2015 Pre-Season (All news, press conferences, training reports)

[SizeMatters]

I saw somewhere that McStay is 196cm. Plenty tall enough and looks like his body could fill out very nicely. At this stage though you have to run with Close but if he doesn't show improvement in utilising his strengths and a willingness to compete then I think McStay may get the nod come round 6 onwards.

 

[Happy_Neale]

Err, why not? I'd say he's our most dangerous looking forward when he plays there.

As a full time FF I would not be convinced. Looks to me like more of a third tall either forward or back. More of a utility who can play pretty much anywhere IMO.

 

[jjami15]

If Taberner who is a similar height can play at KPF I think McStay can as well. The club will just have to bite the bullet and develop him in a specific spot either way.

 

[Cockliff38]

ASIDE from his fierce new haircut, Brisbane Lions ruckman Stefan Martin looks like a kid on the night before Christmas.

Whether you're talking about footy, his ruck partnership with Matthew Leuenberger or Friday night's NAB Challenge match against the Sydney Swans, Martin just can't stop smiling.

It's little wonder. He doesn't have to look back too far to remember when times were much rougher.

This time last year Martin was in the midst of three successive hamstring tears that wiped out the first half of his season.

Once he began to play, he enjoyed a remarkable career revival.

Over the final 12 weeks of the season, the 28-year-old became the form ruckman of the competition and earned himself a new two-year contract.

Now, sporting a shaved back and sides hairstyle with a Humphrey Bogart-style slick across the top, Martin can't wait to rip into his 2015 campaign against the Swans.

His imposing 198cm, 104kg frame – that's what he's listed at, but he is clearly bigger – has barely skipped a beat this pre-season.

After stepping off from a light training run at the Coffs Harbour International Stadium, Martin told AFL.com.au he was raring to go after watching from the boundary line against St Kilda last weekend.
"Last year I was coming off zero pre-season, so it's pretty nice to have a good volume of work behind me," Martin said.

"Hopefully that'll keep my body injury free. I'm really excited."

But what gets him even more excited is the prospect of teaming up with Leuenberger.

The duo shared the same ground just once last year – in round 23 against Geelong – and had good success.

The athletic Martin played primarily as an on-baller that night and chalked up a career-high 32 disposals, but said that wouldn't be happening again this year.

"It was a bit unorthodox that game because I was playing in the midfield a bit and as a high forward," Martin said.

"I guess it's hard to know what to take out of that game, but we'll see more tomorrow night and going forward.

"We need to make sure we can make it work so we get the best out of each other and for the team.

"It'll be a bit of suck it and see.

"We know we're going to have to play forward, whether that's deep or coming up the ground a bit more … but we can do a bit of all of that, and see what's most effective.

"That's the beauty of the NAB Cup, we can try a few things out."

Sounds like the Martin midfield experiment when both he and Leuenberger are playing was a one-off. We'll know more tonight but it seems like the traditionally ruck resting forward set-up... It would almost defeat the purpose of resting but I hope they play high-forward so we can see them use their mobility.

As an aside I love hearing from Martin. Such a good communicator and a great mind

 

[notting18]

Sounds like the Martin midfield experiment when both he and Leuenberger are playing was a one-off. We'll know more tonight but it seems like the traditionally ruck resting forward set-up... It would almost defeat the purpose of resting but I hope they play high-forward so we can see them use their mobility.

As an aside I love hearing from Martin. Such a good communicator and a great mind

I wouldn't mind it being used sparingly when needed - like when Browny used to go in there for the odd 5 min spell before injury stopped that

 

[carnthemlions]

At this stage, I'd have more faith in McStay taking the opposition's best defender than Close. Regardless of how you play him, he's shown ability to take pack marks and kick goals. Close showed very little intent last year and really has to step up this year. McStay took Melbourne's number one defender in Lynden Dunn and kicked three on him with relative ease.

