2021 Lions Off-season

[briztoon]

Sleeves?

I think you'll find that there's not much wiggle room in terms of positions for the AFL logo and sponsors logos on all AFL guernseys.

Maybe I should have included a after the sleeves comment.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Maybe I should have included a after the sleeves comment.

Oh it was a joke. I get jokes.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Bloody good looking jumper that, in all its versions.

 

[Dylan12]

Spin the magnets: The players set for new roles and positions at every AFL club in 2021

BRISBANE LIONS

Stefan Martin

8

Stefan Martin

Age

38

Ht

198cm

Wt

99kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.4

4star

K

8.4

3star

HB

8.0

5star

CL

4.0

5star

HO

23.5

5star

D

6.4

1star

K

4.2

2star

HB

2.2

2star

CL

2.6

4star

HO

18.4

5star

D

11.6

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

5.6

4star

HO

1.0

4star

’s move to the Western Bulldogs means Oscar McInerney will become the club’s full-time No. 1 ruckman. With Martin injured for several games in 2020, McInerney got a taste of first-choice ruck life after spending his first few years in the competition playing predominantly as a forward with occasional stints on the ball. But in 2021, he’ll be the main man. After his most promising season yet in 2020, it’ll be fascinating to follow how much midfield time Cameron Rayner receives throughout this year and whether he can make a Christian Petracca

5

Christian Petracca

Age

29

Ht

187cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.4

5star

K

9.5

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

3.0

5star

CL

2.5

4star

D

24.4

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

14.0

5star

M

3.5

3star

T

3.6

4star

CL

3.4

4star

D

19.0

5star

K

7.8

3star

HB

11.2

5star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.0

4star

-like jump in fitness and output. Also, late last year, club legend Jonathan Brown on SEN called for skipper Dayne Zorko to become “a full-time forward.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Be a season or two before Zorks becomes a full-time forward, if ever. Still has a lot to offer our midfield, particularly when fully fit. In any event, we aren't so stocked with quality mids that we can leave him forward permanently, nor would he necessarily be the answer up forward.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

First interview I've heard with Mark Stone since his appointment. He speaks really well - sounds like a great pickup.

MARK STONE on Sportsday SA (20.01.21)

Former Glenelg coach turned Brisbane assistant Mark Stone joined us as he takes part in his first pre season at the Lions!

player.whooshkaa.com

 

[Section 5]

First interview I've heard with Mark Stone since his appointment. He speaks really well - sounds like a great pickup.

MARK STONE on Sportsday SA (20.01.21)

Former Glenelg coach turned Brisbane assistant Mark Stone joined us as he takes part in his first pre season at the Lions!

player.whooshkaa.com

A good interview. Interesting about his role v Fagan's role in the team
He just confirmed what briztoon & Dlions have been saying about Daniher. That he is in full training and going very well
Also expecting Cam Rayner to breakout this season. Hope he is right

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Fages "The Enabler".

 

[T Rick]

First interview I've heard with Mark Stone since his appointment. He speaks really well - sounds like a great pickup.

MARK STONE on Sportsday SA (20.01.21)

Former Glenelg coach turned Brisbane assistant Mark Stone joined us as he takes part in his first pre season at the Lions!

player.whooshkaa.com

Very impressive - I reckon Mark is going to really add value to our coaching group and players.

 

[lionshine]

A good interview. Interesting about his role v Fagan's role in the team
He just confirmed what briztoon & Dlions have been saying about Daniher. That he is in full training and going very well
Also expecting Cam Rayner to breakout this season. Hope he is right

If Rayner can breakout it will be transformative for the whole team I think. He has that superstar, game breaking ability.

 

[Section 5]

If Rayner can breakout it will be transformative for the whole team I think. He has that superstar, game breaking ability.

