List Mgmt. 2024 Father Son watch MKIII. Operation Ashcroft jnr. Featuring various academy boys.

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I'd reckon the lions would have already spoken to young Ashcroft outlining his path into our best 22. Letting him know what expectations are, how the evolution of the midfield will go. He probably knows how and when he will fit in, and that it's probably not going to be in his first year (barring long term injuries and any unforeseen trade requests). So it's a question for him, whether he is happy to grow and learn for a year or two in the seconds, or, whether he wants to go to a weak side and get an instant start. Whether he wants to wait 5 or 6+ years for a shot at finals, longer for a flag, or, come to a club where long term success is already on the cards.

To be honest, I don't think it's the end of the world if he doesn't take the f/s option. It would be great that's for sure but not pivotal. We have Devrob n Tunstill in the wings and our drafting team will continue to do their job to the high standards they have already set. Plenty of good kids out there. I won't be losing any sleep over him that's for sure. Although I will be very excited should he Iand at the club.
 
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I'd reckon the lions would have already spoken to young Ashcroft outlining his path into our best 22. Letting him know what expectations are, how the evolution of the midfield will go. He probably knows how and when he will fit in, and that it's probably not going to be in his first year (barring long term injuries and any unforeseen trade requests). So it's a question for him, whether he is happy to grow and learn for a year or two in the seconds, or, whether he wants to go to a weak side and get an instant start. Whether he wants to wait 5 or 6+ years for a shot at finals, longer for a flag, or, come to a club where long term success is already on the cards.

To be honest, I don't think it's the end of the world if he doesn't take the f/s option. It would be great that's for sure but not pivotal. We have Devrob n Tunstill in the wings and our drafting team will continue to do their job to the high standards they have already set. Plenty of good kids out there.

He'd have played the first few weeks if he were drafted this year. He's that good.
 
Just finished watching the academy game back and it was good to see a better showing from the boys, could've gone away after getting well beaten in the second quarter but fought back really well. I'd imagine most of our draftees this season will come from the academy so thought I'd post this in here, feel free to move it to the academy thread.

J. Fletcher: Looked much better in this game breaking lines, dodging tackles and using the ball well. A couple nice long range goals as well.

J Manly: Played well again, was really strong in the contest and showed some nice aggression, kicked a good goal on the run. Looks physically ready to play a couple games in the VFL team and I think it'd be worth giving him a game or two over a couple of the guys in there already.


J Cooper: First time seeing this guy play and I'm unsure whether he's played in the previous academy games but looked good floating across half-back, has some nice athletic tools and used the ball well. Not big enough to be a KPD but looked a similar size and style of play to Prior in his draft year.

L Hude: Kicked 3 and took some strong marks playing as a KPF, two goals from free's in marking contests but finished them off well. Will be interesting to see whether he can keep this goal kicking form up as we haven't had a KPF kick bags of goals in the VFL for a while.

I Gejas: Moves really well for his size and he fought hard but just needs to find more ways to get involved in the game, only had 3 touches but looked better than that, kicked a nice set shot from the boundary during the comeback.

In all honesty other than Jaspa the rest of these guys are probably looking at rookie spots at best but after matching bids on the F/S that's likely all we'll be taking anyways. Still hoping McMillian comes back at some stage this season as he would be a pretty big inclusion to this team based off his QLD games last season.
There’s a lot (like really a lot) of talls in this draft. SA probably won’t be able to fit all their talls in their U18 state squad, let alone the actual team for the championships.

I’ll be pretty disappointed if we don’t pick up at least 1 tall defender.
 

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There’s a lot (like really a lot) of talls in this draft. SA probably won’t be able to fit all their talls in their U18 state squad, let alone the actual team for the championships.

I’ll be pretty disappointed if we don’t pick up at least 1 tall defender.
I agree although I could see that tall being Arnold if he continues a good start to the season.
 
I'd reckon the lions would have already spoken to young Ashcroft outlining his path into our best 22. Letting him know what expectations are, how the evolution of the midfield will go. He probably knows how and when he will fit in, and that it's probably not going to be in his first year (barring long term injuries and any unforeseen trade requests). So it's a question for him, whether he is happy to grow and learn for a year or two in the seconds, or, whether he wants to go to a weak side and get an instant start. Whether he wants to wait 5 or 6+ years for a shot at finals, longer for a flag, or, come to a club where long term success is already on the cards.

