Review Round 16, 2023 - Brisbane Lions vs. Richmond

[Dalions]

Gunston playing in the ressies today so will be interesting to see how he goes

Wouldn’t be surprised if he will come in to replace AhChee next week.

 

[Zacs_Magic_Tooth]

Interesting that Fages said Rich would have to come through reserves. The rhetoric has changed which is good. Hopefully, as others have said, Gunston has to win a spot back as well. That was clearly our best side for the year.

Ashcroft and Neale linking up all night was superb to watch. Amazing to see that Lachie is an even better player with Ashcroft next to him.

 

[Tom14]

Wouldn’t be surprised if he will come in to replace AhChee next week.

Per the fox footy coverage Gunston isn't playing reserves - if you are named as an emergency you have to be listed for the VFL team, but he was listed in case of several injuries to talls. Still 2 weeks of a training block away.

 

[martinson]

Wouldn’t be surprised if he will come in to replace AhChee next week.

Hmmmm. I think everyone would be putting their hand up to play next week.

I'm not blaming the coaches for not realising Lester's capacities a lot earlier. I never realised it either. Especially what he could offer offensively.

 

[Dalions]

Not sure if this has been posted but a great interview with Fages this morning.
Certainly talking as though there is no easy path back for Gunston and Rich and he did briefly mention Lester which will make 3KZ is Football happy

 

[Dalions]

Some beautiful work here through the middle of the ground.

And that handball by Ashcroft!

 

[Viceregal]

Some beautiful work here through the middle of the ground.

Yeah loved it but especially Ascroft's moves there!

 

[MSB ROYS]

 

[a mayes ing]

Without a doubt. The fact that Fagan dropped him for Gardiner against Hawthorn was mind blowing. He then comes straight back into the side and is playing even better. He is going from strength to strength. He ran 15.4 km tonight, 0.1 km less than Andrews game high, Lester rebounds in straight lines down the corridor and he is quick and powerful. Run down intercept spoil, showed pace and high football IQ in the third was inspirational- applies shepherd, allowing McCluggage to pick up to McCarthy to Ah Chee who marks and goals! Your goal Ryan Lester!

Yep, l was a bit unsure about Lester coming into the team as l thought he was more of a break glass in case of emergency type player, however l am quickly coming round to him. He really seems to solidify our defence, makes decent decisions and supports/initiates offensive plays. I would be happy for him to remain in the team as long as his form remains high like now. Wuld be interesting to know what his defensive transition is like? It looks like, finally, Fages is getting rid of the poor defensive runners - replaced our 2 slowest defensive runners in Gunston and Rich, which has been a huge reason, imo, in our points against being really good.

 

[a mayes ing]

I think losing the third tall had been monumental for Rayner.

Knows Joe and hippy and Charles patterns and can just get on with playing instinctively around them. And his instincts are superb.

Have not missed the boys trying to 'honour' gunston's leads. That rubbish was painful. And Stoopid. Earn the ball with your lead, don't look for sympathy passes. (to be fair, that came from Fagan, gunston was just caught up in a bad case of stars in the coaches eyes).

Ps on Rayner. How strong is this guy. Opposition come at him full force and he just waltzes through them like they are five year olds. Incredible.

I think Rayner is starting to understand just how much power he has. He is breaking tackles so easily, effortless almost, and continues to run. Honestly think he is so close to either a breakout game/season.

 

[Gadzorks]

This place next week when Gunston is selected
He’ll come back in, Rich won’t. But Fagan will bring Gunston back.


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Yep. I'll be melting big time. Best ever melts.

I'll start practicing now.

Gunston is not what he once has was and he doesn't have the relationship with our players.

Our current forwards have great synergy, which he destroys. Makes them look bad because they are told to include him in the game. So they do and it costs goals.

No gunston. This isn't a primary school playground.

 

[Nunez]

I think it's official: 3KZ is Football is the greatest mind in football.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I think it's official: 3KZ is Football is the greatest mind in football.

