Training 2023 Pre-season thread

[On the quiet]

TBH I don't rate those you've listed as fighting it out for a spot on the bench. Based on 2022 form they're all at best C graders.

Probably fairly critical that a couple step up if we're to be genuine contenders

I believe Dev can only improve and can be a good player. Might be a 'C' currently but I believe can be much better. We probably end up losing him end of this year if he has not cemented a spot.
A fit Lyons is much better than a 'C' grader, but acknowledge most of his 2022 form was not good.
Answerth is very solid
Wilmott has a lot of potential based on what he provided in the finals
Ah Chee a very solid (almost the perfect sub)
Prior i think with continual development will be a solid player and is probably a 'C' at this stage but like a lot of young blokes just needs a consistent run but hard to see how that happens this year.

With game time Dev, Lyons and Wilmot step up from 2022 form.

 

[On the quiet]

I don't think we can afford to go in with only one ruck. Daniher is the only possible back up for Oscar in that team and I don't think he should be risked at centre bounces in particular. So Fort is likely to be one of the starting bench imo. Makes it even a tighter squeeze for the midfield/half back group on the edge of best 22. I also think McCarthy will be in the 22.

I like Fort, but with some of the key forwards performing ruck duties at times (eg Hawkins etc) could Payne be a relieving ruck when the play is down back? Doubt he has had any training in the ruck so maybe a longer term option beyond this year.

I think we will need two rucks against say a Melbourne.

 

[Section 5]

I don't think we can afford to go in with only one ruck. Daniher is the only possible back up for Oscar in that team and I don't think he should be risked at centre bounces in particular. So Fort is likely to be one of the starting bench imo. Makes it even a tighter squeeze for the midfield/half back group on the edge of best 22. I also think McCarthy will be in the 22.

We only play one ruck in my opinion Pride of lions.
Adding Fort makes us too tall and slow. A midfielder will miss out if Fort plays.
If Joe is fit enough to play, then he can do some ruck relief.
His value as relief ruck is his marking and work around the ground while Big O is off.

Joe just needs to well - not try to be a good ruck in any ruck contest.
Our midfielders won't be expecting him to hit them on the chest during a center or around the ground ruck contests.
They would probably drop the ball in shock if that happened.

Jo just needs to:
(a) protect himself at center bounces and ball ups around the ground.
(b) just slightly get off the ground 10- 30cm and put one of his arms up. That plus his height and long arms is enough.
(c) take front position, if possible, for boundary throw ins (he usually does not)
(d) don't give away a free kick. This is the important one for me. Our midfielders are more than capable of extracting the ball from clearances.

I think when we play Melbourne (Gawn + Grundy) they might think about it, but most likely Fort is TS for that game.

 

[Tom14]

Im not sure Lyons is quick enough to play forward and add the defensive effort there long term but he has had a few stints kicking a few.

He definitely has a better eye for goal than most would give him credit for. I feel like most of them were stoppage type goals but I feel he is big enough to be a marking threat as well

He is such a shocking set shot for goal though. Him and zorks are both pretty good when snapping or on the run, but couldn't hit a barn door if they are 30m out after a mark.

Lyons isn't athletic enough to play anywhere other than inside mid.

 

[Nathan Barley]

He is such a shocking set shot for goal though. Him and zorks are both pretty good when snapping or on the run, but couldn't hit a barn door if they are 30m out after a mark.

Lyons isn't athletic enough to play anywhere other than inside mid.

And if Lyons is down there he is no more of a marking threat than Charlie, Linc, Cam or Bailey

 

[Dalions]

And if Lyons is down there he is no more of a marking threat than Charlie, Linc, Cam or Bailey

That’s good, the last thing we need is another player jumping for the ball in the forward line.
Need some crumbers.

 

[Dalions]

Wonder what song Kai Lohmann is gonna end up with?

 

[Viceregal]

So we might lose Country Roads?

 

[Strato]

I believe Dev can only improve and can be a good player. Might be a 'C' currently but I believe can be much better. We probably end up losing him end of this year if he has not cemented a spot.
A fit Lyons is much better than a 'C' grader, but acknowledge most of his 2022 form was not good.
Answerth is very solid
Wilmott has a lot of potential based on what he provided in the finals
Ah Chee a very solid (almost the perfect sub)
Prior i think with continual development will be a solid player and is probably a 'C' at this stage but like a lot of young blokes just needs a consistent run but hard to see how that happens this year.