I agree that Close has to do more. But it's a bit much to ask McStay to jump into a position he hasn't got much experience in(as far as I know).
Really no need for it at this stage. He can do some exciting things, but I think he also has plenty to work on. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

I still see McStay as more of a 3rd tall. I think you need your CHF types like Close, a big unit down deep and a 3rd more athletic tall. McStay has natural instincts in pack contested situations, i want him coming into those situations as 3rd man across. His athletic ability also means he can push up onto a wing.

He is kinda very similar to Staker. Tall for his speed/athleticism and great overhead mark. Staker has been most dangerous as that 3rd tall, getting a good match up on a less quality defender. In a pinch, he could hold down a KPF spot, but ideally i think we want the riches of having him as a 3rd tall.

I wouldn't rule him out of being something more in the future, but 3rd tall/utility is the best position for him right now.

 

[Cockliff38]

I wouldn't mind it being used sparingly when needed - like when Browny used to go in there for the odd 5 min spell before injury stopped that

God I loved it when he went in the guts. It was like he was saying 'this is how you do it' to the midfielders as he won the clearance

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

So that settles it. McStay in for Close

Glad we've got that sorted - will someone let Leppa know?

 

[FFB1]

[QUOTE="Cockliff38, post: 37316878, member: 135125"
As an aside I love hearing from Martin. Such a good communicator and a great mind[/QUOTE]

I remember reading he is a smart cookie. Found the below - studying (or studied, was in 2012) a science/law double.

http://www.sportingjournal.com.au/2012/06/is-there-such-thing-as-an-intelligent-footballer/

 

[SizeMatters]

Clarke and Martin two smartest footballers surely?

 

[Hollow Knight]

In Stef Martin and Justin Clarke, we've probably got two of the top 5 smartest footballers in the league playing for us.

 

[Alan Smithee]

In Stef Martin and Justin Clarke, we've probably got two of the top 5 smartest footballers in the league playing for us.

If only there was a trivia competition component in the grand final, Lions would smash it!

 

[Lace Out]

Haha

 

[bato]

Really no need for it at this stage. He can do some exciting things, but I think he also has plenty to work on. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

I was thinking more of a short-term option just to test things out. Close is definitely the guy I'd want to pump games in for the future, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if he was 'dropped' from the side in round one or two and replaced with McStay.

 

[Cockliff38]

The Hanley Trivia showdown between Clarke and Martin would be epic

 

[BuntonRules]

I got a lot better at golf playing with better players. When I was playing against people who I would always beat it made me complacent to some extent. When I started playing with a few pros and scratch players it took my game to another level. Footy is no different.

Sounds just like my pool game.

 

[HowYouDoin]

Not only is martin one of the smartest footballers, but he also has the privilege of sporting the best haircut in the AFL

 

[MacMum]

but he also has the privilege of sporting the best haircut in the AFL

....

 

[iBeng]

Seems to be a common trend in the AFL at the moment: Really short on the sides with an umbrella top of hair left. Sort of like the Lonely island in the middle of a sea.

 

[SizeMatters]

Not a huge fan if it on Martin... Doesn't really suit his melon.

 

[Billy Puller]

Seems to be a common trend in the AFL at the moment: Really short on the sides with an umbrella top of hair left. Sort of like the Lonely island in the middle of a sea.

Look outside its a common trend everywhere

 

[Crimso]

Seems to be a common trend in the AFL at the moment: Really short on the sides with an umbrella top of hair left. Sort of like the Lonely island in the middle of a sea.

Like a shorter haird version of Moe, from The Three Stooges.

 

[iBeng]

Look outside its a common trend everywhere

What the heck is wrong with this generation. I feel old.

 

[POBT]

What the heck is wrong with this generation. I feel old.

Bloke at work is in his late 40s and has just gone this hair cut. Makes him look like Uncle Arthur.

 

[Milux]

Bloke at work is in his late 40s and has just gone this hair cut. Makes him look like Uncle Arthur.

Hahahahhahahahaha i got a mate at work who had similar hair cut and he is late thirties. Funny thing is his name is Arthur.