Toast What a year so far - end of H&A review

[dlanod]

A 220% increase in wins.

Top 2.

A Brownlow favourite.

Equal third in the Coleman.

What a year (so far).

Thoughts, reflections, and any other comments on the year now that the home and away season has finished and for the first time in a decade our season hasn't?

 

[Toffee Lion]

Posted in Tigers review but I'll post here, good idea dlanod

Who would have thought we'd finish 2nd on the ladder just 12 months ago! Many on here knew improvement was around the corner, those of us who stuck through the fat knew that this bunch would take us back to the finals, but not this quickly! Fagan, Swann & Noble have done wonders for our club, the likes of which mirror Leigh Matthew's initial arrival.

The fast start to the season, knocking off the premiers in Round 1 and talks of lids. There was belief that our improvement shown in 2018 would extend into 2019 with wins being rewarded rather than close losses. We continued winning. Losing to Carlton was the kick up the bum our side needed, that you cannot relax in games or take your foot off the pedal. We grew so much after that loss and bye. 9 wins in a row, we may not see something like that again for another 15 years, staggering and unbelievable, it was a blessing to watch.

While we lost to Richmond, again..we walk away with a home qualifiying final, something we haven't had for 15 years. The GABBA crowds are back, our roar is back and our time at the top is just beginning. This isn't even close to our 2009 side, which was a flash in the pan and relied on some superstars from the glory team. This is the new era Lions, the cubs have grown and are ready to dominate for the next few years.

Hopefully Lachie can win the Brownlow, what an oustanding player and person. Cameron went to another level this year and McCluggage has a brownlow with his name on it in a few years.

Win the cup or miss out, 2019 has been an A+ and you betcha we will be back amongst it in 2020, more polished and more finals hardened.

Go you good things, let's beat the Tiges in 2 weeks and march on to the granny! Love you Lions, forever and always.

 

[BRAB]

As I've said many times.

This season is genuinely out of this world and I'm not 100% convinced we're not living in a simulation.

Second place. That's incredible. We've ticked off so many milestones and not even the most optimistic of Lions fans among us could have seen this coming.

This kind of season, 16 wins, 6 losses, was the kind of season I thought we'd have to wait another 3 years for. This is only the beginning, and nothing that happens in finals can taken away what we've done this year.

I'm so glad Dlanod made this thread because it's given me a concentrated place to RAVE.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

What a brilliant year, could not be prouder. We are the best team in the competition to watch, as well as winning. Just love the lions, what a home and away season.

 

[M Malice]

Fantastic year, could not of and didn't hope for more, I would have been happy with a 10 win season and over the moon with a bottom half of the 8 finish.

Year long consistent bests- Lachie Neale, Mitch Robinson, Daniel Rich, Harris Andrews, Darcy Gardiner, Charlie Cameron, Hugh McCluggage, Noah Answerth.

Rookie of the year- Noah Answerth.

Most improved- Jarryd Lyons.

Recruit of the year- Lachie Neale.

Win of the season- v Geelong at a sold out Gabba.

Worst loss of the season- v Collingwood at the Gabba.

Mark of the year- Lincoln McCarthy astounding one which gobsmacked Mitch.

Goal of the year- The multiple kicks off the ground one that ended with the Cam Rayner Jackie Chan.

 

[DaRick]

I thought we'd finish around 12th at the start of the season, considering that a few of those close losses in 2018 going the other way would have resulted in us coming around 13th or thereabouts. That, and with shrewd pre-season recruitment, I considered an improvement to be inevitable.

Our pre-bye season exceeded my expectations, but post-bye our season has been out of this world. Who would have thought that the glory years of the late 90's/early 2000's would return so quickly?

 

[dlanod]

I thought we'd finish around 12th at the start of the season, considering that a few of those close losses in 2018 going the other way would have resulted in us coming around 13th or thereabouts. That, and with shrewd pre-season recruitment, I considered an improvement to be inevitable.

I was predicting 8-10 wins which would've gotten us 11th or 12th on the ladder and I would've been happy with that.

As it is I'm over the moon and can't even believe that somehow we've got two home finals.

