Review Round 21, 2021 - Fremantle vs. Brisbane Lions

[cotter101]

Was always confident heading into to this game. Hopefully the boys are back and we’re wondering just how far we can go once Neale Gardiner and Adams are back.

 

[beardancer]

I believe we play best when Charlie is dishing off shots (that he could reasonably take) to players in better positions. Seems the while team is lifted at the same time.

I don't know what stats could show that. GA seems to be pretty wide definition. Maybe goal assist and tackles combined?

It was good to see Charlie getting up the ground instead of waiting in the goal square to get a Joe the goose.

 

[jackess]

It was good to see Charlie getting up the ground instead of waiting in the goal square to get a Joe the goose.

He just needs to learn how to use the footy when he wins it on the wing instead of always slowing things down and kicking backwards.

 

[Viceregal]

I loved how transparently happy Cockatoo was after his goal!

 

[Lace Out]

I loved how transparently happy Cockatoo was after his goal!

You could see he was happy last week as well

 

[Viceregal]

I figured he may have got his toes caught in the turf here and it got a bit of a stretch
View attachment 1200457

But that's not actually the ankle he was holding. And he was holding the wrong side of his right ankle for anything else I can see there.

My assumption was he figured if was "injured" there that'd stop the coach from yelling at him about it.

Either way, good on McCluggage from hugging him out of there when he was carrying on about it

I think the coach would be more impressed with a manic attempt to get up and pressure Bailey even if futile followed but an obvious annoyance with himself for his lack of awareness than with sitting cross legged on the ground holding his (fake) boo boo!

 

[royboys4eva]

Great performance from start to finish. Hopefully that kind of effort is now the standard we maintain for remainder of the season. You saw the results on the weekend any side who is 5% down will get rolled. It's hard to bring 100% effort every week - especially it such a compromised season. We have had a bad month and we have basically played away for most of the last 2 months so we have had legitimate excuses. But we seemed to lose our intensity in the last month - we got that back in bucket loads yesterday.

Think Freo also plays a game style that suits us - they move it slowly and it allows us to set up behind the ball. That said our forwards were so good yesterday. Daniher and Charlie lifted big time and that's what we need from them every week - Charlie may well have been inspired by Patty Mills - who wouldn't have been. Liked Ah Chee and Cockatoo's second and third efforts. Zorko played the perfect captains game. McStay has really stepped up since Hipwood injury.

I really hope we keep Hugh McCluggage

6

Hugh Mccluggage

Age

26

Ht

187cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.3

5star

K

11.4

4star

HB

7.9

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.0

5star

CL

2.2

4star

D

19.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

2.0

4star

D

13.2

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.8

4star

CL

0.6

3star

in the middle - feel he is wasted on a wing. Oscar had a cracking game as well. Our back line was under sized but Harris was excellent and I thought Lester played a very underrated game - I think a lot of the 1% things he does goes unnoticed. Will Gardiner come straight back in the side ? Probably has to - first game back this year against the Dogs in Ballarat he was exceptional.

Finally what has happened to holding the ball ? So many missed yesterday. We had about 3 blatant ones in space of ten mins. Just pay the free kick.

 

[Dalions]

Still have no idea what Wilson was grabbing his ankle for in that aftermath. The replay shows he didn't land on it at all, didn't collide into Bailey, that leg just kind of flailed up when he got the hip and shoulder. Was that why he got subbed out of the game?

Complete lack awareness with that one.
And it will hurt forever and leave permanent scars.

 

[Gadzorks]

Complete lack awareness with that one.
And it will hurt forever and leave permanent scars.

It was awesome

 

[Tassie4ever]

Dunno about anyone else, but to me what is frustrating much is that this is what we CAN do, so why don't we?

The gap between our best [ie yesterday] and our worst [ie V Hawks] is what needs to be improved. Soon please.

 

[Nunez]

Dunno about anyone else, but to me what is frustrating much is that this is what we CAN do, so why don't we?

The gap between our best [ie yesterday] and our worst [ie V Hawks] is what needs to be improved. Soon please.