It has taken people a while to catch on, but you are right.

 

[M Malice]

Have not watched the replay yet, but on viewing at the ground my Fab 5 were Daniher, Neale, McCluggage, Coleman and Ashcroft.

1- I thought that was probably young Will's best game so far, outstanding in all facets of the game.
2- Clugga just about back to his best form.
3- Kiddy is sublime, he is not slow as some have suggested, should not be omitted again.
4- Joe was quintessential Joe.
5- Lachie just keeps on excelling, elite.

I also really like Bailey and Berry's games, Rayner also showed some amazing power and poise.

Fantastic all over team defence last night, back to how we dismantled the Pies and Demons early in the season.

 

[Gadzorks]

Can't help but feel it might be the opposite - I think I recall him saying when coaching from the bench you need to keep a positive attitude to avoid it impacting the players, so I do wonder if what we see in the coaches box is the real thing and moving back down just adds extra mental pressure.

It's also worth noting that the telecast only shows the coaches generally when their team is in trouble or doing something stupid or putting him under pressure, none of which are conducive to happy looking coaches.

Lachie Neale said they play better when Fagan is edgy.

On the side line worked when the players needed confidence and hand holding. The now matured players are responsible for their own intensity and performance.

So Fagan's role has changed to setting/demanding expectations. Obviously very high expectations based on last night's vision.

 

[M Malice]

hope Cal is ok, great game by everyone tonight

Welcome to the Joe Appreciation Society bear, your membership is in the mail.

 

[Viceregal]

Go Suns!
Go Dons!
Go Giants!
Go Eag ... never mind.

 

[Gadzorks]

Wouldn’t be surprised if he will come in to replace AhChee next week.

That's a difficult one. Ah Chee is definitely out.

Apparently has had a bad year for niggles hence him not being picked earlier (from fagan's press conference).

I think we are going all out for percentage. We want a top two and percentage could be the difference.

I do not want gunston back ever. But think that is where Fagan will go.

 

[martinson]

Yep. I'll be melting big time. Best ever melts.

I'll start practicing now.

Gunston is not what he once has was and he doesn't have the relationship with our players.

Our current forwards have great synergy, which he destroys. Makes them look bad because they are told to include him in the game. So they do and it costs goals.

No gunston. This isn't a primary school playground.

100% with you . The lift in our defensive pressure since he omitted himself has been monumental. If we can keep Ah Chee on the park that's another uplift. If they pick Gunston again that will be a significant mistake and a poor message to the guys now who are working their clacker off.

Re Rayner people keep talking about breakout game/season coming. People need to understand what he is. He's an extremely strong, talented bull who will always play in bursts . IMO he will never be a midfielder but that's ok , we can throw him into the centre clearance 3 or 4 times a game. When things click for him he looks like a superstar but my feeling is that he'll be a valuable player in a forward role who will occasionally kick 3 or 4. His main asset is his strength and power which is picking up with every game since his knee op.

 

[Section 5]

As many have mentioned a great team effort.
Richmond season was basically on the line last night and we made sure they now have a tough time to make the 8.
Were we just that good or were they off their game. Doesn't matter, a thrashing is a thrashing.

Mids fantastic, Forwards did exceptionally well with most Tiger players entrenched in that area from halfway through the 2nd quarter.
Defense held up well as they have for most of the year.
Wilmot is growing in confidence with each game. He had 21 disposals at 90%, 6 Marks, 1 Goal, 0 Clangers, 445 Meters gained.
Another rising star nomination? or will Ashcroft get it, get it. They probably find another player, so they don't have to make a choice.

