Review Round 2, 2025 - Brisbane Lions vs. West Coast

[DERRINALPHIL]

One interesting thing (well it was to me) was the ballup. They used the very edge of the centre circle all day which means an errant ball up may land inside the circle and not mean a reset, but today the umps may call the ball back with the ball up getting outside the circle ONLY because they started much closer to on 'edge'. I assume the very centre was too grassy ( probably not a word) to get a bounce.

The first two ball ups of the game were recalled and then, the next one at least, they elected for a thrown up before even trying a bounce. I wonder if there is anything in the rules of the game that allows such seemingly arbitrary on field changes. I used to train cricket umpires and we never allowed on field changes to the rules and Laws.

The thrown ins were inconsistent but they always are. Anyone out at Springfield yesterday would have seen a very slight female boundary ump coming in many metres but mostly failing miserably to provide the ruckmen an even contest.

We bounce and throw the ball in backwards because 120 years ago the captains had to do it. The bounce has some theatre to it so I can see why we keep it but the backwards throw in!!!???&^^%%$

 

[Section 5]

Sam Day just the 7 disposals (3 contested) 2 marks both I50 (Ah-Chee and Hippy the most with 3), 3 tackles and 11 H/O (three to advantage the same as Oscar)
He also had the best Eagles defender in McGovern who was All Australian. 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024.
Whether we believe Andrews was robbed of AA honors on occasions, McGovern is still a good player.

Day had okay stats in his first game with a new club, but we will want more as the year unfolds.
I think Day played more ruck time today than the club may intend during the season
On a few occasions Day was ruck and Oscar was lurking in defense.

Remember Oscar had post season shoulder surgery and in the rehab group for most of the preseason.
He is underdone and that is to be expected.
In the next 4 games expect a little less ruck time from Day and slightly more from Oscar.

As others have said, see how he is going in a months' time.
Gone are the days that we don't have some alternatives.

 

[buttermuffs]

One interesting thing (well it was to me) was the ballup. They used the very edge of the centre circle all day which means an errant ball up may land inside the circle and not mean a reset, but today the umps may call the ball back with the ball up getting outside the circle ONLY because they started much closer to on 'edge'. I assume the very centre was too grassy ( probably not a word) to get a bounce.

The first two ball ups of the game were recalled and then, the next one at least, they elected for a thrown up before even trying a bounce. I wonder if there is anything in the rules of the game that allows such seemingly arbitrary on field changes. I used to train cricket umpires and we never allowed on field changes to the rules and Laws.

The thrown ins were inconsistent but they always are. Anyone out at Springfield yesterday would have seen a very slight female boundary ump coming in many metres but mostly failing miserably to provide the ruckmen an even contest.

We bounce and throw the ball in backwards because 120 years ago the captains had to do it. The bounce has some theatre to it so I can see why we keep it but the backwards throw in!!!???&^^%%$

I can answer the first part well enough. The umpires will go out to the circle before every game and find the spot on the ground that’s most effective for bouncing the ball. Sometimes that’s a bit further in the inner circle and today it would have been right at the end of it.

I think the ground was quite shit today because of the weather. Wet weather usually means no bouncing but with the rain in the morning and stupid humidity it wasn’t going to be hard and dry which works best for bouncing.

I also (though not sure) think there’s a certain amount of failures allowed in a quarter or in a row before bouncing gets ruled out for the quarter and/or game.

It’s messy, while I love bouncing I’m not sure it’s worth having it as a requirement to be a good umpire so it should ultimately go eventually.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

How good is Frog, Can't see Doedee making the team unless they shuffle Payne forward or Starc doesn't come back for a bit.

 

[Jivlain]

We bounce and throw the ball in backwards because 120 years ago the captains had to do it. The bounce has some theatre to it so I can see why we keep it but the backwards throw in!!!???&^^%%$

Throwing the ball in facing forwards would pretty radically change the arc of its flight, so changing that would be a Courageous (in the Sir Humphrey sense) decision.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

I can answer the first part well enough. The umpires will go out to the circle before every game and find the spot on the ground that’s most effective for bouncing the ball. Sometimes that’s a bit further in the inner circle and today it would have been right at the end of it.

I think the ground was quite shit today because of the weather. Wet weather usually means no bouncing but with the rain in the morning and stupid humidity it wasn’t going to be hard and dry which works best for bouncing.

