Training 2023 Pre-season thread

[Grasshopper17]

I think the other thing is our structure is different. Hard to pin point at this time having only watched on tv and not being able to see at the ends of the ground, but the likes of Kiddy, mckenna and Rich seem further up (link players), with the more contested ball winners deeper in defense. Not sure if Rayner will last the entire year, Zorko, Berry and Diz are auto 22 players, so Rayner might end up forward again, but i think he is just playing a role in that new defensive set up. Even Harro isn't as deep as he was in previous years, to the point that he got some sneaky shots on goal last week.

Previous years we would have lines of players come up to meet the ball, now we just always seem to have some numbers back. We look like we are playing a more slingshot style, rather than pushing the numbers forward, we push them back and then use the ball quick and direct. I haven't seen a couple of games where we were able to go coast to coast so many times basically uncontested. That comes down to work rate and structure. Our forwards are pushing back pretty hard as well, but at the same time are finding a padocks of space when the ball is turned over.

Yes. You've done well to spot all this and explain it from simply watching on TV. Yes at the ground our backs did all seem to be pushing further forward in attack more often than last year, with cover from our midfield. It's something I touched on a few weeks ago, without really being sure how it would manifest itself: how when we have defenders pushing forward, we need to have players dropping out of the midfield back into defence to cover for them, essentially replacing them in our defensive zone should we lose possession.

I guess one way of explaining it is that if Kiddy Coleman runs to half forward, he's not AT half forward, he IS half forward, and thus someone else needs to drop back into the space he has left and BECOME a half back until he is able to resume his normal position. In essence, we're preparing our defence while we still have the football.

The other beautiful thing is that defending like this will make the field far more open for us ahead of the ball, and actually give us greater scoring opportunities despite having less numbers up there. Which is the opposite of what we spent much of last year trying to do, when we would deliberately slow our ball movement, then try and heavily populate our forward line in an attempt to lock the ball inside 50. Often though we would cut off our own nose to spite our face, as our forward line became too congested for us to be able to get shots at goal.

The ruck battle is interesting. Big O was not great in the ruck but reasonable around the ground. I did feel like Fort was better in the ruck contests. I don’t know if Stanley got tired??? Both seem to be moving really well. Fort just gets more involved. It tight but for me Fort starts Rnd 1. We can’t play 2 rucks surely. Too much downside.

Yeah the other thing about Fort is his kicking for goal is exceptional, and universes ahead of Oscar's. I love Oscar but for mine this needs to be a big consideration with respect to who we pick and how often.

 

[lionshine]

I'd like to see Prior named for Round 1 based off last night.

 

[NotQuiteJezza]

My Rnd 1 team if fit
B: Rayner/ Andrews / Starcevich
HB: Coleman / Payne/ Zorko
F: Tunstill / Neale / Berry
HF: McCarthy / Daniher / Bailey
F: Cameron / Hipwood / Gunston
Fol: Fort / Dunkley / Ashcroft
Int: Robertson / Gardiner / Prior / Madden / Wilmott

 

[McIvor]

Not related to last nights match at all (great win though btw), but I heard on Triple M radio (wasn’t watching it sadly) that Daniher and his wife and child are now settled in over at Northern NSW, and they have a nice property up there.

I get that QLD is unique to GC & Lions being close to a border unllke other states, but Joe would therefore be pretty much the only player in the league living in a different state to his cub LOL - that seems so Joe. Ive not spoken or heard him speak apart from Lions vids but he comes across as a dofferent sort of cat. You'd think he'll start getting different flights for interstate games to and fly in out of GC then.

 

[mattsmob]

My Rnd 1 team if fit
B: Rayner/ Andrews / Starcevich
HB: Coleman / Payne/ Zorko
F: Tunstill / Neale / Berry
HF: McCarthy / Daniher / Bailey
F: Cameron / Hipwood / Gunston
Fol: Fort / Dunkley / Ashcroft
Int: Robertson / Gardiner / Prior / Madden / Wilmott

Left Hughie out of that one

 

[western royboy]

I know I always see the evil done to us but almost never that done to the other side and am stunned at how often both sides feel like the other side brought their own umpires.

I know it wasn't just me when the game day/review threads start getting more posters from other teams than ours and all of them refer to us being robbed/crucified etc (or when our posters who normally defend the umpires start commenting ... eg if western royboy started complaining about the umpiring being biased/criminal etc I would pay attention!)

