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

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Selection squeeze is on for the Lions

FOR THE first time in years, the Brisbane Lions have some pleasant selection dilemmas ahead of round one.

With two wins from two in the NAB Challenge, they have a number of players in form and pushing to be in the final 22 against Collingwood at the Gabba on April 4.

With the off-season recruitment of Dayne Beams, Mitch Robinson and Allen Christensen, who should play the final NAB Challenge match against Gold Coast next week after recovering from back surgery, the squeeze is on.

First-year players Liam Dawson and Jaden McGrath have pleasantly surprised the coaches, which all adds up to a congested midfield and half-forward line.

Midfielder Jack Redden says with the premiership season fast approaching, he can feel the competition for places hotting up.

He missed the final eight weeks of 2014 with an ankle injury, and with a centre square boasting Beams, captain Tom Rockliff, Dayne Zorko and James Aish, Redden knows it's tight for spots.

"No-one is guaranteed and everyone is pushing," he said.

"It's tough for spots, and selection for that first game is going to be tough for the coaches.

"I think it's good, it gets the best out of us and we're all pushing each other to get better as a team."

Coach Justin Leppitsch admitted after the first pre-season win over St Kilda that he was having trouble juggling the extra midfielders now at his disposal.

He mentioned Redden as one player he hadn't given enough time to, but rectified that against the Swans.

"The longer the quarters drag out, I'll get time in there," Redden said.

"Beamsy has come in, Zorks has come in there, but you need as many mids as you can to keep fresh and keep that speed around the stoppages.

"I'll get my chances in there."

Redden said despite the Swans being undermanned last week – and it being their first match - the Lions' midfield could take some confidence from their performance.

The Lions' won both the clearances and contested ball against a midfield that boasted Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery.
Click to expand...
 
Sounds like Jack will be more a relief midfielder rather than first choice - assuming a full list.
 

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Beng said:
He might find himself more in the forwardline than the likes of Rockliff. He has shown in the past that he can be dangerous around goals.
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Agree - probably under-utilised as a forward given his size although his goal kicking from snaps is far more reliable than set shot.
 
SizeMatters said:
was shot down for suggesting that Redden may be relegated to second choice mid... was told that I had forgotten how he played or something along those lines...:rolleyes:
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You suggested he'd be right on the outer which isn't really the case. He's still a midfielder, he'll just more than likely spend more minutes in the forwards.

Still, did you want a gold star for being half right?
 
SizeMatters said:
was shot down for suggesting that Redden may be relegated to second choice mid... was told that I had forgotten how he played or something along those lines...:rolleyes:
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IIRC you suggested he'd be spending time in the reserves.
 
SizeMatters said:
Just thought our midfield with Rocky, Beams and Redden was a bit too one paced. Chucking Hanley in their would make it a nightmare for opposition teams to plan against... who do they tag? Beams or Hanley?

Redden would be first drop along with Rich and possibly Bundy/Zorko. Redden from the HFF swaps with Beams, Rocky swaps with Bundy/Zorko off the HFF and Rich swaps with Hanley from the HBF. Not bad for a second tier midfield.
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nah clearly said he would be first drop rotating off the HFF... never said he would be playing in reserves. Also clearly not on the outer.
 
Looking forward to team selection later today.

Have to cut the interchange/sub's from 8 to 6, so at least 2 guys will be coming out of the team that played Sydney.

Christensen in also compounds the selection headache.

I think probably McGrath and Dawson will come out (although neither probably deserve to; just a reflection of our list availability), but we still need to relegate one more.

Who's it gonna be? Paps or Bewick? Both have showed quite a bit over the last couple of games.

And providing (fingers bloody crossed) no injuries, another 2 come out in a fortnight. The squeeze is on!!
 
It does get tough but I think Paps and Bewick shown enough to stay in. McGrath would be stiff to get dropped but that is what competition for spots does. Interested to see if McGuane or NRobbo get a run too after going ok in the 2's.

The thing I like about Bewick is that he knows he has deficiencies but is willing to work on them. No right side was the big criticism last year, but you can see he is working on it. His running has improved, I think he is getting a little more penetration on the kick. I know a lot of people see him as a fringe player but the last three years he has played 16-19-16 games been in the side more often than not. He knows that with an improved list in his positions he needs to improve to get a game and if he does (and I think he will) it is that attitude that will drive the side forward.
 
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whizkizz said:
Looking forward to team selection later today.

Have to cut the interchange/sub's from 8 to 6, so at least 2 guys will be coming out of the team that played Sydney.

Christensen in also compounds the selection headache.

I think probably McGrath and Dawson will come out (although neither probably deserve to; just a reflection of our list availability), but we still need to relegate one more.

Who's it gonna be? Paps or Bewick? Both have showed quite a bit over the last couple of games.

And providing (fingers bloody crossed) no injuries, another 2 come out in a fortnight. The squeeze is on!!
Click to expand...

My prediction is the team will read something like this:

Gardiner Merrett Lester
Beams Clarke Rich
Adcock Aish Bewick
Zorko Close Taylor
Green Staker McStay
Martin Rockliff Beams

Christensen Leuenberger Mayes Paparone Robinson Redden

I have highlighted four players who I believe are on the cusp of selection and need to have a solid performance to consolidate their places in the best 22 for round one. Lester needs to improve his ball use in the defensive half, Staker needs to kick two goals and take some strong marks, Christensen needs to prove he is over his back problems and Mayes just needs to find the footy like he used to.

The remaining players are secure. Staker and Mayes have the most to prove.
 
I think Christensen is likely to get the benefit of the doubt for Round 1 even if he has an ordinary game. He may need more than 1 preseason game to swing back into gear. I'm curious, is he more a Rioli style burst player rather than a always on ball magnet?
 
Davemonkey said:
I think Christensen is likely to get the benefit of the doubt for Round 1 even if he has an ordinary game. He may need more than 1 preseason game to swing back into gear. I'm curious, is he more a Rioli style burst player rather than a always on ball magnet?
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he is somewhere in between.. i would call him a 'busy' player.. always within 20 meters of the ball, puts in hard defensive efforts and not afraid to get in and under.. suprised with his skill set when i watched a few of his games last year, much tougher/braver player than i thought he would be, always throwing his body in..
 
Davemonkey said:
I think Christensen is likely to get the benefit of the doubt for Round 1 even if he has an ordinary game. He may need more than 1 preseason game to swing back into gear. I'm curious, is he more a Rioli style burst player rather than a always on ball magnet?
Click to expand...

I think he would have played a lot more midfield time in his career had he not been part of such a strong geelong side. Last year was his chance to play bigger midfield minutes aka Stokes but he was injured for most of it. For mine I think once he gets the feel of the game back and full fitness he could easily be a full time midfielder if we get a few injuries in there. As it stands we have the luxury of playing him both in the forward line and in the midfield. From my observations he tends to be one of those midfielders who plays forward of the ball, hence he is a goal scoring threat. Him and Beams share that trait a bit which is good to have as it offsets Redden and Rocky who maybe don't press forward quite as much when playing in the middle. You need a balance in your mid unit and our additions are starting to provide that.
 
bhys16 said:
he is somewhere in between.. i would call him a 'busy' player.. always within 20 meters of the ball, puts in hard defensive efforts and not afraid to get in and under.. suprised with his skill set when i watched a few of his games last year, much tougher/braver player than i thought he would be, always throwing his body in..
Click to expand...

Good summary.

I see him as a similar player to Zorko - he can do a job inside but he looks most comfortable when he has a bit of space to work in.
 
Even though they may be dropped off, certainly shows the coach likes what he sees in McGrath and Dawson.
 

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

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