I also (though not sure) think there’s a certain amount of failures allowed in a quarter or in a row before bouncing gets ruled out for the quarter and/or game.

It’s messy, while I love bouncing I’m not sure it’s worth having it as a requirement to be a good umpire so it should ultimately go eventually.

Is there a specific rule that allows such a thing? I am too lazy to look up the rules of the AFL.

I thought that with the very wet and warn conditions the grass may have gone bananas and made the surface too spongey. They used to have a hard disc to use for the bounce but I thing some one got injured by it.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

Throwing the ball in facing forwards would pretty radically change the arc of its flight, so changing that would be a Courageous (in the Sir Humphrey sense) decision.

It would be much easier to be consistent if they faced inwards. The boundary umpires thrown the ball in as far as they can and at maximum effort control slips. The Swans second last goal against GWS in last years final resulted from a poor thrown in.

Getting the same arc is something that NEVER happens today. Several years ago I spoke to Stef Martin on this issue and he said all the ruckmen complain about the inconsistance.

 

[Jivlain]

Is there a specific rule that allows such a thing? I am too lazy to look up the rules of the AFL.

I thought that with the very wet and warn conditions the grass may have gone bananas and made the surface too spongey. They used to have a hard disc to use for the bounce but I thing some one got injured by it.

Yes, the umpires have discretion to do bounces as throwups if they think the conditions don't support bounces (clearly this is necessary in heavy rain etc).

It would be much easier to be consistent if they faced inwards. The boundary umpires thrown the ball in as far as they can and at maximum effort control slips. The Swans second last goal against GWS in last years final resulted from a poor thrown in.

Getting the same arc is something that NEVER happens today. Several years ago I spoke to Stef Martin on this issue and he said all the ruckmen complain about the inconsistance.

Fair points.

 

[martinson]

It would be much easier to be consistent if they faced inwards. The boundary umpires thrown the ball in as far as they can and at maximum effort control slips. The Swans second last goal against GWS in last years final resulted from a poor thrown in.

Getting the same arc is something that NEVER happens today. Several years ago I spoke to Stef Martin on this issue and he said all the ruckmen complain about the inconsistance.

Which is why Stef told Oscar for years to get in front at the boundary throw in.

Fell on deaf ears.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

Which is why Stef told Oscar for years to get in front at the boundary throw in.

Fell on deaf ears.

Stef told me the same thing.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

Yes, the umpires have discretion to do bounces as throwups if they think the conditions don't support bounces (clearly this is necessary in heavy rain etc).


Fair points.

Is there a specific rule that allows the umpire to vary where the centre bounce occurs? Sorry to be pedantic.

 

[troppo]

Harley Reid is a very talented footballer but he needs to just concentrate on getting possession and making the most of his disposals. Running around flopping, diving and taking cheap late shots only takes away from his value to the team. I hope he had a good look at the way Lachie Neale plays because that’s the way he will make the most of his opportunities.

 

[matwt73]

Would love to see footage of his spoil effort that led to a goal (Ah Chee I think) in the third quarter, it was at a time when the game was very much in the balance.

Hippy wasn't 'the' difference but his third quarter certainly made a difference both inside the 50 and further afield. He got others into the game and made more for himself

 

[Elixuh]

Harley Reid is a very talented footballer but he needs to just concentrate on getting possession and making the most of his disposals. Running around flopping, diving and taking cheap late shots only takes away from his value to the team. I hope he had a good look at the way Lachie Neale plays because that’s the way he will make the most of his opportunities.

I'd be shocked if he is at WCE next year tbh.

 

[3KZ is Football]

How good is Frog, Can't see Doedee making the team unless they shuffle Payne forward or Starc doesn't come back for a bit.

There is no way a fit Lester goes out for Tom Doedee. His run down double tackle where he beat two opponents today was sensational. He might not be in the “Leadership Group” but he is one of the greatest examples of a player who leads by example in the game. His intercept marking is almost as good as Harris Andrews and there is not a player in our defence who inspires more confidence when the ball is on the deck and has to be won or cleared to advantage.

Andrews and Lester are the DYNAMIC DUO in defence and there is no way you break that partnership up.

 

[GenericUsername202]

The only thing worse than that first quarter was listening to kelli underwood commentate that game. Apparently, we beat the suns in the grand final according to her pre-bounce commentary

 

[LionsMaw]

Hasn't achieved anything and the bloke's being showered with $2M+ contracts. At the moment it seems everything is being served up to him in a silver platter without him needing to do anything major in terms of delivering in the big stage.

