Review Round 23, 2022 - Brisbane Lions vs. Melbourne

[Big Sauce 21]

Joe would have to be the worst in the comp for offering any pressure or accountability. Taking account of his size, I saw Witts today chasing players in circles. Don't have to run players down but being next to your opponent so they don't get an easy touch is also important.

 

[JasRulz63]

Joe would have to be the worst in the comp for offering any pressure or accountability. Taking account of his size, I saw Witts today chasing players in circles. Don't have to run players down but being next to your opponent so they don't get an easy touch is also important.

I think now that McStay's pressure has dropped off this season (averages 1.5 tackles to 3.0 tackles last year despite spending more time in the ruck), our three tall line-up is a liability from a forward pressure and defensive zone POV.

 

[a mayes ing]

Joe would have to be the worst in the comp for offering any pressure or accountability. Taking account of his size, I saw Witts today chasing players in circles. Don't have to run players down but being next to your opponent so they don't get an easy touch is also important.

So what do we do with him? He is on a fat contract years and $. Do we drop him? Do we yell at him and others to up their workrate? Do we give him a different role (fwd/ruck)?
Got no idea how to increase our team's lazy running. ML said that it is addressed most weeks post game in the review so the players aren't listening. This is why players should be dropped if they aren't adhering to the coaches instructions (regardless of position/heirarchy/importance). Zorko/Bailey/Joe/Lyons et al should have been dropped to the reserves for a few weeks during the season, too late now l think.

Just saw Lynch give his all defensively running to tackle a player. Didn't result in holding the ball but the ball went to Richmond teammate. Doubt anything will happen before 2 weeks but something needs to change attitude wise this off season.

 

[martinson]

If Gardiner can rediscover his form (which may be helped if he stays injury free in the off season) then we should absolutely re sign him. A lot of people seem to forget just how good he was in 2019-2020, a massive part of why Andrews was such a star was because Gardiner was good enough to pick up the slack whenever Andrews was floating.

Time passes.

19/20 will be 3 years ago next year. Will his body stand up ? Fwiiw I was an admirer of his.

What about Andrews ? He's still a good player but nothing like he was in his aerial ability or capacity to cover ground.

If we want to move forward we need to work out what the list might be like in 2 or 3 years time.

You've got to make tough decisions sometimes . We haven't done that so far in the Fagan era.

 

[Required]

If a talented group repeatedly fails to be inspired by and in big games, finals, MCG, top of the ladder clashes etc, where does the responsibility for that lay? When Richmond had very similar dramas before they became the great side of a few years ago, what did they do to change it?

It wasnt by changing the coach. Suddenly Dusty found his mojo. How did that happen? What changed at Richmond? Because we are in a very simmilar situation to them of 2015-6.

.

 

[brutus76]

If Lachie doesn't want to be (C) next year i'd be giving it to THE SUITCASE

 

[Lion_LegacyXL]

If a talented group repeatedly fails to be inspired by and in big games, finals, MCG, top of the ladder clashes etc, where does the responsibility for that lay? When Richmond had very similar dramas before they became the great side of a few years ago, what did they do to change it?

It wasnt by changing the coach. Suddenly Dusty found his mojo. How did that happen? What changed at Richmond? Because we are in a very simmilar situation to them of 2015-6.

.

Would really love to believe that but I think our group has deeper issues mentally and that starts with the leadership or lack of. We had the mentality & attitude of a premiership winning team in 2019 but lack of experience held us back from achieving that. Since Hodge retired everything changed with our groups on field attitude & mentality during games for the worse. We have no field generals and no older players that hold the rest of the playing group to a high standard during games. Because of that we've regressed in that element of our game.

 

[western royboy]

If a talented group repeatedly fails to be inspired by and in big games, finals, MCG, top of the ladder clashes etc, where does the responsibility for that lay? When Richmond had very similar dramas before they became the great side of a few years ago, what did they do to change it?

It wasnt by changing the coach. Suddenly Dusty found his mojo. How did that happen? What changed at Richmond? Because we are in a very simmilar situation to them of 2015-6.

.

Neil Balme - Chocco Williams

 

[martinson]

Neil Balme - Chocco Williams

I don't know the totality of what goes on internally but the way we play at times , particularly many times this year ,puts the spotlight on the coaching group.

Let's see how we finish it off this year. We're entering finals at out lowest ebb for the last 4 years so hopefully that's a good sign.

 

[Dalions]

Was speaking to one of the Senior players who played last night, at the VFL today and he said that there is just something about Melbourne, the team is really confident of beating any team but he said Melbourne he just doesn’t know (maybe it is a mental thing) he said.
Other than them, anyone anywhere. Boys are having a 3 or 4 day break after recovery, before preparing for finals.
It was a really good little chat.

