2016 Brisbane Lions starting line up

[blackpowerlappin]

I think the majority of the spots in our side are settled(It is early to say that I know but hear me out).

B (?) Merrett Andrews
HB (?) Clarke (?)
C Hanley Robinson Rich
HF Bell Walker Zorko
F Green Freeman McStay
R Martin Rockliff DBeams
I Christensen Bastinac (?) (?)

Looking at the above side you'd say all the players listed are more than likely not going to play in the senior side if fit. You can argue that Freeman will have to fight with Close/Schahce for one of those key forward spots but I think come Round 1 Close will need time in the reserves coming back from an ACL and Freeman will get the nod over Schache. You can also debate whether or not McStay will play in the forward line or back line but I think he will spend time as that 3rd tall with the forwards. I think Walker and Green are locks and the other two positions will go to rotating midfielders/flankers(Zorko, Bundy, Bell, DBeams ect.)

The midfield is set with Martin, Rockliff, DBeams, Hanley, Rich, Robinson, Bundy and Bastinac(imo) all locks and Zorko and Bell also rotating through there.

The defensive set up outside of the three talls is where some indecision starts to creep in. 3 spots available and ideally you'd probably want a 4th tall and two smaller defenders. Paparone, Gardiner and Beasley will fight it out for that 4th tall spot. CBeams, Harwood, Dawson, Cutler and potentially Mayes and McGrath will fight it out for the two smaller defender positions. Maybe players like Reuben William and Josh McGuiness will stake their claim for selection in these spots as well through reserves form.

That leaves two bench spots open and I think the following players will fight it out for those spots: Mayes(I know I placed him in the smaller defender grouping), Taylor, Robertson, Lester, Jansen, Bewick, Keays, Mathieson.

That leaves West and Archie Smith as back up ruck options, Hipwood who can potentially act as a ruck depth option as well and put pressure on both the key forwards and defenders in the reserves, and then the likes of Watts, Clayton and the rest of the rookies: Paine, Evans, Cian Hanley, Hammelmann(Note I have already mentioned Smith, Beasley and William).

Thus our team will probably end up looking something like this at full strength:

B (CBeams) Merrett Andrews
HB (Paparone) Clarke (Dawson)
C Hanley Robinson Rich
HF Bell Walker Zorko
F Green Freeman McStay
R Martin Rockliff DBeams
I Christensen Bastinac (Taylor) (Robertson)
E Mayes Lester Harwood

I really like the look of that best 22 and the depth options playing in the reserves

It is probably a little early to say that we only have 5 spots open in our best 22 and the rest are locks and realistically you could probably open another two spots by putting Freeman and McStay's spots up for grabs and a couple more by placing Walker and Andrews spots up for grabs as well but that is starting to push it a little bit. I genuinely see Merrett, Clarke, Hanley, Robinson, Rich, Bell, Zorko, Green, Martin, Rockliff, DBeams, Bundy and Basti as locks in our best 22 when fit though. The likes of Clarke, Bell, Basti and Green could lose their title as locks quickly, however, if their form wavers whereas the others probably have more runs on the board.

Nice work

 

[POBT]

everyone needs to earn their spot...

Yes but the point you are missing (and the one being made above) is that some players have already earned their spot through prior performance. Dayne Beams could miss the entire summer of training, struggle in preseason games and we'd still pick him for round 1 if fit. He doesn't need to earn his spot.

Bastinac is new to the club and is coming off a couple of ordinary years. He does need to earn his place in the side.

 

[SizeMatters]

I think it is possible that Bastinac both needs to earn his spot and will play round 1. They aren't mutually exclusive.

FWIW, given where we are at, I think anyone with a decent amount of senior experience is going to have a good chance at senior selection.

Bastinac has earned his spot with his excellent training performance so far IMO. Barring injuries he will be starting 18.

 

[M Malice]

I think the majority of the spots in our side are settled(It is early to say that I know but hear me out).

B (?) Merrett Andrews
HB (?) Clarke (?)
C Hanley Robinson Rich
HF Bell Walker Zorko
F Green Freeman McStay
R Martin Rockliff DBeams
I Christensen Bastinac (?) (?)

Looking at the above side you'd say all the players listed are more than likely not going to play in the senior side if fit. You can argue that Freeman will have to fight with Close/Schahce for one of those key forward spots but I think come Round 1 Close will need time in the reserves coming back from an ACL and Freeman will get the nod over Schache. You can also debate whether or not McStay will play in the forward line or back line but I think he will spend time as that 3rd tall with the forwards. I think Walker and Green are locks and the other two positions will go to rotating midfielders/flankers(Zorko, Bundy, Bell, DBeams ect.)

The midfield is set with Martin, Rockliff, DBeams, Hanley, Rich, Robinson, Bundy and Bastinac(imo) all locks and Zorko and Bell also rotating through there.

