Training 2025 Pre-Season Thread

[KissKiss]

In that scenario I assume Fort starts the year as ruck. Then Day, Morris and Hipwood are the starting forwards with Ryan, Gardiner or Lloyd as back up options (pending injuries).

Definitely not ideal but I guess we are going to have to try a few different options across the year to replace the tall mix

 

[Pns_blister]

In that scenario I assume Fort starts the year as ruck. Then Day, Morris and Hipwood are the starting forwards with Ryan, Gardiner or Lloyd as back up options (pending injuries).

Definitely not ideal but I guess we are going to have to try a few different options across the year to replace the tall mix

Could also go with a two tall set up in the forward line. Rayner can play tall. We can also play Charlie out of the goal square, which has worked in the past.

 

[NotQuiteJezza]

Could also go with a two tall set up in the forward line. Rayner can play tall. We can also play Charlie out of the goal square, which has worked in the past.

I actually like the idea of starting the first few games at home a lot smaller than normal due to the slippery nature and humidity. I’m sure that for the last few seasons our talls have had a bad start dealing with the ball coming in overhead and just going straight through their hands. I don’t have the official stats but I’d love to see something on this.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Could also go with a two tall set up in the forward line. Rayner can play tall. We can also play Charlie out of the goal square, which has worked in the past.

It worked in the past for Charlie but not for the team

 

[BuntonRules]

It worked in the past for Charlie but not for the team

And it did not work for Rayner - we would be far inferior if we shifted him from his current role.

 

[Nuggo]

Joe out Day in seems the most logical.

 

[Saucery]

Been watching my way through the finals games (again) and I can't fathom any team in which Andrews, Payne, Starce and Answorth don't form the foundation of our back six (if fit). They are a rock wall, all this back line needs is a couple of fast rebounding, super accurate kicks to compliment them.

Zorko gets first call as he is more than a player, he's a leader and has respect from both teammates and the opposition.

McKenna for everything he brings from Gaelic football which so confounds AFL players and his energy.

And third Wilmot because he has a huge heart and will be a major part of this club for many years to come.

Kiddy is always in the mix when fit.

 

[McLuggages]

Does anyone know what date the players are due back? I may be in Queensland mid Jan and would love to catch one of these famed match-sims.

 

[Grasshopper17]

Could also go with a two tall set up in the forward line. Rayner can play tall. We can also play Charlie out of the goal square, which has worked in the past.

Charlie out of the goal square has worked in the past against teams around 13th or lower on the ladder. Against everyone else, not so much.

Avoid.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Does anyone know what date the players are due back? I may be in Queensland mid Jan and would love to catch one of these famed match-sims.

Been told the 9th - which is a Thursday, which is unusual. Wouldn't take that as gospel just yet. Probably have to wait another two or three weeks after that for the match sims to start.

 

[Berrygood]

Hope we learnt from last year. The shorter preseason and earlier O Round start. I hope we learnt not to bring underdone players in before they are ready. There seems to be quite a few best 23 in the rehab/injury list. Fortunately I think we have the depth to cover.

Ruck and tall fwd structure seems the biggest conundrum. Fort an easy in till Big O is right. Morris holds. With a cloud over Hippy, groins linger and reoccur, I think we will be grateful for the experience Day brings. Important Day is fit and ready to start the season in a fwd/ruck role. The last tall fwd spot should Hippy not be ready is wide open. Smith, injured but not really a key fwd anyway. I'm not a fan of Gardiner fwd. After his ACL he's bound to be a yard slower. He will need to rely more on Instinct to read the game and I think he'll have more success with that down back. That leaves Ryan, Lloyd or Gallop to play the Hippy role to start the season. Most impressive over the preseason should get a run. Ryan a bit more like Hippy but needs improvements.

In the midfield Neale, Clugg and Levi Ashcroft are recovering. Hard to replace all 3 to start the season, hopefully 1 or 2 come good. Dev, Marshall, Tunstill, capable of supporting the group short term.

Down back, other than Payne n Doedee, I think all are pretty good. Joyce a clear front runner to start if Jack isn't ready. He earnt some respect last season and is capable of further improvement. Gardiner will need work to get back to anywhere near his best. Plenty of competition for spots in the back 7. Should keep us strong.

Apart from key fwds our depth is very good. Some great opportunity for some to impress preseason. We don't need to start the season carrying anyone. Hopefully that leads to a better start to the 2025 season.

