Review Round 19, 2016 - Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide

[AFLQLD]

My observations are probably similar to most.

Our lack of pace and reaction time on turnovers is alarming. I can grant some leeway to younger players but as a team, our reactions and speed under fatigue is terrible.

Tackling is an issue as much of mental application as physical. No surprise that Mitch Robinson once again led our tackle count because he has the mindset that leads him to do something about it. Too many others hope they won't have to tackle.

I thought Daniel Rich tried hard to create from the back but there was little inclination for the midfield to run hard after quarter time.

Hipwood continued to show what a good prospect he is and just needs to keep developing.

Nick Robertson got caught out a few times defensively but I also thought some of the things he did do showed his usual courage but also some thinking. He still has plenty to do but there is enough to suggest that with some more time he will be a solid contributor.

Taylor just didn't have impact and seemed to disappear for long periods. So too Green although he can at least bob up to snap a chance at goal here and there.

Keays was one I watched closely. He is really still finding his feet but he needs to learn a lot about how to impose himself on the game. I suspect he often second guesses his decision making, especially defensively and it makes him look a little lost or ball watching at times.

Hammer: a long way to go to get up to standard but he does at least show signs.

Mayes was well down on previous form but he was under siege a fair bit and still tried to stay composed.

Archie showed plenty to work with. Very raw and gets lost quite quickly but also makes some great efforts. One game doesn't make him, but at least there is something worth developing further.

Bastinac is a player who fades in and out a bit too much but he does offer something.

Finally, we looked like kids out there. They monstered us. Even their small guys are solid and tough.

We need speed and size very badly.

 

[royboys4eva]

Keays is very slow across the field. He will be more like Rocky in time an accumulator of the ball but he won't tear teams apart. Cutler was a disappointment for me last night. Rarely sighted and didn't want to get himself involved. He will be a good player but we need more from him as he is one of the few players in our side who has pace and a good kick. Mayes has been very good last two months but he struggled to impose himself last night. Don't get me started on Taylor. Right now he would be lucky to get 400k a year and he refuses to tackle.

 

[RU_]

One good thing I picked up was Harris Andrews tackling. Pinning the arm.. And still not being rewarded.

 

[M Malice]

Keays is very slow across the field. He will be more like Rocky in time an accumulator of the ball but he won't tear teams apart. Cutler was a disappointment for me last night. Rarely sighted and didn't want to get himself involved. He will be a good player but we need more from him as he is one of the few players in our side who has pace and a good kick. Mayes has been very good last two months but he struggled to impose himself last night. Don't get me started on Taylor. Right now he would be lucky to get 400k a year and he refuses to tackle.

is that a typo? did you mean to say 40k?

 

[Bucking Beads]

Cutler was a disappointment for me last night. Rarely sighted and didn't want to get himself involved. He will be a good player but we need more from him as he is one of the few players in our side who has pace and a good kick.

Given the match-ups we had down back I thought it was stupid that Cutler was playing up forward all match. We really could have used him down back.

Even swinging Dawson or Hanley down back to change the match-ups a bit would have been good.

 

[Tassie4ever]

Watched the game [sic] from a corporate box, courtesy of a work colleague. Thought I'd share a few observations.

Where we sat adjoined the Lions box where injured and non-selected players, family etc sat. Don't ask me to name names, but from say 3m away most of these players displayed a supremely disinterested approach [I worked this out from the backs often turned away from the field] toward what was happening on-field. Maybe more interest in the apparently unattached blondes in their box to be specific. My take? Without taking it too far- just WTF is happening in our Club.

My corporate host told me that his organisation holds its regular board meetings in the Lions building, and he frequently gets to chat to the players still hanging around. He tells me that many of those he speaks to are despondent and wanting to get out asap- asked for names, he cited an indigenous player on our long-term injury list, having arrived here via Geelong [worked it out yet?] who specifically told him that the moment his contract expired [end season 2017?] he was outta here. Except he expressed it far more graphically.

After last night, I wonder whether we've bottomed out yet. The next few games might tell. Adelaide might well be a 200 point game [them, not us].

But what really pisses me [and judging by some of his teammates derisive comments, them also] right off is the see a visibly overweight and unfit Green struggling in the wake of whoever, out total lack of competitive contest, especially in the backline although to be fair, a lot of defensive pressure comes from a lack of contest in mid-field. How do we allow, permit, overlook players not getting to or not reaching peak physical fitness. These are young, well-paid men who should be at the top of the AFL tree- the best of the best. My point? It's not just the players at fault.

