Training 2022 Pre-season

[Mighty Lions]

I think he could genuinely challenge for Robbos wing role this year if he stays fit. No guarantee to get it, but if he can challenge Robbo we'll be much better for it.

Agree. There's plenty of alternative options for Robbo's spot in the 22 now. The competition will be fierce and good.

 

[M Malice]

Anybody know day, time and venue for training locations pre Christmas? Being near Yeronga I'd love to know when the guys will be there.

 

[Dalions]

If I recall correctly there was a bit of hype around Ah Chee moving to the wing last pre-season, can't remember why he was moved back to the half-back but I'd like to see what he could do with an extended run on the wing if he has the tank.

He played really well during Intraclub matches last pre-season but the fact that he really didn’t play there during the year, it may have been mostly due to the injuries of others as to why he played there.

 

[Nunez]

I think he'll find it tough, we've got a lot of options that can play on the wing now that probably should be ahead of him. I think his best bet is overtaking Matho as inside mid depth.

To be honest I don't think he'll get there but in the end of the day he was closer than any would have expected last year and think whoever takes Robbos spot needs to be a physical player so Smith names sense in that regard. Whether he can put it all together remains to be seen.

 

[mattsmob]

To be honest I don't think he'll get there but in the end of the day he was closer than any would have expected last year and think whoever takes Robbos spot needs to be a physical player so Smith names sense in that regard. Whether he can put it all together remains to be seen.

Does Robbo's replacement need to be a physical player? A lot has been made of the type of players we've drafted lately and it sounds like we may be looking to change our style of play at some stage. Either way plenty of options.

 

[mattsmob]

He played really well during Intraclub matches last pre-season but the fact that he really didn’t play there during the year, it may have been mostly due to the injuries of others as to why he played there.

I'd really like to see what Prior can do in the position he was drafted in across halfback so that's the swap I'd be making.

 

[Dalions]

I'd really like to see what Prior can do in the position he was drafted in across halfback so that's the swap I'd be making.

I really like Jaxon Prior, I think he will play a lot of games for the Lions. Seems like an adaptable type of guy too.

 

[Berrygood]

Agree. There's plenty of alternative options for Robbo's spot in the 22 now. The competition will be fierce and good.

I like Prior or Devrob, if we're looking like for like for Robbo's spot. Dev there gives Ely more chance in the midfield. Although I think the way Dev went in the midfield this year, he'll stay there. Madden would be exciting, want to see more from Sharp, Ah Chee could, if we were looking different than Robbo. Options galore. All mute tho, Mitch has got 3 good years in him yet, lol.

 

[mattsmob]

I like Prior or Devrob, if we're looking like for like for Robbo's spot. Dev there gives Ely more chance in the midfield. Although I think the way Dev went in the midfield this year, he'll stay there.

Dev's future is as a center square midfielder, wouldn't be moving him to a wing to suit Ely.

 

[Nunez]

Dev's future is as a center square midfielder, wouldn't be moving him to a wing to suit Ely.

I would be very surprised if Ely ends up a midfielder at this stage. I think the wing is his bear chance at a career.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

I would be very surprised if Ely ends up a midfielder at this stage. I think the wing is his bear chance at a career.

The interesting point that I think we need to remember though, in regards to the players at our club OOC in 2022, is that we will most likely need to keep at least one of our fringe big-bodied midfielders (Ely Smith | Cameron Ellis-Yolmen | Connor McFayden) for extra depth at the football club in big-bodied players running in the midfield.

Yes, Jarrod Berry is our main big-bodied midfielder in our AFL Best 22 and we also have young James Tunstill now as depth in that role for our VFL side, but unless we are going trade for another big-bodied midfielder next year (highly unlikely given our draft situation/salary cap), I think the club IMO would give either Ely Smith or Connor McFayden another 1-2 year contract (Post 2022+) to help provide depth in that position for us, especially given J.Berry's recent injury history these past couple of seasons, and to also be a fringe player at our club for the foreseeable future.

Do I see Ely Smith being a long-term player for us at the football club though by 2025+ for example, most likely no sadly, and even when Mitch Robinson does retire for us in the future (1-2 years) and that wing position becomes vacant, I can't see Ely making that position his own, as there are so many better players for us that can fill that void on the wing better then Ely can in the short-term & long-term future at the club.

 

[Nunez]

The interesting point that I think we need to remember though, in regards to the players at our club OOC in 2022, is that we will most likely need to keep at least one of our fringe big-bodied midfielders (Ely Smith | Cameron Ellis-Yolmen | Connor McFayden) for extra depth at the football club in big-bodied players running in the midfield.

Yes, Jarrod Berry is our main big-bodied midfielder in our AFL Best 22 and we also have young James Tunstill now as depth in that role for our VFL side, but unless we are going trade for another big-bodied midfielder next year (highly unlikely given our draft situation/salary cap), I think the club IMO would give either Ely Smith or Connor McFayden another 1-2 year contract (Post 2022+) to help provide depth in that position for us, especially given J.Berry's recent injury history these past couple of seasons, and to also be a fringe player at our club for the foreseeable future.

Do I see Ely Smith being a long-term player for us at the football club though by 2025+ for example, most likely no sadly, and even when Mitch Robinson does retire for us in the future (1-2 years) and that wing position becomes vacant, I can't see Ely making that position his own, as there are so many better players for us that can fill that void on the wing better then Ely can in the short-term & long-term future at the club.

McFadyen the most likely of the three.

 

[Mighty Lions]

The interesting point that I think we need to remember though, in regards to the players at our club OOC in 2022, is that we will most likely need to keep at least one of our fringe big-bodied midfielders (Ely Smith | Cameron Ellis-Yolmen | Connor McFayden) for extra depth at the football club in big-bodied players running in the midfield.

