Preview Lions 2019 Discussion

[M Malice]

“We are on the right path and I want to stick around because the good times are just around the corner”.

- every re-signing Lions player for the last 15 years

That corner is preceded by The Long and Winding Road.

 

[Gadzorks]

It seems accepted that Zorko and beams didn't connect particularly well. I wonder if the source was simply Zorko, who is forever grateful and the Lions, thought that beams should show the same level of loyalty. Might explain why beams was the king of the kids- they are still developing loyalty so don't wear as a badge as much.

clearly beams has that loyalty to the pies. I'm glad he is gone.

 

[Tassie4ever]

Cameron was absolutely hopeless in the midfield last year. He used to be good for the Crows running off the back of the square at centre bounces but you can’t do that any more.

I think he’s destined to be confined to the forward line.

There is none so blind as he who will not see.

There are few players with the cutting edge. Cameron is one.

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

 

[jackess]

There is none so blind as he who will not see.

There are few players with the cutting edge. Cameron is one.

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

Have you been spending time with Billy?

 

[BRAB]

Cameron was exceptional early last season. Put in 3rd and 4th efforts when the rest gave up after the first or second.

His pressure was immense and hopefully he keeps that up. Is a gun.

 

[Billy Puller]

Charlie Cameron is operating at the 6th dimension while the rest of the team operates in the 2nd. We need more charlie

 

[Lions Flag 2020]

Eagles look strong jlt 1

 

[marooned]

Cameron was absolutely hopeless in the midfield last year. He used to be good for the Crows running off the back of the square at centre bounces but you can’t do that any more.

I think he’s destined to be confined to the forward line.

Cameron hopeless O.K.
Does anyone else have the mental image of Jackess running water wearing two knee braces for the local under 12's crowing about how good he was and how he should have made it if he hadnt done his knees in an elimination final for the under 11's.

 

[jackess]

Eagles look strong jlt 1

Winning plenty of it. Missing a lot of 25m kicks though

 

[Lions Flag 2020]

Winning plenty of it. Missing a lot of 25m kicks though

Darling looking ominous

 

[Gadzorks]

Eagles look strong jlt 1

I read this and was Marty eagles has played already?? Lol Friday night drinks

 

[Dylan12]

 

[Dylan12]

2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions (Cameron Rose)

Last year saw a gaping chasm between the top 12 teams in the competition and the bottom six. But can the Lions break away from the bottom in 2019?

Adelaide finished 12th with 12 wins and a percentage of 104.1. The Western Bulldogs finished 13th with eight wins and a percentage of 77.3. But despite only five wins in 2018, there is a case to be made that Brisbane were the best of the dregs.

The Lions had a percentage of 89.1, far superior to the next-best Bulldogs, which was an indication of their overall competitiveness compared to their rivals in the dungeon. They averaged 83 points per game, which was more than sides like Sydney and Port Adelaide, and almost two goals clear of the next best bottom-six team St Kilda.

Interstate wins are a big fillip for a side trying to make their way up the ladder, and Brisbane had victories in Perth over Fremantle and in Tasmania against Hawthorn in the second half of the year, to signify real progress. They also lost to Collingwood, North, Port and Adelaide by single-figure margins, which they will have learned much from.

Can the Lions now break free of the bottom six?

Brisbane Lions Best 22
B: Darcy Gardiner, Marcus Adams, Alex Witherden
HB: Luke Hodge, Harris Andrews, Daniel Rich
C: Tom Cutler, Lachie Neale, Charlie Cameron
HF: Cam Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Mitch Robinson
F: Lewis Taylor, Daniel McStay, Allen Christensen
Foll: Stefan Martin, Jarryd Lyons, Dayne Zorko
Int: Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry, Josh Walker, Lincoln McCarthy
Em: Ryan Lester, Oscar McInerney, Nick Robertson

One of the biggest talking points in the trade wars that defined the 2018 post-season involved Brisbane losing Dayne Beams back to Collingwood, but gaining Lachie Neale from Fremantle. Both players are in the conversation for top 25-30 in the competition, so the Lions were losing a gun but gaining one too.

