Training 2024 Preseason training reports and discussion

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Just noticed Fish is saying that Cam Rayner was a "standout" again, as a pure midfielder >

CAM Rayner has given Brisbane coach Chris Fagan a good selection headache ahead of Opening Round after a standout showing as a pure midfielder against Gold Coast on Thursday night.

Rayner gives Lions selection headache as Charlie blitzes Suns

I thought he was quite good but a standout :think:, what do others think?
 
M Malice said:
Just noticed Fish is saying that Cam Rayner was a "standout" again, as a pure midfielder >

CAM Rayner has given Brisbane coach Chris Fagan a good selection headache ahead of Opening Round after a standout showing as a pure midfielder against Gold Coast on Thursday night.

Rayner gives Lions selection headache as Charlie blitzes Suns

I thought he was quite good but a standout :think:, what do others think?
Click to expand...

He has clearly improved a lot so should see increased midfield minutes this season. It may not click initially but he is going to have standout games that he will dominate. His running and efforts are so much better.

His skills were somewhat hit and miss but that’s not something I worry about in Feb.
 
Elixuh said:
He has clearly improved a lot so should see increased midfield minutes this season. It may not click initially but he is going to have standout games that he will dominate. His running and efforts are so much better.
Click to expand...
Wonder if danster was watching Cam's Norm Smith like performance last night.
 

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M Malice said:
Wonder if danster was watching Cam's Norm Smith like performance last night.
Click to expand...

Lol
I just posted in that thread thank you for the link
 
I was a bit frustrated last night that we were once again very flat footed at clearances. Think this is to cover for Os poor rucking and Neale is usually the one that gets on the move but it’s incredibly frustrating when Bailey goes in there and just hangs off his opponent and doesn’t attack the footy. Rayners value would be in his explosiveness.

Wouldnt be the worse thing to just get more experience into him as a midfielder

Also thought although his ball use was poor it was a positive for Bailey to find so much of the footy. Hopefully he keeps the focus up on his tackling and defensive work as well
 
Last edited:
Just came on to post there was a big pump up in today’s CM also on Cam’s game.

We’ve said many times that he could be the one that gives us that point of difference we need through the middle. I am looking forward to seeing him playing there more often this year, however I didn’t think he stood out last night above anyone else though.

Are we all wrong on here and the “experts” have it right?
 
As per the above, here is the article I was talking about.

AFL news: Cam Rayner stars as Brisbane Lions win 102-55 over Gold Coast Suns in practice match​


Stop teasing us Chris Fagan.

Another Cam Rayner midfield masterclass on Thursday night will have Brisbane Lions fans salivating at the prospect of more minutes in the guts for the former No.1 pick this year.

But with so many mouths to feed in the Lions’ engine room, does Fagan have the means to get him more of the footy?

It’s a question that must be asked with only two weeks to go until Opening Round, after Rayner put on a clinic against Gold Coast in their practice match at Springfield.

With no Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry or Deven Robertson it allowed the 24-year-old to play the majority of his four quarters in the middle against the Suns – and he was unquestionably best afield in the 15.12-102 to 8.7-55 victory.

Brisbane looked a class above the Suns in the first real hitout for both sides of the pre-season, with Fagan’s grand finalists never really challenged by a side that is still finding its feet under new coach Damien Hardwick.

After teasing a defensive switch for Rayner last pre-season, Fagan settled on him as a permanent forward in 2023 and he showed glimpses of his game breaking potential.

But the question remains how can the Lions maximise Rayner’s incredible skill set, which at times can feel wasted inside 50 when he is not getting his hands on the footy.

Thursday night’s masterclass – standing alongside Josh Dunkley and against a Suns midfield of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell – proved Rayner has all the capabilities of a superstar on-baller.

The standing question has been over his running capacity, which from an albeit small sample size this pre-season appears to have improved.

So will we see more Rayner in the middle this year? With the likes of Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage, Berry and Ashcroft it seems unlikely.

But the case is mounting for at least more of a mid-forward split than we saw in 2023.
 
I don't place a whole lot of faith in the practice games but fwiiw I didn't think Cam did much and Mike's on the juice there , but at least he was getting himself into good positions though I get GF nightmares when he has it in hand sometimes. The majority of our Senior players did all they had to do. Of the hopefuls Tunstill is going to make it , perhaps not this year ,but he's a good solid team first player who will thrive on work.

I'll probably get the kitchen sink thrown at me here but Kai hasn't improved since his first year (on anything I've seen) and the sooner he gets told to simply play a role for the team instead of trying to be Mr Magic every time he goes near it the quicker he'll learn. I don't see Dizz as a forward but I can see it could work against the right opposition.

