Unofficial Preview Changes and discussion Qualifying Final @ ? v Demons.

[Lace Out]

Virtually certain now that it will be Saturday night at Adelaide Oval.

Suits me,I work weeknights.

I guess if we lose the following week will be Saturday too.

 

[davemc_lions]

very hard no VFL like last year all scratch matches
Who knows who killing it and how is not out of the 22

 

[Toffee Lion]

If we win, do we get a home PF?

 

[Nunez]

If we win, do we get a home PF?

Can't see why not.

 

[Nunez]

Watching the replay - Birchall was shocking. I'm confident that if he plays next week, he'll perform well.

 

[Toffee Lion]

Can't see why not.

The last time we were in this position was 2003, which we lost to the Pies anyway.

So it's been a long time between drinks of knowing how it all works from this spot!

 

[fugitive]

Suits me,I work weeknights.

I guess if we lose the following week will be Saturday too.

Yep likely either dogs or bombers but I’m thinking a straight passage to prelim @ the Gabba!

 

[Lazza16]

Fullarton simply can't play next week. We're at 3-4 goal disadvantage with him in the squad. I know he's decent with the ball and he tries hard, but Gawn will literally dominate him, and asking Oscar to do 100% of the ruck would be too much. I don't think Archie is a good player, but he's a much better ruckman than Fullarton and I would feel safer with him against Gawn than I would with Fullarton

Fullerton will more than likely be in the ruck against Jackson who is probably too mobile and agile for Archie.

 

[Lazza16]

If we win, do we get a home PF?

It has been mentioned that if the Gf is in WA the Premier of WA will want the 2 preliminary finals as part of the deal.

 

[M Malice]

It has been mentioned that if the Gf is in WA the Premier of WA will want the 2 preliminary finals as part of the deal.

That would be shitful if we earn a home Prelim and we are forced to play it in Perth.

#remember2004

 

[Lazza16]

It is refreshing to see nobody calling for Ah Chee to be dropped for a change.

That would be shitful if we earn a home Prelim and we are forced to play it in Perth.

#remember2004

Sounds familiar

 

[twhowler]

The difference is that the other defenders +ves outweighs their -ves. Andrews makes a few mistakes but probably in the top 3 best defenders in the games. Adams take a whole heap of intercept marks, Gardiner makes a few mistakes but takes on the best/2nd best attacker and usually wins. Rich doesnt really make any errors. Birchall might do 1, maybe 2 really good kicks that slices up an opposition. But he also does 1, sometimes 2 absolutely awful kicks that goes straight to the opposition every game, as well as being sooo slow that he can't keep up with his opponent. I and others probably feel that his -ves outweighs his +ves.

This pretty sums up how i feel about Birchall. Right now even if he wasn’t slow his kicking has become below average. Most of the time he goes sideways and often just slows down transition. His attacking kicks are about 50/50. There was one yesterday in which he kicked it straight to a wce player, no lion within 20m. Honestly wonder if his eyesight is suspect as not the first time. I think someone else in MC should talk to Fagan. It’s a clear blindspot.

 

[Lazza16]

This pretty sums up how i feel about Birchall. Right now even if he wasn’t slow his kicking has become below average. Most of the time he goes sideways and often just slows down transition. His attacking kicks are about 50/50. There was one yesterday in which he kicked it straight to a wce player, no lion within 20m. Honestly wonder if his eyesight is suspect as not the first time. I think someone else in MC should talk to Fagan. It’s a clear blindspot.

Fages in his presser did say he was disappointed in the defence yesterday and we need to look at it. He could be open to change to avoid a similar performance again and not just rely on Dad to improve things. It is not an elimination game.....

Out ...Birch, Lester /Gardiner, Cocky.

In...Dad, Robbo n Robbo.

Against Dees we know they will come home strong so we can't afford to have anyone running out of steam.

 

[mpal6]

It has been mentioned that if the Gf is in WA the Premier of WA will want the 2 preliminary finals as part of the deal.

Port (if they make it) wont give up on home prelim to please McGowan. Same with us I reckon. WA can ask but won't get it unless its Melbourne teams winning both quali.

 

[Dalions]

It has been mentioned that if the Gf is in WA the Premier of WA will want the 2 preliminary finals as part of the deal.

Adelaide it is then.

 

[Lazza16]

Port (if they make it) wont give up on home prelim to please McGowan. Same with us I reckon. WA can ask but won't get it unless its Melbourne teams winning both quali.

Quarantine issues could be the issue....not normal times mpal.

 

[Thedeftouch]

Cockatoo was great in the first quarter but very quiet after that. I wonder if he is still building fitness. If so, he might be the unlucky one

 

[jackess]

Fages in his presser did say he was disappointed in the defence yesterday and we need to look at it. He could be open to change to avoid a similar performance again and not just rely on Dad to improve things. It is not an elimination game.....

Out ...Birch, Lester /Gardiner, Cocky.

In...Dad, Robbo n Robbo.

Against Dees we know they will come home strong so we can't afford to have anyone running out of steam.

Cockatoo was great in the first quarter but very quiet after that. I wonder if he is still building fitness. If so, he might be the unlucky one

Yeah I think if we want more midfield run then Cocky makes way

 

[Nunez]

Cocky isn't going anywhere.

 

[Elixuh]

Cockatoo was great in the first quarter but very quiet after that. I wonder if he is still building fitness. If so, he might be the unlucky one

3 goal assists which is equal top with Bailey and 6 tackles which is the equal highest of any of our fowards + his skills in tight in the contest. Would be a lock to play I would of thought.

