First 22 in 2023

[On the quiet]

He will be a genuine best 22 player from the get go.

IMO there were times in 2018 and 2019 when Cam should have been dropped, but a young bloke and #1 pick was backed in by the coaches...

Lions in 2023 is a lot stronger than the 2018 side Cam played in his first year, so will be interesting where Ashcroft plays in 2023. Back pocket, back flank?

 

[Nunez]

IMO there were times in 2018 and 2019 when Cam should have been dropped, but a young bloke and #1 pick was backed in by the coaches...

Lions in 2023 is a lot stronger than the 2018 side Cam played in his first year, so will be interesting where Ashcroft plays in 2023. Back pocket, back flank?

Think he'll stay on the flanks and wings.

 

[Tom14]

IMO there were times in 2018 and 2019 when Cam should have been dropped, but a young bloke and #1 pick was backed in by the coaches...

Lions in 2023 is a lot stronger than the 2018 side Cam played in his first year, so will be interesting where Ashcroft plays in 2023. Back pocket, back flank?

Cam did not deserve dropping in 2018 at all really. Maybe a couple of games around mid-season he was a bit quiet but he followed that up with the game against Freo he got his rising star nomination in, and then he was really good for a first year player afterwards.

In 2019 he went through some quiet periods but I assume the selection decision was that there was no point in giving him VFL games experience. I can't say I disagree with that approach.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

At some point we will get a weakened opposition at the Gabba and win a game by 150+

 

[briztoon]

At some point we will get a weakened opposition at the Gabba and win a game by 150+

Please be Gold Coast. And Collingwood. And Geelong.

 

[Saucery]

Please be Gold Coast. And Collingwood. And Geelong.

Yes they say the older you get the longer it takes to get over a (premiership) hangover.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Please be Gold Coast. And Collingwood. And Geelong.

Would rather Carlton but unfortunately think they going to be pretty good this year. Just looking at our side, the talent is ridiculous- honestly think at least one game it’s going to all click and be carnage at the Gabba.

 

[FeastOrFamine]

Would rather Carlton but unfortunately think they going to be pretty good this year. Just looking at our side, the talent is ridiculous- honestly think at least one game it’s going to all click and be carnage at the Gabba.

On talent alone, it's easily the best team in the comp.

 

[Section 5]

In 2022 we finished 6th in the H & A season and need to move into that top 4 position next year
Yes, we made the PF but it is still an easier path when finishing top 4
On paper we have improved our side and the young fringe players should improve and push hard for selection

One issue the Lions have had over the last few years is ruck relief
McStay replaced Joe and did a good job last year, but he is now a Pie.
Joe most likely had surgery and could be a risk, but he is also likely to be that ruck relief again
Joe in the ruck just needs to get in front and compete. No real need for him to even get off the ground by more than a few cm
His value would be around the ground taking a few marks. His field kicking is also quite good
I don't see us playing Fort as that makes us too tall and slow, and we did not do that in 2022
Hippy may take a few ruck contests when it is deep forward

The Lions other weakness is the wing but i will leave that for now and see who they play in the preseason games

Barring lots of injuries i am comfortable we can cover most other positions on the field.

 

[On the quiet]

Cam did not deserve dropping in 2018 at all really. Maybe a couple of games around mid-season he was a bit quiet but he followed that up with the game against Freo he got his rising star nomination in, and then he was really good for a first year player afterwards.

In 2019 he went through some quiet periods but I assume the selection decision was that there was no point in giving him VFL games experience. I can't say I disagree with that approach.

in hindsight I probably agree as don't know how much benefit Cam would have derived from a couple of weeks in the NEAFL, other than perhaps sending a message to the playing group regarding selection on form etc. Also there would have been the unwanted media attention re dropping a #1 draft pick etc

 

[janty]

Why does no one want Darcy Wilmot in their team.

 

[Sproj]

Why does no one want Darcy Wilmot in their team.

I do. He’s one of the first bench players picked for me.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Why does no one want Darcy Wilmot in their team.

He’s in mine. Wouldn’t be surprised if McKenna overtakes him unless one of them plays a new position

 

[Sanchez365]

Why does no one want Darcy Wilmot in their team.

His end to the season was very impressive and he will undoubtably have a great career.

But Rich, Starcevich, Coleman and McKenna would all get picked before him for me. I probably have him first in the depth chart after that though.

 

[Mighty Lions]

His end to the season was very impressive and he will undoubtably have a great career.

But Rich, Starcevich, Coleman and McKenna would all get picked before him for me. I probably have him first in the depth chart after that though.