Yes, Jarrod Berry is our main big-bodied midfielder in our AFL Best 22 and we also have young James Tunstill now as depth in that role for our VFL side, but unless we are going trade for another big-bodied midfielder next year (highly unlikely given our draft situation/salary cap), I think the club IMO would give either Ely Smith or Connor McFayden another 1-2 year contract (Post 2022+) to help provide depth in that position for us, especially given J.Berry's recent injury history these past couple of seasons, and to also be a fringe player at our club for the foreseeable future.

Do I see Ely Smith being a long-term player for us at the football club though by 2025+ for example, most likely no sadly, and even when Mitch Robinson does retire for us in the future (1-2 years) and that wing position becomes vacant, I can't see Ely making that position his own, as there are so many better players for us that can fill that void on the wing better then Ely can in the short-term & long-term future at the club.

I see Robbo's position being slowly fazed out this season and a new kid on the block take over before the end of the 2022 year.

 

[The Zork]

Answerth’s frame is noticeable.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

The interesting point that I think we need to remember though, in regards to the players at our club OOC in 2022, is that we will most likely need to keep at least one of our fringe big-bodied midfielders (Ely Smith | Cameron Ellis-Yolmen | Connor McFayden) for extra depth at the football club in big-bodied players running in the midfield.

Yes, Jarrod Berry is our main big-bodied midfielder in our AFL Best 22 and we also have young James Tunstill now as depth in that role for our VFL side, but unless we are going trade for another big-bodied midfielder next year (highly unlikely given our draft situation/salary cap), I think the club IMO would give either Ely Smith or Connor McFayden another 1-2 year contract (Post 2022+) to help provide depth in that position for us, especially given J.Berry's recent injury history these past couple of seasons, and to also be a fringe player at our club for the foreseeable future.

Do I see Ely Smith being a long-term player for us at the football club though by 2025+ for example, most likely no sadly, and even when Mitch Robinson does retire for us in the future (1-2 years) and that wing position becomes vacant, I can't see Ely making that position his own, as there are so many better players for us that can fill that void on the wing better then Ely can in the short-term & long-term future at the club.

A lot of people seem to be writing Ely off already, but it's entirely possible he takes a big leap forward this year and earns a list spot. Same goes for many others, they have to be judged on what they can contribute going forward rather than what they've contributed in the past.

 

[JasRulz63]

One of my favourite things from last pre-season was seeing Harry Sharp go from a long term prospect that would need a few years to debuting in round 1. Be interesting to see if anyone makes that sort of leap for round 1, 2022.

 

[Grasshopper17]

My back 7 would be:

Starcevich Payne Adams
Madden Andrews Rich
Coleman

I have a couple of different guys in there but I think that would be the unit that would be strongest defensively whilst allowing for quick transition on offense. Payne allows Andrews to play more loose and Madden has the pace to cover over cracks that appear from time to time and I am hoping would be greenlighted to use his attacking run more.

It is interesting that the team has consistently said how much they want run in the side but the game plan has very very little scope for it to be actually used. So the guys who can get it and run or get to space on the outside are virtually never used because we go long down the train tracks 95% of the time.

How would you like to see us play to better take advantage of this? Bit more like Sydney and hit up blokes on the 45's?

 

[mish33]

My big concern with Ely was that even last season when he was noticeably fitter, his skills still looked sub standard and I thought he looked rushed. I really hope we see improvement with his poise and disposal, otherwise I can't see a place for him anywhere.

 

[POBT]

A lot of people seem to be writing Ely off already, but it's entirely possible he takes a big leap forward this year and earns a list spot. Same goes for many others, they have to be judged on what they can contribute going forward rather than what they've contributed in the past.

I hope he makes it or at least shows something that makes him with persevering with. But surely what someone has done in the past is somewhat relevant to the discussion about what they can achieve in the future. I don't think it is unreasonable to suggest he's trending towards delisting right now, albeit that he has another 12 months to turn things around.

 

[Dalions]

My big concern with Ely was that even last season when he was noticeably fitter, his skills still looked sub standard and I thought he looked rushed. I really hope we see improvement with his poise and disposal, otherwise I can't see a place for him anywhere.

Biggest thing for me with Ely is that he needs to stay fit and on the park.
He was pushing for a round 1 spot last year, missed out on selection and then was injured again a couple of weeks later.
And with an early end to the VFL season, he must have played, what, 5 games last season?

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I hope he makes it or at least shows something that makes him with persevering with. But surely what someone has done in the past is somewhat relevant to the discussion about what they can achieve in the future.

How relevant is it? Was Ben Keays' time with us a reliable indicator of how he was going to perform at the Crows?

 

[Dalions]

How relevant is it? Was Ben Keays' time with us a reliable indicator of how he was going to perform at the Crows?

Ben Keays is a goer, always has been.
Not completely sure Ely has that same mongrel.

 

[briztoon]

How relevant is it? Was Ben Keays' time with us a reliable indicator of how he was going to perform at the Crows?

Keays was the best inside mid at NEAFL level for his last two years with us. Ely hasn’t come close to that.

 

[POBT]

How relevant is it? Was Ben Keays' time with us a reliable indicator of how he was going to perform at the Crows?

Should I go through all the players we've delisted over the years whose second last year was a decent predictor of their final year? I mean, we could also cite Michael Tuck as evidence that exclusively playing years of reserves footy isn't relevant to whether a player will play 400 games. But for every Tuck, there are thousands who didn't go on to play senior footy.

In any event, I thought my post was nuanced enough that I accepted that past form was only "somewhat relevant". I didn't speak in absolutes.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

In any event, I thought my post was nuanced enough that I accepted that past form was only "somewhat relevant". I didn't speak in absolutes.

Yes. That's why I asked how relevant it was.