard midfield. Just to see what he knows and what he doesn't.

 

[AFLQLD]

It's baaaacckkk! (And has been watching its arch enemy the Vent Thread get lots of attention recently.)

Well, f### you, vent thread. Mass re-signings.

 

[dlanod]

Well, f### you, vent thread.

Moving this post to the Vent thread.

 

[GabbaGirl]

Our pressure and intensity for most of the game.

Mayes. Star.

Close, great debut.

Our quick handballs have improved, not so much passing to a player in a worse position any more.

Lots of positive signs, just need some general skill improvement.

 

[JasRulz63]

 

[Haggis McHaggis]

Paparone was excellent.

 

[Toffee Lion]

Paparone was excellent.

Yep, needs to add some bulk clearly but he has the talent.

Aish was great as well.

 

[James North]

Brown was above my expectations too, despite a bad miss. Plenty of effort in the legs and he played the game out.

 

[Simbatheking21]

happy with Lester and Pap today. We gave it a crack..... not trying to be bias but I don't believe it was a 47 point win for the hawks. But, it does show how good they are.

I think we did send the afl a message we aren't a "basket case" we can play. Proud of the boys but yeah still disappointed

ps: forgot about mayes... very happy with him

 

[jackess]

3 less inside 50s against the reigning premiers is a pretty good indication of how good our midfield is.

 

[AFLQLD]

The big positive is the game plan seems to make sense to the players and at times we looked very fluid. We also didn't seem
to have a really weak line. There is enough quality and a cohesive game plan now. Execution is still a couple of rungs below Hawthorn levels but we are not alone there. We just need time to make it all work together.

 

[Skoob]

No-one was terrible today.

Sincerely.

 

[POBT]

Brown was above my expectations too, despite a bad miss. Plenty of effort in the legs and he played the game out.

I felt like he wasn't as bad as last year when the ball hit the deck too. Might have dropped a bit of weight to help his agility?

 

[James North]

I felt like he wasn't as bad as last year when the ball hit the deck too. Might have dropped a bit of weight to help his agility?

He did seen more mobile ... Was actually able to make second efforts.

 

[Mr Ripper]

I felt like he wasn't as bad as last year when the ball hit the deck too. Might have dropped a bit of weight to help his agility?

Agree, although we did see JB's physical limitations on show a couple of times; notable that time in the third quarter when he'd drifted into the backline and tried to take a mark from behind, but couldn't get 3 inches off the ground. Overall, he did perform better than what I was expecting, too.

 

[lionshine]

Positive: Sam Mayes. No signs of second year blues yet. He played a great game I thought. He is just so solid and reliable.

 

[Toffee Lion]

Richmond sitting where they belong right now, 9th.