Preview Round 17 - Brisbane Lions v West Coast Eagles - Saturday 8 July 2023 1:45 PM @ The Gabba

[jonnobackpocket]

Agree, I am probably going off early but no way we can win a flag with 2-3 of Lyons, Gunston and Rich in the side.

Lyons- Should only play if 2 of Neale, Dunkley, Robertson are out.
Gunston- Should not play at all unless we have a catastrophic run of injuries.
Rich- Ditto re Gunston.

I tend to agree, at least Lyons has forced his way in by dominant performances in the two’s. Rich still was still contributing something although not enough, Gunston has done nothing besides make our forward line slower- can’t get the ball, I don’t care how good a kick for goal he used to be he isn’t anymore and the opposition plays through his man because he is slowest bloke in the field and he won’t even get his hands dirty as he is a bruise free footballer. No one could possible justify his selection. It’s a joke.

 

[Gadzorks]

Leave Elixuh alone!

Seriously though, we are a top three team for a reason. We've had a great sample size of what we can do with a two tall forward line. The club knows what they're doing and haven't brought in slouches.

Back then in. If it doesn't go well, we've clearly seen they won't hesitate to drop underperforming players now and no doubt want experience in the team in a game where complacency could creep in.

I trust the coaches decision making and think the guys selected will do everything they can to hold their spots, and that is a bloody good thing.

We've clearly seen they drop underperforming players? Really?

Fagan is trying to rewrite the script now, but he was very clear that Rich and Gunston stated they were not at AFL grade. Didn't see any hard coaching decisions in that. Just poor leadership.

 

[martinson]

Yeah he shouldn't have specified age. Acting like children would have sufficed.

Crikey.

If you can't criticise selection what has this blog become.

Or do you have to tow the line?

It's self evident Gunston would be a complete liability against a top team

This much we know. Why play him now ?

 

[Kernel Kurtz]

I can understand the changes to a degree. Losing a bit of experience in Bez, Linc and Dunkley. These guys are pretty vital for us and how we setup/play.
Lyons is a no brainer for me to come in this week. As is zorko. I would have loved to of seen Kai get a game. Playing only two talls against teams with elite intercept marking such as collingwood and Melbourne can leave us seriously exposed. I have loved our more mobile forward line these last few weeks but it does worry me against the top contenders. If may/lever, allir allir or Moore get free against us we are in all sorts.
The Madden inclusion really has me stumped. I’m not sure what he will bring to the table. Will he play the harassing/pressure forward role that Linc has been doing? I don’t want to disturb our backline so hopefully he doesn’t go there.
As a whole I’m not overly thrilled by the inclusions but I can understand them to an extent. I can see why more kids were picked considering we already have three teenagers playing. I hope the inclusions justify themselves

Whether we have a three tall forward setup or two will have no bearing on lever or may taking intercept marks.
It’s all about not kicking blindly or to their advantage and keeping our eyes lower.

 

[Elixuh]

Gunston will kick 6-15 goals this week. It’s going to be GOOD.

 

[BRAB]

Crikey.

If you can't criticise selection what has this blog become.

Or do you have to tow the line?

It's self evident Gunston would be a complete liability against a top team

This much we know. Why play him now ?

I don’t think Nunez said people couldn’t criticise selection.

Maybe there’s a balance to be had where people try to get a bit less melty if possible.

 

[Nunez]

I’m 9 years old Nunez. Stfu.

Nuney*

 

[Gadzorks]

I don’t think Nunez said people couldn’t criticise selection.

Maybe there’s a balance to be had where people try to get a bit less melty if possible.

I'm actually trying exactly that. I've been yelling at clouds before typing to get it all out.

Definitely not coping. Loved what i saw for the past few weeks and beyond disappointed. Way way beyond

 

[LIONS08]

Whether we have a three tall forward setup or two will have no bearing on lever or may taking intercept marks.
It’s all about not kicking blindly or to their advantage and keeping our eyes lower.

Well it does…. If lever/may is against Linc/Ah Chee or Gunston/hipwood/ Joey… who’s more likely to at least half the contest and get it to ground? It doesn’t allow them to zone off as freely and they have to be accountable. It’s easy to say ‘lower your eyes’ but at the top level I dare say this is an option 20/30% of the time. You just don’t have the time. Especially against the contenders

 

[Elixuh]

I find that criticising selection and threatening to boycott games when a player is brought back into the side is best done after you’ve seen the player’s performance.