 

[davemc_lions]

Like others I was 7-10 games prob finish 10th-12th.
So second on the ladder.. OMG.
Our 4 recruits Neale, Lyons, Linc and Adams been fantastic..
Our young mids Clugga and Berry stepped up.. just think Clugga still not hit his peak yet.
Andrews, Darcy, Hodge, Witho and Martin all been solid this year.
Bundy took his second chance and be good back in the team in 2 weeks.
Cameron showed what he can do many times.
Rich, Robbo and Zorko really stepped up and went another level this year. With recruits and Berry and Clugga been the difference.
Answerth and Bailey going to be guns.
Rayner, McStay, Hippy and Big O all had good and bad games although another pre season.

I think I need to give thanks to those who stuck around who now seem on the outer. Walker, Taylor, Lester, Basti, N Robbo and Cutler all been great bleed for the club. At cross roads now I really hope a lot stay next year and work back into the team.

I think we learn from today.
Still do not think we had a game where everyone was playing the best they can.
So hope we have 3 big wins coming up first off the Tigers in 2 weeks time.

 

[Elixuh]

It’s just been an enjoyable year. Enjoyable going to the footy. Fans shouldn’t have to wait 10+ years to enjoy a season of footy.

We look sustainable with a lot of upside.

 

[FLVanLandingham]

I think that's the most exciting thing. At times we've played at our best, but we've still got so much more potential in both our skills and just becoming more comfortable with each other. I'm especially excited how our forward line transitions into the next echelon.

No matter what comes next, full credit to the boys and Fages. Had a really great H&A season that have brought pride back to the pride

 

[Milpool]

At the start of the year if people asked where I thought we'd finish I would say 10th, absolutely stoked with 8th. To think we were a chance of the minor premiership on the last day of the h&a season is mind blowing. Every single player, be it best 22 or one that has come in for injuries or to fill a role they did thier jobs. Every player gained valuable experience and miles in their legs. This year far exceeded my expectations and made the future seem so bright. Big things to come from this group.

 

[Jivlain]

My hope for this season was that, come round 18, we'd still be in the hunt for a elimination finals spot. It's five weeks after that and instead my lid is off and I've booked a hotel room in Melbourne for the last weekend in September. So fair to say, it's been an enjoyable year.

 

[ZoBlitz]

I drank more in joy than depression so that counts as a win for the year.

 

[Haso]

I drank more in joy than depression so that counts as a win for the year.

Same bro. The Sunday horrors and the joy of the season have combine to give me weird, conflicted, fuzzy feelings.

 

[Gadzorks]

I no longer fear losing - we are good, if we lose it will be against a team at their best who are exceeding their own expectations against us. And we are good enough that dropping the odd game isn’t enough to keep us out of finals.

We are a seriously good team.

 

[davemc_lions]

The crazy thing I still not think we played a game where everyone has been on. Always a couple of passengers
So hope it clicks for everyone in the next month.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Same bro. The Sunday horrors and the joy of the season have combine to give me weird, conflicted, fuzzy feelings.

Think they call it LOVE.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

I was predicting 8-10 wins which would've gotten us 11th or 12th on the ladder and I would've been happy with that.

As it is I'm over the moon and can't even believe that somehow we've got two home finals.

Same here. Thought we would be one of those teams hanging on results and just missing the eight. Everything from here is cream. Still think we are short of premiership quality, but who knows? Being at the game yesterday brought home memories of our 2001-2004 Grand Finals. The crowd was large and loud and pretty unfriendly. Very happy that our Brisbane supporters will get to see at least two finals. Hope you make it very uncomfortable for the Tigers at the Gabba.

 

[LongLion]

More than happy we finished #2. Flag more important than top of ladder and very few top of ladders win the flag I reckon. Think we are still building to our best game, learning more every game. See you at the granny

 

[Caiphus]

I was hoping for 6-7 wins at the Gabba. We got 10! And 2-3 wins on the road. We got 6!

Young players have stepped up, senior experience has taken their game to a new level and the players serve brought in from outside have all met our exceeded expectations. I knew if all the of those things happened we would have a cracking season but figured the odds favoured mixed results on that front.