I had a session with some AFL listed umps a few weeks ago - always interesting - the reason they have gone to a “four“ is different to what I had thought - watch out for frees pad for blocks or holds way off the ball. In any case I’d like to think I’m relatively impartial but I’m not afraid to call out poor decisions. I got the vibe that our onfield leaders were a bit over the top and from a purely personal point of view it is only natural to get a bit savage if someone is in your grill. The AFL umps have been instructed to have as minimal involvement with players as possible. That is a different approach to me, but I’m just a community ump where communication and rapport with players is vital

 

[Grasshopper17]

I had a session with some AFL listed umps a few weeks ago - always interesting - the reason they have gone to a “four“ is different to what I had thought - watch out for frees pad for blocks or holds way off the ball. In any case I’d like to think I’m relatively impartial but I’m not afraid to call out poor decisions. I got the vibe that our onfield leaders were a bit over the top and from a purely personal point of view it is only natural to get a bit savage if someone is in your grill. The AFL umps have been instructed to have as minimal involvement with players as possible. That is a different approach to me, but I’m just a community ump where communication and rapport with players is vital

Have you found the way you are treated in games has changed in the last 12 months due to the crackdown on player behaviour?

 

[western royboy]

Have you found the way you are treated in games has changed in the last 12 months due to the crackdown on player behaviour?

I haven’t had a problem for quite awhile - it’s about mutual respect - the two leagues i umpire in a very good about respect towards umps - but as I suggested it’s importanT to have that rapport with players and mutual respect

 

[KissKiss]

I've personally always preferred the umpires to be minimal and more formal with players at the top level - I hate hearing them use nicknames and stuff. Want them to be more professional. But I can understand it can be different at the local level

 

[KissKiss]

I get it with Coleman but he's barely played a handful of games in his now preferred position and let's see him put a body of work together for a whole season before we start talking about AA's.

Not there yet.

I reckon he still needs a little bit more fitness (fingers crossed he's there this year) but he would get pretty tired at the end of games last year. I reckon that last bit of fitness is all thats holding him back from the best couple in the comp

 

[Cubs2Lions]

I get that QLD is unique to GC & Lions being close to a border unllke other states, but Joe would therefore be pretty much the only player in the league living in a different state to his cub LOL - that seems so Joe. Ive not spoken or heard him speak apart from Lions vids but he comes across as a dofferent sort of cat. You'd think he'll start getting different flights for interstate games too and fly in out of GC then.

The other way around that is he has a place to stay in Brisbane during the regular season and preseason and then lives in Northern NSW during his off season break and when he retires as well, but very interesting by Joey and his family to find a place to live in although don’t some of his family live in NSW, so it kinda makes sense

 

[BuntonRules]

Was, that a full house last night? Cos on the tele there looked room for plenty more on the hill.

 

[drapes11]

Was, that a full house last night? Cos on the tele there looked room for plenty more on the hill.

Not quite as full as the AFLW GF, alot of people started leaving from half time but that isnt too surprising given it was a school night and there were plenty of kids there. It was a pretty good turn out for a game and stadium that some on here said no one would go to …

 

[pOleK]

So you’re saying the team who’s been top 3 in points for each of the past 3 seasons isn’t doing a good enough job.

Interesting take

To a degree, yes.

Yes, we have a dynamic forward line but we certainly aren't clinical. There have been numerous games where we've had periods of dominance without it reflecting on the scoreboard. Yes, we can put 100+ on teams outside the 8 all we like, but against top-tier teams, we need to make the most of our opportunities going forward. I can barely think of a player in our forward line that I'm confident will go back and convert a set shot from anywhere in the arc. Conversely, apart from Neale, I can't think of a midfielder who's charging inside 50 that can more often than not land the knockout blow either.

Yes, we're doing a good job, but it hasn't brought us a flag quite yet and until then, we've still got plenty to improve on.

 

[briztoon]

Was, that a full house last night? Cos on the tele there looked room for plenty more on the hill.

No.

There were still seats available in the stand, and plenty of room around the ground.

I arrived at the car park across the road at 7:05pm, got waved in by security, and found a car park in the second row pretty quick.

 

[Saucery]

From the Geelong game,

We out muscled another mature team, big tick.

Keidean could be anything, AA beckoning.

Fort might be our Paul Salmon up front if given the chance, good chance if Fagan's love of playing two rucks continues.

