2016 Brisbane Lions starting line up

[jackess]

Why are people delisting McGrath? I cant wait for him to come back. I was very impressed with him until he was hit with an injury

People?

Delisting?

McGrath?

 

[cheekyLionsFan]

sorry only Bewsta said delist

 

[BuntonRules]

Starting to think of this again. Would make a few changes.

B: Gardiner Merrett Harwood
HB: Rich Clarke Paparone
C: Taylor Rockliff Zorko
HF: Christensen McStay Mayes
FF: Green Close Martin
Ruck: Leuenberger Hanley D Beams
Bench: Redden, C Beams, Robertson, Robinson
Emg: Andrews, Lester, Cutler

Merrett has clearly got another year left so comes in for Andrews. Leppa likes a tall backline and would probably keep him in but I'm going for team balance.

Robinson comes in. I've been harsh on him hoping our youngsters would force him out of the team but he plays a role for us while we're a struggling team. Lester drops out. Played 1 really good game this year but has dropped right back.

Leuenberger comes in for Freeman. Leuey has become a very important signing for us in the past month. He and Stef will be the best ruck combination next year. Freeman clearly isn't ready.

Obviously if we get Dixon he comes in and Close, McStay and Freeman all battle for the other key forward spot.

Bit harsh on Jed as well but if he's not playing down back there isn't a spot for him.

Drop Andrews? Not bloody likely.

 

[jackess]

Drop Andrews? Not bloody likely.

I only want to play 2 key backs who can't play small so Andrews misses out.

 

[lionbear]

Keep to discussing side, we don't need to get sportsbet involved

 

[SizeMatters]

B: Gardiner Clarke Andrews
HB: Rich Weitering Paparone
C: Seedsman Beams Mayes
HF: Bundy Schache Zorko
F: Green Dixon McStay

FOL: Martin Rockliff Hanley

INT: Redden Robinson Taylor
SUB: Keays

EMG: Lester Cutler C.Beams

- Elite spine
- Forward line looking a lot better with inclusion of Dixon
- Bloody tall backline but Leppa seems to like having a taller defence. Not a shutdown role which is a problem... maybe Paps?
- Still need some midfield depth which was surprising. Outside runners are much needed.

 

[Roylion]

Is this the same McGuane we're delisting that kicked 3.3 on the weekend? Glad some of you aren't in charge of the footy department.

If McGuane is out of contract this year, I'd be offering him a one year contract for 2016. He's finally showing what we recruited him for originally and if he can stay fit then he should improve further with more match time.

Firm delistings are likely to be Staker, Paine and of course Maguire who has already retired. Will be a couple of trades as well.

 

[BrizzyBandit]

If McGuane is out of contract this year, I'd be offering him a one year contract for 2016. He's finally showing what we recruited him for originally and if he can stay fit then he should improve further with more match time.

Firm delistings are likely to be Staker, Paine and of course Maguire who has already retired. Will be a couple of trades as well.

Agree on all points except Paine. From all reports he was showing great signs in defense before injury.

 

[Bucking Beads]

It will be really nice if we can get through 2016 with nobody from our draft class making a debut. I suspect Keays will force his way in but it will be nice to let some young blokes develop a bit in the NEAFL. I think we are building some depth because of our injuries this year.

 

[LJH2014]

Serious question, does Justin Clarke still sit in our best 22? I like the blokes effort and all but with Merrett holding down full back and guys like Andrews, Gardiner, Mcstay , paparone , Dawson floating through there we can only be so tall . Not to mention hipwood and possibly weitering.

 

[SizeMatters]

Serious question, does Justin Clarke still sit in our best 22? I like the blokes effort and all but with Merrett holding down full back and guys like Andrews, Gardiner, Mcstay , paparone , Dawson floating through there we can only be so tall . Not to mention hipwood and possibly weitering.

I think he will still hold down a spot. A few question marks on his footy smarts though. Will still take time to get to a decent size. It is hard life being a key defender for the Lions as an undersized and young player.

 

[jackess]

Serious question, does Justin Clarke still sit in our best 22? I like the blokes effort and all but with Merrett holding down full back and guys like Andrews, Gardiner, Mcstay , paparone , Dawson floating through there we can only be so tall . Not to mention hipwood and possibly weitering.

Yes. Clearly best 22. A better defender than any of those 5.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

Clarke is one of our few shining lights these last couple of years

 

[Roylion]

Agree on all points except Paine. From all reports he was showing great signs in defense before injury.

As I understand it, each club has to delist a minimum of three to make a minimum three draft selections. I just think Paine will be an unfortunate casualty of that requirement. Staker is 31. Maguire already gone. We may trade/delist/lose via FA more than the minimum to take more draft picks / pick up FAs / or trade in other established players, but three have to go immediately.