 

[knaf]

Been watching my way through the finals games (again) and I can't fathom any team in which Andrews, Payne, Starce and Answorth don't form the foundation of our back six (if fit). They are a rock wall, all this back line needs is a couple of fast rebounding, super accurate kicks to compliment them.

Zorko gets first call as he is more than a player, he's a leader and has respect from both teammates and the opposition.

McKenna for everything he brings from Gaelic football which so confounds AFL players and his energy.

And third Wilmot because he has a huge heart and will be a major part of this club for many years to come.

Kiddy is always in the mix when fit.

Lester? I agree with the rest.

 

[Saucery]

Lester? I agree with the rest.

Can't fault Lester, due to his versatility and leadership perhaps bench?

 

[SL16]

Is opening round already sold out? Just renewed membership now, but can't seem to access tickets for it.

And HNY all!

 

[HereIGoAgain]

Happy New Year to the Bigfooty Lions Gang!

Bring on another stress inducing, high blood pressure, roller-coaster of a season on our way back to the top of the mountain.

See youse all soon back in the trenches of the game day threads.

 

[Grasshopper17]

Happy New Year to the Bigfooty Lions Gang!

Bring on another stress inducing, high blood pressure, roller-coaster of a season on our way back to the top of the mountain.

See youse all soon back in the trenches of the game day threads.

What are you talking about?

I'm going to be really chilled out this year.

 

[Jivlain]

What are you talking about?

I'm going to be really chilled out this year.

I achieved that just by popping my head outside to look at the fireworks! Real cold and windy out there!

Also I learnt that geese react quite strongly to fireworks.

 

[Gadzorks]

What are you talking about?

I'm going to be really chilled out this year.

I'm firmly convinced that I won't be as emotional during this season cause we have already had the fairy tale.

I wonder if that will last past the first game. Or the first quarter even.

 

[Grasshopper17]

I'm firmly convinced that I won't be as emotional during this season cause we have already had the fairy tale.

I wonder if that will last past the first game. Or the first quarter even.

First quarter of the first intra club

 

[mighty_lions]

I'm firmly convinced that I won't be as emotional during this season cause we have already had the fairy tale.

I wonder if that will last past the first game. Or the first quarter even.

we've won nothing until the big 0 wins won, the last number called out before the captains it will be epic

 

[MSB ROYS]

First quarter of the first intra club

Especially if we are losing

 

[rye]

to be completely honest i think we will struggle to do well this year. premiers as of late have really struggled to back it up and we've lost our best kpf and our second best sounds he will struggle to even be available for selection opening round, let alone be in good nick. returning players from long term injury and fresh draftees will help bolster the side, but not in the areas where we really need it.

 

[Section 5]

to be completely honest i think we will struggle to do well this year. premiers as of late have really struggled to back it up and we've lost our best kpf and our second best sounds he will struggle to even be available for selection opening round, let alone be in good nick. returning players from long term injury and fresh draftees will help bolster the side, but not in the areas where we really need it.

Yes, we will have to stop the recent few years trend of the premiers dropping off a cliff.
The competition looks to be getting more even in those top 12 teams. Lions can't afford to lose to those bottom six teams.
By round 9 we must not lose to any of Eagles, Tigers and North.
Sounds easy enough but losing one of those would be a top 8 killer at that stage of the year.

We have quite a bit of depth so playing players in the first few rounds that are not quite ready would be a little unwise.
Our only issue depth wise is filling Joes position as you mentioned.
Sam Day needs a break (wrong word) from his injury issues. Hopefully our medical and conditioning staff can do their magic.
A fit and actually playing Day will help greatly with relieving pressure on Hippy and Morris.

 

[Elixuh]

to be completely honest i think we will struggle to do well this year. premiers as of late have really struggled to back it up and we've lost our best kpf and our second best sounds he will struggle to even be available for selection opening round, let alone be in good nick. returning players from long term injury and fresh draftees will help bolster the side, but not in the areas where we really need it.

We did well with a really bad run of injuries to best 23. Only question mark is how we look without Joe.

 

[Dalions]

to be completely honest i think we will struggle to do well this year. premiers as of late have really struggled to back it up and we've lost our best kpf and our second best sounds he will struggle to even be available for selection opening round, let alone be in good nick. returning players from long term injury and fresh draftees will help bolster the side, but not in the areas where we really need it.

Other than replacing Joe, I think we get stronger this year.
And if any team is going to buck the recent trend, it is us imo.
Fages has set us up for an extended period of success and even although we have been up for a while, I don’t think we have completely hit our peak.