Tbh I think the issues of the past month have been fixed and the belief is back within the playing group. We saw every single player buy in yesterday. Guys like Daniher and Cameron looked so hungry defensively and in turn we saw our best footy in display. The belief is back. The love is back. Finals footy is upon us and the boys know they can go all the way if they can bring this level of pressure for the next 7 weeks.

 

[jackess]

I know we’re not the only ones affected but all these changes to schedules due to COVID must have been very tough. Compounded by injuries.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

 

[LongLion]

Wonder if we will get to see Cockatoo working in middle every now and then now you can see his confidence building. He's really strong through the core with a mature body.

 

[twhowler]

Tbh I think the issues of the past month have been fixed and the belief is back within the playing group. We saw every single player buy in yesterday. Guys like Daniher and Cameron looked so hungry defensively and in turn we saw our best footy in display. The belief is back. The love is back. Finals footy is upon us and the boys know they can go all the way if they can bring this level of pressure for the next 7 weeks.

For me the gap is still a concern. It's a year in which every team has had a slump, and we have been away from the gabba for a long time barring a couple of games, and not living at home. But the lack of effort against Hawthorn, when he had seemingly had our slump and worked our way out of it, was an awful performance and looks set to cost us top 4 and a realistic shot at the flag. Some of the efforts and body language in that game just weren't up to it, and even though we have (it is to be hoped) turned the corner, that game will likely be the one we look back on and say boy that was costly.

While the gameplan wasn't thrown out the window, there was a definite change in mindset off half back and even beyond - much faster play. It was good to see and you could see while it wasn't without risk, it was a lot harder to play against. There was one bit of play in which Kiddy passed from half back, then sprinted and got the ball forward of the wing. That simply would not have happened with anyone else back there. And so wouldn't have happened if Payne had been fit! I just hope Fagan again sees the value of some pace back there, after he said it was valuable after the Geelong game with Madden, but then dropped Madden and didn't really replace the pace.
Interesting decisions coming up in the backline. Gardiner comes in next week with some luck, so who makes way? Probably Prior. But then who for Adams? If Lester and Birchall both stay in once those two are back, it's goodbye Coleman and no way back for Madden. We go back to being painfully slow in the backline. SO does Fagan realise we need some pace, and can it trump his determination to name Lester and Birchall when they are fit? That's the big selection issue coming.

 

[LongLion]

For me the gap is still a concern. It's a year in which every team has had a slump, and we have been away from the gabba for a long time barring a couple of games, and not living at home. But the lack of effort against Hawthorn, when he had seemingly had our slump and worked our way out of it, was an awful performance and looks set to cost us top 4 and a realistic shot at the flag. Some of the efforts and body language in that game just weren't up to it, and even though we have (it is to be hoped) turned the corner, that game will likely be the one we look back on and say boy that was costly.

While the gameplan wasn't thrown out the window, there was a definite change in mindset off half back and even beyond - much faster play. It was good to see and you could see while it wasn't without risk, it was a lot harder to play against. There was one bit of play in which Kiddy passed from half back, then sprinted and got the ball forward of the wing. That simply would not have happened with anyone else back there. And so wouldn't have happened if Payne had been fit! I just hope Fagan again sees the value of some pace back there, after he said it was valuable after the Geelong game with Madden, but then dropped Madden and didn't really replace the pace.
Interesting decisions coming up in the backline. Gardiner comes in next week with some luck, so who makes way? Probably Prior. But then who for Adams? If Lester and Birchall both stay in once those two are back, it's goodbye Coleman and no way back for Madden. We go back to being painfully slow in the backline. SO does Fagan realise we need some pace, and can it trump his determination to name Lester and Birchall when they are fit? That's the big selection issue coming.

I think the Gardiner for Lester swap is a simple one. I'm a supporter of Lester's efforts but that is a no brainer.

 

[Section 5]

He just needs to learn how to use the footy when he wins it on the wing instead of always slowing things down and kicking backwards.

Yes this is one thing Charlie and the coaches should work on
We all know Charlie is just brilliant when he is on
He regularly shows his annoyance when players up the ground don't move it forward as soon as possible
Yet he is close to the worst offender when he is up the ground himself
You would have thought with his speed and quick thinking this would be the opposite

 

[beardancer]

I think the Gardiner for Lester swap is a simple one. I'm a supporter of Lester's efforts but that is a no brainer.

hard to drop lester after that game, he was excellent.

