First 22 in 2023

[Saucery]

Very interesting and astute read, even the comments are worth reading (except the marriage ones).

2023 Best 23s: More new guns than they know what to do with, how do the Lions fit everyone in?

Happy New Year, everybody! The countdown to Round 1, 2023 officially starts now - so throughout January, I'll be looking at all 18 AFL…

www.theroar.com.au

 

[Mighty Lions]

Very interesting and astute read, even the comments are worth reading (except the marriage ones).

2023 Best 23s: More new guns than they know what to do with, how do the Lions fit everyone in?

Happy New Year, everybody! The countdown to Round 1, 2023 officially starts now - so throughout January, I'll be looking at all 18 AFL…

www.theroar.com.au

His comment: "weren't exactly crying out for high quality midfielders" nearly made me choke on my cornflakes. Dunkley is exactly the profile of the missing piece we desperately needed...add in Ashcroft & Fletcher and our midfield should be up there as one of the best in 2023.

 

[Dalions]

His comment: "weren't exactly crying out for high quality midfielders" nearly made me choke on my cornflakes. Dunkley is exactly the profile of the missing piece we desperately needed...add in Ashcroft & Fletcher and our midfield should be up there as one of the best in 2023.

When we lost games last year, where did we lose them? In the midfield!
It’s funny how other people not so invested in the club see things differently to us.
It is obvious that we needed midfield help for Lachie.

 

[Berrygood]

Tom Fullarton will turn into a proper gun at CHB. Wait for it!

Let's hope so, and I think he may only have this year to do it.

 

[briztoon]

Let's hope so, and I think he may only have this year to do it.

I think he gets another year at least, unless we’re trading in more experienced KPP at the end of the season.

We have next to no KPP depth, outside of our rucks, and even I would be reticent relying draftees for our KPP depth in 2024.

 

[Berrygood]

Very interesting and astute read, even the comments are worth reading (except the marriage ones).

2023 Best 23s: More new guns than they know what to do with, how do the Lions fit everyone in?

Happy New Year, everybody! The countdown to Round 1, 2023 officially starts now - so throughout January, I'll be looking at all 18 AFL…

www.theroar.com.au

I think he's pretty much nailed it. No mention of McKenna so it may have been written prior to his commitment. I also think Dev will take over Lyons spot. Lyons recovery from injury should give Dev a head start come round 1. Breakout year for him I believe, cementing his future here.

I'm a big Dev fan, he has an aggression and determination I like. I like Prior for the same reason. Tunstill has a bit in him too. Maybe it's a W.A. thing. Dev n Prior really pump each other up when they play together. That becomes infectious in a team. I hope to see more of it over many years.

 

[Mighty Lions]

Let's hope so, and I think he may only have this year to do it.

Agree 100%. He has shown he has the tools to play at the highest level but (in my opinion) hasn't really put a game together when given the opportunity. He has not ever forced his way into the team with form either as its always been an opportunity through injury. I would be real happy if he found some aggression in season 2023 and really attack the ball for 4 quarters. I do think season 2023 will be his last opportunity to cement his spot on the list.

 

[Section 5]

The issue i see with Fullarton is the Club need to make a decision to play him in defense all the time

He won't be able to slot in at defense at AFL level and do a good job, unless he has settled into a defensive team role in the VFL
Fort in front of him as ruck relief & KPF if one of Joe, Hippy & Gunston get injured
Similar position in defense with Payne in front of him.
The difference being a question mark over Adams. So, at present the KPD's looks more likely to need decent depth

 

[martinson]

The issue i see with Fullarton is the Club need to make a decision to play him in defense all the time

He won't be able to slot in at defense at AFL level and do a good job, unless he has settled into a defensive team role in the VFL
Fort in front of him as ruck relief & KPF if one of Joe, Hippy & Gunston get injured
Similar position in defense with Payne in front of him.
The difference being a question mark over Adams. So, at present the KPD's looks more likely to need decent depth

If Adams doesn't come up the only viable option if one of the others gets injured is Fullarton.

He's probably best suited to defence and if he can get a bit of devil in him who knows.

Footy is filled with forward failures who made great backmen . I'm not sure he'll be one of them but it's a make or break year for him.

 

[Section 5]

Looking at our list, by round 6 we will have 18 players having played over 100 games. Bailey sitting on 94
Out of those i only see Lester (161) and Ah Chee (105) not being best 23.
You could even include Ah Chee but i think he will struggle to hold his spot in 2023

Next in line is Rayner (87). He should join the 100 club later in 2023
McKenna needs 21 games to make it by years end.
No other player will join the 100 club this year. Adams the next best on 73

It has taken us a while to get to this point experience wise
Hopefully 2023 is our year

A fun but very good round 6 team just using those 18 players

Ah Chee - Gardiner - Lester
Rich - Andrews - Zorko
McCluggage - Dunkley - Berry
Bailey - Daniher - Hipwood
McCarthy -Gunston - Cameron

McInerney - Neale - Lyons

 