To be honest, I don't think it's the end of the world if he doesn't take the f/s option. It would be great that's for sure but not pivotal. We have Devrob n Tunstill in the wings and our drafting team will continue to do their job to the high standards they have already set. Plenty of good kids out there. I won't be losing any sleep over him that's for sure. Although I will be very excited should he Iand at the club.

One thing that has been pretty noticeable from the Lions in recent years is their long-term list planning. I remember even back when they traded Charlie in at the end of 2017, they spoke about how he fit in to the 2020+ team they had on a whiteboard. So I would expect that right now in Dom Ambrogio's office, they probably have a 2025+ team that they're working on.

The major holes in that lineup are obviously Rich, Robbo, Adams, Zorko, Lyons, and most likely Neale. Possibly McCarthy, McInerney, Cameron, and Daniher too.

A couple of them will play on past 2025, but on the whole that's the list we'll need to replace by then.

Of those, I think we'd probably feel relatively safe in the following projections:
Robbo - Sharp or Prior
Zorko - Possibly Tom Berry
Lyons - Dev
Neale - Ashcroft (assuming we draft him)
McCarthy - Lohmann
Rich - Wilmot (or potentially Madden - Carter Michael a chance too)
Adams - Payne

That leaves us with Daniher, Cameron, McInerney and possibly Zorko without a clear replacement. I think that will probably be our drafting focus in the next few years - although not in the area of ruck most likely, which is a bit easier to fill. I'd expect we'd be targeting a high-end key forward as our first priority, and perhaps a small forward too.
 
He'd have played the first few weeks if he were drafted this year. He's that good.
Is he really that good already that he would replace any of our current midfield. Does he already have the size to replace Lyons, Berry, Rayner, Cockatoo in their midfield roles. Or has he the speed n skill to replace Clugg, Bailey or Neale. I'd even say Dev has the edge over him at this stage. Has he got the tank already to run out an afl game. Has he got the experience and skills in other positions to start fwd or on the wing and rotate thru the m/f. If it's a definite yes to 3 or 4 of those questions then your probably right.
 
One thing that has been pretty noticeable from the Lions in recent years is their long-term list planning. I remember even back when they traded Charlie in at the end of 2017, they spoke about how he fit in to the 2020+ team they had on a whiteboard. So I would expect that right now in Dom Ambrogio's office, they probably have a 2025+ team that they're working on.

The major holes in that lineup are obviously Rich, Robbo, Adams, Zorko, Lyons, and most likely Neale. Possibly McCarthy, McInerney, Cameron, and Daniher too.

A couple of them will play on past 2025, but on the whole that's the list we'll need to replace by then.

Of those, I think we'd probably feel relatively safe in the following projections:
Robbo - Sharp or Prior
Zorko - Possibly Tom Berry
Lyons - Dev
Neale - Ashcroft (assuming we draft him)
McCarthy - Lohmann
Rich - Wilmot (or potentially Madden - Carter Michael a chance too)
Adams - Payne

That leaves us with Daniher, Cameron, McInerney and possibly Zorko without a clear replacement. I think that will probably be our drafting focus in the next few years - although not in the area of ruck most likely, which is a bit easier to fill. I'd expect we'd be targeting a high-end key forward as our first priority, and perhaps a small forward too.
I think guys already within the team take their places first, Bailey has already started replacing Zorko for example, meaning Lohmann could take Bailey’s old role. This whole planning a future 22 is so fluid with player development and player movement that it’s hard to pinpoint who’s replacing who. As long as there’s good young depth in the all areas of the field in the reserves we’re pretty well set. As others have mentioned in the past after this draft we’ll be pretty well stocked on mids and flankers in different roles, key position has to be what we start targeting next.
 
Is he really that good already that he would replace any of our current midfield. Does he already have the size to replace Lyons, Berry, Rayner, Cockatoo in their midfield roles. Or has he the speed n skill to replace Clugg, Bailey or Neale. I'd even say Dev has the edge over him at this stage. Has he got the tank already to run out an afl game. Has he got the experience and skills in other positions to start fwd or on the wing and rotate thru the m/f. If it's a definite yes to 3 or 4 of those questions then your probably right.
In most teams, top 5 draft calibre midfielders play early. Provided Ashcroft brings the right attitude and training standards (which by all reports he does) I'm sure we would find a spot for him in the senior team. Talent that good you develop in the senior team as long they're physically up to it.
 