 

[twhowler]

hard to drop lester after that game, he was excellent.

I'd plump for Lester - more flexible, can be sent forward in a pinch or even in to the centre square for a break glass moment (i.e. Berry get injured). All Birhcall can really do is kick (sometimes) and get body on body okay with a bit of bulk and height. I just really hope it's not Lester AND Birchall holding their spot once Adams and Gardiner come back in. The backline looks so much better with a bit of speed, both when defending and launching attacks.

 

[davemc_lions]

interesting looking at players stats. Linc and Rich no tackles.. Although I had both in my top 5 players
Zorks 10, Lyons 7, Cockatoo/Clugga 6, Charlie, Bailey, Matho and Charlie 5 then Berry 4.
Big lift from the mids compared to last few weeks.

 

[Nuggo]

Cockatoo ain't a bird he's a bull. Loved it. More please Mr Cockatoo.

 

[Section 5]

Two key elements in the win yesterday:

1. We actually worked hard and stuck tackles. Charlie and the other forwards were not bludging around with the head down but chasing and our midfield were covering ground up and back. Massive difference.
2. We actually moved the ball a bit quicker and looked to hit the occasional target. We were pretty much solidly plan A all the way but moving it quicker and more deliberately allowed us to generate more threats.

Agree with both
This included movement after a point was scored by the opposition
Rich is very good at finding a Lions player with his kick ins.
However he, and others have been taking far to long to get the ball moving from this position. Too easy for opposition to set up in defense
Rich, Birchall and others that took the kick in's showed some urgency on the weekend

The other main thing i noticed that has been missing for ages was what i will call "handball receives" after a mark taken.
What do i mean: Example a player takes a mark and another player runs past for handball to move play on quickly
The best way to break up play and give the opposition defense little time to react and benefit our forwards is to get that handball forward of the receiving runner.
The Lions have been giving off a lazy handball behind themselves to a player in no better position than they are in
Quite often to Rich or Birchall when in defense. One exemption is a Ruck i am happy for them to pass it off to anyone
Finally on Sunday this handball in many cases was forward of the player that took the mark
Quite often this handball was in front of the man on the mark and this is the best case as it break open all avenues moving forward

 

[Mighty Lions]

Two key elements in the win yesterday:

1. We actually worked hard and stuck tackles. Charlie and the other forwards were not bludging around with the head down but chasing and our midfield were covering ground up and back. Massive difference.
2. We actually moved the ball a bit quicker and looked to hit the occasional target. We were pretty much solidly plan A all the way but moving it quicker and more deliberately allowed us to generate more threats.

The main key element to yesterday's win for me was we had an even contribution from all players for the first time in a month. There we no passengers (although some could have done more than they did) and our pressure was constant throughout the entire game. Charlie still could do more. He walks too much and isn't good when the ball is with the opposition backs. That said, his attitude was much better than the previous few games and he should not feel guilty accepting his paycheck this week.

 

[Mighty Lions]

Still have no idea what Wilson was grabbing his ankle for in that aftermath. The replay shows he didn't land on it at all, didn't collide into Bailey, that leg just kind of flailed up when he got the hip and shoulder. Was that why he got subbed out of the game?

Hilarious that Bailey went to ground to retrieve possession after his great tackle with Daniher & McCluggage running past to receive the handball that should have been given. I guess he will get better at being a little less selfish as he matures.

 

[Back2Back2Back]

The Lions have been giving off a lazy handball behind themselves to a player in no better position than they are in
Quite often to Rich or Birchall when in defense.

There's a very intentional set kick in play when Rich chips to about 30m out and immediately runs past to receive the backwards handball, which then allows a longer kick to land out on the wing. Done correctly it allows us to break a zone and bash and crash the ball forward. But I agree, timing the handball to land moving forward past the man on the mark before they can react is a much better way to catch them off guard than to watch another Lion kick from pretty much the same spot as the original player.