 

[martinson]

Was speaking to one of the Senior players who played last night, at the VFL today and he said that there is just something about Melbourne, the team is really confident of beating any team but he said Melbourne he just doesn’t know (maybe it is a mental thing) he said.
Other than them, anyone anywhere. Boys are having a 3 or 4 day break after recovery, before preparing for finals.
It was a really good little chat.

You only had to watch Melbourne through the last part of last year to know that they're really good. Maybe needed the acid put on them to fire up again this year.

I totally expected them to beat us. It was our lack of fight from the first bounce that was disappointing. That's all.

 

[McIvor]

No they didn't, it was reported by the Herald Sun that he was likely to get a 1 year deal.

Hopefully its withdrawn - we've got to move on from this guy at the club - he's been embarrassing for years and sunk to new lows, even for him last night.

 

[JoeDanihersMoustache]

the defence was pretty good as well in that era

The one thing I did notice is our defensive talls punch more then mark recently.
Pickett etc said thanks for that.

The constant spoiling was infuriating

 

[a mayes ing]

Was speaking to one of the Senior players who played last night, at the VFL today and he said that there is just something about Melbourne, the team is really confident of beating any team but he said Melbourne he just doesn’t know (maybe it is a mental thing) he said.
Other than them, anyone anywhere. Boys are having a 3 or 4 day break after recovery, before preparing for finals.
It was a really good little chat.

I would probably add Geelong and Richmond to that list as well imo. I actually think that was an honest chat, it looks like they aren't mentally switched on/spooked or something when they play Melbourne, at least from an outsides perspective. Maybe it is just that they are physically a lot bigger than us in the midfield. We had Matho in there as our big body. Petracca/Oliver/Jackson is like a giant midfielder. We are just too focussed on them than the ball.

 

[western royboy]

I don't know the totality of what goes on internally but the way we play at times , particularly many times this year ,puts the spotlight on the coaching group.

Let's see how we finish it off this year. We're entering finals at out lowest ebb for the last 4 years so hopefully that's a good sign.

Without wanting to sound disrespectful…who are the guns on our coaching list who stand out?

 

[McIvor]

We spent the whole week focusing on contested ball only to come out and lose the stat by 10. I'm beyond gutted

This is a team that has spent all year coasting; waiting for it to "click", only for it to never happen. We've shown glimpses of our best at different stages throughout the year (unbelievable that we were first at one point), but our bog average work rate and lack of defensive endeavour have cost us dearly. I don't care that we score highly, I'm sick to death of seeing this team not put the effort into preventing the other team from scoring. David Teague had that mentality and he got the arse because of it.

On another note, Zorko is no captain. He's an onfield distraction and serial pest. Great player for us, but he's well over the hill now. Whenever the opposition turns up the heat on us, we melt. The faux toughness and arrogance that seeps from certain members of this team is beyond a joke. Let your footy do the talking ffs

We've been told by those on here in the know that it would too, on many occassions when people have questioned many elemenst of the club throughout the course of this season. I personally think they've been wearing rose colored glasses because its been pretty evident to many that we were on the decline and that it never was going to click this year. I am confused why theyve been so adamant that we were on the right track and everything was all roses. Deluded is one word that springs to mind.

 

[martinson]

Without wanting to sound disrespectful…who are the guns on our coaching list who stand out?

I never said there were any.

 

[western royboy]

I never said there were any.

No, I never said you did either…because…I’m not sure that they’re there

 

[martinson]

No, I never said you did either…because…I’m not sure that they’re there

There's no one there with proven success anywhere else. As far as I'm aware.

 

[briztoon]

You and others are like vultures circling a wounded animal...just poor form... as simple and as plain as that. I need a break from this forum.

I haven’t gone as hard as a lot here, but last night was an insipid performance from the team.

Fagan’s presser came across as borderline delusional. Especially when he mentioned that we beat them on the scoreboard in the second half.

If we’re not to take Fagan’s presser’s at face value, which we’re clearly not, as he doesn’t give anything of substance in them, then what do you expect fans reactions to that to be?

Zorko last night was an embarrassment plain and simple, and that was before three quarter time, when he crossed the line. Constantly mouthing off and niggling at Melbourne players.

Of course people are angry and upset here.

If you’re on here, you’re more than just an average “fan”, who simply turns up at the game.

And truth be told, your continual talking up of the team midweek, “oh the boys are up and about this week”, “oh the boys are hurting after that performance and looking to turn it around next week”, etc feeds in to the feeling of disappointment after such a performance and loss.

Not to mention your defence of the coaches, selection policy, etc.

Your one gripe is the location of our new training base, which most here are either on board with, or understand why the base is out at Springfield and not located closer to Brisbane.

 

[briztoon]

If Gardiner can rediscover his form (which may be helped if he stays injury free in the off season) then we should absolutely re sign him. A lot of people seem to forget just how good he was in 2019-2020, a massive part of why Andrews was such a star was because Gardiner was good enough to pick up the slack whenever Andrews was floating.