The defensive set up outside of the three talls is where some indecision starts to creep in. 3 spots available and ideally you'd probably want a 4th tall and two smaller defenders. Paparone, Gardiner and Beasley will fight it out for that 4th tall spot. CBeams, Harwood, Dawson, Cutler and potentially Mayes and McGrath will fight it out for the two smaller defender positions. Maybe players like Reuben William and Josh McGuiness will stake their claim for selection in these spots as well through reserves form.

That leaves two bench spots open and I think the following players will fight it out for those spots: Mayes(I know I placed him in the smaller defender grouping), Taylor, Robertson, Lester, Jansen, Bewick, Keays, Mathieson.

That leaves West and Archie Smith as back up ruck options, Hipwood who can potentially act as a ruck depth option as well and put pressure on both the key forwards and defenders in the reserves, and then the likes of Watts, Clayton and the rest of the rookies: Paine, Evans, Cian Hanley, Hammelmann(Note I have already mentioned Smith, Beasley and William).

Thus our team will probably end up looking something like this at full strength:

B (CBeams) Merrett Andrews
HB (Paparone) Clarke (Dawson)
C Hanley Robinson Rich
HF Bell Walker Zorko
F Green Freeman McStay
R Martin Rockliff DBeams
I Christensen Bastinac (Taylor) (Robertson)
E Mayes Lester Harwood

I really like the look of that best 22 and the depth options playing in the reserves

It is probably a little early to say that we only have 5 spots open in our best 22 and the rest are locks and realistically you could probably open another two spots by putting Freeman and McStay's spots up for grabs and a couple more by placing Walker and Andrews spots up for grabs as well but that is starting to push it a little bit. I genuinely see Merrett, Clarke, Hanley, Robinson, Rich, Bell, Zorko, Green, Martin, Rockliff, DBeams, Bundy and Basti as locks in our best 22 when fit though. The likes of Clarke, Bell, Basti and Green could lose their title as locks quickly, however, if their form wavers whereas the others probably have more runs on the board.

agree with your point re. there are locks in every side for round 1. i would be very surprised if leppa in consultation with the match committee have not got a very good idea who the first dozen or so picked will be right now in the back of their mind if fit. my absolute certs for round 1> tom rockliff, dayne beams, stefan martin, allen christensen, mitch robinson, daniel merrett, pearce hanley, dayne zorko, daniel rich.
there is a few more i would consider very close to round 1 locks> harris andrews, justin clarke, tom bell, lewy taylor.
that's without josh green who i'm thinking might not be ready for round 1. the remainder of the list is fighting it out over preseason training and nab challenge for the 9 or 10 spots up for grabs.

 

[Balony_pony16]

Yes but the point you are missing (and the one being made above) is that some players have already earned their spot through prior performance. Dayne Beams could miss the entire summer of training, struggle in preseason games and we'd still pick him for round 1 if fit. He doesn't need to earn his spot.

Bastinac is new to the club and is coming off a couple of ordinary years. He does need to earn his place in the side.

far point, but he was traded in specially for that inside mid spot and has runs on the board in the AFL that will count imo. Sure he aint in the same class as beams but he will slot in nicely. Whose his real competition for the inside role anyway?

 

[Leemas]

I feel like with basti in the team he will play the inside role he excelled at early on. We lack scoring power and freeing up guys like d.beams and Rockliff to spend more time up forward would be beneficial for our team.

 

[jjami15]

I feel like with basti in the team he will play the inside role he excelled at early on. We lack scoring power and freeing up guys like d.beams and Rockliff to spend more time up forward would be beneficial for our team.

Exactly, not sure about Beams and Rockliff playing up forward but he'll definitely let them play a little bit more outside.

 

[lionshine]

Exactly, not sure about Beams and Rockliff playing up forward but he'll definitely let them play a little bit more outside.

Will be exciting to watch DBeams play more of an outside role. His goal kicking wad a real feature of his game when he played for the Pies and unfortunately we only saw glimpses of it last year as he was forced to play an inside role. If he can get outside more with the likes of Rocky, Basti and Robbo doing the inside, grunt work he'll begin to kick more goals and improve the sides efficiency in ball movement going forward as he delivers the ball onto our forwards chest with precision.

 

[Len S]

Yes but the point you are missing (and the one being made above) is that some players have already earned their spot through prior performance. Dayne Beams could miss the entire summer of training, struggle in preseason games and we'd still pick him for round 1 if fit. He doesn't need to earn his spot.

Bastinac is new to the club and is coming off a couple of ordinary years. He does need to earn his place in the side.

Absolutely. .repeat! He is not Beames,neither does he come off a season such as Bell has had.Sets a really bad tone. Lots in front of Bastinac.

 

[rusty08]

Absolutely. .repeat! He is not Beames,neither does he come off a season such as Bell has had.Sets a really bad tone. Lots in front of Bastinac.