Yes Rayner has been teasing us for 3 years. You can see what he is capable of.
To date he has been a low possession high impact player
I can't see him having that "breakout year" playing mainly forward.
Or will we class a breakout year for Rayner being 35 goals.
If he plays more mid time it may be possible but who misses out time wise in the midfield

A lot will depend on Fagan. Will he go one ruck with a few guys pitching in.
If so then a fair bit of midfield time will be available
We played 6 games with Oscar + a fill in ruck McStay (2), Eagles (2) & Ballenden (2)

Ess- W- 91/28 - Ballenden
Rich- L - 41/82 - Ballenden
WBD- W - 96/72 - Eagles
Nth- W - 53/52 - Eagles (EDIT i originally had score 96/72)
STK- W - 50/48 - McStay
Coll- W - 42/34 - McStay

I would like to see us go with one ruck but will leave that up to the coaches
Will find out during the community series.

 

[Dylan12]

Ess- W- 91/28 - Ballenden
Rich- L - 41/82 - Ballenden
WBD- W - 96/72 - Eagles
Nth- W - 96/72 - Eagles
STK- W - 50/48 - McStay
Coll- W - 42/34 - McStay

I would like to see us go with one ruck but will leave that up to the coaches

Same and the numbers from 2020 seem to support that, but I doubt you could isolate those wins directly to the ruck set up.

I always felt when we went with two rucks outside of Martin and McInerney that it felt like we were top heavy and that is because Martin really did play like an extra midfielder.

For this year, I'd like to just see McInerney or Smith (depending on injuries) and a supporting ruck i.e. Daniher or McStay.

 

[Dalions]

Same and the numbers from 2020 seem to support that, but I doubt you could isolate those wins directly to the ruck set up.

I always felt when we went with two rucks outside of Martin and McInerney that it felt like we were top heavy and that is because Martin really did play like an extra midfielder.

For this year, I'd like to just see McInerney or Smith (depending on injuries) and a supporting ruck i.e. Daniher or McStay.

No way we play Smith and O’Mac in the same team surely.

 

[Dylan12]

No way we play Smith and O’Mac in the same team surely.

One would bloody hope note.

 

[briztoon]

No way we play Smith and O’Mac in the same team surely.

He didn’t say that.

 

[lionshine]

Yes Rayner has been teasing us for 3 years. You can see what he is capable of.
To date he has been a low possession high impact player
I can't see him having that "breakout year" playing mainly forward.
Or will we class a breakout year for Rayner being 35 goals.
If he plays more mid time it may be possible but who misses out time wise in the midfield

I personally would yeah. If he had a dominant year as a dangerous mid sized forward kicking 35-50 goals I'd definitely classify it as a break out year. I'd love to see him spend more time in the midfield and find more of the footy though. He is one of those players that makes things happen when he has the ball. I think his kicking skills in general play is underrated, probably due to him not finding enough of it outside of the forward 50. He is one of our more skilful players imo. He can break open zones with long, well placed kicks. He is a smart footballer to match his athleticism. Just needs to improve his tank and he'll start to tear games apart.

 

[Back2Back2Back]

He just confirmed what briztoon & Dlions have been saying about Daniher. That he is in full training and going very well

I dont' want to jinx it but I also really can't wait to see just how much of a meltdown that would come from the Essendon supporter base if he plays a full season with us not just injury free, but is in the top running for the Coleman.

But yeah. The bullshit in the Facebook comments on articles about him is already getting old. "#3 JuMpEr? ThAt MuSt Be FoR tHe 3 GaMeS hE wIlL pLaY tHiS sEaSoN hAr HaR hAr"

 

[Section 5]

No way we play Smith and O’Mac in the same team surely.

Dylan did say "or"

 

[Dalions]

Dylan did say "or"

I wasn’t having a go at what Dylan said at all.
In fact I was agreeing with him, O’Mac and Smith are the only 2 recognised Rucks in our squad now and I just can’t see us playing them both together in the same team.
So therefore we revert to a main ruck And a forward for support.

 

[Section 5]

Same and the numbers from 2020 seem to support that, but I doubt you could isolate those wins directly to the ruck set up.

I always felt when we went with two rucks outside of Martin and McInerney that it felt like we were top heavy and that is because Martin really did play like an extra midfielder.

