Unofficial Preview Changes v Bombers, Metricon Friday night.

[M Malice]

It would be a huge ask to expect Skinner or Ballenden to come in and have a blinder on a less than ideal preparation, just needs to fill the McStay role, with that in mind the better option would be Skinner, he's an aggressive type and will crash packs, whether he can run up onto the wings and back like McStay is another story.

My updated ins and outs would be >

Outs- Archie Smith, Daniel Rich, Dan McStay, Tom Berry.

Ins- Connor Ballenden, Alex Witherden, Sam Skinner, Cam Ellis-Yolmen.

If Toby Wooller has been going well in the scratch matches him in for Ballenden or Skinner would be ok if we want to get a little bit more run into the team, Wooller can play mid minutes.

In saying all that Fages will likely make minimal changes as usual so I'm tipping Rich/McStay out CEY/Skinner in with Bailey to play back.

 

[M Malice]

Big chance for whoever gets a game in place of McStay. Based on the emergency lists recently Ballenden seems like next off the rank, but plenty here advocating for Skinner. Question for reserves watchers, who's been playing his lead up to the wing role in the two's?

Unfortunately because of this pesky virus we are not allowed to watch the reserves, went down to Yeronga to sneak a look a few weeks ago and got shooed off by security.

 

[Nunez]

It would be a huge ask to expect Skinner or Ballenden to come in and have a blinder on a less than ideal preparation, just needs to fill the McStay role, with that in mind the better option would be Skinner, he's an aggressive type and will crash packs, whether he can run up onto the wings and back like McStay is another story.

My updated ins and outs would be >

Outs- Archie Smith, Daniel Rich, Dan McStay, Tom Berry.

Ins- Connor Ballenden, Alex Witherden, Sam Skinner, Cam Ellis-Yolmen.

If Toby Wooller has been going well in the scratch matches him in for Ballenden or Skinner would be ok if we want to get a little bit more run into the team, Wooller can play mid minutes.

In saying all that Fages will likely make minimal changes as usual so I'm tipping Rich/McStay out CEY/Skinner in with Bailey to play back.

I tend to agree that Skinner will get a shot over Ballenden due to the roles they play. I'd prefer Ballenden personally as I'd love to see him debut, but either way they've got big shoes to fill.

 

[lionshine]

In: Skinner Answerth CEY Cox
Out: McStay Rich T.Berry Smith

Skinner like for like with McStay. I chose Answerth over Witherden for Rich because I think we could use Answerth's defensive ability to cover for Rich whose offensive work is so highly rated that the work he does defensively goes relatively unnoticed. CEY comes back in to replace Tom Berry which will allow Zorko to spend more time forward and also help us gain the ascendancy in the contested midfield battle. And finally I chose to drop Smith and bring in another runner in Cox who can also help apply defensive pressure on the Bombers half backs and give us some fresh legs which I think we need with some of the boys looking very tired in the 4th v Melbourne. Wouldn't be against bringing Witherden in to give Birchall a rest either and having Birch fresh for the Tigers clash but 5 changes is probably too many even though I am an advocate for rotating the squad around a bit over these next 3 games.

 

[LIONS08]

I wouldn’t be surprised if we are looking at our options considering we haven’t accepted straight away. Traditionally we are pretty up front with that sort of thing. Brisbane recently posted “more
Info to come tomorrow”
Hopefully we fight it and get it back to a single week!

 

[3KZ is Football]

Out: T. Berry, McStay, Rich
In: Mathieson, Ballenden, Witherden

 

[martinson]

The good thing is we've solved one problem with who to rest during this match blitz period and Dan will be nice and fresh when he comes back.

IMO he was stiff , no other player bar Jetta would've done what he did. Dan was just a bit slow to pull out.

I'm fairly sure we could get it downgraded but sounds like there are other issues . We have Richmond off the short break , we'll probably lose that anyway ,may as well let Dan have the 2 match break and really concentrate on burying the Bombers. This is a particularly crucial match for us in terms of the draw we face.

 

[M Malice]

The good thing is we've solved one problem with who to rest during this match blitz period and Dan will be nice and fresh when he comes back.

IMO he was stiff , no other player bar Jetta would've done what he did. Dan was just a bit slow to pull out.

I'm fairly sure we could get it downgraded but sounds like there are other issues . We have Richmond off the short break , we'll probably lose that anyway ,may as well let Dan have the 2 match break and really concentrate on burying the Bombers. This is a particularly crucial match for us in terms of the draw we face.