As an inside mid who can score. Not so sure there's a lot in front of him. I agree with others, he'll be in round 1.
If he's burnt on the track, how can it set a bad tone if he's selected for round 1?
If you use that theory, what were your thoughts on Jayden Mcgrath getting a gig first up last year?
I agree their spot needs to be earnt, and if they're doing all that's asked and possibly more, they'll be considered.

 

[Len S]

McGrath played because there were few options. ...a lot of young players were promoted last year in circumstances that were pretty desperate. He also played exceptionally well in the pre season matches.
Many players look great on the track pre season....they used to be called March champions. Come in sucker.
Track form would guarantee Lester and Close were first picked.

 

[rusty08]

McGrath played because there were few options. ...a lot of young players were promoted last year in circumstances that were pretty desperate. He also played exceptionally well in the pre season matches.
Many players look great on the track pre season....they used to be called March champions. Come in sucker.
Track form would guarantee Lester and Close were first picked.

I'm not naive enough to think that players will get games on training alone. Obviously pre season matches are an integral part. On training from, Basti will Imo be given every chance to put his name up for round 1.
We didn't trade him in to play neafl. We got him in to play his natural role (an area we are not strong in) which he has proven more than capable at north.
I'm banking on him doing well in the pre season games, therefore justifying his selection for round 1.
It seems we're sort of on the same page but not.

 

[Len S]

I'm not naive enough to think that players will get games on training alone. Obviously pre season matches are an integral part. On training from, Basti will Imo be given every chance to put his name up for round 1.
We didn't trade him in to play neafl. We got him in to play his natural role (an area we are not strong in) which he has proven more than capable at north.
I'm banking on him doing well in the pre season games, therefore justifying his selection for round 1.
It seems we're sort of on the same page but not.

Sorry, definitely not on the same page and I think Robbo is on very thin ice posting on selection.

 

[rusty08]

Settle down. The blokes allowed to have an opinion. And that's all it was.
You obviously don't rate Bastinac and that's fine.

 

[WA Lion]

Sorry, definitely not on the same page and I think Robbo is on very thin ice posting on selection.

How so?

 

[Lace Out]

Bastinac and Bell will be interesting how they go.I imagine the idea is they play blocking roles mainly,it is going to go a long way if they could do this week in week out.

 

[Len S]

Settle down. The blokes allowed to have an opinion. And that's all it was.
You obviously don't rate Bastinac and that's fine.

That's not my line at all. I didn't say I didn't rate him, I think he has to earn a spot, and that may be far more difficult this year than last.I think being a bit circumspect in these situations is good policy.

 

[Robbo18!]

I think I need to continually remind myself that any posting on social media is simply a supporters point of view as a passionate follower of our game and our team. That means all are entitled to express a point of view.
IMO Bastinac will play round 1.
Barring injury of course.

 

[Balony_pony16]

I think I need to continually remind myself that any posting on social media is simply a supporters point of view as a passionate follower of our game and our team. That means all are entitled to express a point of view.
IMO Bastinac will play round 1.
Barring injury of course.

Im not sure most people under what bastinac brings to the team. If you look at post draft one of our recruiters (cant remember which one) was interviewed about why Matheison Slid to the lions. He put it simple in saying that most afl lists only carry approx 4 inside mids. He noticed other clubs were taking outside types etc... in the picks most people predicted Matheison to land.

So coming back to Bastinac. He was a very good inside mid at the Kangas until he was forced out due to Gibson & Cunners etc... Why? You could argue those boys are better inside mids, but I believe Basti's pace gave coaches hope they could convert him into a winger/forward. He is a inside mid through and through though!

He will come straight into the Lions team to provide inside grunt and really there aint a whole lot coming through that can provide what he brings to teh team. Robbo and Mathieson will get there eventually and it will be great when they do.

Basti certainly starts... also remember Aish wasnt going to be traded until Basti came along. The coaches want him in their team

 

[Balony_pony16]

Sorry, definitely not on the same page and I think Robbo is on very thin ice posting on selection.

how so mate?

 

[rusty08]

That's not my line at all. I didn't say I didn't rate him, I think he has to earn a spot, and that may be far more difficult this year than last.I think being a bit circumspect in these situations is good policy.

This conversation should have taken place before pre season began. I agree, as I've stated, players need to earn their spot, a given I would have thought. However we are 3/4 through pre season training and from all reports, he is training the house down. I too am all well aware of march champions, but basti is not untapped. What more do you want him to do? He is earning his position via training hard. Yes the nab cup games will play a part, but let me say again, he was traded in to play inside mid, something we short on. He has a mature body, something we are short on. Barring any unforseen incident, he'll play round 1.

 

[POBT]

I guess my issue with "Bastinac is training the house down" is that we knew he was a good runner when we got him. But we haven't really seen him in a game context yet - not even an intraclub.