But they also gained Jarryd Lyons from Gold Coast, Marcus Adams from the Bulldogs and Lincoln McCarthy from Geelong, a trio that could prove to be a nice little haul that will add some bite to each area of the ground. Beams averaged 11 contested possessions, 5.6 clearances and three tackles a game last year. Neale and Lyons combined averaged 29, 14 and 10 in those categories. They are significant figures who allow Dayne Zorko to play a more dynamic outside role through the midfield and forward of centre.

Stef Martin does a lot of clearance and contested work as a ruckman, as well as linking effectively across the ground. Charlie Cameron can hopefully get involved more in the middle, as he possesses special qualities that others do not. Mitch Robinson is the wrecking ball that can shut down opponents if required, or gleefully work them over.

Most exciting for Brisbane fans is the thought of a second pre-season under the belt of Cameron Rayner and what he might be capable of as he takes more steps forward in his AFL evolution. We saw some spectacular highlights last year, and need to prepare room in our scrapbooks for more.

And let’s not forget two 21-year-olds Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry, both first-round draft picks, entering their third seasons. Both have shown they have what it takes to be an integral part of a successful midfield, and will also benefit from more experienced players like Neale and Lyons being added to the mix.

Harris Andrews was rated the third-best key defender in the competition in the Roar Top 50, behind two superstars in Alex Rance and Jeremy McGovern, and is becoming more of an offensive weapon as each season passes. Still only 22 himself, there has been talk of trialing him up forward during the pre-season. Marcus Adams is one of the most imposing specimens in the AFL and just needs to stay fit to prove his worth, but this is easier said than done.

Luke Hodge provided effective service in his first year at the Gabba, and no doubt an abundance of leadership and education. He can’t run out of sight on a dark night these days, but is still a canny positioner and user. Darcy Gardiner, fourth in the 2018 best and fairest, can play tall or small and has license to create in the back half, although Daniel Rich and Alex Witherden are the leaders in this regard.

The new rule changes have been made to promote more direct play, which suit both Rich and Witherden. Opposition zones will need to be set far and wide when Rich has the ball in hand for a kick out, which should allow him to pierce shorter kicks into gaps to open the field up beyond them.

Up forward is where Brisbane look a little weak, even though we have already noted they were ranked 11th in points scored last year. People want Eric Hipwood to make outlandish progression, but he showed steady improvement in 2018 compared to the year before, and can be expected to do so again. His second half of the season was better than his first, which might suggest a quantum leap is coming. His athletic instinct will be a pleasure to watch.

Daniel McStay went forward again in 2018, and has a good pair of hands when his confidence is up. Hipwood is 21, McStay 23. Plenty of room for growth.

Allen Christensen played a full season after 21 months off the AFL scene. It’s fair to say we’ve seen his best now, but he’s still an effective player.

Lewis Taylor plays his role in the forward third or half of the ground. Lincoln McCarthy might surprise a few who haven’t seen much of him – he’s a very clean footballer, a natural ball-handler, creative and clever.

Brisbane’s suite of double-up matches doesn’t look the hardest on paper. They handily beat Hawthorn both times they met last year, and get another two chances this season. The Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Gold Coast are also on the agenda, all three picked as bottom-six candidates in this preview series. North Melbourne is the other club the Lions play twice, a team they could easily have beaten in Round 20 last year.

Chris Fagan has Brisbane playing a direct and attacking brand of football, which may well be rewarded this season, given some of the rule changes. Maturity and experience are being gained at the same time as the still young list develops, so week-in, week-out consistency can’t be expected. The Lions showed last year that they are on the right track, and it’s reasonable to think they will break clear of the bottom six this season.

Prediction: 11th

 

[Mighty Lions]

2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions (Cameron Rose)

Cameron Rose nailed that preview above in 2109 in my opinion. Finishing 11th and breaking away from the bottom 6 would be a massive tick for this developing team. Any expectation above this is unrealistic.