One thing I was impressed by was the overall condition of the squad. They mostly looked super fit with some trimmed down a little.

Wilmott and Kiddy should prove a nightmare for the opposition especially if they both fire in the same game.
 
Squizz89 said:
Just came on to post there was a big pump up in today’s CM also on Cam’s game.

We’ve said many times that he could be the one that gives us that point of difference we need through the middle. I am looking forward to seeing him playing there more often this year, however I didn’t think he stood out last night above anyone else though.

Are we all wrong on here and the “experts” have it right?
Click to expand...
100%, Cam has shown in rare snippets that he can be an explosive, burst through stoppage type player. If his endurance has improved substantially look out competition.
 
Squizz89 said:
As per the above, here is the article I was talking about.

AFL news: Cam Rayner stars as Brisbane Lions win 102-55 over Gold Coast Suns in practice match​


Stop teasing us Chris Fagan.

Another Cam Rayner midfield masterclass on Thursday night will have Brisbane Lions fans salivating at the prospect of more minutes in the guts for the former No.1 pick this year.

But with so many mouths to feed in the Lions’ engine room, does Fagan have the means to get him more of the footy?

It’s a question that must be asked with only two weeks to go until Opening Round, after Rayner put on a clinic against Gold Coast in their practice match at Springfield.

With no Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry or Deven Robertson it allowed the 24-year-old to play the majority of his four quarters in the middle against the Suns – and he was unquestionably best afield in the 15.12-102 to 8.7-55 victory.

Brisbane looked a class above the Suns in the first real hitout for both sides of the pre-season, with Fagan’s grand finalists never really challenged by a side that is still finding its feet under new coach Damien Hardwick.

After teasing a defensive switch for Rayner last pre-season, Fagan settled on him as a permanent forward in 2023 and he showed glimpses of his game breaking potential.

But the question remains how can the Lions maximise Rayner’s incredible skill set, which at times can feel wasted inside 50 when he is not getting his hands on the footy.

Thursday night’s masterclass – standing alongside Josh Dunkley and against a Suns midfield of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell – proved Rayner has all the capabilities of a superstar on-baller.

The standing question has been over his running capacity, which from an albeit small sample size this pre-season appears to have improved.

So will we see more Rayner in the middle this year? With the likes of Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage, Berry and Ashcroft it seems unlikely.

But the case is mounting for at least more of a mid-forward split than we saw in 2023.
Click to expand...
Who wrote that article, Mrs Rayner? "masterclass" "incredible skill set" "superstar" is just a tad over the top.
 

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Squizz89 said:
As per the above, here is the article I was talking about.

AFL news: Cam Rayner stars as Brisbane Lions win 102-55 over Gold Coast Suns in practice match​


Stop teasing us Chris Fagan.

Another Cam Rayner midfield masterclass on Thursday night will have Brisbane Lions fans salivating at the prospect of more minutes in the guts for the former No.1 pick this year.

But with so many mouths to feed in the Lions’ engine room, does Fagan have the means to get him more of the footy?

It’s a question that must be asked with only two weeks to go until Opening Round, after Rayner put on a clinic against Gold Coast in their practice match at Springfield.

With no Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry or Deven Robertson it allowed the 24-year-old to play the majority of his four quarters in the middle against the Suns – and he was unquestionably best afield in the 15.12-102 to 8.7-55 victory.

Brisbane looked a class above the Suns in the first real hitout for both sides of the pre-season, with Fagan’s grand finalists never really challenged by a side that is still finding its feet under new coach Damien Hardwick.

After teasing a defensive switch for Rayner last pre-season, Fagan settled on him as a permanent forward in 2023 and he showed glimpses of his game breaking potential.

But the question remains how can the Lions maximise Rayner’s incredible skill set, which at times can feel wasted inside 50 when he is not getting his hands on the footy.

Thursday night’s masterclass – standing alongside Josh Dunkley and against a Suns midfield of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell – proved Rayner has all the capabilities of a superstar on-baller.

The standing question has been over his running capacity, which from an albeit small sample size this pre-season appears to have improved.

So will we see more Rayner in the middle this year? With the likes of Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage, Berry and Ashcroft it seems unlikely.

But the case is mounting for at least more of a mid-forward split than we saw in 2023.
Click to expand...

Is this a parody?
 
I didnt manage to get through the full game, fell asleep on the couch somewhere in the 5th I think. But seemed like a pretty standard pre-season game in way too hot and steamy conditions. Im not going to pay too much attention to some of the really bad ball use at times as even good ball users were spraying it everywhere - especially as the game got late and players were wilting.