 

[Kevvo]

Serious question, does Justin Clarke still sit in our best 22? I like the blokes effort and all but with Merrett holding down full back and guys like Andrews, Gardiner, Mcstay , paparone , Dawson floating through there we can only be so tall . Not to mention hipwood and possibly weitering.

Fair question, but bear in mind that Merrett probably only has one or two years left and Clarke is still in development. I think Clarke is a very effective defensive player and will most likely do Merrett's role in the 2-5 year horizon at least. If Clarke can put on a little bit more muscle, I think he's probably able to do that role equally well to Merrett, and the reality is that with age Sauce will probably have more stretches with niggly injuries. That said, it's reasonable to ask. We looked pretty well balanced last night.

 

[xplo]

Pretty sure Clarke plays. Merrett can't take the gorillas forever, and Gardiner, Andrews, McStay and potentially even Hipwood are not suited to the Hawkins, Walker, Patton types.

Was speculating recently that Harwood might start to become a depth player if Dawson continues his dev curve. Bigger, as fast, better footy brain.

 

[jackess]

As I understand it, each club has to delist a minimum of three to make a minimum three draft selections. I just think Paine will be an unfortunate casualty of that requirement. Staker is 31. Maguire already gone. We may trade/delist/lose via FA more than the minimum to take more draft picks / pick up FAs / or trade in other established players, but three have to go immediately.

Golby will be the first delisted. Maguire and Staker retired. Leuey/Martin and Aish traded. Then Paine may be under some pressure if we add more than 5 to the list. Bewick and Adcock may also be in trouble.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Clarke is a quality young shut down defender. I have high hopes for him moving forward. I am worried about his size but I think he can continue to bulk up. I think we tend to forget how young he is because of how much he has played.

 

[LIONS08]

Who will be our turnovers this year from a senior and rookie perspective?
Maguire - retired
Golby - cards are marked.. He is gone.
Staker - could very well struggle to keep his spot.
Paine - I want him to keep a spot in our list.
Bewick - a number of players I would keep above him. Maybe redraft as a rookie.
Adcock - rumored to be sussing out free agency. Would be a shame to see him go but won't be locked in our best 22 in years to come
Aish - out the door also.

Rookies
Bourke - showed some signs. Not sure if it will translate to him being put on our senior list
Archie - progress has slowed a little but still has another year on our rookie list if he and the club want it.
Hammer - not sure about this one. KPP always take longer but seems to be struggling at neafl level

Any others that people think are gone?

 

[dlanod]

Gut feeling is that ZOB might be on the way out, given he's largely been a midfielder of last resort this year.

 

[jackess]

Gut feeling is that ZOB might be on the way out, given he's largely been a midfielder of last resort this year.

Especially with Evans showing a bit makes it tough for ZoB to be just a depth player.

 

[cotter101]

Serious question, does Justin Clarke still sit in our best 22? I like the blokes effort and all but with Merrett holding down full back and guys like Andrews, Gardiner, Mcstay , paparone , Dawson floating through there we can only be so tall . Not to mention hipwood and possibly weitering.

He's still best 22 in my opinion. Paparone, Dawson and Gardiner aren't key defenders. McStay better suited up forward. I feel we need a big bodied defender though. Someone around that 197cm mark with a nice size to play on the gorillas. Clarke will continue to bulk up, still pretty raw considering where he came from to be drafted. In 2014 he also had the second least goals kicked on him out of any key defender until Hawkins tore him up in round 23 last year.

 

[a mayes ing]

Agree on all points except Paine. From all reports he was showing great signs in defense before injury.

We dont need any more defenders.
Clarke, Merret, Andrews, Gardiner, McStay, Dawson, Papparone
And next year we get Hipwood

 

[cotter101]

We dont need any more defenders.
Clarke, Merret, Andrews, Gardiner, McStay, Dawson, Papparone
And next year we get Hipwood

I feel someone like Sam Skinner should be looked at. Will be coming back from a serious injury but there's a lot to like about him long term. Probably won't have the chance to grab him though with the academy boys.

 

[captainrich]

Bourke showed quite a bit however due to him being required to be promoted to the senior list end of this year, I do think he will be gone if we are bringing in guys like Schahce/Weitering, Dixon (maybe), Hipwood just dont see a future for him there (especially if Mcguane and maybe Paine stay)

Do think ZOB will get another year, he has been solid the last couple of weeks and can definetly be a role player if the club gives him time

Smith and Hammelman should be gone if we look to invest in Nate Dennis/Chol/Wylie Buzza/even Ubergang