Prediction 2017 Round 1 Starting 22

[SizeMatters]

Did I just read on here that there is a believe Mitch Robbo won't be in our round 1 team. I know people can have their own opinions and I have read some rubbish before but that takes the cake. I am not religious but Lord please help me......

Yeah I singled Robbo out but same could be said to half our list. It's not so much the player I don't want in the best 22 but the inability to keep the ball moving forward in our favour and not with no look kicks to a 50/50 contest at best... I'm not sure why everyone has been so fixated on the name Robbo and have seemed to miss the whole gist of my post.

 

[BigCat2]

A lot of bad kicks come from either 1) poor decision making, or 2) poor setup/structure. Hawthorn always has a teammate in good position to receive to allow that easy escape, where a mark can be taken to relieve the pressure and move forward from there. When there is no good set up or nobody up the field leading into space to provide a target, sometimes all a midfielder can do is bomb the ball long forward.

Of course there is also poor kicking skills, but that can be improved through practice to an extent. Some of our players will never be elite kicks, but if they learn to operate within their limitations, and take low risk options (coming back to a good setup to have teammates in good positions to receive the ball) then overall your team looks more skilful across the board.

 

[Skoob]

When a team is constantly under pressure (like ours is) then "hacking it forward" is the natural response. We look like we're playing wet weather footy even when it's dry, but asking for finesse and composure from what we fielded in the last couple of years is optimistic at best.
Let's look at the decision making when the team as a whole is functioning better, both from a skills angle as well as cohesion.
Even then, "just hacking it forward" has its place when the guys at the other end are better prepared to take advantage of that. Look at any high pressure/intensity game. Hacking it forward can be a genuine form of attack. The thing is, that for now, every game for the Lions is high pressure/intensity while we're defending our arses off and desperately doing anything to get the ball going the right way. Robbo's game style is to bash, crash and hack. I think we have room for such a player.

 

[SizeMatters]

When a team is constantly under pressure (like ours is) then "hacking it forward" is the natural response. We look like we're playing wet weather footy even when it's dry, but asking for finesse and composure from what we fielded in the last couple of years is optimistic at best.
Let's look at the decision making when the team as a whole is functioning better, both from a skills angle as well as cohesion.
Even then, "just hacking it forward" has its place when the guys at the other end are better prepared to take advantage of that. Look at any high pressure/intensity game. Hacking it forward can be a genuine form of attack. The thing is, that for now, every game for the Lions is high pressure/intensity while we're defending our arses off and desperately doing anything to get the ball going the right way. Robbo's game style is to bash, crash and hack. I think we have room for such a player.

Agree and what I'm most worried about is if it becomes ingrained into the players skill set especially considering we have a young side that will pick up these bad habits quickly. Time for us to start playing like an AFL side and the way the game has been played the past 6-8 years has seen a drop in the number of those long panic kicks within the top sides. The Dogs are a great example of a team that moved away from this line of thinking the past 2-3 years...

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Yeah I singled Robbo out but same could be said to half our list. It's not so much the player I don't want in the best 22 but the inability to keep the ball moving forward in our favour and not with no look kicks to a 50/50 contest at best... I'm not sure why everyone has been so fixated on the name Robbo and have seemed to miss the whole gist of my post.

I see the point you trying to make, the reason everyone 'has been so fixated on the name' is because you singled him as you just stated in the first line of this post.

 

[DanT7]

First this

...and the next post this

I mean for the season. I'd like to see Claye play as a forward for the season. Same with Paparone. I'd consider Christensen back. I'd consider Mayes on a wing.

Moreover, if (for example) winger is injured or out of form, I'd like to see them replaced with a winger from the NEAFL team. While we learn patterns, structures etc.

 

[DanT7]

I think this shows that he's had so little time or consistency playing that he doesn't really have a genuine position to stick to. Not that he shouldn't, just that it hasn't clearly been found.
I don't think DanT7's 2 posts necessarily contradict each other in this instance.

Yeah, they don't contradict at all...

 

[Balony_pony16]

Ok here is my take on our best team

Gardiner Frost Paparone
Cutler Andrews Rich

Mayes Robinson Keays

Christensen Schache Zorko
Bell Hipwood McCluggage

Foll: Martin, Rockliff, Beams

INT: Matho, Bastinac, Berry, McStay

 

[LongLion]

Ok here is my take on our best team

Gardiner Frost Paparone
Cutler Andrews Rich

Mayes Robinson Keays

Christensen Schache Zorko
Bell Hipwood McCluggage

Foll: Martin, Rockliff, Beams

INT: Matho, Bastinac, Berry, McStay

Who have you got helping Martin out in ruck?