[mpal6]

Looking at our list, by round 6 we will have 18 players having played over 100 games. Bailey sitting on 94
Out of those i only see Lester (161) and Ah Chee (105) not being best 23.
You could even include Ah Chee but i think he will struggle to hold his spot in 2023

Next in line is Rayner (87). He should join the 100 club later in 2023
McKenna needs 21 games to make it by years end.
No other player will join the 100 club this year. Adams the next best on 73

It has taken us a while to get to this point experience wise
Hopefully 2023 is our year

A fun but very good round 6 team just using those 18 players

Ah Chee - Gardiner - Lester
Rich - Andrews - Zorko
McCluggage - Dunkley - Berry
Bailey - Daniher - Hipwood
McCarthy -Gunston - Cameron

McInerney - Neale - Lyons

This may be the first year where Rayner could receive a bit of tough love around holding his spot. Dunkley arrival means bigger body through middle is covered now. Ashcroft reinforces that midfield even more along with McCluggage and Berry so Rayner will become excess to our needs there.
Lohmann could push Rayner out in a medium forward spot battle, will be an interesting year for both. Rayner needs to show more than burst player mode to stay in best 22.

 

[Mighty Lions]

This may be the first year where Rayner could receive a bit of tough love around holding his spot. Dunkley arrival means bigger body through middle is covered now. Ashcroft reinforces that midfield even more along with McCluggage and Berry so Rayner will become excess to our needs there.
Lohmann could push Rayner out in a medium forward spot battle, will be an interesting year for both. Rayner needs to show more than burst player mode to stay in best 22.

Interesting you say that because the competition for a spot such as Rayner's is strong. Agree that it's time for Rayner to show more than bursts that are pretty exciting. That goes for most of the list as well I believe if we are to go all the way this season. Players like Bailey, Dev, Berry, Linc, Hippy, Daniher, Kiddy, Paynie, Noah, Big O, Andrews all need to show a more consistent contribution.
That said, I agree with your thoughts on Rayner. With 87 games now under his belt and fully recovered from his ACL, this year is the time he steps up.

 

[morsie]

Was a fan of McStay and we will miss his physical presence.I am not certain we will have as much physicality in our forward line going forward but I dont think it will matter.We have added hugely to our scoring power.I am not certain any opposition strategists sat down and worked out how they would counter McStay.However Gunston, Dunkley and indeed the rest of our forward line will keep opposition defensive coaches up at night.All of our forward line will require close attention and I am sure a couple will get off the leash each week.
If we can improve our delivery into the forward line and the much abused "team defence" by 5% we can beat anyone.

 

[Saucery]

Interesting you say that because the competition for a spot such as Rayner's is strong. Agree that it's time for Rayner to show more than bursts that are pretty exciting. That goes for most of the list as well I believe if we are to go all the way this season. Players like Bailey, Dev, Berry, Linc, Hippy, Daniher, Kiddy, Paynie, Noah, Big O, Andrews all need to show a more consistent contribution.
That said, I agree with your thoughts on Rayner. With 87 games now under his belt and fully recovered from his ACL, this year is the time he steps up.

All of those you mention, other than Noah and Dev, have no realistic replacements (though I am a fan of Fort).

Do you mean they need to lift to protect their place in the best 22 or to win a grand final?

 

[Mighty Lions]

All of those you mention, other than Noah and Dev, have no realistic replacements (though I am a fan of Fort).

Do you mean they need to lift to protect their place in the best 22 or to win a grand final?

"That goes for most of the list as well I believe if we are to go all the way this season."

 

[Berrygood]

If Adams doesn't come up the only viable option if one of the others gets injured is Fullarton.

He's probably best suited to defence and if he can get a bit of devil in him who knows.

Footy is filled with forward failures who made great backmen . I'm not sure he'll be one of them but it's a make or break year for him.

I think Gunston will be thrown into defense before Fullerton should we get injuries to a cpl of our tall defenders. Gunston will be replaced fwd with Fort, playing 2 rucks, Joe n Hippy. I even think Lester would be played in front of Fullerton down back.

I'm really hoping for a big year by H Smith. Hoping he can take a step up and push for a debut. If he takes a big step fwd I think he jumps in front of Fullerton as a fwd replacement. If Henry doesn't come on or show more that he can, then I can see Tom getting another year.

I also think we can certainly trade in better tall defender depth than Fullerton can become. A big year for Tom, in whatever position he plays. As Mighty Lion said he has to start pushing for a game thru form rather than getting a game thru injury.

 

[Section 5]

I do not think Cam Rayner's spot has much competition at all as Mighty Lions has indicated above.
However, he does have to hold his form like a lot of others
Dunkley can play forward. Ashcroft probably comes in but doubt he goes forward.
Those two just make it harder for the likes of Dev.

No one in our team plays like Cam
Fagan mentioned early 2021 that Cam is now ready to move into the midfield, only for Cam to do his ACL
With a year to recover he was back round 1 in 2022.
He played solid cautious footy for the first 9 rounds. From round 10 on he looked more confident in his body & ACL.

