The positives thread

[Gibbo_88]

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

Neither. I think it shows how good the development of the younger players has been and that the midfielders know their role and are doing it well recently.

 

[piari]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...-in-the-doghouse/story-fni5f22o-1227014258710

This is particularly interesting article - Lester is the only Lion on the positive table.

The umpires have been abysmal this year - in my opinion.

They can only get better next year as there isn't any lower for them to go to.

 

[Hollow Knight]

LOL, anyone surprised at the recipient of most head high frees for?

Me neither.

 

[AFLQLD]

Since the positives thread started 58 pages and about 16 months ago it seems there are a lot more positives lately.

Fifteen months to get 46 pages of positives. One month for the last 12 pages!

 

[Swanny10]

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

I don't think it's a knock on Reddo. I think the fact we've played better is not as a result of him not being there but the players collectively playing better as a group. It's amazing how having 1 or 2 key players out has such a smaller impact if everyone contributes. Case in point being Hawthorn.

 

[bato]

 

[luthor]

Here's an interesting one:

The "Quarters won" table:

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_ladder?year=2014&pt=PD&st=AQ&sb=p

We are stone motherless last.

Bad?

No....good.....really good

What it says to me is that just one quarter of our best footy here and there has been good enough to win more than our fair share of games.

If you want to express it statistically, we have won 33.3% of our matches by winning only 23.6% of the total quarters we have played. Compare this with Melbourne, who have won 40.3% of quarters played for a match winning rate of just 28.6%.

We are plus 9.7 and they are minus 11.7.

We have the better list, the better coach and the better prospects going forward than the Melbournes of this world.

 

[John_Proctor]

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.
5.

Also browny was pretty much a one and done contest where he struggled to get back in contests for second efforts after going in for the mark and also didn't have the running capacity anymore to deal with players running off him or effectively pressing.

Of course that was balanced with the fact he was our best forward 50 mark, and goal kicker and still received a double team.

But I agree with you that overall the forward line has been operating well post brown.

 

[Eons]

Little write up on all clubs first year players. Love how Leppa said that McStay's ceiling is limitless, I get pretty excited reading comments like that from Leppa.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-08-06/the-big-step-up

Brisbane Lions
NATIONAL DRAFT
James Aish: Terrific first season for the No.7 pick. Averaged 17 disposals and looks right at home in the midfield. Uses the ball well, shows a hunger to win contested ball and fitting into Brisbane more every day.
Tom Cutler: Hampered by some niggling injuries, but has shown a touch of class in seven senior games. Spends extra hours at the club learning his craft and will make a bigger impact off half-back in 2015.
Jono Freeman: A strong development year at NEAFL level. The key forward has added much-needed size and competed well. Has a future, but needs time.
Darcy Gardiner: Not as flashy as his fellow draftees, but a brilliant first season for the key defender. Loves to niggle and do the dirty work and has exceeded expectations.
Daniel McStay: Justin Leppitsch believes his ceiling is limitless and three goals against Melbourne started to show that. Can easily play key position at either end.
Nick Robertson: Just gone off the boil as the season wares on, but another fine debut campaign and two-year contract extension. Relentless trainer who probably just needs more polish on his skills.
Lewy Taylor: A disrupted pre-season hasn't stopped the lightning quick Taylor playing every game in an exceptional first year. Loves the club and already looks a future leader.
ROOKIES
Isaac Conway: Spent the entire season in the NEAFL, and while being a solid contributor, is still working on most areas to get his game to a senior level.
Zac O'Brien: Ultimate professional who was rewarded for strong NEAFL form with a mid-season elevation. The midfielder's decision-making has improved but is constantly being worked on.
Archie Smith: Project ruckman who has made a great fist of his first season since switching from basketball. Running out of legs late in the season, but a genuine surprise packet who should push for games in the next year or two

 

[Skoob]

 

[luthor]

LOL!!

Right between the eyes

 

[Dylan12]

Fair to say that whichever player ends up winning our best first year player award is some achievement.

In most years it is pretty much a given who'll take it and even comparing it to our exceptional draft year in 98 when Simon Black took the award out (and ironically, in back to back years) those eligible played significantly less games: Black and Power (9 games respectively), O'Bree and Picken (7) and Beau McDonald (3).

Also the 09 crop of Rich (24 games), Redden (10), Rockliff and Cornelius (1 game respectively) and Banfield, King and McCulloch (0) was good, but IMO, neither the 98 and 04 crops collectively will hold a torch to the 2014 batch of Taylor (18 to date), Aish (17), Gardiner (13), Cutler and Robertson (7 games respectively), McStay (5) and O'Brien (4), not to mention other eligible recipients of Paparone (16 games (5 in 2013)) and Close (11 games (0 in 2013)) and then when you throw in Mayes (35 games across 2013-14) and Clarke (32 games across 2013-14)).

Whichever, way you dice it, the 2014 batch just look exceptional and when adding in the 2013 contingent with the 2009 guys who are all around the 100 game now, the future all of a sudden looks bloody exciting.

But back to my original point, I'll be taking considerable interest in the outcome of our best first year player, which even then will not necessarily mean they'll be the best player out of that most impressive list.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Past 5 matches 2nd best defence in the comp trailing Sydney by a point. Great achievement

 

[luthor]

Past 5 matches 2nd best defence in the comp trailing Sydney by a point. Great achievement

We did however get the "Melbourne bonus" included in those 5

 

[jackess]

Past 5 matches 2nd best defence in the comp trailing Sydney by a point. Great achievement

As good as the defence has been we've probably been conceding less inside 50s in the last 5 weeks than we were previously.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

haven't been to bad getting the ball inside 50 as well

 

[Sanchez365]

haven't been to bad getting the ball inside 50 as well

Now to just score over 100 points!

 

[Fatcat08]

Now to just score over 100 points!

haven't we done that already? Don't get me wrong I wouldn't complain about doing it again.

 

[Sanchez365]

haven't we done that already? Don't get me wrong I wouldn't complain about doing it again.

You are right! Must have been during the GC game I heard the commentators say that. Need to stop drinking when I'm watching, all these wins are blurring into each other!

 

[James North]

You are right! Must have been during the GC game I heard the commentators say that. Need to stop drinking when I'm watching, all these wins are blurring into each other!

I think it's just that all of our wins lately have blurred into one another - our first steps to being the next Hawthorn/Geelong.

 

[winged1]

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

And the fact he has realised he has a right foot.

 

[winged1]

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.

Super athlete. Cant remember which mid it was against in the Melbourne game, but there was a loose ball and Martin put the jets on and got to it well in front of the Melbourne player. Athletically he can go with or beat any ruckman in the league. Cant believe talk of trading him, he is one of the huge upsides of the year.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Brisbane has a set shot accuracy of 69% – ranked No.1 in the AFL.

Lucky Dan Merretts shots float across the face or we would be last.

 

[luthor]

Brisbane has a set shot accuracy of 69% – ranked No.1 in the AFL.

Lucky Dan Merretts shots float across the face or we would be last.

Wonder if that accuracy measure includes complete misses?

 

[Bucking Beads]

Brisbane has a set shot accuracy of 69% – ranked No.1 in the AFL.

Lucky Dan Merretts shots float across the face or we would be last.

I didn't think Sauce gets enough shots on goal for it to make an impact tbh.