The melts in here are the comedy routine I didn’t know I needed after a long day at work. Thank you, you beautiful SOBs.

 

[Nunez]

We've clearly seen they drop underperforming players? Really?

Fagan is trying to rewrite the script now, but he was very clear that Rich and Gunston stated they were not at AFL grade. Didn't see any hard coaching decisions in that. Just poor leadership.

Yes. We have. We dropped Lyons at the end of the year and he's now merely a depth player. We've dropped Rich. We've dropped Gunston (who, despite melts would have you believe, has earned his spot back). Ah Chee has had to earn his place. Lohmann was not gifted games despite being a risk of leaving. Dev had to fight tooth and nail for a spot which he now has.

Outside of the top tier, nobody is safe and I promise you the players no longer take their spots for granted.

Crikey.

If you can't criticise selection what has this blog become.

Or do you have to tow the line?

It's self evident Gunston would be a complete liability against a top team

This much we know. Why play him now ?

Criticize all you want. I wouldn't have selected the players that were brought in, but I can see the logic as to why they were brought in.

It is not self evident Gunston would be a complete liability against a top team and that is a half cocked opinion painted as fact. Gunston when fit is absolutely a weapon and would add to our forward line. We saw what he can do last year and in the pre season this year. He could not play through his back injury this year, was dropped on form and has absolutely worked his ass off to get back to the AFL. There is zero chance he gets the nod without putting in the bed of work he has to play again. If he doesn't deliver, he will not hold his spot.

 

[mpal6]

I can understand the changes to a degree. Losing a bit of experience in Bez, Linc and Dunkley. These guys are pretty vital for us and how we setup/play.
Lyons is a no brainer for me to come in this week. As is zorko. I would have loved to of seen Kai get a game. Playing only two talls against teams with elite intercept marking such as collingwood and Melbourne can leave us seriously exposed. I have loved our more mobile forward line these last few weeks but it does worry me against the top contenders. If may/lever, allir allir or Moore get free against us we are in all sorts.
The Madden inclusion really has me stumped. I’m not sure what he will bring to the table. Will he play the harassing/pressure forward role that Linc has been doing? I don’t want to disturb our backline so hopefully he doesn’t go there.
As a whole I’m not overly thrilled by the inclusions but I can understand them to an extent. I can see why more kids were picked considering we already have three teenagers playing. I hope the inclusions justify themselves

Its all pretty easy to explain regarding Madden. Wilmot goes to wing since Berry is not playing so Madden goes to defense.
Now comes the best part of magic show, keep looking at Madden, here I cover him with a cloak, abrakadabraaaaa boom and Madden became Rich in the backline vs Dees !! Too easy !!

 

[Chezz]

Yes. We have. We dropped Lyons at the end of the year and he's now merely a depth player. We've dropped Rich. We've dropped Gunston (who, despite melts would have you believe, has earned his spot back). Ah Chee has had to earn his place. Lohmann was not gifted games despite being a risk of leaving. Dev had to fight tooth and nail for a spot which he now has.

Outside of the top tier, nobody is safe and I promise you the players no longer take their spots for granted.



Criticize all you want. I wouldn't have selected the players that were brought in, but I can see the logic as to why they were brought in.

It is not self evident Gunston would be a complete liability against a top team and that is a half cocked opinion painted as fact. Gunston when fit is absolutely a weapon and would add to our forward line. We saw what he can do last year and in the pre season this year. He could not play through his back injury this year, was dropped on form and has absolutely worked his ass off to get back to the AFL. There is zero chance he gets the nod without putting in the bed of work he has to play again. If he doesn't deliver, he will not hold his spot.

Everyone is guaranteed to perform this week. Did you see the Sydney game 2 weeks ago? The Eagles don’t chase or defend.

I’m looking for Gunston to kick 6-7 from within 20m this week and Fagan will justify the body of work to show what a great selection it was.

Then Melbourne next week, 3 touches, no goals and watch for May/Lever to run riot.

 

[mpal6]

Gunston will kick more than 2 goals this week and will play against Dees. Its done n dusted.

 

[Kernel Kurtz]

I don’t think Nunez said people couldn’t criticise selection.

Maybe there’s a balance to be had where people try to get a bit less melty if possible.

Who doesn’t like melting moments

 

[lionsrules]

Fagan's hubris is on full display and he obviously hasn't read the room.