I absolutely believe he'll be in the side for round 1. But I'd love for that to be on the back of a really solid game or two either in intraclub matches or against other clubs.

I don't think we should turn a blind eye to his performances in the last two years. We know there was a positional excuse there but I'm always reluctant to buy into the "just change his role and he'll be right" line of thinking as I believe it takes away from the player's obligation to perform a role for the team, irrespective of his personal views on playing that role. Until Bastinac shows on field improvement, I don't think we should completely ignore the last two years form.

The next issue we have is around the right composition of players in the midfield. We have a clearly defined top three - Rockliff, Beams and Hanley. I think we should assume those three will spend a lot of time in the midfield, until we get evidence to the contrary. So that is three spots in the midfield rotations sewn up. We've been told Rich will play midfield, so there's four. Robinson won a B&F spending a lot of time in the midfield - 5. Christensen has been training with the midfielders and has recent form on his side -6. Zorko has played plenty of midfield minutes in recent years - 7.

I'm not suggesting Bastinac is behind every single on of those guys. But he's just about the only one who would appear
to have limited flexibility about the role he can play. For all the talk about having lots of players who can rotate through the midfield, the key is that enough of them have positional flexibility. Hawthorn have a big midfield cohort but just about all can be thrown on a wing, up forward or behind the footy. Again, I'm not suggesting this will not necessarily cost Bastinac a senior spot but it is a question we don't know the answer to just yet.

Then there's competition for spots. I've seen people say "well, who is going to take his spot?". To which my response would be - "hopefully, any player who wants to play midfield in 2016 and has a better preseason." This gets back to "earning your spot". If a Ryan Lester pops up and dominates the preseason games as a big bodied inside mid, you would think it would be Bastinac put under pressure. And, as we said above, As a new player and coming off two ordinary years, Bastinac hasn't yet got the runs on the board like a Rockliff or Beams.

Basically, I think there are a few different questions we need answered about Bastinac. I personally believe that we'll get the answers in the coming couple of months and that he'll get the nod for round 1. But that's not a matter of fact and asserting it as such completely ignores the few legitimate questions about Bastinac's form and the broader composition of the side.

 

[acuguy]

I just don't see how Merrett fits into our backline this season. Clarke, Andrews and Gardiner have our tall defender positions IMO. I then think between Cutler, Paparone, McStay, Dawson, Robertson, Hanley and Rich we have enough mobility and run to cover down there.

I am expecting us to win a fair bit more of the ball out of the midfield this year with a fit and healthy squad. We are still lacking experience up forward and we need a mature target to kick to. I would love to see Merrett used as our key forward second ruck role, I think it would prolong his time with us and be the best way to use him.

I would think a forward line of Walker, Merrett, Freeman/Schache as key targets would then stop the use of Walker and Freeman in that second ruck role. I also think have a couple of big mature bodies would fill our midfield with some real confidence and allow us to develop the core of our backline for the future.

 

[jjami15]

I just don't see how Merrett fits into our backline this season. Clarke, Andrews and Gardiner have our tall defender positions IMO. I then think between Cutler, Paparone, McStay, Dawson, Robertson, Hanley and Rich we have enough mobility and run to cover down there.

I am expecting us to win a fair bit more of the ball out of the midfield this year with a fit and healthy squad. We are still lacking experience up forward and we need a mature target to kick to. I would love to see Merrett used as our key forward second ruck role, I think it would prolong his time with us and be the best way to use him.

I would think a forward line of Walker, Merrett, Freeman/Schache as key targets would then stop the use of Walker and Freeman in that second ruck role. I also think have a couple of big mature bodies would fill our midfield with some real confidence and allow us to develop the core of our backline for the future.

Before you get shot down by others i have to agree with you in part. I hope as the season progresses that others have stepped up/gone past him as it is his last season. Hell definately start though. I would add McStay into the tall defenders category and also C.Beams, Mayes and Harwood as small/mid defenders with rebounding capabilities. If all players were healthy and we had settled on th back six to look something like this by the end of the year I would be happy.

C.Beams Clarke McStay
Mayes Andrews Cutler/Paparone

 

[Fatcat08]

Before you get shot down by others i have to agree with you in part. I hope as the season progresses that others have stepped up/gone past him as it is his last season. Hell definately start though. I would add McStay into the tall defenders category and also C.Beams, Mayes and Harwood as small/mid defenders with rebounding capabilities. If all players were healthy and we had settled on th back six to look something like this by the end of the year I would be happy.

C.Beams Clarke McStay
Mayes Andrews Cutler/Paparone

Having people debate your opinion and disagree with you isn't getting "shot down" it's a normal part of posting on a forum.

Fwiw I do disagree and think there's a place for merrett still in our side for a variety of reasons but that's not me shooting anyone down.