Is he really that good already that he would replace any of our current midfield. Does he already have the size to replace Lyons, Berry, Rayner, Cockatoo in their midfield roles. Or has he the speed n skill to replace Clugg, Bailey or Neale. I'd even say Dev has the edge over him at this stage. Has he got the tank already to run out an afl game. Has he got the experience and skills in other positions to start fwd or on the wing and rotate thru the m/f. If it's a definite yes to 3 or 4 of those questions then your probably right.
I don’t think he outright replaces any of our current midfield but I think he’d make his way into the team in some way by the end of the season. He was talked about on the same level as Daicos and Horne-Francis were last year and I think both of those guys have a spot in our team.
 
Is he really that good already that he would replace any of our current midfield. Does he already have the size to replace Lyons, Berry, Rayner, Cockatoo in their midfield roles. Or has he the speed n skill to replace Clugg, Bailey or Neale. I'd even say Dev has the edge over him at this stage. Has he got the tank already to run out an afl game. Has he got the experience and skills in other positions to start fwd or on the wing and rotate thru the m/f. If it's a definite yes to 3 or 4 of those questions then your probably right.
He won player of the tournament in the under 15 nationals. He captained a full vic side ( not metro and country)

If we dont get him it's a big disaster. He is clearly the best f/s prospect we have had since Brown.
 
Is he really that good already that he would replace any of our current midfield. Does he already have the size to replace Lyons, Berry, Rayner, Cockatoo in their midfield roles. Or has he the speed n skill to replace Clugg, Bailey or Neale. I'd even say Dev has the edge over him at this stage. Has he got the tank already to run out an afl game. Has he got the experience and skills in other positions to start fwd or on the wing and rotate thru the m/f. If it's a definite yes to 3 or 4 of those questions then your probably right.

He's that good. Showed enough in his time training with us that Fagan would have heavily considered him for the best 22 to fast track.
 
He's that good. Showed enough in his time training with us that Fagan would have heavily considered him for the best 22 to fast track.

Can always find a spot in a wing/half forward rotation for highly-rated midfielders that have enough fitness to play. Maybe he doesn't play round 1 but I bet he would have played round 2 with robbo suspended.
 

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Some stats from the weekend courtesy of the Rookie Me folk:

WESTERN JETS 14.5 (89) def. BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY 10.6 (66)

IN A SENTENCE:


Western Jets resisted a six-goal surge from the Brisbane Lions Academy in term three to cement a 23-point victory at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

TEAM STATS:

Western Jets won the rebound 50s (30-25) and tackles (66-56)
Lions Academy won the disposals (261-251) and marks (77-68)

KEY PLAYERS:

Massimo D’Ambrosio (Western Jets) – 28 disposals, 6 marks, 6 rebound 50s
Jaelen Pavlidis (Western Jets) – 21 disposals, 8 tackles, 3 inside 50s
Harry Miller (Western Jets) – 10 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals
Jaspa Fletcher (Lions Academy) – 19 disposals, 7 marks, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals
Ben McCarthy (Lions Academy) – 19 disposals, 8 marks, 2 tackles
Liam Hude (Lions Academy) – 13 disposals, 6 marks, 3 goals

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Jaspa Fletcher (Lions Academy)
4 – Massimo D’Ambrosio (Western Jets)
3 – Jaelen Pavlidis (Western Jets)
2 – Liam Hude (Lions Academy)
1 – Harry Miller (Western Jets)


SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 9.9 (63) def. OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 11.15 (81)

IN A SENTENCE:

The Oakleigh Chargers claimed bragging rights over Sandringham in their Round 1 blockbuster at RSEA Park, setting up the 18-point win with nine goals at one end of the ground.