 

[Balony_pony16]

Who have you got helping Martin out in ruck?

I think they will use mcstay & hipwood types

 

[LongLion]

I think they will use mcstay & hipwood types

I think more likely Close or Walker. Think they will protect Hippy at this early stage of his career. Not sure who they replace with your lineup

 

[Balony_pony16]

I think more likely Close or Walker. Think they will protect Hippy at this early stage of his career. Not sure who they replace with your lineup

Yeah that could work. Out goes McStay then

 

[Happy_Neale]

At this early stage:

Paparone Frost Gardiner
Cutler Andrews Mayes

Rich Robinson Bastinac

Zorko McStay Christensen
Hipwood Schache Bell

Foll: Martin, Rockliff, Beams

Int: McCluggage, Keays, and two of Walker, Close, Harwood, Mathieson, Taylor.

Not sure about the backup ruck though. Perhaps we will return to the one ruck with Archie Smith playing 6-10 games only next season.

 

[acuguy]

We will win the NEAFL flag this year. We will have a better run with injuries and the blokes we have drafted are more ready made for AFL than in previous seasons.

 

[SizeMatters]

We will win the NEAFL flag this year. We will have a better run with injuries and the blokes we have drafted are more ready made for AFL than in previous seasons.

Would be a long shot but still a chance IMO. Suns would surprise a few but I think the Giants have it in the bag.

 

[dizzysquizz]

I think more likely Close or Walker. Think they will protect Hippy at this early stage of his career. Not sure who they replace with your lineup

Like the idea of Close playing as 2nd ruck/forward...I wouldn't be putting Schache or hippy in ruck.

Harwood Andrews Mcstay
Gardnier Frost Cutler

Rich Beams McCluggage

Zorko Schache Rocky
Mayes Hippy Dawson

foll. Martin Matho M Robinson

Int Taylor Christensen Close Bastinac

I like idea of rocky spending more time in forward 50
I know it has been mentioned as McStay playing forward, BUT I much prefer him in defence, makes him more accountable.

 

[jackess]

Based on form Walker is the superior second ruck/forward. I think he'll start in that role in round 1 again.

 

[bato]

Would be a long shot but still a chance IMO. Suns would surprise a few but I think the Giants have it in the bag.

Meh, we beat Giants this year with a fairly weak reserves side. Doubt they have as much motivation as the senior team does - nearly impossible for any of their kids to crack the 22.

 

[Len S]

Like the idea of Close playing as 2nd ruck/forward...I wouldn't be putting Schache or hippy in ruck.

Harwood Andrews Mcstay
Gardnier Frost Cutler

Rich Beams McCluggage

Zorko Schache Rocky
Mayes Hippy Dawson

foll. Martin Matho M Robinson

Int Taylor Christensen Close Bastinac

I like idea of rocky spending more time in forward 50
I know it has been mentioned as McStay playing forward, BUT I much prefer him in defence, makes him more accountable.

Thats a very good side,tho Dawson will have to do a lot more to earn a spot.Theres a few ahead of him .

 

[scoman]

Gardiner Andrews Harwood
Christensen McStay Cutler
Paparone Rocky Berry
Zorko Schache Robbo
Bell Hipwood Taylor

Martin Beams Rich

Mayes McCluggage Bastinac Matho


A much shorter side than we played under Leppa. Probably need Walker or Close in there somewhere to give Martin a hand in the ruck. However I do like that forwardline as it should give plenty of defensive pressure, mobility and hardness with Robbo and Bell . Bell plays as a third tall if you want to look at it that way, as he is a tricky match up and as we all know does his best kicking when the goals are involved.

Paparone is one I have included as I would like to see him return to that defensive wing role he played a couple of years ago. Use his running power to drift back in defence to provide intercept marking and an extra option when we regain possesion. Berry on the other wing is also an elite runner. Robertson is another who can play in this role and eventually Allison also.

I was impressed with Christensen as a halfback before he was injured and with a lack of mature options in this area of the field he would be a good option while we wait for the likes of Hinge, William and Witherden to mature. However with our lack of small forwards he may well start in the forward pocket.