For this year, I'd like to just see McInerney or Smith (depending on injuries) and a supporting ruck i.e. Daniher or McStay.

Agree the wins not linked to ruck set up.
However the ruck set up for those games could also indicate that Fagan's preferred 2 recognized ruck set may have worked better for that team structure in 2020. We had some skinny wins of 1,2 & 8 in those 6 games

I just made an edit to the Nth win i had 96/72 (same as Dogs) but correct score was 53/52. Sorry about that as it makes a difference.

These 6 games were from R9 to R14 when coaches tried the one ruck + fill in. As mentioned above we could have easily lost another 3 of those games
That's when Archie came back in and we had 2 recognized rucks for the remainder of the year one being a very average Archie & a underperforming Martin.
For the team to make improvement in 2021 i also want only one ruck. If it means Archie comes in for an injured McInerney so be it
With an extra mid over Archie i see us improving
Will be interesting to see which way the coaches go
The coaches will also have to think how many tall players in a side is to many

 

[Quigley]

If Archie started every game as the number 1 ruck I think he would be serviceable. Probably in the bottom third of starting rucks running around week to week but he would do a job and not lose us games. As a back up starting ruck I think he is absolutely fine.

I don't really think he works though as a number 2 ruck. He does not really have any other strings in his bow apart from rucking itself.

 

[chopperduck]

We will use our 'normal' structure of 2 rucks. Except the 2 rucks will be big O and big Joe. Big O use to play mainly as a forward with Stef having big ruck minutes. With Stef gone, Big O will now play that main ruck role and Big Joe will do the relief work. Smith doesn't get a look in unless someone goes down with injury (most likely Big O).

We missed having Big O up forward at times last year, adding a goal a game and being that big tall clunking target. Big Joe immediately gives us this back.

 

[chopperduck]

If Archie started every game as the number 1 ruck I think he would be serviceable. Probably in the bottom third of starting rucks running around week to week but he would do a job and not lose us games. As a back up starting ruck I think he is absolutely fine.

I don't really think he works though as a number 2 ruck. He does not really have any other strings in his bow apart from rucking itself.

Exactly. I think he is fine as a back up ruckman. He does well enough just rucking but adds little to nothing around the ground or up forward. We have typically played 2 rucks, but 1 of these rucks plays big minutes forward, with the main ruck playing big minutes in the ruck. Can't see this changing to be honest. Means Smith still has value as a back up for Big O as a ruck, but even as cover for a forward. If we had depleted options up forward we could bring in Smith to ruck and send Big O forward.

 

[Section 5]

I personally would yeah. If he had a dominant year as a dangerous mid sized forward kicking 35-50 goals I'd definitely classify it as a break out year. I'd love to see him spend more time in the midfield and find more of the footy though. He is one of those players that makes things happen when he has the ball. I think his kicking skills in general play is underrated, probably due to him not finding enough of it outside of the forward 50. He is one of our more skilful players imo. He can break open zones with long, well placed kicks. He is a smart footballer to match his athleticism. Just needs to improve his tank and he'll start to tear games apart.

Rayner is an interesting conundrum.
He is now our most accurate set shot goal kicker. Not saying much i know but I felt confident when he took a mark within kicking distance in 2020.
I chose 35 goals as one option to consider as a "breakout year" as that is big step up from 17g 7b in 2021.
But not much of a leap over his first 2 seasons of 20g 25b & 20g 14b.
But his best chance of a "breakout year" lies in more midfield minutes
We have some good talent trying to cement a spot in best 22.
Our forward line could be anything this year. Huge i hope. But who plays where and what is a better overall structure for team success in 2021

Personally i would like to see Keidean Coleman take over Rayner's role. Keidean showed enough last year to indicate he will fit into that role
I see Keidean being able to play well and also kick 17 to 20 goals a season
Then Rayner, Cameron & J Berry (increase his TOG) to fill midfield minutes vacated by Martin assuming we go 1 Ruck. A big assumption at this stage.
Those changes make us a quicker side and we still have plenty of tall mobile players.

 

[Dylan12]