TEAM STATS:

Sandringham Dragons won the handballs (116-106) and rebound 50s (39-26)
Oakleigh Chargers won the kicks (199-170), marks (98-57), and inside 50s (50-37)

KEY PLAYERS:

Archie Roberts
(Sandringham Dragons) – 22 disposals, 2 marks, 8 rebound 50s
Will Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons) – 18 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 inside 50s
Lachlan Benton (Sandringham Dragons) – 17 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 3 goals
Elijah Tsatas (Oakleigh Chargers) – 27 disposals, 6 marks, 3 inside 50s
George Wardlaw (Oakleigh Chargers) – 24 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal
Blake Drury (Oakleigh Chargers) – 21 disposals, 8 marks, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals, 5 behinds

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – George Wardlaw (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Elijah Tsatas (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Archie Roberts (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Blake Drury (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Jack O’Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers)

 
See how Fagan played Rayner in the firsts to fast track his development. If Ashcroft is fit enough he'll play for sure. Even then Rayner wasn't in the best shape and got games. Nothing to learn by beating up on lowly players in the seconds.
 
See how Fagan played Rayner in the firsts to fast track his development. If Ashcroft is fit enough he'll play for sure. Even then Rayner wasn't in the best shape and got games. Nothing to learn by beating up on lowly players in the seconds.
Very different situations with the team compared to back then, I doubt Cam would’ve been playing much if this was his first season. Ashcroft is meant to be a different level of young talent coming through at this stage.
 
There’s a lot (like really a lot) of talls in this draft. SA probably won’t be able to fit all their talls in their U18 state squad, let alone the actual team for the championships.

I’ll be pretty disappointed if we don’t pick up at least 1 tall defender.
We've got 4 already why do we need another tall defender? If anything we need another really good KPF
 
See how Fagan played Rayner in the firsts to fast track his development. If Ashcroft is fit enough he'll play for sure. Even then Rayner wasn't in the best shape and got games. Nothing to learn by beating up on lowly players in the seconds.
We can't even fit Deven into the side let alone an 18 yr old kid.
 
We've got 4 already why do we need another tall defender? If anything we need another really good KPF
I think we need both, I can only count 3 KPD with Andrews, Adams and Payne and all 3 have had injury issues in the past. Agree we don’t have a genuine KPF outside of the best 22.
 
We've got 4 already why do we need another tall defender? If anything we need another really good KPF
I agree with mattsmob that we really only have three.

I’m on record as not being the biggest fan of Gardiner, and I’ve expressed my concerns about his potential durability.

I agree we need another developing KPF as well.

But it’s easier to cover a forwards injury with a second ruck or ruck forward. And we already have a young developing ruck, ruck forward, and forward who can chop out in the ruck.

So I personally view another young key defender as more of a need.

And mattsmob to reply to something you mentioned earlier, I’d hope we rookie list Arnold as well as take a KPP in the draft.
 
I agree with mattsmob that we really only have three.

I’m on record as not being the biggest fan of Gardiner, and I’ve expressed my concerns about his potential durability.

I agree we need another developing KPF as well.

But it’s easier to cover a forwards injury with a second ruck or ruck forward. And we already have a young developing ruck, ruck forward, and forward who can chop out in the ruck.

So I personally view another young key defender as more of a need.

And mattsmob to reply to something you mentioned earlier, I’d hope we rookie list Arnold as well as take a KPP in the draft.
Im sorry but i cannot let that one go. Gardiner was holding third tall and sometimes 2nd kpd at 18. We were shit and he was a kid in the backline holding kpd as best he could. He has done so much for this club and stuck by us through the bad times. Also, he can play big or small. Yes he has had shoulder issues but he is a super important part of our backline.

And... i remember being interstate watching the lions train and my son who was probably 11 or 12 was a bit shy to go and talk to the boys. Two players came across Cam Rayner and Darcy Gardiner spent plenty of time with him after a hard match sim. Salt of the earth, good citizen, he has years left in him. As i said can play kp or small, super flexible.
 
I would say that Gardiner is our 2nd best KPD and we need an actual KPF who can kick goals not makeshift ruckman-forward whatevers who kick 1 goal every 3 games.
 
I would say that Gardiner is our 2nd best KPD and we need an actual KPF who can kick goals not makeshift ruckman-forward whatevers who kick 1 goal every 3 games.
Harris has had a slow start to the season but I wouldn’t go that far. We don’t struggle to kick goals but if Gardiner was on the second biggest forward each week that’d be a huge issue imo.
 

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List Mgmt. 2024 Father Son watch MKIII. Operation Ashcroft jnr. Featuring various academy boys.

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