We even appear to have some depth with players unlucky to miss out every week while still carrying some underperforming role players out development in the firsts so there is still room for improvement. It's hard to give the h&a season anything less than an A. I hope I can say the same about the finals when they are done in 5 weeks.

 

[M Malice]

It might not feel like it now but even if we got knocked out in straight sets as long as there wasn't a flogging thrown in there.... after the disappointment had subsided in hindsight it would be a very successful season considering the expectations at the start of the season.

In saying that if we beat the Tigers in the QF we are a humongous chance at the flag IMO, however get beaten it will be extremely hard. We'd have to beat the winner of a very dangerous Dogs or Giants at the Gabba and then back up the following week at the G v the Cats or the Magpies just to make the GF.

 

[Dalions]

It might not feel like it now but even if we got knocked out in straight sets as long as there wasn't a flogging thrown in there.... after the disappointment had subsided in hindsight it would be a very successful season considering the expectations at the start of the season.

In saying that if we beat the Tigers in the QF we are a humongous chance at the flag IMO, however get beaten it will be extremely hard. We'd have to beat the winner of a very dangerous Dogs or Giants at the Gabba and then back up the following week at the G v the Cats or the Magpies just to make the GF.

The motivation of a straight sets exit would hopefully be enough to spur them on to bigger and better things next season.

But I am hoping for a win on September 7 to keep the dream alive.

 

[Tainey]

I'm still waiting for Ashton Kutcher to appear at the Gabba saying we've been Punk'd. It feels like we've cheated on an exam to get a really good result. But here we are with 2 home finals and a team of Lions that I couldn't be more proud of. Looking forward to getting my 2019 premiers tattoo. If anything, I'm so happy for the blokes that haven't tasted much success in their careers - Steph, Zorks, Richy, Robbo...

It's quite scary to think how strong we'll be in a couple of years!

 

[Warwick]

Any positives this year?

1. Missed the minor premiership by mere percentage or one Sonny Walters behind
2. Secured our first home QF in 15 years
3. Have a 100% record against those above us on the ladder
4. 2nd best percentage in the league.
5. Best attack in the league - only team to score >2000 points in the season
6. Three players in the AA team. Five in the squad (3rd most in the league)
7. Four players in the best 22 under 22 team (including 2 bookends). Five in the squad (both numbers league leaders). Fellow top 5 teams Geelong, Collingwood, West Coast had no players making the team. Those teams only had a combined two players make the squad. Richmond had one in the team.
8. Harris Andrews the only player to make both teams.
9. Andrews developed into the competitions best tall defender. Cameron the best small forward.
10. Career best years by Rich - unlucky to miss AA honours, Robbo - developed into one of the games best wingmen, McCluggage - a bona fide A-grade star, Gardiner - a super dependent and versatile defender.
11. Pumped games into youngsters like Bailey, Rayner, Oscar, and Answerth and still managed to finish in the top 4.
12. Most of the top team secured away for another 2-3 years. Only one retirement (Hodge) on the horizon.
13. Locked in Witherden and McStay to long term deals - the kind of players we would traditionally struggle to keep.
14. Won games in Qld, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania. Missed out by one point in WA.
15. Broke long term hodos against Sydney (2009) West Coast and Adelaide (2012), Geelong and GWS (2013) and North Melbourne (2014).
16. Won our first game at the Adelaide Oval. First win at Giants Stadium.
17. Longest winning streak since 2001.
18. One of the Brownlow favourites.
19. Neale 3rd in AFLPA MVP award
20. Neale 5th in AFLCA award, Zorko, Lyons, McCluggage also polling well throughout the year.
21. Cameron 3rd in the Coleman
22. Robinson 2nd in AFLPA MVP most courageous award
23. Answerth Rising Star nom and cemented a position in the senior team in his first year
24. Neale recruit of the year. Lyons in the conversation. McCarthy and Adams immediate additions to the XVIII.
25. Already 3 sold out games at the Gabba, likely to be 4 before the year’s out
26. Finally secured funding for Springfield base
27. Undefeated NEAFL team
28. Minimal injuries allowing the team to all train / develop as one. Underrated benefit that will pay dividends in the following years.
29. Fitness and conditioning staff the envy of the league.
30. Stable coaching panel
31. Still the 3rd youngest squad in the league.
32. Players already linked to us in the trade period. Have some currency to trade as well. Not the usual panic of multiple unsigned key players at this time of year.
33. One of only two teams with two picks in the top 19 in the draft so far
34. Teams already looking for the 'next Hodge' due to the raging success of the great man.
35. Teams also looking at how they could possibly 'do a Brisbane' next year.