Despite news that McStay will play forward I have put him at CHB. I am hoping he will really grab a spot this year and go to a new level. If he can lift his intensity i feel he can be a Rance type defender. However if he ends up being a excellent swing man Im sure we can live with that. There is something about him that makes me think he is going to be a star.

Mayes on the bench covers wing and half back, with the other three running through the midfield and forwardline.

 

[Warwick]

Round 1 2017
B: Gardiner, Frost, Harwood
HB: Cutler, Andrews, Mayes
C: Rich, Robinson, Bastinac
HF: Zorko, Schache, Bell
F: Christensen, Close, Hipwood
Foll: Martin, Rockliff, Beams
Int (from): Walker, Taylor, McStay, Lester, Paparone

Included Close to help with our structure up forward and allow swingmen like Hipwood and McStay to be matched up on the oppositions 3rd defenders. Freeman is another option if he has a big pre season. I like his ability in the air and considering how easy the ball is to clear from our forward 50 I think contested marking ability will be highly sought from our coaching team. I don't think they will include all of Close, Walker, McStay, Paparone in the same team as we could be a bit top heavy, especially as we will be requiring a couple of them to be playing on the flanks. I like Walker playing that 2nd ruck/forward role though.

Think the likes of Lester, Bewick, and Bastinac will be given first opportunity to cement a spot however I would have no hesitation in sending them to the magoos if not performing. I'm not sure about their contract statuses but would imagine this year is make or break for them with the young talent coming through. We've had too many years of these guys getting regular games but only managing 1 decent game in 3 or 4. None of them play structurally important positions to afford them any extra credit. Claye Beams, Bell (although I have a lot of time for him), Jansen, and Paparone are in the same boat.

My major concern is a lack of speed, especially coming out of defence. Could see small forwards killing us if our midfield defensive pressure is as non existent as the last few years. I dare say Fagan will have little tolerance for players who only run one way.

Struggled to leave out Keays, McLuggage, and Mathieson but wouldn't be at all surprised to see them in the starting 22 early on. I love the way Robertson goes about it but his composure under pressure is a big concern.

Round 22 2017
B: Gardiner, Frost, Paparone
HB: Cutler, Andrews, Mayes
C: Mathieson, Robinson, Rich
HF: Christensen, Schache, Zorko
F: McStay, Hipwood, Taylor
Foll: Martin, Rockliff, Beams
Int (from): Walker, Harwood, McLuggage, Keays, Barrett

Just have a feeling about Paparone. I think he will start to cement his place as the year progresses - now up to 50 games so should start to see rapid improvement. Have left out all of Bastinac, Bell, Lester, and Bewick from this team but as I said before it's make or break for them this year so it wouldn't surprise me to see a couple of them have stand out years. Bell is the stiffest from that group. Love Mathieson's aggression and work rate so have included him. And if Hipwood can avoid second year blues he could hold down a tall mobile marking position up forward. As I said I think he and Schache will get plenty of help from one of Walker/Freeman/Close up there.

The bench is extremely inexperienced but I just think Barrett sounds perfect for us. He has spent a couple of years in the Giant's system and it's no shame to struggle to get a game behind that midfield. I don't really think we will carry that many 1st and 2nd year players in the side but it is certainly exciting.

I would like to see Rockliff spend some more time up forward and I think if he, Christensen, and Zorko stay healthy it's a pretty formidable half forward line. Rich will spend some time in defence and I expect blokes like Harwood, Robertson, and C Beams to get opportunities in the midfield as the season progresses.

 

[LongLion]

B: Gardiner, Frost, Christensen
HB: Cutler, Andrews, Paparone
C: Mathieson, Robinson, Rich
HF: Mayes, Schache, Zorko
F: McStay, Hipwood, Taylor
Foll: Martin, Rockliff, Beams
Int : Walker, Bell, McLuggage, Keays

I like Christensen in the backline for his flair & creativity & ability to create something from nothing. Paparone & Rich can swap around to give variety from Pap's running linking up and Rich's long boot to open up the forward line.

 

[lionshine]

I wouldn't be surprised if one of Barrett or Grewar found themselves in our Round 1 side.

 

[BuntonRules]

I wouldn't be surprised if one of Barrett or Grewar found themselves in our Round 1 side.

Would almost rate Barrett as a definate.

 

[chopperduck]

Good to at least have some midfield depth options. also good to have some genuine mids playing midfield in the ressies if the team stays fit.