Preview Richmond v Brisbane Round 20 (Sunday 31 July 3:20 @ MCG)

[martinson]

I think the bigger problem is that the midfield has been smashed in these games and have barely been able to get the ball forward at all, or very slowly, making defending a very easy job.

We've got a good forward line but taking them as individuals we don't really have any champs there. Arguably Cameron is the best small forward going around but in line with his position sometimes doesn't get into the game . You couldn't really say Daniher ,Hipwood or McStay were consistent high class players .Joe on his standout year maybe. McCarthy is a good honest solid player , one whom every club would love to have ,he's a very high B Grader.
Rayner's nowhere near it yet. Bailey shows all the signs of becoming an A Grader but yet to be there consistently.

 

[a mayes ing]

The margin was 17 points at 3/4 time and practically goal for goal in the last

That doesn't really change the fact that our forward line consistently fails against teams with a good defence. There would be multiple reasons why, but if our forward line is the highest scoring team in the comp then it should be able to score against all teams, not just the ones on the lower ladder

 

[Nathan Barley]

That doesn't really change the fact that our forward line consistently fails against teams with a good defence. There would be multiple reasons why, but if our forward line is the highest scoring team in the comp then it should be able to score against all teams, not just the ones on the lower ladder

Was it our forwardline or defence responsible for the them kicking more goals?

 

[martinson]

That doesn't really change the fact that our forward line consistently fails against teams with a good defence. There would be multiple reasons why, but if our forward line is the highest scoring team in the comp then it should be able to score against all teams, not just the ones on the lower ladder

There's more to it than just scoring as well. You don't want it rebounding too easily.

We've got a good forward line . Up there with the best teams. That's about it.

 

[Dalions]

Melbourne smashed us in inside 50's, but with Freo, we beat them by 3 inside 50s. I was at the game and we had 20 scoring shots to their 24. We only lost by 14 points, but we had a few junk time goals which made the game look closer at the end.

We barely scored in the second and third quarters of the Freo game which was when their midfield got well on top. Yet we still scored 85 points in the game.
Same against Melbourne, when their midfield become a steam train our forwards were taken out of the game.

 

[Mighty Lions]

You keep saying we are the highest scoring team. Consistently, whenerver we play teams with good to great defences, such as Freo and Melbourne. There were teams also last year which we lost as well when it was billed as the highest scoring vs the best defence and we lost that one as well. Our forward line can't cope against these teams.

a mayes ing ...yes we have lost 5 games where the opposition has scored more than us. On the flip side we have won 13 games where we have scored more than our opposition. To say our forward line cant cope against good defensive teams doesn't cut it for me. Yes we lost to Freo & Melbourne but they don't have exclusivitivy when it comes to good defense.

 

[martinson]

We barely scored in the second and third quarters of the Freo game which was when their midfield got well on top. Yet we still scored 85 points in the game.
Same against Melbourne, when their midfield become a steam train our forwards were taken out of the game.

I thought against Freo we didn't apply enough pressure when we got it into our forward line and they kept sweeping it away with loose men wide.

Against Melbourne we just got smashed everywhere full stop.

 

[BRAB]

yes we have lost 5 games where the opposition has scored more than us. On the flip side we have won 13 games where we have scored more than our opposition.

This kind of cutting analysis will get you on AFL 360 in no time.

 

[Mighty Lions]

I thought against Freo we didn't apply enough pressure when we got it into our forward line and they kept sweeping it away with loose men wide.

Against Melbourne we just got smashed everywhere full stop.

I was at the Freo game also. Frederick tore us a new one and we couldn't run with him in the last 1/4. In the game I watched, he was the game changer along with Freo's midfield smashing us late in the game.

 

[Mighty Lions]

This kind of cutting analysis will get you on AFL 360 in no time.

Dont watch it but I will do a cameo if necessary. Front Bar is the only footy show I will watch because it gives me a laugh. The Channell 9 footy show on a Sunday is good also but that's it for footy shows for me.

