2021 Lions Off-season

[Quigley]

If we'd picked him at pick 8, he'd be getting an easier ride of it from supporters.

Because he got traded in we have less investment in him than "our own" draftees in the reserves.

It's an emotional connection as much as anything else.

If we had drafted him at number 8 in 2015 and lived through what he served up at the Gold Coast I am pretty sure the emotion would not have been positive flowing toward him.

FWIW statistically he only averaged 11.5 disposals a game last year and 10 over the last 4 games. I am very sure our coaches would be wanting more than that from that position. I have no doubt he will be given first shot but if he cannot lift his output I would not be shocked to see them look at other options.

 

[McLuggages]

Ah Chee has genuine talent and I don't understand how others can't see it.

Every time we have an ordinary game or even a good game he's the first one a lot of people seem to pick on even when he's been one of our better players.

I think it's a confidence thing with him but he's a lot harder in the contest than he looks from the outside . I can't remember when his direct opponent ever beat him when played back , anyone feel free to tell me who and when, and as you say he was fine in the finals.

Can also go forward and potentially M/F. The one thing I really like about him is that he can play tall or short and does X factor things .

I don't think he's a whipping boy at all. Speaking for myself I wanted him to do well, and wanted to see signs. Gave him ample opportunity and plenty of excuses including 'had creativity coached out of him at the gold coast.'.

I think if he weren't a pick 8, but a pick 50 something that we traded in most would be critical.

That said, he's young and Fagan backs him so there must be something there to work with. I'd trust fagan is a better assessor of talent and team fit than anyone on here

 

[Daniels Riches]

Ah Chee has genuine talent and I don't understand how others can't see it.

Every time we have an ordinary game or even a good game he's the first one a lot of people seem to pick on even when he's been one of our better players.

I think it's a confidence thing with him but he's a lot harder in the contest than he looks from the outside . I can't remember when his direct opponent ever beat him when played back , anyone feel free to tell me who and when, and as you say he was fine in the finals.

Can also go forward and potentially M/F. The one thing I really like about him is that he can play tall or short and does X factor things .

IMO he didn’t offer a lot during the first half of the season and was very frustrating to watch at times. From my perspective he seemed to have limited impact on the game, made some poor decisions with ball in hand and wasn’t utilising his strengths.

I was calling for him to be dropped for weeks, but then he started to change things around and have more of a positive impact on team performance. Was it a change in role or increased confidence? I’m not too sure, but things did start to click.

I think he has some good tools and can become a really solid footballer if he gets some consistency to his game. Certainly not an automatic selection for me, but the coaching staff seem to have faith in him which is promising. I really hope he can take his game to another level this year and would genuinely love to see him succeed. I’m just not that convinced yet


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[jackess]

We're definitely investing in Ah Chee. Needed a season to get his body right to give him a chance to develop in a decent system.

We saw an improvement in his poor games however with the exception of 2-3 games he didn't have a strong influence.

If he pulls it all together he'll be one of the most damaging half backs in the league. Worth persisting with.

 

[Dylan12]

If he pulls it all together he'll be one of the most damaging half backs in the league. Worth persisting with.

Ah Chee is definitely worth persisting with, but as Quigley and Daniels Riches pointed out, he should be one that is omitted pretty quickly if he doesn't perform as he did late last season. It was evident to a lot on here that he was beyond poor in that first half of the season and can count himself pretty lucky that he wasn't dropped.

As for the first sentence of your post I quoted, I just don't see that at all, but would love him to nonetheless.

 

[davemc_lions]

With Cockatoo coming in someone has to go out. Hence why I said AhChee and Birchall will have pressure on their spots.
As pretty sure coaches said wanted to start him HB.. Unless Starc goes up the ground and someone like Mitch goes out
We also like to get games into Answerth, Dev, T Berry, E Smith etc.
Someone has to make way.
Said a few times if guys form is poor and pressure on spots I hope we reward guys.
End of year form for AhChee was great if he keeps it up then no pressure. I not say he played a great season. He played a few good games and some nice things.
Zorko was below his best with injury. So depends how he is in 2021 as well.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

I wouldn't think Cockatoo is a certainty to force someone else out, especially early on. His best form is some time ago and by all reports he isn't looking as trim as he might. Could take the better part of the season for him to be where he needs to be physically.

 

[lionshine]

I wouldn't think Cockatoo is a certainty to force someone else out, especially early on. His best form is some time ago and by all reports he isn't looking as trim as he might. Could take the better part of the season for him to be where he needs to be physically.