As far as I’m aware, Gardiner has gone in for surgery the last three off-seasons. It’s not the off season or preseason when injuries occur. It’s during the season.

If Gardiner is as banged up and in continual pain as Mighty Lions has said, then it’s fair to guess that his performances will drop when he starts carrying further injuries during the season.

 

[martinson]

I haven’t gone as hard as a lot here, but last night was an insipid performance from the team.

Fagan’s presser came across as borderline delusional. Especially when he mentioned that we beat them on the scoreboard in the second half.

If we’re not to take Fagan’s presser’s at face value, which we’re clearly not, as he doesn’t give anything of substance in them, then what do you expect fans reactions to that to be?

Zorko last night was an embarrassment plain and simple, and that was before three quarter time, when he crossed the line. Constantly mouthing off and niggling at Melbourne players.

Of course people are angry and upset here.

If you’re on here, you’re more than just an average “fan”, who simply turns up at the game.

And truth be told, your continual talking up of the team midweek, “oh the boys are up and about this week”, “oh the boys are hurting after that performance and looking to turn it around next week”, etc feeds in to the feeling of disappointment after such a performance and loss.

Not to mention your defence of the coaches, selection policy, etc.

Your one gripe is the location of our new training base, which most here are either on board with, or understand why the base is out at Springfield and not located closer to Brisbane.

He was derogatory and dismissive towards anyone who was a bit negative prior to the game.

And now has the nerve to get stuck into anyone who is fairly disappointed in the performance.

I mean ,big deal ,but people are entitled to put up their opinions.

I've put up with his for long enough.

Clearly there are issues in the coaching , the gameplan , the selection process and the way we didn't turn up last night . Whether we're good enough is another issue.

Even the media is all over it now. These are issues any supporter is entitled to question and talk about.

I still think we can win a final from 5th . But we need to bring a different mindset and intent to that game.

 

[davemc_lions]

with the three peat team.. The three main talls
Lynch played a number of years in defence.
Bradshaw and Leppa swapped around at times
Brown played through the midfield.

They all had team first and defensive pressure.

Our current forwards Joe and Hipwood more half flankers then key tall forwards.
Charlie forgets he is faster then most players and just gets involved in a wrestle. Yes he gets grabbed but then grabs back.
McStay who knows he always had games when you wonder if he played. Not sure he checked out or just him
Our game plan under pressure is to dump kick it in around 40m out..
Time and time again you see the intercepting backs take almost uncontested marks in front of our forwards.
No body from anyone.. No spoils.. No bring it to ground..
We leak really badly when the guys stop looking for targets and just dump kick it
Although our forward line also lacks movement. Becomes a pack where 2 of our talls go up for the same ball.
No idea why we never spread or move. No lead ups.

 

[mighty_lions]

I haven’t gone as hard as a lot here, but last night was an insipid performance from the team.

Fagan’s presser came across as borderline delusional. Especially when he mentioned that we beat them on the scoreboard in the second half.

If we’re not to take Fagan’s presser’s at face value, which we’re clearly not, as he doesn’t give anything of substance in them, then what do you expect fans reactions to that to be?

Zorko last night was an embarrassment plain and simple, and that was before three quarter time, when he crossed the line. Constantly mouthing off and niggling at Melbourne players.

Of course people are angry and upset here.

If you’re on here, you’re more than just an average “fan”, who simply turns up at the game.

And truth be told, your continual talking up of the team midweek, “oh the boys are up and about this week”, “oh the boys are hurting after that performance and looking to turn it around next week”, etc feeds in to the feeling of disappointment after such a performance and loss.

Not to mention your defence of the coaches, selection policy, etc.

Your one gripe is the location of our new training base, which most here are either on board with, or understand why the base is out at Springfield and not located closer to Brisbane.

players hear it, they might not directly listen to it but they would of heard what fages would of said, the reality is we have a final in 2 weeks what would you of preferred, he come out and smash them publicly over the performance ?

 

[McIvor]

I don't know the totality of what goes on internally but the way we play at times , particularly many times this year ,puts the spotlight on the coaching group.

Let's see how we finish it off this year. We're entering finals at out lowest ebb for the last 4 years so hopefully that's a good sign.

One issue with our coaching group is that so many have never played at the alf level Fagan, Stone, Davis, Daly, Lttllejohn, Henrikson - compare that to some of the other coaching departments like Melbourne - Goodwin, Yze, Richardson, Choco and it speaks volumes or Pies (Leppa and Bolton more ex-afl coaches) - perhaps the players don't respect the coaches and their credentials given we have Bruce, Adcock and Hudson. I mean what are they teaching our mids, forwards or defenders on the cut throat world of what its like on the ground when barely any of them have done it.