Training 2023 Pre-season thread

[rye]

with one of wilmot and mckenna likely in the b22 i hope we are looking to find a way to get one of rich / coleman up the ground more. kicks from either of those two when we have threats like gunston and cameron leading to them will cut most teams apart. i thought rich in particular's best work last year was when he managed to get to the centre of the ground and kick to our forwards advantage

 

[Dalions]

Exactly this, imo he’s the perfect third wheel for Neale and Dunkley.

Coming from the Bulldogs system, Dunkley is more of a handball type of mid which is something that we have been lacking a little in my mind.
So with Neale and Clugga running off the hip of Dunkley is a perfect midfield group in my mind with Ashcroft, Dev and Bez as the first up chop outs and Rayner , Bailey and Zorko to also run through there at times.
Seems like a pretty well balanced midfield mix to me.

 

[LongLion]

Yes you want the ball in the hands of McCluggage, Coleman and Rich in space/outside, they will hit up someone. Hopefully Ashcroft's delivery into F50 is on a similar level, you can not have too many good users of the footy.

Was at the intra at Wiston Grange 2 weeks back and there were a couple of 50+ metre pin point passes from Andrews into the forward line.

 

[Tom14]

He'll be playing on the ball but won't be inside. The plans will be to distribute the ball to him.

Means he gets more of the footy than playing wing.

Clug was leading or top 2 in coaches votes in 2021 until Neale came back playing that exact inside out role.

He’s the best ball user in the team going inside 50 and we want the ball in his hands as much as possible as you said.

 

[twhowler]

I would go with Dev in particular for round 1. Lyons is off such a long rehab it would negligent if we rushed him in for round 1. We ground him in to the dirt last year.

Like some others I am not writing off Lyons as he has been an absolute gun for us. But our midfield group clearly needs to be better at spread and in particular defensive running, so with Dunkley in and Dev improving it's hard to see him as first 22.

I have loved Clugga in the guts but agree that it might not be crazy to see some more wing time from him. He was very good at a very specialist role.

I view the debate around the midfield mix slightly differently though, as I think there are more options for whether players will actually play mid.

Aside from cameos (such as Rayner playing a few minutes a quarter) we will have 7 rotating mids including wings.

The locks appear to be Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage, Ashcroft, Berry (5 players)

Players that will be first 22 but unsure whether part of the 7 or forward would be Bailey, Zorko. (2 players)

Players likely to play midfield if they are best 22, but no guarantee to be (Robertson, Ah Chee, Lyons)

Smokey to be a wing (Sharp, McKenna, Prior, Tunstill)

Personally i'd be putting Zorko forward.

Trying Bailey out on a wing.

And starting with Roberston as number 7.

It's pleasingly hard to do though isn't it. McKenna i suspect will demand selection somewhere during the season. Prior as well. Ah Chee is super honest. Lyons at full fitness would be very hard to deny.

 

[mpal6]

That gives 1 vote to Tunstill.

A reminder, a vote to Ah Chee/Tunstill/Prior/Wilmot/Sharp or even Answerth means both Dev and Lions miss out.

Total Dev 13, Lyons 4, Tunstill 1

With Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage and Ashcroft off bench - along with Bailey, Rayner, Berry and Zorko for rotations if needed - I don't see Dev or Lyons in the team at present. I was leaning towards Prior or Ah Chee.

Looks like it's between Tunstill who played really well on the wing and Ah Chee could play defensive wing as well as swing forward or play back.

My vote for Tunstill and Ah Chee for the sub.

 

[Section 5]

The round 1 midfield at center bounces could look something like this. Colour buttons mentioned as they use them on whiteboard.

Blue button (inside): Two of Neale, Dunkley with only one of Lyons/Robertson on bench (only one can make it in my opinion)
Both Lyons & Robertson miss out in my opinion if they go a pure wing type.

Red button (outside): Only one of McCluggage, Zorko, Ashcroft (inside/outside), Bailey, Rayner (inside), Dunkley (inside/outside)

Yellow button (wing): Berry on one wing.
The rotation wing, one of Zorko, McCluggage, Dunkley, Ashcroft, Bailey. McCarthy

Black button (ruck); McInerney. Only one ruck will play and i assume Joe as relief.