 

[mpal6]

Really???
In some games (not all) Eric has been the best tall in the forward line. No coaching expertise to point that out either. Regardless of how Fagan percieves his system should work, (which none of us on BF has a clue about...including me) he wants to win games more than anyone on BF I assure you.
Contrary to your comment about players coming back from an ACL injury, it's common for key players to be thrown straight back in the deep end to best assist them to get back into where they left off. The assessment of Eric so far from the coaching group has been that he is tracking on target of what they expected him. It's quite funny that some expect a lot more of him relative to what the others have produced in some games yet I dont hear as much negativity about them. The proof of Eric's development after his ACL is coming. That should excite you to have your fingers ready at the keyboard I am sure.

I defend our forward group each week with facts to back it up with....... We have scored more than 100 points more than any other team in the comp...thats gotta give them some kudos. Regardless of who kicks the goals each game, our mix of talls & smalls are extremely potent despite the crappy way the ball comes in to the forward fifty often. We have not lost a game this year because our forward line have dropped the ball. Our defenders have had several bad days out and our midfield continue to have serious issues that concern me and have cost us dearly at times.

I don't think anyone "blindly" supports the team as you alude to. As Briztoone pointed out, there were times I was critical of Joey & Charlie's defensive efforts early in the year & said so more than once. In saying that, I didn't want them relegated to the 2's like some suggest for players, I just wanted a better effort defensively which we have now. (not because of me to clarify) Thats playing the ball & not the man wherever possible. lol.

All of us want to see Lions in a Grand final and this group of players is capable of it. If you read the game day/review board each week, not all of us think they are capable. On our day, with our best 22 & a little bit of luck, we can beat anyone in the mix. For me, that is exciting.

I'll try and reply to this once because I normally don't tend to engage in reply marathon / war of words. It's a waste of time and this is a Brisbane Lions supporter forum with a lot of opinions - including mine.

Let's preface by saying no one wants Eric to fail. When the players come back from ACL, the normal thing to do would've been give him a consistent run in reserves - get his engine up, build confidence by kicking a few 2/3/4 goal games and bring him to 1s to hit the ground running. He was called upon straight to 1s due to the unfortunate timing of Daniher/McStay injuries but it does not mean he has to be left there and has to find form in 1s. We have Fort now providing that cover and has shown he can do a better job than Fullarton did last year. Hipwood is starting to find the goals now which is a good sign but at different phases over the last 11 rounds, we could've continued to rotate Fort in to our 3 tall forward line. It's a missed opportunity in my opinion.

The last part of your post - Game day is the worst of all places to look for supporter pulse. Emotions ride high in there and it's an outlet for supporters to share their joy or frustration. That cannot be used as the measuring stick for the capability chat we're having here. Lyons 2021 is a good example - he would be perfectly capable of pushing us much further in that midfield in 2021 form. But for some reason he's lost that spark this year and hasn't recaptured it yet.

Again, is the team capable? of course yes. Is the team's current patchy form showing what they're truly capable? of course not. Will they find it in time? Who knows, we just have to ride the emotional wave over the next few weeks and see what happens.

 

[Gibbo_88]

This might surprise you a little but the forward line have a system they work to that is there to maximise their scoring opportunities when the ball enters the forward 50. This system varies from game to game depending on match ups from the opposition team.
I know you like to see the leading forward take a strong mark out the front of their opposition player & then goal. (so do I) but the system we have works no matter how much you would like to see that change.
We are considered one of the better teams, especially the forward team. Highest scoring team in the competition.

We have good small and big forwards and they're a difficult match up but I still think there are problems with our forward line, especially the way they defend. I think teams get their 2nd and 3rd kick too easily to a spot that they can attack us quickly which leaves Andrews and Adams 1:1. The whole system depends on team defence so I know it's not just the forwards but they're the first ones that can slow the attack down and help us set up for the intercept.

 

[Mighty Lions]

I'll try and reply to this once because I normally don't tend to engage in reply marathon / war of words. It's a waste of time and this is a Brisbane Lions supporter forum with a lot of opinions - including mine.