So far Cam has not been a big accumulator of the footy, but he looks and is so dangerous with the ball
Below his stats from round 10 excluding his PF short appearance
Disposals 16, Marks 3.1, Tackles 2.9.
He kicked 24 goals 21 behinds in 2022, a career high.
He also had 20 goal assists being double his previous best. Charlie Cameron also had 20
That puts Cam & Charlie equal 9th in the AFL behind Petracca with 28 and Hawkins with 27

 

[peasantbruh69]

Looking at our list, by round 6 we will have 18 players having played over 100 games. Bailey sitting on 94
Out of those i only see Lester (161) and Ah Chee (105) not being best 23.
You could even include Ah Chee but i think he will struggle to hold his spot in 2023

Next in line is Rayner (87). He should join the 100 club later in 2023
McKenna needs 21 games to make it by years end.
No other player will join the 100 club this year. Adams the next best on 73

It has taken us a while to get to this point experience wise
Hopefully 2023 is our year

A fun but very good round 6 team just using those 18 players

Ah Chee - Gardiner - Lester
Rich - Andrews - Zorko
McCluggage - Dunkley - Berry
Bailey - Daniher - Hipwood
McCarthy -Gunston - Cameron

McInerney - Neale - Lyons

Very interesting regarding the experienced players on the list. Taking the 20 players who should be on 100 games by the end of the season, only Lester is not best 22, Ah Chee is borderline. This leaves 4/5 spots.

Starcevich and Coleman are locks, Payne is needed. I'll take Robertson and Prior for the last 2 positions, they can run and defend around the ground.

Starcevich Payne Gardiner
McKenna Andrews Rich
Berry Robertson McCluggage
Bailey Gunston Hipwood
Cameron Daniher McCarthy
McInerney Neale Dunkley
Zorko Rayner Lyons Coleman Prior
E: Ah Chee Fort Wilmot Ashcroft

 

[Dalions]

Very interesting regarding the experienced players on the list. Taking the 20 players who should be on 100 games by the end of the season, only Lester is not best 22, Ah Chee is borderline. This leaves 4/5 spots.

Starcevich and Coleman are locks, Payne is needed. I'll take Robertson and Prior for the last 2 positions, they can run and defend around the ground.

Starcevich Payne Gardiner
McKenna Andrews Rich
Berry Robertson McCluggage
Bailey Gunston Hipwood
Cameron Daniher McCarthy
McInerney Neale Dunkley
Zorko Rayner Lyons Coleman Prior
E: Ah Chee Fort Wilmot Ashcroft

Massive squeeze for spots in that best 22/23 this year.
Which will hopefully drive the team to bigger and better things this year.

 

[Viceregal]

Massive squeeze for spots in that best 22/23 this year.
Which will hopefully drive the team to bigger and better things this year.

And our board to bigger and better melts as well on selection night!

 

[scoman]

Ive seen a couple mention Gunston as a possible tall defender if required. Has he ever really played that role? I know he has spent time in defense, but from what I remember it was more of a rebounding role. Has he regularly lined up on a genuine key forward in a stopping role?

Maybe as a third tall I guess?

 

[Berrygood]

Massive squeeze for spots in that best 22/23 this year.
Which will hopefully drive the team to bigger and better things this year.

It's going to be a pretty good ressies team to watch this year. I'm keen to see what pressure for spots it will create. Lohmann and the Brain up fwd. Tunstill n Fletcher in the middle. Wilmot, Michael, in defense. That's just the kids, lol. Ah Chee, Cockatoo, Matho, Lester, Fullerton, Madden, all have points to prove. Sharpie, Blake Coleman, Lane and Henry Smith are due to take a step fwd. McDonald White, evoking memories of his father.

Should be a great year for the club.

 

[Scubaveg]

It's going to be a pretty good ressies team to watch this year. I'm keen to see what pressure for spots it will create. Lohmann and the Brain up fwd. Tunstill n Fletcher in the middle. Wilmot, Michael, in defense. That's just the kids, lol. Ah Chee, Cockatoo, Matho, Lester, Fullerton, Madden, all have points to prove. Sharpie, Blake Coleman, Lane and Henry Smith are due to take a step fwd. McDonald White, evoking memories of his father.

Should be a great year for the club.

Worries for sharpie, could be gone by seasons end.


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[Berrygood]

Worries for sharpie, could be gone by seasons end.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.co

Yeah, you could be right. He probably hasn't come on as expected. He's still a very young man, and to be fair with Clug n Robbo etc holding wing spots, he hasn't had much opportunity to cement a place. When he has had a shot, I don't think he's been too bad. If he is learning and improving each year I'd be happy to give him another year or so. Will need to have more than a great running ability.

 

[Quigley]

He needs to find more of the ball which is not easy in the set ups the Lions play. Hopefully with more running power in the firsts this year we play a more expansive game and that flows through to the reserves where Sharp can impress.