Review Qualifying Final, 2020 - Brisbane Lions vs. Richmond

[drapes11]

McStay did take that great mark early but have a close look at the second quarter where I could identify three times he could have/ should have launched at marking contests but each time he pulled out. I can only assume it is a team rule that only one player goes up in certain situations but Hippy has started to crash packs now and doesn't he now look like a great forward.

I wonder if Dan does not have a licence to play with the same freedom that Hippy does which means he has these 3 to 5 disposal games regularly.

Young Coleman also got very few disposal but laid some great tackles.

One thing has crossed my mind. Was the non selection of Lester the reason we fell over last year?

Lester suffered due to the inclusion of hodge the last two years

 

[iBeng]

It would be easy to underplay Lester’s role last night and his role in the team generally but he is emblematic of the exact transformation it takes to get to the top.

Three years ago he was making up the numbers until someone better came along to replace him. Since then he has been in and out of the team, sometimes out for long stretches. But he learnt and developed, probably worked as hard as anyone in the comp during the COVID shutdown and came back a stronger and wiser version of himself. He has absorbed everything he could from Hodge and found roles to play that the team needed.

He is still too slow and too small and not the best kick and doesn’t always get a clean handball out and he can fumble under pressure. He is getting towards the back end of his career. He will never be a star. He has received a grand total of one Brownlow vote up to this year. He will eventually be replaced in the team by someone bigger or faster or flashier.

And yet he is exactly the sort of player that teams need in their 22 to win premierships - team first, loyal, hard working, constantly learning, willingly sacrifices his own game for the benefit of others, dogged and determined, courageous in the most understated way.

Every successful team needs its stars, but every successful team needs some Ryan Lester as well.

Hes our current Tim Notting. Best comparison I can think of really.

 

[Tom14]

Hes our current Tim Notting. Best comparison I can think of really.

More Robbie Copeland for playing an important team role. Notting was a genuine game changer when he came off the bench in the second half.

 

[straighttalkin]

This was actually because Hardwick wasn’t on the field and came streaming across the field 30 seconds earlier!

They were smug

 

[luthor]

On the topic of umpiring (look at me being all Richmond supportery), quite sure the much lauded chase down was actually Astbury tripping Coleman (he ended that tackle wrapped around Coleman's calf). We was robbed!

Glad you mentioned that.

Even with my one maroon eye and my other blue and gold eye, it was a cut and dried trip.

Clear free kick ignored by the umps.

 

[Scubaveg]

Fagan V Matthews

Gee I reckon Fagan is closing the gap...fast

There’s at least 5 grand finals to get to Mathews status.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[Lazza16]

Glad you mentioned that.

Even with my one maroon eye and my other blue and gold eye, it was a cut and dried trip.

Clear free kick ignored by the umps.

Praise the Lord we don't have Brown jumpers.

 

[martinson]

The back half all took their turn to be exposed and fill the hole one out and generally showed amazing defensive skills to hold them out more often than not Birchall is just so scientific the way he works it over the boundary line or shuts down momentum .

McInerny was everywhere , especially putting that big body as another soldier in defence.

They really missed Lynch to be fair . But they played well,we played better . Nailing shots early was critical . The big moments were Rayner's goal and Charlie's freak goal courtesy of Stef from the boundary line. You could see the whole team lift and think we can do this. And of course Lachie's on the siren . Adrenalin pumped out his biggest kick of the year.

 

[Albertross]

Well done guys. By far and away the best game I've been to this year, although seeing as how I only went to matches involving my team, the bar was set pretty low to begin with.

Your boys did a fantastic job absorbing the Tiges pressure early in the second and then the last qtr. Love watching Fagan on the boundary, so much passion.

My favorite parts of the night was every time the Tiger chant went up, it was quickly drowned out by the Lions fans starting their own. The other was when McCluggage kicked the sealer, the number of beers thrown in the air from the 2nd tier in celebration that landed on the crowd below. Had a look down, the reaction was priceless, ZERO ****s given.

Go all the way boys. Will be massive for your club and the game in Qld.

 

[WheildonTheAxe]

It's hard to know to know where to even begin. Regardless of what happens now, I'm extraordinary proud.

I know it's hard to give everyone the love but I found it very hard to not include Lester in my votes. Yes it was a team defence, but he really helped to nullify Jack. Will be interesting to see how they match up if we do happen to play again with Lynch in the team.

Felt like our Martin and Zorko didn't really have much impact (other than some brilliant pressure acts from Zorko later in the game) which is actually a good thing given our reliance of them in years gone by.

 

[straighttalkin]

Still feeling the joy. Solid foundation to build on.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Richmond must have had a big night, only two of their players were below average.

