Review Rd 3 suns v Lions review

[Bucking Beads]

I think the win last night will help us start to regain some confidence. We will be up for a big game against North. Leunbgerger will only get better which should help our midfield out. Rockliff is just outstanding. He was well held last night but he always seems to produce something when we need it. He is a big moment player.

 

[AFLQLD]

Mayes did such a good job and I hope they give him a few weeks to develop before sending him back to the Reserves.

Green continues to impress with the way he is developing as a small forward. A great one handed mark under pressure, always trying to impact the game when the play is near him.

Bewick is another who is developing into his role well. I watched him fairly closely last night and he did a lot of stuff that mattered but probably wasn't noticed as much, especially on TV I suspect.

Rich is still having to do a bit too much midfield heavy lifting for us to see his kicking skills punish the opposition enough. Many times in close on stuff it was Rich who fought the ball out. Karnesis would have been a big help to receive some of the hard ball won by Rich and Moloney in close.

Hanley is a spark so often when we need it. His instincts are getting better and he showed his awareness of the situation a number of times, not least that late goal when someone just had to be there.

 

[lukiuslion]

bloody bloody oath he was outstanding

I totally agree and found his game to be great - champion in the making. He has ZERO defensive side which will lead to long stints in the ressies.

 

[Panthera]

Had a function last night, just watched the reply. Good to get the 4pts obviously - decent if not spectacular display. A few points:

1. Lost the centre clearances again (-1).
2. Brown is irreplaceable - we would've lost without him. God help us when he retires.
3. Raines' game was massive. Best game I've seen him play. More effective than Ablett for his team last night.
4. Leuey is a dead set jet - hoping he can string games together.
5. Sam Mayes; a footballer. Loved his different colour boots too (black ).
6. Small defenders in Adcock, Yeo, Golby need to watch video of Hanley; does simple things perfectly.
7. Polec / Karnezis / Cornelius in the NEAFL - minimal benefit playing there. AFL totally different stardard.
8. The 3 R's need to want to get to the next level more, happy to be good AFL players at the moment.
9. Return of Staker and Black can't come quick enough.
10. Zorko, Green, Karnezis, Mayes and Polec will be a deadly fwd/mid group once they get to 50 games.

 

[Matt_BL]

Had a function last night, just watched the reply. Good to get the 4pts obviously - decent if not spectacular display. A few points:

1. Lost the centre clearances again (-1).
2. Polec / Karnezis / Cornelius in the NEAFL - minimal benefit playing there. AFL totally different standard.

Agree with all points bar these two. Thought our clearances were much improved. Overall we won by +9, but yes looking at centre bounce ones we did lose by -1.

Disagree with the 2nd point. Ace couldn't get near it in Round 1, and didn't really do much in the NAB cup final either. Once he's body on body he struggles.

Karnezis was probably stiff to get dropped last week but atm you can't play him and Polec in the same side. Many posters call for Polec to be playing in the side, he played a full match last night and had 9 disposals. The much maligned Polkinghorne was the sub and had 8 and a goal. He hurt is ankle late so it might be a straight swap with Patty K for the next game, we'll see how well he goes in the reserves game later today though.

There are still questions on Polec's fitness; it needs to be improved but another injury won't help.

 

[Triple R]

I though McGrath was a breath of fresh air in the first half, showing some zip and precise kicking from the backline. Hanley is our main line breaker with Golby an Yeo (both still quite inexperienced) taking up some of that load as well. It really highlights what someone like Docherty will potentially become with Hanley and possibly Golby down back in the next few years.

Did anyone else see the massive corky on Adcock's thigh? I'm not surprised someone like Matera got away so often. It was on the line of his shorts on the quadricep.

Mayes and Polec - Really interesting to see Mayes work so hard, take so many marks (10!!!) and kick so accurately. Polec wasn't clean with his disposal, although he was caught inside a bit. A really tough comparison because I'm wondering if Polec is slightly underdone or not able to get into the game mentally. In saying that they look poles apart. Mayes worked hard into space and seemed to pick up possessions at will (was his opponent paying him any respect?). Polec was the opposite, seemed to get stuck in traffic, unable to use his speed or left boot.

I find Polec's actions strange, doesn't seem to put in and get his head over the ball but opens himself up to be smashed in a defensive effort. Why can't (won't) he do both?

I though Yeo was sound, we need someone with his athleticism in the backline, apart from that one massive blunder he was again quite good. I don't feel as though the reserves level is really where he should be, his development needs to be in the seniors. He is sound defensively and whilst good, needs to improve offensively; this will come.

I think we are lacking a bit of toughness in our backline. Would Goose provide that, perhaps Harwood? Both? I think it might be time to push someone up from the backline and bring in Harwood or Docherty. My preference at this stage is Harwood. Tough, precise and moves through traffic really well.