With game time Dev, Lyons and Wilmot step up from 2022 form.

I agree all that you have stated except Lyons form was not good in 2022. If you audit his games performances throughout last season Lyons was in our best players on several occasions until his injury that restricted him severely. He had 16 games over 20 possessions, the rest, 6 games over 14 possessions and the others did not play in the senior side. Then you add his tackles and clearances. If Lyons is fit, he is a definite best 22. Unfortunately in 2022, we saw players such as Lyons, Zorko, Daniher, etc, struggling with injury on the ground and their form justified that. Our team selection last season at times was questionable but hopefully our coaching department can get it right this coming season by playing a fully fit team due to the great depth we have.

 

[Gadzorks]

Our depth makes me believe we will not stick to the best 23 every week, but will manage and rotate players like Geelong.

Think it will be the secret ingredient that lifts us.

Can't wait.

 

[Dalions]

Our depth makes me believe we will not stick to the best 23 every week, but will manage and rotate players like Geelong.

Think it will be the secret ingredient that lifts us.

Can't wait.

What this would do is create the feeling of never completely being safe with your spot in the team.
Which would ultimately be a great thing to keep everyone fighting for position.

 

[Dalions]

 

[Dalions]

Noticed on one of the Insta feeds that Zorko and Harris Andrews

31

Harris Andrews

Age

28

Ht

202cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.8

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

151.7

2star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

3star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

MG

94.0

2star

sitting either side of where Fages will be sitting. So for those hoping for a change might be a bit upset.
Wouldn’t imagine Zorks would be demoted to Vice Captaincy?
Dual Captaincy may still be on the cards?

 

[T Rick]

Noticed on one of the Insta feeds that Zorko and Harris Andrews sitting either side of where Fages will be sitting. So for those hoping for a change might be a bit upset.
Wouldn’t imagine Zorks would be demoted to Vice Captaincy?
Dual Captaincy may still be on the cards?

Not sure of the point for any club, ourselves included, in delaying an announcement on the Captaincy unless it is a marketing thing in terms of a season launch scenario. Geelong, Essendon and ourselves are all pending...

 

[Squizz89]

Soon find out I guess.

 

[M Malice]

I'd go for Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

31

Ht

178cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

I'd go for Lachie Neale.

Ryan Bastinac all the way, I mean Will Ashcroft

 

[Squizz89]

Noticed on one of the Insta feeds that Zorko and Harris Andrews sitting either side of where Fages will be sitting. So for those hoping for a change might be a bit upset.
Wouldn’t imagine Zorks would be demoted to Vice Captaincy?
Dual Captaincy may still be on the cards?

Good pick up! Although bit weird Zorko was still in the middle of that photo. Would be a strange call to be “demoted” to VC. Surely by stepping down it’s entirely from the leadership group etc. Guess we shall see.

 

[M Malice]

Ryan Bastinac all the way, I mean Will Ashcroft

3KZ is Football says what about Froggy Lester.

 

[Dalions]

I'd go for Lachie Neale.

I think it will be Harris.

 

[Dalions]

 

[M Malice]

I think it will be Harris.

Yer I think Harris is the favourite with Hugh as a smokie, I just like Lachie, a lead by example captain.

 

[Squizz89]

Judging by that photo it looks like it’ll be Harris. Bit meh on that appointment given his last 2 years have been down from his lofty standards, I was hoping he could just focus on his own form. I also like that a captain has the potential to influence a game. Not sure how much of that can be done from FB, but I certainly wont lose sleep over the appointment if they go that way.

FWIW my personal favourite would be Hugh but that wont happen. The other option is Lachie of course which I could have definitely seen work too.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Worry about having some organising the backline if Harris is team captain

Doesn't seem like a lot of leaders in that backline apart from Harris

Plus he's sometimes tried to do too much and it has cost the team

 

[T Rick]

View attachment 1607122

Fantastic photo-well done to both Fages and Zorks on a wonderful leadership partnership!