Unofficial Preview Changes v Bombers, Metricon Friday night.

[Lions Flag 2020]

Can’t see T Berry getting omitted. We need his pace to stop Saad and McKenna running out from defence.

 

[martinson]

Looks like 5 changes min. McStay, Rich ,Lester, Arch, Birch likely to be rested. If they all miss hard to see T Berry getting dropped.

It's a long time since we had that many changes and bringing in guys who will be fresh but don't have match conditioning.

Interesting match for us.The changes have been talked about for ages and are going to happen all of a sudden.

 

[FLVanLandingham]

Would we rather rest Birchall now for him ready for Tigers? or have him go now and most likely rest for Tigers (or could he do both? the madman)

 

[KissKiss]

Yeah that changes things a lot if we are missing so many to forced changes. Strange that it hits both ends of the ground at the same time.

Lester and Rich out is a lot of experience out in the backline at the same time. And then adding queries that Birchall would need a rest. Lester is probably the trickiest to replace as he is that medium size. Do we go big or small for him

Also cant see Terry being dropped now. Too many changes at once

 

[mpal6]

Fages outside his preferred team comfort zone.

This will be interesting couple of games at least, even for the head coach.

 

[pulpdriver]

Team selection for the next three games going to be very interesting. I know the AFL might not like it but we might be forced to treat the Richmond game as a semi-bye and rest up a few. Already gonna be missing some best 22 that will likely be back the following game and 4 day turn around is already tough enough as it is. With that bottleneck in the eight it's risky but might end up very beneficial for managing the rest of the year.

 

[Gadzorks]

Rich - minor hamstring strain, likely to miss 1-2 games. Lester had a minor hamstring as well - likely to miss friday but might play Tuesday. Archie has syndesmosis and is in a walking boot for a few weeks, out for 4-6 weeks.

CEY available for selection.

Explains Lester’s few ground kicks and less sparkling than normal performance.

 

[martinson]

Team selection for the next three games going to be very interesting. I know the AFL might not like it but we might be forced to treat the Richmond game as a semi-bye and rest up a few. Already gonna be missing some best 22 that will likely be back the following game and 4 day turn around is already tough enough as it is. With that bottleneck in the eight it's risky but might end up very beneficial for managing the rest of the year.

Can't see it any other way personally . We don't need any more hammy's off the 4 day break.

 

[Dylan12]

I know the AFL might not like it but we might be forced to treat the Richmond game as a semi-bye and rest up a few.

That is the AFL's problem then.

As I posted in a thread last week, some clubs i.e. us are being forced to play 3 games in 8 days or 4 games in 13 days, including 2 four day breaks, whilst the Bulldogs have an extra 3-4 days and Richmond is coming off a 6 day break when we play them after we'd have had a 4 day break.

If the AFL don't like it, stop pandering to the AFLPA and don't have such bias uneven / fixturing. We struggle beating Richmond at the best of times, so why shouldn't we hedge our bets and just put in an understrength team in order to give ourselves the best shot at beating Essendon and the Bulldogs a week apart?

 

[Gadzorks]

We won’t be the only team overwhelmed by niggling injuries over the next twenty days. The second preseason wasn’t as good a lead up as normal and the extra workload will magnify that issue

 

[lionsrules]

No way T Berry gets omitted now that there are 4 changes due to injury/suspension

Out
Mcstay
Rich
Smith
Lester


In
Witherden
Skinner
Yolmen
Answerth

 

[martinson]

The good thing is lots of players who some supporters have been pushing up for inclusion are going to get their opportunity and not just as bit players but as an integral part of the team.

We'd look a bit threadbare if Neale or Andrews went down now . It can all change very quickly . But at least we get to look at a few guys as a comparison to those who have been keeping them out of a spot.

 

[M Malice]

At least we actually have some fair dinkum selection issues to discuss now, update version 2.0.

Archie Smith > Connor Ballenden.
Daniel Rich > Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Zac Bailey to play back.
Ryan Lester > Jack Payne.
Daniel McStay > Sam Skinner.

Not expecting it to happen but-
Tom Berry > Keidean Coleman.

 

[martinson]

The club's strategy will be to throw everything into this week and worry about how we approach the Tigers game after that. Bearing in mind we play again a few days later.

 

[Lions Flag 2020]

Will they play Rayner in McStays role?

 

[LongLion]

Panic over. The email went to spam, that hasn't happened before so I hadn't thought to check. Have 13 tickets across both games - go the ALF hub.

So glad you posted or I'd still be oblivious - thanks

As a bonus through booking.com picked up a Sea World room for Friday night - 4 people breakfast and Saturday entry to Seaworld for $204. Absolute bargain.

Edit: didn't need to use the password so might be sitting in the middle of opposition supporters. Just glad to be going.

I think you will find that Essendon's preference booking day was yesterday and ours today (as the away side) so you should be safe. I hope so cos I'm in the same boat. Not happy if have to put up with the opposition supporters for the BIG dollars this game is costing me. Got my parking across the road as well so very happy with that.

 

[Gadzorks]

Last weeks extended bench was witherden, mathieson, Coleman and ballenden so at least two of those would get a go.

Personally would love to see Christensen in. His experience and game sense would help with so many changes

 

[LongLion]

My guess is

Archie > Ballenden

McStay > Skinner (although would prefer to see Fullarton)

Rich > Witherden

Lester > CEY (moving Bailey to the backline)

That's the way I see it as well. T Berry still offers a lot of pressure forward that we need.

 

[Nunez]

That's the way I see it as well. T Berry still offers a lot of pressure forward that we need.

If there was the one injury + Mcstay, I'd have dropped Berry. I think it's dangerous making too many unnecessary changes so he's safe this week.

 

[Dylan12]

No way T Berry gets omitted now that there are 4 changes due to injury/suspension

I don't agree.

Surely we need more from a player that can only muster 2 possessions in a game footy and despite being a small forward, still hasn't hit the scoreboard.

Irrespective of hitting the scoreboard, his tackle count is 4 in the past 3 games and for the life of me, I can't work out what he is adding at this point of time that Christensen or even Coleman (purely based off last years' reserves and pre-season form) wouldn't offer. Please don't tell me that Christensen, Coleman or even Cox would give us less output than what Berry is providing.

 

[Harris Specter]

On Instagram, Gardiner posted a photo of Hugh holding up his hand in a brace around the wrist.

Is it injury photo day or something? Hope it's just a precaution.

 

[Saucery]

No way T Berry gets omitted now that there are 4 changes due to injury/suspension

Out
Mcstay
Rich
Smith
Lester


In
Witherden
Skinner
Yolmen
Answerth

Yes makes sense given the outs but wow that's a lot of experience out of the back line.

 

[Gadzorks]

On Instagram, Gardiner posted a photo of Hugh holding up his hand in a brace around the wrist.

Is it injury photo day or something? Hope it's just a precaution.

Oh boy. Anybody know the record number of player changes for us?

 

[Sausages]

You heard it here first......

WE WILL WIN THE NEXT 3 GAMES

(Yes, I am living up to my calling as the board's most optimistic poster )

WE WILL NEVER SURRENDER

 

[Dylan12]

Oh boy. Anybody know the record number of player changes for us?

On two occasions last year we had 4 changes in a game. Both wins too (rd.6 v Suns (won by 49) and rd.11 v Hawks (won by 19).

Couldn't find any game in 2018 - 2020 where we had more than 4 changes (only once in 2018 did we have 4 changes (lost to the Suns by 5 points).