Unofficial Preview Unofficial Pre Season Match v Suns Saturday 15th February @Metricon Stadium 7pm

[Maroon Monsoon]

What were you carrying? Pizza or Subway?

****ing rice crackers man. This country had standards once

 

[Jivlain]

Ahead now - Fullarton on the board

 

[Jivlain]

 

[jackess]

Miracle on Grass II?

 

[Brett C]

Didn't make it to the stadium. Got held up at the Benowa Gardens Coles.

What the fu** is the Gold Coast.

You got some cheap meth though am I right? Not all bad in the end

 

[Jivlain]

oh no


devastating news about the dreadlocks

 

[briztoon]

oh no


devastating news about the dreadlocks

****ing thought we had an injury, twat.

 

[Jivlain]

****ing thought we had an injury, twat.

OUT: Dreadlocks (indefinite)

 

[Maroon Monsoon]

Listen guys and girls, I feel like you're all not taking this preseason scratch match with the 18th placed team from last year seriously. This game is everything. If I hadn't been robbed by an unamed member of the sun's coaching staff on the way to the stadium I'd be burning my members merch right now, and I can't ever keep track of whether we're up

 

[Dalions]

Well, neither team gave away any secrets.

 

[Maroon Monsoon]

Well, neither team gave away any secrets.

Should I get my 'lions 2020 premiers' tattoo lasered off though

 

[Section 5]

Courtesy of Fox Footy

Suns v Lions practice match wrap: No. 1 pick stars, Rayner and Cameron delight for Lions
AFL

• February 15, 2020 9:51pm
• BEN WATERWORTH@bjwaterworth
• Source: FOX SPORTS

Matthew Rowell starred in Gold Coast’s practice match against Brisbane. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia

GOLD COAST — In slippery, humid conditions where picking up the ball was like attempting to grasp soap, an 18-year-old young gun showed more class and cleanliness than any other player at Metricon Stadium.

Emerging midfielder Matthew Rowell on Saturday night provided the AFL world with a glimpse as to why the Gold Coast Suns had no hesitations with using Pick 1 to take him in last year’s draft, impressing significantly in his side’s practice match against the Brisbane Lions.
Hours after the Suns’ AFLW team registered its first ever win, the two Queensland-based AFL teams played four 25-minute flat quarters in difficult conditions, with the Lions pulling away in the second half to win by 15 points, 5.9 (39) to Gold Coast 2.12 (24), in front of a sprinkling of loyal fans.

Lion Connor Ballenden exploded at the start of the third term to swing the practice match in Brisbane’s favour. He sold candy to a Suns opponent and nailed a running goal, before threading the needle from the boundary line to kick his second major in five minutes.

Not only did Rowell, who attended most centre bounces, win a lot of the ball, he barely wasted a disposal. His one-touch nature and ability to swing onto either foot with aplomb stood out on a night where players struggled to pick the ball up cleanly and hit targets consistently.

Rowell consistently combined with Suns teammate – and best mate – Noah Anderson, who became more prominent as the game progressed. The Pick 2 won more uncontested ball and used his clean kicking skills in the second half.

The duo were well supported by Will Brodie, who probably won more disposals than any other player on the ground – particularly in the first half. The top-10 draft pick has struggled to cement his spot in the senior side, but showed he has improved his outside game to add to his excellent inside skills to push for Round 1 selection.
Small forward Ben Ainsworth had a confidence-boosting performance after an injury-riddled 2019 campaign. He kicked a lovely set-shot goal in the second quarter and presented well up the ground.

Other highlights for the Suns included the composure of 2019 draftees Jeremy Sharp and Connor Budarick, who both continue to push their respective cases for Round 1 selection, while a bulked-up Jack Bowes spent most of the first half in defence and gave the backline ample direction. Izak Rankine, who missed all of 2019 with hamstring issues, provided a glimpse of his immense talent, creating a turnover inside 50 before picking up a slippery ball and dribbling through a goal on his non-preferred left foot.

Key-position player Peter Wright spent most of the time forward but also pushed into the ruck. While they were tough conditions, Wright had ample opportunities to take marks – both contested and uncontested – but dropped most of them on a frustrating night for the 23-year-old.

While the Lions kicked away late in the game, most of their positives came during the first half, particularly in defence.

Experienced recruit Grant Birchall showed why he could slot into the chasm left by Luke Hodge. After a cautious pre-season, Birchall moved freely and used the ball well to link up with the likes of Marcus Adams, Brandon Starcevich, Daniel Rich and Zac Bailey.

Ex-Sun Callum Ah Chee also slotted into the Lions’ backline, playing predominantly on classy goalkicker Alex Sexton while taking several of Brisbane’s kick-ins.

Birchall, Rich and Charlie Cameron were taken off at half-time, but all made an impact during the first two quarters.

Cameron kicked the first goal of the game – and it was quintessentially electric. He crumbed the ball off a pack, accelerated away from two Suns and snapped the footy over his right shoulder to pick up from where he left off in 2019.

No. 1 pick Cam Rayner, sporting a leaner physique, was a standout for the Lions. He tackled hard and covered the ground well, while a big pack mark just outside the goalsquare was one of the highlights of the game.

Both sides were far from full strength, with the Suns missing Brayden Fiorini, Brandon Ellis, Ben King, David Swallow, Hugh Greenwood, Jarrod Witts, Rory Thompson, Sam Collins, Jack Hombsch, Nick Holman, Lachie Weller and Jarrod Harbrow.