Hope Bombers don't fall for this, he'll be like an albatross around their necks for the next 10 years.

Why would u feel sorry for the bombers if they did something dumb like that? I say they should do it. Nothing funnier than a club like essendon doing dumb shit & making themselves a laughing stock.

 

[braddsey]

Regarding Sam Day - I don’t think anyone expected he was going to be the answer. He will be a piece of the puzzle this year, but you would hope he’s replaced by Gallop and Henry Smith as the season progresses. Currently he’s doing his job by providing a contest, while the other’s get some experience and fitness.
He cost us nothing and is helping the team structure. Let things settle around him (and everybody get used to life without Joe), and then look for another piece of the puzzle.

 

[LionsMaw]

Really, really, really shouldn’t play early afternoon games in northern climes at this time of year. Yucky, stinky foot-ball.

A horrid time slot and we've got 4 midday games (5 if you count the suns hm game) at the arse end of the season. Clearly them down in Vic land really have no understanding of what living in a subtropical climate is like.

 

[LionsMaw]

Sam Day just the 7 disposals (3 contested) 2 marks both I50 (Ah-Chee and Hippy the most with 3), 3 tackles and 11 H/O (three to advantage the same as Oscar)
He also had the best Eagles defender in McGovern who was All Australian. 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024.
Whether we believe Andrews was robbed of AA honors on occasions, McGovern is still a good player.

Day had okay stats in his first game with a new club, but we will want more as the year unfolds.
I think Day played more ruck time today than the club may intend during the season
On a few occasions Day was ruck and Oscar was lurking in defense.

Remember Oscar had post season shoulder surgery and in the rehab group for most of the preseason.
He is underdone and that is to be expected.
In the next 4 games expect a little less ruck time from Day and slightly more from Oscar.

As others have said, see how he is going in a months' time.
Gone are the days that we don't have some alternatives.

I don't think being in rehab should make any difference to a ruckman understanding he should be tapping to the advantage of his own team. Was Oscar's limited preseason making him confuse Eagle jumpers as Lions ones?

 

[3KZ is Football]

The only thing worse than that first quarter was listening to kelli underwood commentate that game. Apparently, we beat the suns in the grand final according to her pre-bounce commentary

My personal favourite was when we pegged back the deficit to seventeen points down in the third quarter today, she said, “That’s as close as they’ve been since the start of the game.” She really is woefully out of her depth in commentary.

 

[Thomasno]

There is no way a fit Lester goes out for Tom Doedee. His run down double tackle where he beat two opponents today was sensational. He might not be in the “Leadership Group” but he is one of the greatest examples of a player who leads by example in the game. His intercept marking is almost as good as Harris Andrews and there is not a player in our defence who inspires more confidence when the ball is on the deck and has to be won or cleared to advantage.

Andrews and Lester are the DYNAMIC DUO in defence and there is no way you break that partnership up.

Okay but what if Doedee comes in and then Lester becomes our 2nd ruck - would solve all our problems at once

 

[3KZ is Football]

Okay but what if Doedee comes in and then Lester becomes our 2nd ruck - would solve all our problems at once

I am in favour of cloning him.

 

[GenericUsername202]

My personal favourite was when we pegged back the deficit to seventeen points down in the third quarter today, she said, “That’s as close as they’ve been since the start of the game.” She really is woefully out of her depth in commentary.

She's legit ruining it for all female commentators by giving them a bad name.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Regarding Sam Day - I don’t think anyone expected he was going to be the answer. He will be a piece of the puzzle this year, but you would hope he’s replaced by Gallop and Henry Smith as the season progresses. Currently he’s doing his job by providing a contest, while the other’s get some experience and fitness.
He cost us nothing and is helping the team structure. Let things settle around him (and everybody get used to life without Joe), and then look for another piece of the puzzle.

I stand by what I said on selection night. Fort was very unlucky to be dropped. Last week he had 14 disposals, 12 hit outs, 3 clearances, kicked a goal and had 1 goal assist against last year’s Grand Finalists.
Today, Day had 7 disposals, 11 hit outs, 1 clearance, kicked a behind and had 1 goal assist against last year’s wooden spooner West Coast.

On form, Fort should replace Day next week. Day needs to go back to the reserves and kick some goals before he is selected in the seniors again.