Richmond are not playing that well and are down on personnel, we're a big chance to beat them for the first time in years.

 

[Winky]

The good thing is we've solved one problem with who to rest during this match blitz period and Dan will be nice and fresh when he comes back.

IMO he was stiff , no other player bar Jetta would've done what he did. Dan was just a bit slow to pull out.

I'm fairly sure we could get it downgraded but sounds like there are other issues . We have Richmond off the short break , we'll probably lose that anyway ,may as well let Dan have the 2 match break and really concentrate on burying the Bombers. This is a particularly crucial match for us in terms of the draw we face.

I doubt McStay could have avoided him. Jetta drove his head into him hoping for a free but McStay turned a bit which hurt Jetta more than he anticipated. Shouldn't be a suspension at all but certainly no more than a week. Christian is hopeless and guesses more often than not.

 

[davemc_lions]

seeing it is McStay and Rich out.. Not sure Fagan change anything else.
So you think Tom Berry gets another week. He adds pressure in forward line and quick.
so too Smith if Skinner comes in for McStay cannot see play 2 new big guys at once

Witho/Answerth for Rich..
Rather Answerth as I think we be light on for defensive people. Birchall and Ah Chee both attack more than defend.
So to add Witho I say the quick bombers take advantage of them playing off their players too much.
If not Answerth then Coleman/Cox for their pace?

 

[Sausages]

Well, no Dan......I'm EXCITED!!! It gives someone else an opportunity to come in and perform that role, possibly even excelling at it. Sad that Dan's out, but not at all concerned that we lose significantly. We bat pretty deep in terms of people, positions and system.

COME GET SOME BOMBERS!!!!

LIONS
LIONS
LIONS
LIONS
LIONS

 

[JasRulz63]

I think who we need to bring in needs to be competitive in the air when we clear the ball out to the half back flank/wing, otherwise I can see Essendon's tall defenders (Ridley, Hooker, Hurley) picking us off and getting repeat inside 50's. I wonder if try and make sure Oscar is in that pack as often as possible to try and negate their defenders (especially Ridley who's having a very good season).

 

[Nunez]

Well, no Dan......I'm EXCITED!!! It gives someone else an opportunity to come in and perform that role, possibly even excelling at it. Sad that Dan's out, but not at all concerned that we lose significantly. We bat pretty deep in terms of people, positions and system.

COME GET SOME BOMBERS!!!!

LIONS
LIONS
LIONS
LIONS
LIONS

Agreed, time to shift from "damn, McStay is out" to "how good will it be seeing a young bloke get a chance?

 

[Brett C]

Surely we want a KPF to be competent with set shots in front of goal, as well as compete(which McStay does), but I don't mind getting a look at Ballenden or Skinner. Will be good for either of them to get some experience, for this strange season

No one is saying McStay is perfect but the level of carry on with his set shot kicking completely ignores that he’s been a massive part of our success the last season and a half. The number of contests they he gets to and creates opportunities for our other forwards is immense and to be honest I’m more than willing to overlook the set shots.

The level of negativity with our supporters is becoming tiresome, we’ve won almost as many games in the last 28 as we did in the previous 110.

Of course there are areas we can improve on but you’d think we are 2 wins for the year based on the absolute carry on from some

 

[martinson]

seeing it is McStay and Rich out.. Not sure Fagan change anything else.
So you think Tom Berry gets another week. He adds pressure in forward line and quick.
so too Smith if Skinner comes in for McStay cannot see play 2 new big guys at once

Witho/Answerth for Rich..
Rather Answerth as I think we be light on for defensive people. Birchall and Ah Chee both attack more than defend.
So to add Witho I say the quick bombers take advantage of them playing off their players too much.
If not Answerth then Coleman/Cox for their pace?

Ah chee actually defends better than people think. No one's towelled him up yet and he's played on some decent players.

Tommy Berry I love .He's really not doing enough just yet but I agree give him one more.

I've got no idea how Answerth and Witho are going. The coaches will know I guess but I'm keen to see Coleman and Cox get a run sooner rather than later

 

[TyEdwards27]

Big chance for whoever gets a game in place of McStay. Based on the emergency lists recently Ballenden seems like next off the rank, but plenty here advocating for Skinner. Question for reserves watchers, who's been playing his lead up to the wing role in the two's?

Based off emergencies? Skinner has been an emergency 6 out of 8 weeks to Ballendens 2

 

[3KZ is Football]

Agreed, time to shift from "damn, McStay is out" to "how good will it be seeing a young bloke get a chance?

