The positives thread

[chopperduck]

yes they are developed by the academy, but it takes the parents to have a passion or somewhat of an interest in the sport to commit to taking the kids to the games every weekend. My comment is that it is damming that none of the elite players are born and raised in Qld. Meaning that their parents passion has been fostered outside of the Qld environment.

It isnt damming it is reality. Born and breed QLDers likely follow NRL. It is the code everyone here follows and the one you are most exposed to, not to mention the popular sport of choice in schools.

It will take a generation or two to change this. Majority of followers, fans and players of AFL up here are either Vic or Tas expats or their parents were.

This is the battle we face up here that they just dont understand down south. Battle of irrelevance.

 

[chopperduck]

See a bright future for McCluggage. He isnt being super flashy, but he is now consistently getting around the 15 mark for disposals which is great for a skinny kid in his first season. He is still picking the pace up, but shows little glimpses each game of what he will bring. More fitness and strength in his body will help him greatly in the coming seasons.

 

[a mayes ing]

See a bright future for McCluggage. He isnt being super flashy, but he is now consistently getting around the 15 mark for disposals which is great for a skinny kid in his first season. He is still picking the pace up, but shows little glimpses each game of what he will bring. More fitness and strength in his body will help him greatly in the coming seasons.

Not sure how many he got yesterday but thought he didn't really get a lot of the ball. Maybe time to go in the ressies and rack up a heap of touches. Don't need him to burn out

 

[briztoon]

For me, looks like Beams and Hipwood are the players in need of a rest.

 

[Sherrinator]

Agreed. He'll take a little longer to come on as he builds strength and confidence at this level but the class is on show at this early stage of his career

Loving how he backs his pace and ability to take the extra second or so to make a decision.

 

[BuntonRules]

Hippy, Keays, Andrews, Allison. All Victorian born. Ballenden is NZ born.

Same with GC's kids. They're either Victorian born, or from Perth.

Until they bring back SOO, it doesn't really matter,

 

[Toffee Lion]

Ahead of the Bulldogs, Hawks, Freo & Carlton in overall scoring and one of the best teams in the comp in scoring when we enter our 50.

Richmond just 70 points above us with a 7-5 record.

Really just need to sort out our leaking of goals and we can make real strides next year.

 

[Milux]

Cant wait for my 2 sons to buck this trend of qlders not being good enough.

 

[Rally]

In 2016, we won 17 quarters.

So far in 2017, we've won 15.

 

[Milux]

In 2016, we won 17 quarters.

So far in 2017, we've won 15.

That is huge. Just over half way and we have nearly won as many qtrs as last year. If that's not improvement i dont know what is.

 

[luthor]

Much along the same theme, we are staying "in" more games for longer and NOT capitulating totally when it's obvious we can't win.

Another couple of wins for our "emotional nourishment" will do wonders for players and supporters alike.

 

[Carlos Danger]

Not sure how many he got yesterday but thought he didn't really get a lot of the ball. Maybe time to go in the ressies and rack up a heap of touches. Don't need him to burn out

Nah he wasn't great yesterday, I think I checked it late in the 3rd & he only had 7 possessions. Had a better last quarter.

I would like to send him back to the NEAFL to see how he goes there. But I think. Fagan has identified him as a future gun & will gift him games for most of the rest of the year. And that's fine nothing wrong with that plan.

Think I'm just impatient at wanting him to become a good player & getting games into him is probably the fastest way for that to happen

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

If Berry wasn't doing so well McCluggage's form would look better. Berry has been outstanding and inevitably the two are being compared. Pretty clear that McCluggage will take longer given his lighter body and playing style. Still showing some lovely glimpses.

 

[Nunez]

If Berry wasn't doing so well McCluggage's form would look better. Berry has been outstanding and inevitably the two are being compared. Pretty clear that McCluggage will take longer given his lighter body and playing style. Still showing some lovely glimpses.

Imo Berrys in and under work, pressure and attack are better but Cluggas agility and disposal look like silk the more he gets used to the pace of the game. We've lucked out with both.

 

[briztoon]

I watched Berry and McCluggage pretty close at times. Berry was right in the contest, and one or one and a half steps out of the contest McCluggage was there, partly crouched with his hands out ready to receive the ball, or positioning himself outside ready if the ball came his way. Often the ball didn't find McCluggage, but he was there ready for it.

