The positives thread

[AFLQLD]

Really like that Bewick is becoming more than just a useful player but is becoming an important part of the team.

 

[luthor]

The wooden spoon is NOT ours.

This is a good thing and much more important than the mythical, magical #1 draft pick that some seem to hanker after.

....and I've liked the last 23 post on this thread

 

[Cousin Jed]

....and I've liked the last 23 post on this thread

This is a positive

 

[Davemonkey]

With the exception of Rockliff, our most impressive players this whole season have pretty much always been youngsters or "second-string" players.

Great stuff.

I'd add Reddo to that before his injury. He was really coming up to the next level.

 

[Kevvo]

Mayes looked like he was getting back to his old self this weekend I thought. His marking was really good and he looked really composed again.

 

[Slax]

The wooden spoon is NOT ours.

This is a good thing and much more important than the mythical, magical #1 draft pick that some seem to hanker after.

....and I've liked the last 23 post on this thread

Our forward line is actually looking a lot better since Brown retired. We are no longer looking for him, instead choosing the best option available which has made a world of difference. It's given McStay and Close and good chance to show their wares and they are starting to blossom.

I'm starting to think that if we finish 15th it won't make any difference to who can pick as far as KPP goes. When you look at who is below us and what they need it is interesting.

Pick 1 - St Kilda - will take key forward definitely, but have been doomed for the spoon for a while now.
Pick 2 - GWS - no interest in key forwards, have 3 drafting a 4th will mean that one of the others leaves for sure. Need either a key defender or excellent user of the ball running off half-back
Pick 3 - Melbourne - if they keep Frawley not sure they want another key forward. They have Hogan already, Dawes and Frawley has been playing forward so no need. They are though in desperate need of improvement in the midfield and get some better use of the ball.
Pick 4 - US - KPP, don't care if it is a back or forward. A defender gives us someone to work with over two years before Patfull & Goose look at retirement and then develop McStay & Close or if we get a forward we can send one of them down back.

Benefit of 15th - extra wins builds confidence and belief in the group that they are now taking sizeable steps forward and can build on this in 2015.

 

[maroon and blue]

Great to see the three big forwards (Close, Merret and McStay) fly for the mark when McStay clunked it in the last quarter. Make a potent,big physical attack.

 

[James North]

Watched some of the highlights ... McStay's footwall to position himself and leap for a mark is extremely impressive. As though he's the only one who knows exactly where the drop will be.

 

[Rally]

How mobile is Martin? It's actually ridiculous for someone his size, in the middle he's as damaging at ground level as any other midfielder. He had a game high 8 clearances last week. Serious pace too. His last month has reminded me a lot of Mitch Clark's season in 2009.

 

[James North]

Justin Leppistch.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-08-05/the-lions-calming-influence

“I think the most stark thing for me is that he’s always retained his composure with us,” Martin told Crocmedia’s Sportsday program.

“We had a few nasty losses earlier in the year, and not once did he ever lose us and try to point the finger at players.

“He might be angry in the box and I’m sure he is on the walk down to address us, but the second he does address us he is very composed and looking towards the future.”

“The way he talks to us, he keeps our confidence high even if we’re losing and he goes through systematically to educate us in review.

“I think they’re really good traits to keep a young group together and on board.”

 

[Ceebee]

Love seeing Leppa.Blacky and Browny in the coaches box together.
Knowing how much history and love they have for this club.
Gives you a warm feeling inside, because you just know they will be doing their utmost to get this group of kids to maybe experience the success they did.

 

[PTizzle]

Watched some of the highlights ... McStay's footwall to position himself and leap for a mark is extremely impressive. As though he's the only one who knows exactly where the drop will be.

Agree and I think that big pack mark is the best example of this - when you see it from different angles blokes are flying in trying to get hands on the ball but he reads it perfectly.