What's becoming increasingly obvious to me at least is that our Club is going to have to have a massive cultural change- top to bottom. We need to change the rules, do a Brendan Bolton and establish a few non-negotiables. We can't keep going as we are.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Bundy on the way out now too. How excellent is this.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Bundy on the way out now too. How excellent is this.

Two years left on his contract.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Two years left on his contract.

2 years to get our shit together and change his mind if he's playing any good at that point.

 

[Dom PC]

Two years left on his contract.

You heard that too? Or are you dismissing that suggestion all together?

 

[Hollow Knight]

You heard that too? Or are you dismissing that suggestion all together?

Neither. Just saying how long is left on his contract.

 

[Zhesty]

That's a bummer about young Jaden (I assume this is who you are alluding to) but he has been injured for a while now so I don't blame him for being homesick. Hopefully once he is able to start playing football again he might start feeling happier about his time at the club.

 

[Milk Steak]

That's a bummer about young Jaden (I assume this is who you are alluding to) but he has been injured for a while now so I don't blame him for being homesick. Hopefully once he is able to start playing football again he might start feeling happier about his time at the club.

A twist

 

[JasRulz63]

Our pressure everywhere on the ground is very poor after the first 10 minutes or so. Sometimes it looks like even the opposition players are shocked by how much time they have. It's basically like watching a training drill where you're trying to minimise injuries.

 

[Happy_Neale]

Two years ago, the Mozzy Squad had spark. They had really quick first steps, closing speed, brilliant anticipation and moved the ball quickly.

Zorko is still a very good player so I'll leave him out but Green and Taylor are shadows of their former selves. They are slow moving and slow of mind. Taylor has no acceleration at all and Green isn't much better. Because of that, their weaknesses are so much more obvious. But forgetting the weaknesses for a moment, where has all the speed, evasiveness and anticipation gone?

I have been noticing this under Leppa. We look like we play to such a rigic structure that we lose the ability to just play footy. Ironically playing like this alos makes us look like we have no idea what we should be doing.

 

[PokerChamp]

I dont understand why people think Smith was one of our best. Yeah he had a good individual performance but he got monstererd by Trengove and wasn't running hard enough with him. He did have a really good debut tho if you dont account for his opponent.

Smith looked ok in the hit outs, but everything else he's totally useless.
I've seen him play in the seconds a few times and is pretty bad there.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Smith looked ok in the hit outs, but everything else he's totally useless.
I've seen him play in the seconds a few times and is pretty bad there.

He had 9 Clearances!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[M Malice]

My corporate host told me that his organisation holds its regular board meetings in the Lions building, and he frequently gets to chat to the players still hanging around. He tells me that many of those he speaks to are despondent and want to get out asap- asked for names, he cited an indigenous player on our long-term injury list, having arrived here via Geelong [worked it out yet?] who specifically told him that the moment his contract expired [end season 2017?] he was outta here. Except he expressed it far more graphically.

you would think the players wouldn't be re signing on mass if there were many who want to get our asap.

 

[POBT]

He had 9 Clearances!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And a heap of other contested possessions as well.

 

[Bucking Beads]

you would think the players wouldn't be re signing on mass if there were many who want to get our asap.

 

[Bucking Beads]

And a heap of other contested possessions as well.

I'm stunned some are choosing to somehow put a negative spin on Archie and his debut. Clearly one of our best last night. He's still got loads to work on but the sky really is the limit for him.

 

[PokerChamp]

Shit club full of shit blokes.

The club needs to try and follow a club like the doggies, they just play for each other every week.

Change of coach could possibly improve the situation, but the players attitudes is the biggest hurdle.

 

[PokerChamp]

Especially considering Adelaide like kicking goals over the top, and we are the worst side at defending those type of goals (and many other avenues towards goal).

Get on Jenkins for the Coleman.

Could kick 20 over the next 2 games.

 

[Tassie4ever]

you would think the players wouldn't be re signing on mass if there were many who want to get our asap.

I am, perhaps unwisely, simply passing on what I was told. That there is a general negative vibe about the place.

I must admit that my first reaction to being told about the conversation with the apparent departee was WTF was he doing passing on such sensitive info to an outsider. If I was the coach and became aware of a conversation such as this I'd be inclined to say well, that's your lot, on your bike.

 

[BRAB]

Frankly the christensen convo sounds totally made up.

As if that conversation would actually be had with a member of the general public