It was good to see us setting a man directly in front of Lewie at the centre square bounces, he was able to tap it close to that man every time. It looks as though our mids are starting to read him again. Although GAJ decided to move to that spot for the last centre clearance, he is nothing short of amazing with his read and knowledge of the play.

Redden played the game we needed him to. He worked his way back into it and I hope it continues.

Rich, was he just working harder or smarter than Hunt? I wasn't at the ground so some feedback on that would be good. I hope that is was both, he seemed as though he was on his toes and moving at the contest with speed rather than waiting to receive the ball on the outside.

Again, having McGrath marching out of the backline and with Rich down on production it really highlights the need for elite kicking skills and possibly adding more to the team as the time passes. Elite kicking is something we lack if McGrath is forward of the ball, Rich is tagged and Hanley is manning up on his opponent.

All in all, I'm happy for a win, ugly as if may be, but the look on the GC player's faces at the end told it all, "we should've won this game". I think the return fixture is going to be revenge for them.

 

[dlanod]

Perhaps you are right POBT. I notice a fairly solid line up of posters who I respect, like dlanod and the supporters who liked your post supporting the view that I am being harsh and I take this on board.

Perhaps I was just conflating my general frustration with the match with a previous view about Polks and where he fits in the scheme of things.

Noted one and all, noted.

I can see where you're coming from, and prior to this week I was hoping Polkinghorne would be dropped. I'm still 50/50 on his place in the side. It's just that his game this week was a point he made to stay in IMO.

 

[AFLQLD]

Karnesis seems to offer more than Polec at the moment. Time will tell of course but he seems to be a little more versatile and durable at present. If we are playing only one of them I think Karnesis is the one until Polec is fully fit,

 

[joshhem]

The guy I'm disappointed with at the moment is Adcock. For mine he's not showing any inspiring leadership qualities. In the last quarter when GC kicked a couple of goals on the run he sat forelawn for a good 10 seconds before eventually getting back to the group and then didn't take charge.

I'm not convinced he's the heir. Good player, well liked, but not a skipper for me....

 

[chopperduck]

Should Zorks be worried? Haven't seen footage of this elbow yet...

Nah, as he kicked it he was tackled from behind, after he had disposed of the ball he kind of pushed back with his elbow, pushing the player backwards and landing on them. Didn't swing it back. Was worth the free but that was all.

 

[chopperduck]

I can see where you're coming from, and prior to this week I was hoping Polkinghorne would be dropped. I'm still 50/50 on his place in the side. It's just that his game this week was a point he made to stay in IMO.

The fact that he was started as the sub was pretty telling i think. The sub is the last position before going out of the team. For young or first gamers it isn't uncommon to be the sub, but for an established senior player, it's a bit of a kick in the arse, because it's saying, we have better options to be on the field for the majority of the game.

To his credit he played the sub role well, however i would be doubtful that would continue next week. For pure fitness reasons they won't have him back up twice in the green vest. Still, i think it's a telling move. Polec was my hot tip for the green vest, we started Polec over Polka, and in a wet game.

 

[iBeng]

The guy I'm disappointed with at the moment is Adcock. For mine he's not showing any inspiring leadership qualities. In the last quarter when GC kicked a couple of goals on the run he sat forelawn for a good 10 seconds before eventually getting back to the group and then didn't take charge.

I'm not convinced he's the heir. Good player, well liked, but not a skipper for me....

I dont know why but Ive always been a bit off with Adcock. I want to like him and I want to think he helps the team out being there, but he just sort of takes a backseat sometimes and goes missing. I think hes one of those players that looks great when we are winning and dominating, but looks forelawn when we are getting an even fight on our hands.

 

[bato]

Need

Need the clip to go longer. If he shakes the next persons hand then it was a clear airy and very poor form. Expect to see martin in the ressies next week if the case

Lol, he gave Rocky a pat on the stomach as well. Nothing in it.

 

[mpal6]

Rich is still having to do a bit too much midfield heavy lifting for us to see his kicking skills punish the opposition enough. Many times in close on stuff it was Rich who fought the ball out. Karnesis would have been a big help to receive some of the hard ball won by Rich and Moloney in close.

I think coaching staff have somewhat figured out the best way for him to influence games and beat the tag. Go for the ball and play more inside. He was hanging outside the packs on first 2 rounds to hurt the opposition with his kicks, but played into tagger's hands. Inside work would be ideal and he will attract frees from umpires.

 

[mpal6]

Should Zorks be worried? Haven't seen footage of this elbow yet...

saw that just now. It looks more of a instinct reaction rather than a deliberate attempt to hurt Jaeger. Disposed off the ball, was getting dragged down in a tackle to his right side, brings his arm/elbow up to protect himself from the fall. I don't see anyother way to support himself other than this, or he has to let the body/head hit the turf. Personally, nothing further to it other than a free.