 

[Mighty Lions]

My preference would have been to play Geelong instead of Melbourne next week . In saying that, I am excited that our team once again have finished top 4 and so appreciative of the joy and excitement they have given me over the last 3 seasons.
I believe the only way we can get over the top of Melbourne next week is if we can stop Gawn dominating stoppages. Nic Nat almost won the game on his own last night and it showed our significant weakness. As much as the Big O's effort is always there, he cant stop the outstanding ones like NicNat, Gawn, Grundy who just dictate where the ball goes at most times. Fullerton was obsolete last night in my eyes and was intimidated wherever & whenever he was on the ground. That said, he is still green but does need to back himself and get some aggression in his game urgently. With on ballers like Oliver & Petracca ready to receive and deliver the ball into their offensive 50, its definitely their major advantage over us. If we can somehow stop their effectiveness, we will win. Should those 3 run amuck, we are going to struggle.
Mitch & Harris back in for me.
Darcy looks very proppy and could potentially miss along with Prior probably.

 

[Clarkythelion]

Such a great win and yet, as usual, such destain for some players. 125 to 87 was a good win but that last 30 seconds to make the top 4, priceless. We had a few good weeks leading into this match, good 4qtr efforts and those knowing about footy and team moral and the benefits of momentum heading to the finals knotted knowingly. This week another great effort, more to the momentum, more to the culture of fighting the win and never giving up. We are into the finals, arguably the form side of the 8, self belief is at an all time high and Fagan is fuelling that with "the best footy played while I've been here".

Fullerton is our future, he was a good footballer as a kid, when to play basketball and made it to the top grade then swapped back to AFL and is in the top grade of that as well. A talented sportsman who is learning on the job, yes he is raw but good around the stoppages with quick hands and the rest will come. At least he is not a giraffe that cant bend down and get the ball. Birchall, well I trust him, I remember the finals last year, in the heat of battle I trust the old warrior. He may get a whisper at the end of the season but I trust him more than say, Lester who is dependable.

Harris and Robbo have to come back in. Harris with the week's rest to freshen up is still an All Australian key beckman and great interceptor. Robbo is the one opposition player look out for. We need a bruise brother, he gives his heart and soul and he lifts at the right times and crunches an unsuspecting mid fielder.

Any player missing out in the finals is going to be unlucky but it doesn't make them a bad player. A finals series for Coleman, Prior, Dev Robertson, Fullerton and Madden will jump any of their development ahead of the normal growth but they cant all play but I glad they are on our list. I think Lester unfortunately makes way for Harris, Andrews is just a better player. Robbo should come in but it will be a tough call and who he replaces, it wouldn't surprise me if he is rested again for another week until the knockout games start.

 

[martinson]

My preference would have been to play Geelong instead of Melbourne next week . In saying that, I am excited that our team once again have finished top 4 and so appreciative of the joy and excitement they have given me over the last 3 seasons.
I believe the only way we can get over the top of Melbourne next week is if we can stop Gawn dominating stoppages. Nic Nat almost won the game on his own last night and it showed our significant weakness. As much as the Big O's effort is always there, he cant stop the outstanding ones like NicNat, Gawn, Grundy who just dictate where the ball goes at most times. Fullerton was obsolete last night in my eyes and was intimidated wherever & whenever he was on the ground. That said, he is still green but does need to back himself and get some aggression in his game urgently. With on ballers like Oliver & Petracca ready to receive and deliver the ball into their offensive 50, its definitely their major advantage over us. If we can somehow stop their effectiveness, we will win. Should those 3 run amuck, we are going to struggle.
Mitch & Harris back in for me.
Darcy looks very proppy and could potentially miss along with Prior probably.

Oscar did beat Grundy imo . NN and Gawn are next level and up there with any of the great rucks to have played the game on their day. Which is most weeks for Gawn. It is what it is.

Interesting issue you raise about Darce. He didn't seem overkeen on raising his arm to spoil. Uncharacteristically lacked desperation when he had to stretch.

So we have plenty to think about re our backline.

 

[M Malice]

My preference would have been to play Geelong instead of Melbourne next week . In saying that, I am excited that our team once again have finished top 4 and so appreciative of the joy and excitement they have given me over the last 3 seasons.
I believe the only way we can get over the top of Melbourne next week is if we can stop Gawn dominating stoppages. Nic Nat almost won the game on his own last night and it showed our significant weakness. As much as the Big O's effort is always there, he cant stop the outstanding ones like NicNat, Gawn, Grundy who just dictate where the ball goes at most times. Fullerton was obsolete last night in my eyes and was intimidated wherever & whenever he was on the ground. That said, he is still green but does need to back himself and get some aggression in his game urgently. With on ballers like Oliver & Petracca ready to receive and deliver the ball into their offensive 50, its definitely their major advantage over us. If we can somehow stop their effectiveness, we will win. Should those 3 run amuck, we are going to struggle.
Mitch & Harris back in for me.
Darcy looks very proppy and could potentially miss along with Prior probably.

I know it felt like they almost won(by stopping us winning by enough) but the Eagles didn't almost win the game, it was 38 points running away in the end.

I don't think Gawn is as big an influence in the ruck contests as Nic Nat, Gawn is more of a threat getting around the ground racking up possessions, I think the Big O can nullify him and Fullaton can nullify Jackson to some extent.

I'm bullish on Fullarton as a long term ruck/fwd, 2-3 more pre seasons in the gym and I think he'll be a very valuable member of our side, already very good at ground level for a big guy.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Virtually certain now that it will be Saturday night at Adelaide Oval.

Well I'm just gonna buy myself 2x sneaky Supporter Memberships then, just to get early access to finals tickets and just hope like mega crazy that your the true messiah on BigFooty cause boy am I not missing out for a special occasion like this next Saturday night, if the game is played in Adelaide (YOLO)