The wing has been an issue for us the last 2 years.
It will be interesting to see which way the selectors go for round 1.
A pure wing type player not that we really have a standout or a midfield wing rotation.

Maybe Jasper Fletcher our number 12 draft pick will come out of rehab and blow us away in the upcoming trial games.
Below whiteboard from Friday's game for reference to coloured buttons.

 

[Section 5]

With Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage and Ashcroft off bench - along with Bailey, Rayner, Berry and Zorko for rotations if needed - I don't see Dev or Lyons in the team at present. I was leaning towards Prior or Ah Chee.

Looks like it's between Tunstill who played really well on the wing and Ah Chee could play defensive wing as well as swing forward or play back.

My vote for Tunstill and Ah Chee for the sub.

Totals: Dev 15, Lyons 4, Tunstill 2

 

[Nunez]

Totals: Dev 15, Lyons 4, Tunstill 2

Brab

Playing suspicious Qooty. Think he's evil.

BRAB

 

[M Malice]

Poor Matho not getting a look in.

 

[Dalions]

Poor Matho not getting a look in.

Matho will look great, yet limited in the VFL again.

 

[Dalions]

Poor Matho not getting a look in.

Slowly becoming further down the list I would think.
Of the players who may not be in the team in round 1, I would have, Lyons/Dev, Tunstill, Prior, AhChee and Sharp in the team before him.
I think that others can move in to a more Central role allowing blokes like AhChee, Tunstill, Prior and Harry Sharp to come in as a more pure winger.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Brab

Playing suspicious Qooty. Think he's evil.

BRAB

 

[Thomasno]

With Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage and Ashcroft off bench - along with Bailey, Rayner, Berry and Zorko for rotations if needed - I don't see Dev or Lyons in the team at present. I was leaning towards Prior or Ah Chee.

Looks like it's between Tunstill who played really well on the wing and Ah Chee could play defensive wing as well as swing forward or play back.

My vote for Tunstill and Ah Chee for the sub.

It’s an unfortunate position to be in for him, but Ah Chee is quite literally the perfect sub player. Man players EVERYWHERE on the ground well (other than ruck), but not quite well enough to justify selection himself. Will be able to plug any hole that comes up

 

[jfn]

I reckon you're right with Berry, he did a great job of Fyfe a couple of years back in Perth then s**t Cripps out of a game. if they only use him as a 'break the glass' then his tactics wont come under as much scrutiny in opposition game planning. He has a great tank, let him run free until we need a specific shut down, maybe once or twice a season.

Not only is this year a premiership window, it’s a year where flexibility is essential for success. I’d like to see Berry used as shut down half back, as well as spending time in the middle. Blicavs style, but obviously without the ruck work. He has elite defensive skills, proven with his game on Oliver last year. He has the size to play on a third tall, or the hybrid forwards. I know he will be used to rotate through the middle, but I’d like to see him used as a lock down, when needed, on players like Dusty, Toby Greene, Stringer, and Gary Rohan. I think these types of player have got away from Gardiner in particular, too easily in the past.

 

[BRAB]

Brab

Playing suspicious Qooty. Think he's evil.

BRAB

Bit suspicious on a few of these players. Popping in to vote and the disappearing. Definitely a few on my list for the lynch tomorrow.

 

[briztoon]

The round 1 midfield at center bounces could look something like this. Colour buttons mentioned as they use them on whiteboard.

Blue button (inside): Two of Neale, Dunkley with only one of Lyons/Robertson on bench (only one can make it in my opinion)
Both Lyons & Robinson miss out in my opinion if they go a pure wing type.

Red button (outside): Only one of McCluggage, Zorko, Ashcroft (inside/outside), Bailey, Rayner (inside), Dunkley (inside/outside)

Yellow button (wing): Berry on one wing.
The rotation wing, one of Zorko, McCluggage, Dunkley, Ashcroft, Bailey. McCarthy

Black button (ruck); McInerney. Only one ruck will play and i assume Joe as relief.

The wing has been an issue for us the last 2 years.
It will be interesting to see which way the selectors go for round 1.
A pure wing type player not that we really have a standout or a midfield wing rotation.

Maybe Jasper Fletcher our number 12 draft pick will come out of rehab and blow us away in the upcoming trial games.
Below whiteboard from Friday's game for reference to coloured buttons.