Main thoughts:
  • Tunstill impressed me. I wasnt convinced before but think he has given himself every shot at an early wing spot - suspect he will start while Dev is injured
  • Lyons showed he can still play well but running will always be the concern. I still see him as only playing when Neale or Dunkley arent
  • Gardiner forward looks like it could work. Shows that bit of mongrel and very different style to Hipwood and Joe. We could be too similar in our talls if Ryan plays with them
 
M Malice said:
Who wrote that article, Mrs Rayner? "masterclass" "incredible skill set" "superstar" is just a tad over the top.
Click to expand...

No Mr Malice, it’s perfect.
 
I think that Cam has always been a little suspect below his knees. Gets the fumbles up when the ball is on the ground.
Not sure how many possessions he had last night but to my eye, he could have had atleast half a dozen more if he could pick the ball up cleanly.
He is doing everything right and getting to the right spots often enough but tends to attack the ball a bit too hard and over runs the ball a lot imo.
But he is definitely showing signs of being able to be a damaging player on ball and has the ability to break a pack open which exactly the type of player we need in the guts.
 
martinson said:
I'll probably get the kitchen sink thrown at me here but Kai hasn't improved since his first year (on anything I've seen) and the sooner he gets told to simply play a role for the team instead of trying to be Mr Magic every time he goes near it the quicker he'll learn. I don't see Dizz as a forward but I can see it could work against the right opposition.
Click to expand...
Kai seems very similar to Jimmy Madden in that every time they get the ball they appear very indecisive and run themselves into trouble as a result.
They just need to go with their first decision because it is often the right one but they will hang onto it for too long.
 
Dalions said:
I think that Cam has always been a little suspect below his knees. Gets the fumbles up when the ball is on the ground.
Not sure how many possessions he had last night but to my eye, he could have had atleast half a dozen more if he could pick the ball up cleanly.
He is doing everything right and getting to the right spots often enough but tends to attack the ball a bit too hard and over runs the ball a lot imo.
But he is definitely showing signs of being able to be a damaging player on ball and has the ability to break a pack open which exactly the type of player we need in the guts.
Click to expand...
You've put your finger on it there Dalions. Just can't quite get clean possession when he's in the perfect spot to do so.

He tends to go at it at the same tempo all the time when he doesn't always need to. And then often has more time than he thinks in his haste to offload it.

He's been the same for a while now. I'm sure Lachie could help him out with some intense practice . Lachie's slower and less imposing physically but always seems to have more time.
 
Cam was the standout midfielder IMO. What really impressed me was his much improved running capacity and defensive mindset. Seemed really intent on providing tackles and pressure if he didn't win the ball.

People judging his and others skills in the first scratchy of the year need to remember that it's just that - a practice run.

Cam's skills will sharpen like all other players will. When it does, his ability with the ball, combined with his much improved tank and defensive mindset will be a huge addition to this team.
 
pappaazz said:
My Rockliff highlight was when Dunkley went back with the flight of the ball and said "I wouldn't be doing that in February..." Dont worry Rocky, we know :p
Click to expand...
My favourite was when his fellow commentator said that it was getting dark here in Springfield and Rockliff replied.. yer it tends to get darker at night. 🤣
 
M Malice said:
My favourite was when his fellow commentator said that it was getting dark here in Springfield and Rockliff replied.. yer it tends to get darker at night. 🤣
Click to expand...
Just on the lighting.
I watched the 4 quarters of the game from the grandstand.
The ground lighting was very good from that position.
I started to leave with about 5 minutes left in that 4th quarter and watched the remainder of the quarter from ground level.
For me it was noticeably darker at the ground/player level.
 
Nunez said:
Cam was the standout midfielder IMO. What really impressed me was his much improved running capacity and defensive mindset. Seemed really intent on providing tackles and pressure if he didn't win the ball.

People judging his and others skills in the first scratchy of the year need to remember that it's just that - a practice run.

Cam's skills will sharpen like all other players will. When it does, his ability with the ball, combined with his much improved tank and defensive mindset will be a huge addition to this team.
Click to expand...

He was certainly up there with Dunkley and Hugh. But yeah, anyone hoping he suddenly flicks a switch and plays like 2021 Petracca need to temper their expectations a tad.
 
The Flying Belgian said:
He was certainly up there with Dunkley and Hugh. But yeah, anyone hoping he suddenly flicks a switch and plays like 2021 Petracca need to temper their expectations a tad.
Click to expand...

No need to be so nasty to Elixuh
 

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