So Astbury, Houli and RIEWOLDT where as good as Oscar last night, what an utter load of crap.

 

[MacMum]

Can't believe I'm saying this, but dare I say it anyway.....I feel so much more emotional about this team than I did for our Premiership boys. I feel confused as to why when I loved those boys so much, perhaps I just took the wins for granted, they were just so superior....

....and perhaps its those dark dreadful days that followed year after year that made me appreciate so much more those who finally came to get us out of the mess that was our club at the time..

Hail Leigh Mathews (for coming back) Chris Fagan, David Noble and Greg Swann

...and god bless those they drafted and those that stayed. To watch the immediate change and turnaround in attitude and culture has been astounding....and the rise and rise in performances on field has given so much pleasure for them as well as us..

They began to believe and so did we. We have joined them on this magnificent journey towards that ultimate glory once again. We and they are nearly there, just one more game between us and that elusive premiership...and we the fans will be with them every single step of the way! These boys can do it and they know it now..

How could I not love them❤

 

[3KZ is Football]

How good was Starcevich, contested marking, pressure, decision making, skill execution. He takes this team to another level

He is a BULL. He is fast, has great skills and he is smart. Intercepts well and busts tackles. So exciting

 

[3KZ is Football]

Lester suffered due to the inclusion of hodge the last two years

Yep but there was also some poor selection and thinking by our football department. I still can’t believe they went with Adams, Robertson and Witherden before Lester in last years finals series. Prior to yesterday’s game players like Zorko and Berry were in the media saying the playing group learned a lot from last years finals. I suspect our coach and football department did also.

Anyway, that’s water under the bridge, let’s enjoy today and look forward.

 

[marooned]

What a game , what an atmosphere. Some absolute clutch moments.
Said in the pregame we were gonna shock the footy world. How good is it to be a Lion

 

[3KZ is Football]

They were smug

HUBRIS!

 

[Tom14]

He is a BULL. He is fast, has great skills and he is smart. Intercepts well and busts tackles. So exciting

Has great instincts and read the play beautifully. Not a huge amount of touches but he stopped a lot of Richmond’s quick tap ons by sprinting to the right position and marking or quickly knocking the ball forward past their on rushing wave of runners.

I know long term he will probably be a mid and follow the yeo path but Gee he’s a great player down back.

 

[martinson]

The back half all took their turn to be exposed and fill the hole one out and generally showed amazing defensive skills to hold them out more often than not Birchall is just so scientific the way he works it over the boundary line or shuts down momentum .

McInerny was everywhere , especially putting that big body as another soldier in defence.

They really missed Lynch to be fair . But they played well,we played better . Nailing shots early was critical . The big moments were Rayner's goal and Charlie's freak goal courtesy of Stef from the boundary line. You could see the whole team lift and think we can do this. And of course Lachie's on the siren . Adrenalin pumped out his biggest kick of the year.

Sorry that was Oscar to Charlie.

 

[martinson]

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[3KZ is Football]

Has great instincts and read the play beautifully. Not a huge amount of touches but he stopped a lot of Richmond’s quick tap ons by sprinting to the right position and marking or quickly knocking the ball forward past their on rushing wave of runners.

I know long term he will probably be a mid and follow the yeo path but Gee he’s a great player down back.

Starcevich is quick and has a massive tank too. He is the complete package,

 

[Gadzorks]

I’m going to specifically watch for coaches going nuts when players kick goals in the rest of the seasons games.

Fagan often looks like every other supporter - loved the double arm/fist raise after goals.

I think there’s magic in his approach - he’s not the stern coach in the box judging every thing they do, he’s the supportive father on the sideline they want to shine before and they want to get him up and out of his seat cheering.

 

[martinson]

I’m going to specifically watch for coaches going nuts when players kick goals in the rest of the seasons games.

Fagan often looks like every other supporter - loved the double arm/fist raise after goals.

I think there’s magic in his approach - he’s not the stern coach in the box judging every thing they do, he’s the supportive father on the sideline they want to shine before and they want to get him up and out of his seat cheering.

There's no doubt he's brought passion back to this club. And it's passion that gets you to do things you never thought you could possibly do.

 

[MSB ROYS]

Highlight was Charlie's snap from the boundary. Like many I assume, I got up and did a dance!

 

[Zhesty]

I remember watching Starc in the reserves last season and thinking he's a really smart and solid footballer who will be a good role player in the future. This season however, I'm starting to see his potential to become much more than just a solid role player. Showing some really exciting flashes.

That draft haul of Rayner, Bailey and Starc is looking very promising.