Let's preface by saying no one wants Eric to fail. When the players come back from ACL, the normal thing to do would've been give him a consistent run in reserves - get his engine up, build confidence by kicking a few 2/3/4 goal games and bring him to 1s to hit the ground running. He was called upon straight to 1s due to the unfortunate timing of Daniher/McStay injuries but it does not mean he has to be left there and has to find form in 1s. We have Fort now providing that cover and has shown he can do a better job than Fullarton did last year. Hipwood is starting to find the goals now which is a good sign but at different phases over the last 11 rounds, we could've continued to rotate Fort in to our 3 tall forward line. It's a missed opportunity in my opinion.

The last part of your post - Game day is the worst of all places to look for supporter pulse. Emotions ride high in there and it's an outlet for supporters to share their joy or frustration. That cannot be used as the measuring stick for the capability chat we're having here. Lyons 2021 is a good example - he would be perfectly capable of pushing us much further in that midfield in 2021 form. But for some reason he's lost that spark this year and hasn't recaptured it yet.

Again, is the team capable? of course yes. Is the team's current patchy form showing what they're truly capable? of course not. Will they find it in time? Who knows, we just have to ride the emotional wave over the next few weeks and see what happens.

Not a war of words for me...just discussion & difference of opinions.

 

[Nunez]

Not a war of words for me...just discussion & difference of opinions.

Who goes to Big Footy for discussion? I'm here for the groupthink.

 

[Mighty Lions]

We have good small and big forwards and they're a difficult match up but I still think there are problems with our forward line, especially the way they defend. I think teams get their 2nd and 3rd kick too easily to a spot that they can attack us quickly which leaves Andrews and Adams 1:1. The whole system depends on team defence so I know it's not just the forwards but they're the first ones that can slow the attack down and help us set up for the intercept.

Agree....and there is improvement needed across the board in that area. Team defense is a talking point in every review after every game.

 

[martinson]

I was at the Freo game also. Frederick tore us a new one and we couldn't run with him in the last 1/4. In the game I watched, he was the game changer along with Freo's midfield smashing us late in the game.

True. I wasn't suggesting it was the reason , just a factor.

They played the ground exceptionally well from their back half and we couldn't fill the gaps they kept finding in our defensive structure. It wasn't a game I was upset at losing ,they beat us fair and square.

 

[Sanchez365]

Unfortunately we haven't got enough players with elite kicks and vision to dispose to advantage inside F50, McCluggage, Coleman and Zorko is about it.

Pretty massive shade thrown at Neale, Lyons and Rich there haha.

 

[Mighty Lions]

Who goes to Big Footy for discussion? I'm here for the groupthink.

you are in the wrong place.

 

[BangyBangy]

Who goes to Big Footy for discussion? I'm here for the groupthink.

I totally agree.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Have I mentioned that I think Lester should get a run in the seniors?

 

[3KZ is Football]

I totally agree.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Have I mentioned that I think Lester should get a run in the seniors?

If Lester comes back in, we better bring back Bastinac to the club and put in our midfield, come Sunday

At least BRAB would agree on me with this selection

 

[3KZ is Football]

If Lester comes back in, we better bring back Bastinac to the club and put in our midfield, come Sunday

At least BRAB would agree on me with this selection

Backtrack to the early rounds of 2019 and I remember vision of Alex Witherdon giving Bastinac an onfield “bake” about something that he didn’t like. KARMA KARMA KARMA - whatever happened to Alex? Last I saw of him he was running on the spot behind a GWS player in a final. Is he still playing? Bastinac struck me as a nice bloke.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Backtrack to the early rounds of 2019 and I remember vision of Alex Witherdon giving Bastinac an onfield “bake” about something that he didn’t like. KARMA KARMA KARMA - whatever happened to Alex? Last I saw of him he was running on the spot behind a GWS player in a final. Is he still playing? Bastinac struck me as a nice bloke.

Well you and BRAB are in luck, cause guess who Robbo is recording a video with soon

 

[Nunez]

Well you and BRAB are in luck, cause guess who Robbo is recording a video with soon

Is it true you post on Big Footy under the handle 'BRAB'?