All successful clubs have depth in most positions. In 2023, we have the best list of players for a long long time. Wilmot, like several other players who have shown spurts of talent that excite supporters will just need to show his best every time he steps on the training track and the field be it VFL or AFL to give him every chance to be a regular in our first 22. I'm sure he will get an opportunity not too far into the season.

 

[Berrygood]

I have Wilmot in my team over McKenna to start with. We know what we get with Darcy and with expected improvement with another preseason it's exciting to see what he will bring. McKenna is a bit of an unknown quantity at this stage, time out of the game just weighs a bit heavy early. I also have Dev ahead of Lyons at this stage too. Lyons will need to comeback fitter after his groin surgery than he has ever been to force his way back in. Not saying both players won't get back but they will have to earn it. Good problem to have.

I'm starting with....

Gardiner, Payne, Starcevich
Coleman, Andrews, Rich.

Payne over Adams early, I'm just concerned his head knocks may set him back a bit. Rich looks a lot trimmer than he has been from what I've seen of preseason pics n clips. I can see him being managed thru the season, he still has a lot to offer when fit.

McCluggage, Berry, Bailey
Big O, Neale, Dunkley.

Tough lines to settle on. Dev, Ashcroft, can certainly push for a spot there but I have both on the bench anyway.

Gunston, Rayner, Hippy
Charlie, Daniher, McCarthy.

Bailey can rotate into the fwd line and Zorks off the bench for pressure. Improvement from Lohmann will see him next sm fwd up thru injury.

Dev, Ashcroft, Wilmot, Zorko

A young bench mostly but I think we need this youth to improve as a team.

I really like that 22, and when ya look at those that can come in and comfortably play a role we're in good stead. Adams, McKenna, Answerth, Prior, Lyons, Ah Chee, Lohmann, Fort are the next ups. Tunstill, Fletcher n Madden pushing in there too. If we see steps forward from others like Carter Michael, H Smith, Lane, Blake Coleman the future looks real good. There is also Lester, Matho, Cockatoo and Fullerton if we need to break glass in case of emergency. Probably the last season here for those 4.

Exciting season coming up, can't wait for it to start.

 

[On the quiet]

I do. He’s one of the first bench players picked for me.

I had another look at the first half of the Prelim against the cats when the game was there to be won, and Wilmot was OK for someone so inexperienced. Did get caught with the ball that lead to a goal on first quarter siren, but overall showed a lot of promises over all the finals. Also in the Prelim: replay noticed Payne a fair bit taking marks and getting involved in the first half.

Still trying to work out my best 22 with such a strong squad, it is not easy. But we know the ceiling of Gardiner and or Adams but we don't with Payne. Therefore from round 1, I would definitely have Payne, Dev and Wilmot on the bench as part of the 22, and unless they have a few really poor games, coaches should back them in. What I think will happen is that all three arguably unfairly miss selection for round 1.

 

[Nunez]

If we decide to go two rucks, I wonder if Kalin Lane could be considered. Could be a handy type to have against Grundy & Gawn. Very athletic.

 

[Dalions]

If we decide to go two rucks, I wonder if Kalin Lane could be considered. Could be a handy type to have against Grundy & Gawn. Very athletic.

More likely 2024 I reckon, but he come on very well last season.
Did we ever find out what the problem was with his knee from the semi or prelim in the VFL or whenever it was?

 

[Nathan Barley]

 

[Section 5]

View attachment 1568343

Not all that surprising
I wonder what the best 22 from the top three looks like

 

[Section 5]

If we decide to go two rucks, I wonder if Kalin Lane could be considered. Could be a handy type to have against Grundy & Gawn. Very athletic.

I don't see us going with two starting rucks
Initially the Lions 5th interchange player may be a ruck type like Fort, Fullarton. Just to ease Fagan's worry of a sole ruck going down
However Big O has only been subbed off twice.
Early in the EF v Rich he had 1 disposal. We won the game but lost H/O 55 to 14
Then back in round 2 in 2021 v Cats. He did an ankle in 1st quarter, struggled on but replaced in 4th quarter. We lost that game by 1 point

I would prefer that the 5th interchange spot goes to a VFL player as reward for playing well.
You certainly don't want the same players filling that 5th interchange role

 

[Dalions]

Fox footy’s early go at a best 22 for the Lions.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Top 20 is probably locked. Lyons and Answerth could fall out from that team

Hope there's pressure on Zorko to perform a lot better than last season

 

[Dalions]

Top 20 is probably locked. Lyons and Answerth could fall out from that team

Hope there's pressure on Zorko to perform a lot better than last season

If Zorks can get in a pretty full pre-season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a pretty good year, same as with Rich.
But I agree Lyons and Answerth are the 2 that could make way for others.

On paper it looks like a pretty strong team and add in another 8 or so who could play solid afl level footy.