 

[Brett C]

It's not often that I agree with Mark Robinson (in fact I hate the guy with a passion) but he is pretty spot on with his Lions likes/dislikes. Our younger players have now have 30-60 games in them and need to take that next step up.

I think 8-10 wins is acheiveable, only Hodge, Stef and Zorko are over 30 and we know what they will deliver. If the younger players continue their improvement I think we are a sneaky chance of making the 8.

WHAT I LIKE

It would appear it’s all going to plan, albeit slowly. In the 2016 season, the Lions gave away an average of 131 points and kicked an average of 80 points. In Chris Fagan’s first two years, it was 115-85 and last year 93-83.

That’s an eight-goal improvement in defence. The scoring, however, is stagnating. That’s the next area of improvement. If they find goalkickers and keep it longer in their half, the Lions should win more games.

Last year, they found a defender in Darcy Gardiner. He, Harris Andrews and Luke Hodge will form the defence. Jarrod Berry, Hugh McCluggage and Alex Witherden were top 10 B&F finishers in 2018 and will get better. Of them, Berry looks real smart. They lost Dayne Beams in the most curious fashion and gained Lachie Neale. They will miss Beams’ goals, but Charlie Cameron is back from injury, so there’s a huge plus. And clearly Cam Rayner will be better again.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE

It’s not so much a dislike, but it’s reality: How long do we keep saying the Lions are building before they start beating teams.

Have won five, five, three and four games in the past four seasons, two of those seasons under Fagan. The time has come for all of us to stop the pandering and the delivering of feel-good words of encouragement and for the team to start winning games and be a finals contender.

Am sure the heavy hitters at the club are demanding the same. Of all the players who need to step up, it’s Eric Hipwood. Kicked 37 goals in 2018, and needs to push that to 50-plus this year. It’s not all on him, of course, but this young man needs more volume to add to the highlight reel.

VERDICT

Would like to see eight, nine wins

 

[a mayes ing]

It's not often that I agree with Mark Robinson (in fact I hate the guy with a passion) but he is pretty spot on with his Lions likes/dislikes. Our younger players have now have 30-60 games in them and need to take that next step up.

I think 8-10 wins is acheiveable, only Hodge, Stef and Zorko are over 30 and we know what they will deliver. If the younger players continue their improvement I think we are a sneaky chance of making the 8.

WHAT I LIKE

It would appear it’s all going to plan, albeit slowly. In the 2016 season, the Lions gave away an average of 131 points and kicked an average of 80 points. In Chris Fagan’s first two years, it was 115-85 and last year 93-83.

That’s an eight-goal improvement in defence. The scoring, however, is stagnating. That’s the next area of improvement. If they find goalkickers and keep it longer in their half, the Lions should win more games.

Last year, they found a defender in Darcy Gardiner. He, Harris Andrews and Luke Hodge will form the defence. Jarrod Berry, Hugh McCluggage and Alex Witherden were top 10 B&F finishers in 2018 and will get better. Of them, Berry looks real smart. They lost Dayne Beams in the most curious fashion and gained Lachie Neale. They will miss Beams’ goals, but Charlie Cameron is back from injury, so there’s a huge plus. And clearly Cam Rayner will be better again.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE

It’s not so much a dislike, but it’s reality: How long do we keep saying the Lions are building before they start beating teams.

Have won five, five, three and four games in the past four seasons, two of those seasons under Fagan. The time has come for all of us to stop the pandering and the delivering of feel-good words of encouragement and for the team to start winning games and be a finals contender.

Am sure the heavy hitters at the club are demanding the same. Of all the players who need to step up, it’s Eric Hipwood. Kicked 37 goals in 2018, and needs to push that to 50-plus this year. It’s not all on him, of course, but this young man needs more volume to add to the highlight reel.