Rayner is like the ghost of Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson

Age

48

Ht

180cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.7

4star

K

8.6

3star

HB

5.1

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

down back, perhaps even better.

All the big new recruits definitely best 22, depth is insane; if not equally distributed.

The kids are O.K. Well O.K. better than O.K.

So many years of entertaining footy to come!

Top two for me!

 

[Section 5]

I went to the game last night and thought it was a good hit out for both teams with round one 2 weeks away.
Was hoping for no injuries and was very worried about Hippy and the way he landed.
After later reading the brief media report and seeing the footage a few times he should be okay.
Did not notice Payne coming off but he was playing well early, especially in the first quarter.

I don't have Fox or Kayo, so it was good to see the replay is now available via AFL website - Matchers - Fixtures- AFL Preseason then find the game you want.
Link below for anyone without Fox & Kayo. It looks like the AFL site is showing all replays sometime the day after the game.
I will sit down after dinner and cast the replay onto my TV, the replay always gives you a different perspective.

I can't give a direct link to the full replay for some reason.
The below link goes to "Match Highlights".
From there look towards the right (on a PC) for other videos. Find "Pre-season Match replay: Brisbane v Geelong" 1 hr 59 minutes 57 seconds

Pre-season Highlights: Brisbane v Geelong

The Lions v Cats clash at Brighton Homes Arena

www.afl.com.au

 

[lioninthesand]

Impressed with Payne.......could have doubled his mark stats if Dad didnt spoil him so often. Worried about Rich.....speed of the game may have passed him by and McKenna needs to improve heaps...... hopefully in the 2s til/if he gets back to his best..

I personally thought rich was really good

 

[M Malice]

From the Geelong game,

We out muscled another mature team, big tick.

Keidean could be anything, AA beckoning.

Fort might be our Paul Salmon up front if given the chance, good chance if Fagan's love of playing two rucks continues.

Rayner is like the ghost of Chris Johnson down back, perhaps even better.

All the big new recruits definitely best 22, depth is insane; if not equally distributed.

The kids are O.K. Well O.K. better than O.K.

So many years of entertaining footy to come!

Top two for me!

Yep I'm about as upbeat as you are, the only small downside is we still haven't nailed down who our wingers are going to be... although the coaches probably have it sorted. If fit Berry will be on 1 wing but the other seems from the outside to be a bit of a lottery.

 

[BuntonRules]

From the Geelong game,

We out muscled another mature team, big tick.

Keidean could be anything, AA beckoning.

Fort might be our Paul Salmon up front if given the chance, good chance if Fagan's love of playing two rucks continues.

Rayner is like the ghost of Chris Johnson down back, perhaps even better.

All the big new recruits definitely best 22, depth is insane; if not equally distributed.

The kids are O.K. Well O.K. better than O.K.

So many years of entertaining footy to come!

Top two for me!

Rayner better than Chris Johnson? Big, big statement

 

[BrisVegasDru]

Rayner better than Chris Johnson? Big, big statement

Love Rayner and he's taller than Johnno, but Johnno had no weakness, an absolute gun!

 

[Tassie4ever]

Love Rayner and he's taller than Johnno, but Johnno had no weakness, an absolute gun!

I have great admiration on how Johnson got the best out of his ability toward the latter part of his career, but I was at the Gabba one night when we were getting our usual flogging. Johnson was contributing zip and into the bargain was noticeably overweight, and I walked out that night on the grounds that if he wasn't interested then neither was I.

IIRC, during the following off-season the penny dropped and he put in the hard yards, involving bike riding etc and improved from then. And needed to.

 

[Saucery]

Rayner better than Chris Johnson? Big, big statement

I said the ghost of, footy smarts and brutal strength; and many years to improve. Could be better than CJ, hope so. Don't go #1 pick for no reason.

 

[Saucery]

I have great admiration on how Johnson got the best out of his ability toward the latter part of his career, but I was at the Gabba one night when we were getting our usual flogging. Johnson was contributing zip and into the bargain was noticeably overweight, and I walked out that night on the grounds that if he wasn't interested then neither was I.

IIRC, during the following off-season the penny dropped and he put in the hard yards, involving bike riding etc and improved from then. And needed to.

Yes Johnson was a very um, variable player. Sublime skills one moment, brain fade the next. But in a trench no one was more accountable. Brutal.

 

[Saucery]

I personally thought rich was really good

Yes worked hard and made good decisions as always.