This was likely always the plan.

It's as if the guy hasn't been watching since Gunston dropped himself.

 

[Gadzorks]

Yes. We have. We dropped Lyons at the end of the year and he's now merely a depth player. We've dropped Rich. We've dropped Gunston (who, despite melts would have you believe, has earned his spot back). Ah Chee has had to earn his place. Lohmann was not gifted games despite being a risk of leaving. Dev had to fight tooth and nail for a spot which he now has.

Outside of the top tier, nobody is safe and I promise you the players no longer take their spots for granted.



Criticize all you want. I wouldn't have selected the players that were brought in, but I can see the logic as to why they were brought in.

It is not self evident Gunston would be a complete liability against a top team and that is a half cocked opinion painted as fact. Gunston when fit is absolutely a weapon and would add to our forward line. We saw what he can do last year and in the pre season this year. He could not play through his back injury this year, was dropped on form and has absolutely worked his ass off to get back to the AFL. There is zero chance he gets the nod without putting in the bed of work he has to play again. If he doesn't deliver, he will not hold his spot.

Last year is gone, its form means nothing. Pre season form means nothing.

If he was carrying an injury he should not have been played, but he was and he did not deliver. I can only comment on what I have seen and he has not been a positive in this years team.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Are you there 3KZ is Football ?

I think you need to send Fages another email.

Nah can’t be bothered. Fagan has zero credibility. What has Gunston done to earn his place? Nothing. If Fagan wants to make himself a laughingstock, that’s up to him. I said this weeks ago. We will play a two tall forward set up until and only until Fagan wants to gift Gunston senior selection and then HEY PRESTO, the game plan changes to accommodate Gunston. Fagan is putting one player above the team. This should be Fagan’s last season.

 

[p4p1]

We have experienced a similar phenomenon in the last month at our own club.

The guys we bought in were fairly highly touted though from their draft year and/or VFL games. The eagles are really stuck in no man’s land.

 

[Tom14]

Well it does…. If lever/may is against Linc/Ah Chee or Gunston/hipwood/ Joey… who’s more likely to at least half the contest and get it to ground? It doesn’t allow them to zone off as freely and they have to be accountable. It’s easy to say ‘lower your eyes’ but at the top level I dare say this is an option 20/30% of the time. You just don’t have the time. Especially against the contenders

I’d have liked to have tested the 2 tall forwards against the Dees though - we don’t know what would happen as we basically haven’t played 2 talls in 4-5 years.

Still could happen next week I suppose but does appear unlikely.

 

[lionsrules]

I remember hollow knight once saying during the Brownlow count last year in here “if Cripps win I’ll vomit my own blood”
That’s how I’ll feel if Gunston and Rich are named against the dees!

 

[3KZ is Football]

I am genuinely worried about us going back to the 3 tall setup.

I told you this would happen BRAB.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

Nah can’t be bothered. Fagan has zero credibility. What has Gunston done to earn his place? Nothing. If Fagan wants to make himself a laughingstock, that’s up to him. I said this weeks ago. We will play a two tall forward set up until and only until Fagan wants to gift Gunston senior selection and then HEY PRESTO, the game plan changes to accommodate Gunston. Fagan is putting one player above the team. This should be Fagan’s last season.

Hypothetically, what if Gunston has produced one of the most determined, passionate, dedicated training blocks over the last month, and proven to everybody at the club how desperately keen and ready he is to return to his best form?

There are a number of ways you can earn your place in a team. Performance on match-day is only one of them.

I'm not necessarily suggesting any of this has happened. I'm also not suggesting I'm a fan of the decision (I'm not). But I do think Chris Fagan still has enough credits in the bank to ride this one out and see what happens. Anybody who doubts that has a severely short memory.

 

[Viceregal]

Aaaaand Squiggle seems to prefer their team changes over ours!

Brisbane Lions 125 - 58 West Coast

Gabba (QLD)
HGA:

+6.6 pts
Ins/Outs:

+2.5 pts

Admitedly not by much but I throught I would throw another snag on the barbie!

 

[p4p1]

Lyons in. Ain’t going to see Dev in the midfield.

The swap makes no sense to me. He might end up proving me wrong and it would be great for the team if he did, but we are replacing a 2 way runner with someone who can’t run both ways nor can he cover the ground quick enough defensively. The change doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me TBH. Havubg said that, I’m not sure how much defensive cover we will need this week anyway.