 

[AFLQLD]

I think coaching staff have somewhat figured out the best way for him to influence games and beat the tag. Go for the ball and play more inside. He was hanging outside the packs on first 2 rounds to hurt the opposition with his kicks, but played into tagger's hands. Inside work would be ideal and he will attract frees from umpires.

Yep. Good point. Hopefully he can mix it up a bit and he does get into free space as well, which he was doing in patches last night.

 

[mpal6]

Mayes Rising star this week.?

Yep. Love the fact that he walked into the lineup and came up with a game high 10 marks in wet weather. Very impressive debut, we got a player.

 

[Tassie4ever]

Our back 6 were all less than impressive. My count for GC goals directly attributable to errors by Yeo was 3 to half time. And does Golby have a thing about kicking out on the full?

Come to think of it, our backline isn't exactly renowned for its kicking skills.

Anyway, a win is a win. Especially when so few are materially contributing.

 

[POBT]

1. Lost the centre clearances again (-1).

You've focused on centre clearances quite a bit. Firstly, let me say that I would rather be winning them than losing them. It is hard enough to win the ball back in footy - having to do it more often than not from a centre bounce makes life hard. In short, I share your frustration.

But, so far this year, there is no correlation between winning the centre bounces consistently and winning games consistently. Moreover, while I don't have the 2012 stats in front of me, my recollection is that only about half of the top 8 sides were also a top 8 side in terms of centre bounces. I think there is some argument that winning centre clearances is not integral to winning football matches - it helps, sure, but you don't have to be a good centre clearance side to be a good side.

So far in 2013, three sides who are 0-3 (Carlton, North and GWS) are top 8 in terms of centre clearances - Carlton is actually equal third, alongside West Coast who have a 1-2 record. At the other end of the spectrum, Collingwood is undefeated and is 16th, one spot behind Melbourne who have been deplorable. The impressive Cats, Tigers and Dockers are all outside the top 8 centre clearance sides.

I am mindful of centre clearances. We should be looking for improvement because we are very poor. But let's not over-emphasise their importance.

 

[Haso]

Zorko looks off pace (and copping on the main and opposition boards because of it).

At the risk of sounding like a rose-coloured glasses kind of guy, maybe there really is something in those posts the other week asking if he was carrying a groin injury. Didn't think much of it at the time, but I'm a bit worried now.

 

[POBT]

Zorko looks off pace (and copping on the main and opposition boards because of it).

At the risk of sounding like a rose-coloured glasses kind of guy, maybe there really is something in those posts the other week asking if he was carrying a groin injury. Didn't think much of it at the time, but I'm a bit worried now.

If he's not injured, then his brownie points are starting to run out. I'm not suggesting he's up for the chop yet but he needs a lift in form to retain his "automatic selection" status.

He's having good quarters but not good games. I think his role has changed slightly to having a bit more midfield licence which means he's not seeing as much time deeper in the forward line. I suspect he is struggling with that and the fact that the opposition is setting up to negate his influence.

I take some comfort that he's having influential periods of play. Hopefully, the coaching staff are boosting his confidence by showing him that footage because I reckon he's struggling a bit with self-doubt.

 

[luthor]

Zorko's "elbow" looked like incidental contact to me.

No doubt it'll get looked at though, which means Zorks gets to play MRP Lotto. It's been jackpotting now for a few weeks,so if his number were to come up it could be a hefty "prize".

 

[Jimmy Two Hands]

To be fair, Zorko copped a LOT of attention last night. Moreso than any other Lions player. Hard tag all game and lots physical stuff from Suns players whenever he went near it. Playing a kick or even just a handpass off the play, like Zorko does (apart from his ocasionall stint on ball) makes it that much harder to break a tag because theres no traffic to help with separation and the tagger knows where the ball is coming from. Will just have to find that high workrate that got him into games last year and take it even further.

McKenna needs to find a way to convince Brennan he is playing the Lions every week. He was unbelievable in the second half.

 

[Triple R]

Our back 6 were all less than impressive. My count for GC goals directly attributable to errors by Yeo was 3 to half time. And does Golby have a thing about kicking out on the full?

Come to think of it, our backline isn't exactly renowned for its kicking skills.

Anyway, a win is a win. Especially when so few are materially contributing.

It was interesting to note Voss talking about a gameplan that is based on a rock solid defense. He just isn't getting that at the moment. It was our key last year and yet we are really lacking it now. Something needs to change, whether personnel or position, I'm not sure.

 

[Toffee Lion]

I think the worst Zorks will get is a reprimand.

It was high contact but low impact and negligent.