Captain Dayne Zorko led a long list of Brisbane absentees, however many of them trained earlier on Saturday morning in Coorparoo.

BRISBANE LIONS 1.2, 1.2, 3.3, 5.9 (39)

GOLD COAST SUNS 0.5, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12 (24)

GOALS

Lions: Ballenden 2, Cameron, Fullarton, Starcevich

Suns: Rankine, Ainsworth

 

[scoman]

I swear whoever controls the car parking down there was having a laugh. Ninja gate locking after the game had everyone boosting their step count to get to their cars then driving in circles looking for a way out.

Couldn't make it more difficult to access the carpark and the stadium if they tried.

In regard to the game there wasn't a great deal to mention. I got sidetracked talking to a GC fan in the second half, but the lads put it together a little better. Was a weaker team too in the second half with only half a dozen regular seniors out there. Ballenden kicked a couple of goals in the third from out wide and almost added another.

 

[marooned]

Well pretty uninspiring start to the year.Pretty wet under foot and humid led to a scrappy fumbly game.
Both teams played a sweeper across the backline with Marcus Adams playing well in that role, interchanged with Lester. Burchill good across the back only played the first half.Bailey rotated wing and flanks and probably got most touches for us and was up and about.Ely went head to head with Rowell with Rowell getting the points. Hipwood looked good only played the first half. Charlie a couple of electric plays.Linc was clean and spent some time in the midfield. Players that were below best were McStay don’t think he took a single mark and just wasn’t moving as an option.Jacob Allison nothing clean at all fumbled everything.Witherden a couple of soft efforts arm tackles broken.

 

[marooned]

Security were that keen to get out they told players no signing autographs for kids after the game. Disappointing

 

[Dalions]

I swear whoever controls the car parking down there was having a laugh. Ninja gate locking after the game had everyone boosting there step count to get to their cars then driving in circles looking for a way out.

Couldn't make it more difficult to access the carpark and the stadium if they tried.

In regard to the game there wasn't a great deal to mention. I got sidetracked talking to a GC fan in the second half, but the lads put it together a little better. Was a weaker team too in the second half with only half a dozen regular seniors out there. Ballenden kicked a couple of goals in the third from out wide and almost added another.

Yep, they locked all of the easy exits and there was no signage to find the one exit left open

 

[rangatangtang]

Ah Chee impressed me in the second half in particular, covering a lot of ground and applied great pressure. Ely Smith and Starcevich were impactful at times, but Thomas Berry really impressed me as another player covering more ground and pressuring the contest which led to a couple of clean disposals on a slippery night that led to scores. In general he was in the contest whenever he was on the ground and if he keeps going Id expect him to break in at some point. Jarryd Lyons is a treat to watch. I thought Witherden played well, and Bailey is a dead set lock imo. Payne was another who impressed, took a couple of contested marks and used the ball quickly and effectively, also providing good spoiling pressure. Ballenden also took a contested mark in the same spot as his second goal and hit the post. Adams was solid, and Rayner is developing well, he was a strong presence and would have also got a nice goal on the run streaming in towards the goal square but didnt connect well.

 

[FLVanLandingham]

Thanks all for the insights and highlights.

 

[marooned]

A couple of other things. Talked to Archie he is a couple of weeks away. I said that Ely looked massive and he said he is primed and 93 kgs. Serious weapon.Our entry into the fifty was something I was hoping would be tweaked with.While conditions weren’t great we didn’t lower our eyes and just bombed it in. Matty Eagles came on in the second half and showed some aggression ,massive shepherd, big tackle and a couple of contested grabs.Tom Berry was good at the contest and worked hard playing across the four quarters.Ballenden was great in the forward line and offered a good option up the line clunking a few and rotated in the ruck getting beaten by Zac Smith in the tapouts. Any questions happy to answer

 

[Mt Isa Mustang]

They do have a ridiculous amount of new players to get their heads around, can see some good fruit dropping from that tree for us to scrump!

We've re-signed everyone who is relevant.
Think Collins is OOC at the end of the year and thats about it.

 

[Mt Isa Mustang]

This is the Suns Grand Final, are The Killers there? I'm expecting Peter Wright to do a Jack Reiwoldt.

We had about 12 best 22 players who did some internal match sim stuff in the morning rather than play in this game.

 

[Mt Isa Mustang]

Good to read from a Lions perspective. Keen on Starcevich's progress. Also interested in Payne, read a lot about him so be nice if he gets a few games this year. Hoping Rayner can show people why he went number 1!

The carpark thing is not even surprising.
Hopefully with light rail / extended ferries in the next few years there will be other options because transport to and from is a major drawback at the moment.

 

[M Malice]

We had about 12 best 22 players who did some internal match sim stuff in the morning rather than play in this game.

Yer I know, I was being a tad facetious with the post you quoted.

Sounds like both sides got through without any significant injury worries which is always a concern in pre season, you want to start the H&A with as close to a full list available as possible.

 

[CarterS]

"Cameron kicked the first goal of the game – and it was quintessentially electric. He crumbed the ball off a pack, accelerated away from two Suns and snapped the footy over his right shoulder to pick up from where he left off in 2019."

Loved reading this part especially. Never change Charlie.

 

[CarterS]

Great to see Rowell and Anderson having great runs, I think GC will surprise a few this year.