I agree I think it'll take Cockatoo the best part of the season to find form and fitness like it did for Ah Chee last year, I expect Cockatoo to be in the side Round 1, however, and stay there for the majority of the season even if he takes time to settle in and find form. I think the coaching staff will back him in.

 

[Dalions]

I agree I think it'll take Cockatoo the best part of the season to find form and fitness like it did for Ah Chee last year, I expect Cockatoo to be in the side Round 1, however, and stay there for the majority of the season even if he takes time to settle in and find form. I think the coaching staff will back him in.

I agree, there is a definite possibility he will be named in the round 1 side and will probably remain in unless he is completely off the pace.
It was 2 weeks between training sessions for me and I think he looked better at the second than he did at the first, he is getting there and it’s still 2 months before the kick off of the season.

 

[pulpdriver]

We're definitely investing in Ah Chee. Needed a season to get his body right to give him a chance to develop in a decent system.

We saw an improvement in his poor games however with the exception of 2-3 games he didn't have a strong influence.

If he pulls it all together he'll be one of the most damaging half backs in the league. Worth persisting with.

I don't know about most damaging, his kicking probably won't allow that but most valuable? He's great aerially, he has speed, he's shown he can be a link from half back, he can be thrown forward for impact and he has done shut down jobs.

Up his impact per game and he's an absolute lock.

 

[lionshine]

I agree, there is a definite possibility he will be named in the round 1 side and will probably remain in unless he is completely off the pace.
It was 2 weeks between training sessions for me and I think he looked better at the second than he did at the first, he is getting there and it’s still 2 months before the kick off of the season.

Yeah and how long since his body has felt the benefits and improvement from a fully uninterrupted pre season? He should make very quick gains in fitness and touch.

 

[McLuggages]

Seems Ah Chee is rated pretty highly on here.

I don't think be has the scope to be anywhere near "one of the most damaging half backs in the league". If he's a solid contributor in the 22 I'd be happy.

Most damaging half backs - Rich, Saad, Byrne Jones, Maynard, Crisp, Houli, Tom Stewart, Lloyd.

I project him more like a John Noble

2

John Noble

Age

27

Ht

180cm

Wt

72kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.3

4star

K

9.2

4star

HB

7.1

4star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

186.1

3star

D

14.2

3star

K

7.7

3star

HB

6.5

4star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.8

3star

MG

149.7

3star

D

18.8

5star

K

11.0

4star

HB

7.8

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

MG

229.8

4star

at Collingwood, or Neville Jetta

39

Neville Jetta

Age

34

Ht

180cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.3

2star

HB

6.4

4star

M

3.2

3star

T

3.2

5star

MG

141.3

2star

D

7.0

1star

K

2.8

1star

HB

4.3

3star

M

1.3

1star

T

1.5

2star

MG

64.0

1star

D

11.0

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

1.8

4star

, or Marley Williams

2

Marley Williams

Age

31

Ht

181cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.7

4star

K

9.7

4star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.2

3star

T

2.4

4star

MG

276.2

4star

D

12.5

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.3

3star

MG

195.3

3star

D

13.0

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.4

5star

(who I rated at his best). Maybe Connor McKenna at his best (who was also good).

 

[martinson]

We're definitely investing in Ah Chee. Needed a season to get his body right to give him a chance to develop in a decent system.

We saw an improvement in his poor games however with the exception of 2-3 games he didn't have a strong influence.

If he pulls it all together he'll be one of the most damaging half backs in the league. Worth persisting with.

I think people forget some of the games where he didn't appear to have a strong influence he was playing a very defensive role.

I disagree with most here that his first half of the year was poor. He wasn't that bad and did a job for us most games.

As the year wore on he was getting up from the bottom of packs quite often and was skillful at locking it down in a congested situation.

To me he seems to have a lot of tools in his skill set , plenty of pace , jumps higher than anyone in the team , improving defensively all the time , good with his hands inside , he was hitting targets better later in the year. I'm not sure how penetrative his kicking is when he lets fly because mostly he was trying to hit a target and didn't really have the confidence to back himself with a long penetrative kick when he could've.

I reckon supporters are far too hard on him . He's got plenty to work on like most players but he's got the scope to get a lot better. Just turned 24 .

 

[martinson]

Overall though we have a few players yet to crack it or have just had a couple of games who should be approaching the time when they'll get a game if they ever will , and with the addition of Daniher and Cockatoo competition for spots should be more fierce than it has been for 20 years.