And..

• Broncos, Titans, Suns, Cowboys, Roar, Reds all had shit years - feels like the majority of Qld back on the Lions bandwagon like the good old days.
• Heaps of positive press in multiple outlets - can only help with recruitment and retention
• The first cricket test taken away from the Gabba - will be the best incentive to redevelop the ground (at long last)

So regardless of what happens in the finals, any positives this year? Yeah, been a few..

 

[M Malice]

Any positives this year?

1. Missed the minor premiership by mere percentage or one Sonny Walters behind
2. Secured our first home QF in 15 years
3. Have a 100% record against those above us on the ladder
4. 2nd best percentage in the league.
5. Best attack in the league - only team to score >2000 points in the season
6. Three players in the AA team. Five in the squad (3rd most in the league)
7. Four players in the best 22 under 22 team (including 2 bookends). Five in the squad (both numbers league leaders). Fellow top 5 teams Geelong, Collingwood, West Coast had no players making the team. Those teams only had a combined two players make the squad. Richmond had one in the team.
8. Harris Andrews the only player to make both teams.
9. Andrews developed into the competitions best tall defender. Cameron the best small forward.
10. Career best years by Rich - unlucky to miss AA honours, Robbo - developed into one of the games best wingmen, McCluggage - a bona fide A-grade star, Gardiner - a super dependent and versatile defender.
11. Pumped games into youngsters like Bailey, Rayner, Oscar, and Answerth and still managed to finish in the top 4.
12. Most of the top team secured away for another 2-3 years. Only one retirement (Hodge) on the horizon.
13. Locked in Witherden and McStay to long term deals - the kind of players we would traditionally struggle to keep.
14. Won games in Qld, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania. Missed out by one point in WA.
15. Broke long term hodos against Sydney (2009) West Coast and Adelaide (2012), Geelong and GWS (2013) and North Melbourne (2014).
16. Won our first game at the Adelaide Oval. First win at Giants Stadium.
17. Longest winning streak since 2001.
18. One of the Brownlow favourites.
19. Neale 3rd in AFLPA MVP award
20. Neale 5th in AFLCA award, Zorko, Lyons, McCluggage also polling well throughout the year.
21. Cameron 3rd in the Coleman
22. Robinson 2nd in AFLPA MVP most courageous award
23. Answerth Rising Star nom and cemented a position in the senior team in his first year
24. Neale recruit of the year. Lyons in the conversation. McCarthy and Adams immediate additions to the XVIII.
25. Already 3 sold out games at the Gabba, likely to be 4 before the year’s out
26. Finally secured funding for Springfield base
27. Undefeated NEAFL team
28. Minimal injuries allowing the team to all train / develop as one. Underrated benefit that will pay dividends in the following years.
29. Fitness and conditioning staff the envy of the league.
30. Stable coaching panel
31. Still the 3rd youngest squad in the league.
32. Players already linked to us in the trade period. Have some currency to trade as well. Not the usual panic of multiple unsigned key players at this time of year.
33. One of only two teams with two picks in the top 19 in the draft so far
34. Teams already looking for the 'next Hodge' due to the raging success of the great man.
35. Teams also looking at how they could possibly 'do a Brisbane' next year.

And..

• Broncos, Titans, Suns, Cowboys, Roar, Reds all had s**t years - feels like the majority of Qld back on the Lions bandwagon like the good old days.
• Heaps of positive press in multiple outlets - can only help with recruitment and retention
• The first cricket test taken away from the Gabba - will be the best incentive to redevelop the ground (at long last)

So regardless of what happens in the finals, any positives this year? Yeah, been a few..

Is that all you can come up with Warwick?









Great list, when you see it all written down like that one after another we really have been sensational in 2019, fantastic work by our club under the leadership of Swan, Noble and Fagan. It's only going to get better over the next 5-10 years too.