VERDICT

Would like to see eight, nine wins

The person that needs to step is McStay. Hippy got 37 goals as a 21/22 year old. Pretty good despite being a rake. McStay is 23/24 this year, he needs to start kicking more and be more involved. He has the body anf would assume the endurance after all the pre-seasons. No reason why he can't step up, just need to kick it to his advantage. 60+ inside 50's every week would help

 

[Mighty Lions]

The person that needs to step is McStay. Hippy got 37 goals as a 21/22 year old. Pretty good despite being a rake. McStay is 23/24 this year, he needs to start kicking more and be more involved. He has the body anf would assume the endurance after all the pre-seasons. No reason why he can't step up, just need to kick it to his advantage. 60+ inside 50's every week would help

Agree 99% a mayes ing!!! Hippy got 37 goals last year as a 20 year old. (turned 21 after the season was done & dusted) He will play this year as a 21 year old and once again is expected to be the main key forward and once again without a mature age mentor in the forward line helping & supporting him. Someone to take a bit of the heat off him would be a huge benefit and seeing we don't really have plans to recruit a mature age key forward to help, Dan is probably the one who needs to step up like you say. He will be 24 in June and now is a big unit who should be able to play a more physical role up forward.

 

[CUBSRGROWIN]

I

The person that needs to step is McStay. Hippy got 37 goals as a 21/22 year old. Pretty good despite being a rake. McStay is 23/24 this year, he needs to start kicking more and be more involved. He has the body anf would assume the endurance after all the pre-seasons. No reason why he can't step up, just need to kick it to his advantage. 60+ inside 50's every week would help

Just heard a stat on SEN that was extraordinary, out of 161 contests last year Hipwood won 4
This was mentioned after a caller complained about Hipwood being pushed out of position too easy
As i outlined yesterday it's not the contested one's that is a concern but the ones where he runs out of position deliberately to avoid contact
Great off the deck but I was shocked when I read the 4 out of 161

 

[KissKiss]

I'd be much happier with a decent spread of goals. Hippy kicking 40+, McStay and Charlie in the 30's and McCarthy and Rayner in the 20's would set us up well for the year I think

 

[Brett C]

I
Just heard a stat on SEN that was extraordinary, out of 161 contests last year Hipwood won 4
This was mentioned after a caller complained about Hipwood being pushed out of position too easy
As i outlined yesterday it's not the contested one's that is a concern but the ones where he runs out of position deliberately to avoid contact
Great off the deck but I was shocked when I read the 4 out of 161

Not sure SEN should the gold standard for stats considering he averages 4 contested possessions a game and 1 contested mark a game. I don't think he will ever be a Tom Hawkins/Jon Brown type forward and I'm not sure that's what the club wants or expects either.

 

[CUBSRGROWIN]

Not sure SEN should the gold standard for stats considering he averages 4 contested possessions a game and 1 contested mark a game. I don't think he will ever be a Tom Hawkins/Jon Brown type forward and I'm not sure that's what the club wants or expects either.

Well normally that would be a fair point but this stat comes from Luffy the AFL statistician.
Just an observation that was glaring when i watched yesterday
But that contested stat is damning

 

[Lions Flag 2020]

I'd be much happier with a decent spread of goals. Hippy kicking 40+, McStay and Charlie in the 30's and McCarthy and Rayner in the 20's would set us up well for the year I think

I think Rayner will kick 30 plus. A goal a game then three bags of 4.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

My feeling is McStay will be given a couple of games and if he doesn't start making an impact on the scoreboard he will make way for someone else. Whilst goal scoring is only part of his role, the plain fact is for a guy standing 195cm and 98kg's, he doesn't impose himself on a game as much as he should.

 

[jackess]

My feeling is McStay will be given a couple of games and if he doesn't start makinghi an impact on the scoreboard he will make way for someone else. Whilst goal scoring is only part of his role, the plain fact is for a guy standing 195cm and 98kg's, he doesn't impose himself on a game as much as he should.

Who do you replace him with?

 

[KissKiss]

I think Rayner will kick 30 plus. A goal a game then three bags of 4.

I was maybe conservative in assuming more mid time. But if he was a full time forward I think he could do it easily. He and Zorko kicking a goal a game would be great though