So I'm anticipating that the long periods of grace that we've given some players over the last 3 years are coming to an end.

 

[davemc_lions]

I opened a can of worms saying AhChee could go I just had him under others.
Who goes for Cockatoo.. If fit I see him starting 22.
Who goes for Adams? or Payne or Answerth? or Dev or E Smith to get games in T Berry. Or Fullarton and both the Coleman brothers.
only 22 spots
Good to be in a place we have players pushing. I hope they rewarded.

 

[Ralphy2017]

I opened a can of worms saying AhChee could go I just had him under others.
Who goes for Cockatoo.. If fit I see him starting 22.
Who goes for Adams? or Payne or Answerth? or Dev or E Smith to get games in T Berry. Or Fullarton and both the Coleman brothers.
only 22 spots
Good to be in a place we have players pushing. I hope they rewarded.

I thought Ah Chee was serviceable and still relatively young, but appreciate other views, and those more informed then I.
I see pressure on Birchall, can't even consider Adams with his history of injuries.
See pressure on Robinson and possibly McStay and possibly Lester.
Possibly Starc to the wing, opening up a spot for Answerth. K.Coleman must be a chance especially if Zorks managed.
Who would you rather at the club in 2022/2023 Adams/Lester or Payne. etc etc, I too hope those young guys deserving get rewarded

 

[Scubaveg]

I opened a can of worms saying AhChee could go I just had him under others.
Who goes for Cockatoo.. If fit I see him starting 22.
Who goes for Adams? or Payne or Answerth? or Dev or E Smith to get games in T Berry. Or Fullarton and both the Coleman brothers.
only 22 spots
Good to be in a place we have players pushing. I hope they rewarded.

Lester, McStay, Martin, Birchall and Ellis - Yolmen from the prelim side. That’s five players.


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[BangyBangy]

Lester, McStay, Martin, Birchall and Ellis - Yolmen from the prelim side. That’s five players.


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Lol, poor froggy. Works his arse off, gains a yard of pace, takes over Hodge's role & after a year get's dumped onto the scrap heap again.

 

[Scubaveg]

Lol, poor froggy. Works his arse off, gains a yard of pace, takes over Hodge's role & after a year get's dumped onto the scrap heap again.

Poor fella, I agree wit the sentiments. Reality though is Ryan will be in a constant battle for the remainder of his career.


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[BangyBangy]

Poor fella, I agree wit the sentiments. Reality though is Ryan will be in a constant battle for the remainder of his career.


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As mean as it sounds I hope so too lol.

 

[Dalions]

Lol, poor froggy. Works his arse off, gains a yard of pace, takes over Hodge's role & after a year get's dumped onto the scrap heap again.

He earned himself a 2 year contract extension through hard work, grit and determination and had a great year last year to become an integral part of the team.
What ever happens with Lester from here on out I think he can be pretty proud of what he has achieved.
If we were to win a Premiership it would be great if he were a part of that.

 

[lionshine]

I think people forget some of the games where he didn't appear to have a strong influence he was playing a very defensive role.

I disagree with most here that his first half of the year was poor. He wasn't that bad and did a job for us most games.

As the year wore on he was getting up from the bottom of packs quite often and was skillful at locking it down in a congested situation.

To me he seems to have a lot of tools in his skill set , plenty of pace , jumps higher than anyone in the team , improving defensively all the time , good with his hands inside , he was hitting targets better later in the year. I'm not sure how penetrative his kicking is when he lets fly because mostly he was trying to hit a target and didn't really have the confidence to back himself with a long penetrative kick when he could've.

I reckon supporters are far too hard on him . He's got plenty to work on like most players but he's got the scope to get a lot better. Just turned 24 .

Ah Chee turned 23 last October.

 

[martinson]

Ah Chee turned 23 last October.

Correct Lionshine.

And he's had plenty of time off with injury. I'm looking at what he could be in 2 years time. Another preseason or two with us,it won't take a whole lot more for him to become a very good player.

The big unknown in footy is who improves markedly and who can't or doesn't.

 

[pulpdriver]

Correct Lionshine.

And he's had plenty of time off with injury. I'm looking at what he could be in 2 years time. Another preseason or two with us,it won't take a whole lot more for him to become a very good player.

The big unknown in footy is who improves markedly and who can't or doesn't.

Ridiculous. The big unknown is can I eat this whole cake by myself.

 

[dlanod]

Ridiculous. The big unknown is can I eat this whole cake by myself.

Be the change you want!