As many have mentioned, McCluggage is an outside player. Once we start winning more of the ball with a more dominant team, we'll see McClugagge's class. We saw it against Freo, because we were the dominant team.

 

[jjami15]

Have been a little hesitant and patient with Hipwood and not one to overly become one-eyed with his future potential but I tell ya what, his highlight package at the end of the year is going to be one of the best in the comp if not the best (now that last part are rose-coloured glasses).

 

[Forward We Go]

Have been a little hesitant and patient with Hipwood and not one to overly become one-eyed with his future potential but I tell ya what, his highlight package at the end of the year is going to be one of the best in the comp if not the best (now that last part are rose-coloured glasses).

Agree jjiami15. He's definitely an exciting young talent. I would like him managed differently with him playing up the ground more rather then being bashed up each week by the oppositions best defender. I cringe every time he launch's himself in a marking contest hoping he doesn't get crunched. I love his passion for the ball and his aggression. Cant wait until he's 22-23 and running around in #30 Lions jersey clunking marks, kicking goals and getting some revenge from the defenders bashing him up now.

 

[Fitzroy bears]

It isnt damming it is reality. Born and breed QLDers likely follow NRL. It is the code everyone here follows and the one you are most exposed to, not to mention the popular sport of choice in schools.

It will take a generation or two to change this. Majority of followers, fans and players of AFL up here are either Vic or Tas expats or their parents were.

This is the battle we face up here that they just dont understand down south. Battle of irrelevance.

Thats exactly where the AFL needs to invest their development money. Schools. Getting an agreement with the state government to supply AFL posts and equipment to all public schools and in return the sports and education minister ensure that a certain % of schools compete in an intra school compitition for the next five years or ten years. The AFL would also agree to regenerate all equipment over that period and supply youth umpires for matches. This would go a long way to creating an AFL first mentality as aus kick only reaches those who are influenced by their parents to participate.

Edit: The AFL would also have to provide training to teachers/coaches at schools to ensure kids are learning the fundamentals of the game

 

[SizeMatters]

Thats exactly where the AFL needs to invest their development money. Schools. Getting an agreement with the state government to supply AFL posts and equipment to all public schools and in return the sports and education minister ensure that a certain % of schools compete in an intra school compitition for the next five years or ten years. The AFL would also agree to regenerate all equipment over that period and supply youth umpires for matches. This would go a long way to creating an AFL first mentality as aus kick only reaches those who are influenced by their parents to participate.

Edit: The AFL would also have to provide training to teachers/coaches at schools to ensure kids are learning the fundamentals of the game

Something the AFL and Lions should have done during and after the 3peat. We let the ball drop big time during our success. Becomes infinitely more viable if the QLD AFL clubs are doing well.

 

[Harris Specter]

Even most school sports teachers dismiss AFL and guide the kids towards Rugby League or soccer because it's "better" for the students.

It's not going to change until we start winning more games and Broncos lose heaps.

 

[Kevvo]

If they stay healthy, Sam Mayes will hit 100 games early next year (he's currently on 86) and Lewis Taylor (currently on 75) midway through the year. Harris Andrews will shortly play his 50th (currently on 48).

The experience is coming along.

 

[M Malice]

Cant wait for my 2 sons to buck this trend of qlders not being good enough.

Too late for my son, he was a very good junior cricketer. I hope I live long enough to see my 2 grand sons and 1 grand daughter play in Lions colours.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Even most school sports teachers dismiss AFL and guide the kids towards Rugby League or soccer because it's "better" for the students.

The Academy has changed this perception a lot. At least at my school.

 

[braddsey]

Agree jjiami15. He's definitely an exciting young talent. I would like him managed differently with him playing up the ground more rather then being bashed up each week by the oppositions best defender. I cringe every time he launch's himself in a marking contest hoping he doesn't get crunched. I love his passion for the ball and his aggression. Cant wait until he's 22-23 and running around in #30 Lions jersey clunking marks, kicking goals and getting some revenge from the defenders bashing him up now.

I think Hipwood has dropped off a little with the drop in form and dropping of Schache. Schache kicked 5 on the weekend so that could be the excuse to get him back in the size. That should give Hippy a lift because there's someone else for key defender to focus on.

 

[POBT]

The Academy has changed this perception a lot. At least at my school.

I think the Auskick investment has also changed perceptions. Having by far the best resourced and best run junior football program helps get parents on board.