Absolutely! I hope whoever takes his place plays a blinder and kicks a bag of goals.

 

[martinson]

With McStay out I don't think we can afford the luxury of Archie . We need someone else , maybe 2 who have some hope of taking a mark or contesting adequately down the flanks.

 

[redblueandgold]

McStay getting suspended would be the best thing to happen to this club. Ballenden and Skinner are all better players and its upsetting that a player getting suspended is the only way they could possibly crack their way into the team

I wouldn't say they are better players as they are untried. Anyway agree this a blessing in disguise as Fagan and the match comittee are becoming so conservative in their team selections that we are on the brink of it backfiring (just look at our performance yesterday which clearly showed we need to start rotations Immediately!) Players have not been getting a chance to proove themselves while McStay gets gifted games week in week out. And for god's sake give Tom Berry a break before he looses confidence..he'll be a great player, but not for a good couple of years!

 

[X AE A12]

Fagan indicated he was confident in turning to Bailey at HB so perhaps he fills in for Rich this week.
Mcstay unlucky with how events unfolded. Impossible to know who of our mobile fwd stocks are presenting the most suitable replacement for him, look forward to seeing that player getting an opportunity to show their abilities. I think Mcstay has been commendable but if that someone else takes their opportunity and asserts their claim to a fwd spot I hope we are talking about how to keep them in and transforming Dan's role to keep them both in.
Birchalls time on ground was 5% lower than his season average, which isnt much but maybe it indicates they are trying to manage him a bit, I would be happy to see Witherden come in for Birchall and bring him back in for Richmond.
Lester played 91 game time and is reliable so I don't think he will make way this week. Didn't notice Terry much yesterday and I think it's a good opportunity to bring in someone else even for a week if we are going to persist with him in the senior team generally.
I wonder if we could go Bailey for Rich and Cox for Terry, to let Bailey and Cox switch between HF/HB through the game to let Bailey off the leash
Don't think we'll get rid of Archie this week. CEY if fit, otherwise E Smith for a look because why not.

Outs: Mcstay, Rich, Terry
Ins: The chosen one, E Smith, Cox

Witherden for Birchall if managed

 

[martinson]

I wouldn't say they are better players as they are untried. Anyway agree this a blessing in disguise as Fagan and the match comittee are becoming so conservative in their team selections that we are on the brink of it backfiring (just look at our performance yesterday which clearly showed we need to start rotations Immediately!) Players have not been getting a chance to proove themselves while McStay gets gifted games week in week out. And for god's sake give Tom Berry a break before he looses confidence..he'll be a great player, but not for a good couple of years!

One thing Tommy Berry won't lose is confidence imo but I agree his offensive output presently needs to be higher. Just the same the way he plays and dishes it out whenever he gets it makes me think the coaches have told him that he is playing a purely defensive role and his job is to harasss and get in the way of the opposition.

I also agree that whilst our conservative team selections have been successful it might be refreshing for the team and the supporters to see 2 or 3 new faces .

Let's hope that doesn't backfire !!

 

[Dalions]

Outs - Archie, Rich and McStay
Ins - Ballenden, Hinge, Skinner

Ballenden for Archie - that way we have 2 RuckS that can rest forward.

Hinge for Rich and rotate he and Bailey through half back and wing.

And Skinner to fill McStays role.

 

[Kevvo]

This should give some insight into where Witherden sits. When Rich went down I initially assumed he would be a lock this week, but Essendon’s small forwards are quick and Rich while not fast is a fair bit quicker than Witherden to my eye. I wonder if we would slide bailey back and CEY into the midfield if he’s ready to go (or Robertson/Mathieson for that matter).

I’m a little bit wary of disrupting Bailey’s rhythm right now, but I think I’d feel more confident with some more size in the middle. Witherden might have to wait on a rest for Birchall.

 

[M Malice]

Outs - Archie, Rich and McStay
Ins - Ballenden, Hinge, Skinner

Ballenden for Archie - that way we have 2 RuckS that can rest forward.

Hinge for Rich and rotate he and Bailey through half back and wing.

And Skinner to fill McStays role.

Forgot about Mitch Hinge, I like him, I thought he played quite well in his couple of senior games last season and while not as good as Richies has a great left peg on him.

 

[jackess]

Maybe Hinge for Birchall against Richmond

Rotate witherden, Hinge and Birchall to each play 2 of the next 3