When your mids disposal efficiency is very good like last night the result is a good win. Dunkley doing a job on Taranto.
Lions: Dunkley 90%, Ashcroft 85%, McCluggage 82%, Neale 76%. Total disposals 115 with Dunkley missing one quarter.
Tigers: Bolton 72%, Hooper 68%, Cotchin 64%, Taranto 38%. Total disposals 75

The Tigers best players arguably were all defenders Vlastuin, Broad, Balta, Rioli. Yet we kicked 20 goals from 34 shots on goal.
I suppose they were always around the play as they had to endure 68 inside 50's while our defense only had to deal with 38.

Next week the Eagles and you would think they would not risk Dunkley. Ah Chee misses with concussion.
Also think it is a good game to rest Oscar before the Demons game. Payne still carrying that ankle niggle so a good time to get it right.
A % boost v Eagles could end up important.
However, i would place more importance on getting our good players right v the Demons and the run up to finals.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I do not want gunston back ever. But think that is where Fagan will go.

The problem that Fagan has is that he brought Gunston in on a multi-year deal and so far, Gunston has flopped. The only way that Fagan can ‘save face’ is for Gunston to start producing in senior games, which is why Fagan kept selecting him, clearly to the detriment of the team. He was hoping against hope that Gunston would turn it around. Now that Gunston is out of the side, it is hard not to conclude that Fagan made a monumental blunder with Gunston and more to the point, his judgement in this matter, is seriously under question. Fagan could just put his hand up and say, ‘I got this wrong’ but I suspect his ego is not prepared to do that. Fagan wants to be vindicated. He wants to be shown to have not cost the club financially, not clogged our list, not hindered the development of players like Fullerton and ultimately not cost us games. The only way for this to happen, is for Gunston to be selected in the seniors and for him to then perform. This has become a vanity project for Fagan I believe. The MASSIVE WORRY is that Fagan can’t admit he got it wrong and does change our hugely successful current forward structure to include Gunston AND THEN GUNSTON FLOPS AGAIN. That would be a catastrophe and an example of hubris in the extreme. It would basically shatter Fagan’s credibility.

 

[M Malice]

Jack Reiwoldt- 6 disposals, 1 mark, zero goals... another victim of the Payne Train.

 

[NotQuiteJezza]

This jigsaw team is looking almost complete.
IMO what we still need is a 195-7 cm utility player. These players are like hens teeth. Someone who can pinch hit in the ruck/wing/back. A Blicavs type. It would mean we don’t have second ruck as sub. Hopefully there is someone in the draft.

 

[Warwick]

Hoping those interested in Cumberland were watching last night. 7 disposals 6 turnovers.

Nailed a couple of his passes perfectly on a Lion’s chest.

Don’t think he’s a bad player but he needs a lot of work.

 

[HereIGoAgain]

The problem that Fagan has is that he brought Gunston in on a multi-year deal and so far, Gunston has flopped. The only way that Fagan can ‘save face’ is for Gunston to start producing in senior games, which is why Fagan kept selecting him, clearly to the detriment of the team. He was hoping against hope that Gunston would turn it around. Now that Gunston is out of the side, it is hard not to conclude that Fagan made a monumental blunder with Gunston and more to the point, his judgement in this matter, is seriously under question. Fagan could just put his hand up and say, ‘I got this wrong’ but I suspect his ego is not prepared to do that. Fagan wants to be vindicated. He wants to be shown to have not cost the club financially, not clogged our list, not hindered the development of players like Fullerton and ultimately not cost us games. The only way for this to happen, is for Gunston to be selected in the seniors and for him to then perform. This has become a vanity project for Fagan I believe. The MASSIVE WORRY is that Fagan can’t admit he got it wrong and does change our hugely successful current forward structure to include Gunston AND THEN GUNSTON FLOPS AGAIN. That would be a catastrophe and an example of hubris in the extreme. It would basically shatter Fagan’s credibility.

No need for a mea culpa from Fagan after his team wins comprehensively last night. Credit to him instead I think.

Love the hyperbole in this post though. Catastrophe, hubris, extreme, shatter, just in the last line of your post. Joe style entertainment in the written form.