View attachment 1605982

Sorry, it’s doing my head in, but you keep alternating between Robertson and Robinson (who has retired).

 

[nup]

I just hope they all have fun

 

[M Malice]

Not only is this year a premiership window, it’s a year where flexibility is essential for success. I’d like to see Berry used as shut down half back, as well as spending time in the middle. Blicavs style, but obviously without the ruck work. He has elite defensive skills, proven with his game on Oliver last year. He has the size to play on a third tall, or the hybrid forwards. I know he will be used to rotate through the middle, but I’d like to see him used as a lock down, when needed, on players like Dusty, Toby Greene, Stringer, and Gary Rohan. I think these types of player have got away from Gardiner in particular, too easily in the past.

The window is wide open and should be for a few years, even allowing for the likely hood that it could be the last season for our 2 oldest players ie. Rich and Zorko.

 

[Saucery]

Bit suspicious on a few of these players. Popping in to vote and the disappearing. Definitely a few on my list for the lynch tomorrow.

Is that the 2004 Lynch on Wakelin kind of list?

 

[Tassie4ever]

Just watched some games from early last year and Lyons was killing it. I think a few have forgotten how good he is fully fit. Lyons for me but by a whisker.

I support these remarks. Along with Zorko and Robinson, Lyons appears to have reached the exalted status of also ran or in fact never really was among many [not all] of the commentariat around here. Perhaps including those who lament the move to BHA because of the lack out there in the sticks of excellent coffee places or such [ps- suggest the doubters visit Orion]. And the distance to Burpenf***ingary.

I am not a medico, although several family members are, and I don't know what the extent of his injury was, but it was obvious that Lyons was severely hampered at the end of the season just past and probably shouldn't have been played. Immediately before this and in many previous seasons he was an invaluable member of the centre squad. The best freebie ever from the GC along with Zorko. I for one hope he is given every opportunity to rejoin the squad.

 

[Section 5]

Sorry, it’s doing my head in, but you keep alternating between Robertson and Robinson (who has retired).

Sorry about your head.
Thanks, went back to page 55 and changed the 3 times i used both in the same post.
Getting older briztoon going to make some silly errors.

 

[martinson]

I support these remarks. Along with Zorko and Robinson, Lyons appears to have reached the exalted status of also ran or in fact never really was among many [not all] of the commentariat around here. Perhaps including those who lament the move to BHA because of the lack out there in the sticks of excellent coffee places or such [ps- suggest the doubters visit Orion]. And the distance to Burpenf***ingary.

I am not a medico, although several family members are, and I don't know what the extent of his injury was, but it was obvious that Lyons was severely hampered at the end of the season just past and probably shouldn't have been played. Immediately before this and in many previous seasons he was an invaluable member of the centre squad. The best freebie ever from the GC along with Zorko. I for one hope he is given every opportunity to rejoin the squad.

Obviously he will be . The issue most people see is that he's getting on a bit and this type of injury is often one that some guys really struggle to get over.

His reputation amongst supporters suffered because he continued to play and we continued to pick him when he was clearly not up to it . But like most players he just wanted to get out there and hoped it would improve.

He's a smart player and if fully fit we might be able to cover his supposed deficiencies with our additions this year if we play him.

 

[Mighty Lions]

Just watched some games from early last year and Lyons was killing it. I think a few have forgotten how good he is fully fit. Lyons for me but by a whisker.

Lucky Big Footy Lions Supporters don't pick the best 22. Fagan & Co rate a fit Lyons in the midfield well ahead of several that are popular on here. Providing JL is fit and close to his best, I am confident he will line up so get ready for some melts on here.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Lucky Big Footy Lions Supporters don't pick the best 22. Fagan & Co rate a fit Lyons in the midfield well ahead of several that are popular on here. Providing JL is fit and close to his best, I am confident he will line up so get ready for some melts on here.

But at the same time, last year that they rated a injured Lyons over Robertson as well and that’s a 100% wrong decision, which still boggles me how on Earth he wasn’t dropped/managed at all during the season and be replaced with players like Robertson and co, who were banging the door down every week in the reserves and getting limited time in the AFL.

Just hope Fages and the other coaches start to manage the older players (Zorko/Lyons/Rich) throughout the season much better in exchange for in-form players in the VFL, cause that was one of the reasons why we didn’t win the flag last year, as brutal as it sounds.