Howe launches (and we know how much he can jump), Merrett comes back with the flight but McStay takes two steps to get the momentum and jumps straight, hands up. It's like there's nobody else there, only watching the ball. Brilliant to see.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Justin Leppistch.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-08-05/the-lions-calming-influence

Contrast with Roos who comes out and says "I think previous Melbourne coaches have broken some of my players beyond repair and I have to delist a whole bunch of them..."

Loving Leppa.

 

[Panthera]

As it stands right now, our young crop are looking super impressive heading into the 2015 season and beyond

21 or under: Aish Robertson Paparone McStay Gardiner Taylor Cutler Mayes Close Clarke
22 -24: Harwood Green Beams Lester Redden Rockliff Rich

Together with the older heads (all 26 or younger) of Hanley, Bewick, Zorko & Leuenberger, we've got a great base to work with

Hoping we make some additional coaching / development appointments in the off-season as we should be playing successive finals series with the above group of players, probably from 2016 onwards

The list has been overhauled in recent years and for mine, it's taking shape beautifully!

 

[maroon and blue]

We are starting to get some tough nuts in the team, Rocky, Merret (Leppa has taken the chain off) , Green, Hanley.

 

[a mayes ing]

Contrast with Roos who comes out and says "I think previous Melbourne coaches have broken some of my players beyond repair and I have to delist a whole bunch of them..."

Loving Leppa.

He didn't quote that.

 

[James North]

He didn't quote that.

Actually, he just did.

 

[a mayes ing]

Actually, he just did.

Where is the link that says "... Melbourne coaches have broken some of my players beyond repair and I have to delist a whole bunch of them..."

 

[James North]

Where is the link that says "... Melbourne coaches have broken some of my players beyond repair and I have to delist a whole bunch of them..."

Don't be silly, links can't speak.

 

[a mayes ing]

Don't be silly, links can't speak.

W/e, but Roos didnt say that, he said something along the lines of they may be too damaged from the tanking era or something.

 

[MightyPies1]

Neutral observer here but have watched the Lions in recent weeks and liked what I have seen.

I said in the game day thread when you were 7 points down that I expected you to win as you were the more talented side. Wasn't surprized and I'm sure you've got an elite recruiter up there.

The 2013 draft has been nailed and will go down as one of the all time greatest drafts by a club.

Midfield will easily match it with the expansion teams in the future.

Hanley, Rockliff, Rich, Bewick, Mayes, Aish, Taylor, Zorko is going to be an elite midfield.

Then you guys got Gardiner, Close and McStay, when they get muscles they will be awesome. Then you guys will get a quality tall in the up and coming draft.

The club has a very bright future IMO.

Leppa seems more grounded than Voss and a good coach too.

 

[blynd_freddie]

How mobile is Martin? It's actually ridiculous for someone his size, in the middle he's as damaging at ground level as any other midfielder. He had a game high 8 clearances last week. Serious pace too. His last month has reminded me a lot of Mitch Clark's season in 2009.

Reminds me of the form he was in back in 2011 when he finished top 10 in Melbourne's B&F.

Cannot believe people were so quick to overlook this... prior to round 12 this year.

It would certainly be positive news for him and the club, if he was to finish top 10 again this year after playing only 12? games. Will be interesting to see the how the voting works this year.

 

[PTizzle]

It would certainly be positive news for him and the club, if he was to finish top 10 again this year after playing only 12? games. Will be interesting to see the how the voting works this year.

Leppa did say post-game (paraphrased) "if he'd played every game this season like that he'd win our B&F", so I wouldn't be surprised if he did finish top 10. Deserves it I think, his impact in what'll probably end up being about half a season has been crazy.

I did remember the 2011 form and always thought Stef would play best as first ruck, but I was never expecting him to come out like this. Great from him.

 

[Gibbo_88]

To the player or players doing Redden's role in the midfield. Haven't noticed that he is missing.​

 

[a mayes ing]

To the player or players doing Redden's role in the midfield. Haven't noticed that he is missing.​

Does that say more about Redden or the player in Redden's position?