Preview Round 5, 2016 - Lions vs WB - Tear the woof off

[BuntonRules]

We are not the only club with a green sponsors logo.

 

[HowYouDoin]

We are not the only club with a green sponsors logo.

It's not the logo, but rather the cow that is the issue here. Remove it, and i'm sure it wouldn't look too bad.

 

[bato]

It's not the logo, but rather the cow that is the issue here. Remove it, and i'm sure it wouldn't look too bad.

I'm sure the company would love that.

 

[BuntonRules]

It's not the logo, but rather the cow that is the issue here. Remove it, and i'm sure it wouldn't look too bad.

Try thinking of something you can post in the positives thread - just once. You can do it - you never know. You just might enjoy it.

 

[BRAB]

"Dairy sponsor should remove cow from logo"

Howyouserious

 

[Cooties]

Spoiler: Logo Discussion Derailment here

Okay we're getting into serious derailment territory here so I'll spoiler it to not clog everything up and then drop it but have a quick browse through here http://shop.afl.com.au/on-field/2.shtml.

There is no logo on any on field shirt that a) clashes completely in colour b) is wider than the halfway mark (in this case the L in BLK, the tick in the Nike etc.) and c) taller than the AFL logo next to it. Some hit two of those three for example Freo hits a) and c), the only other green ones in Collingwood clash and Carlton away only hit a) and b)... The Camperdown logo hits all three and it just stands out to be honest, it looks clumsy to me but it seems I'm in the minority here.

Now back to the real stuff, if this game was at the Gabba with the outs the Dogs have, I'd be sniffing an upset. Down in Etihad we're going to have to be on top of our game (as in kick some goals instead of behinds) to win this... should be a cracking fast paced game though

 

[Dylan12]

In the mix: round five

Brisbane Lions - Captain Tom Rockliff is expected to return against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night after two weeks on the sidelines with a calf injury. Rockliff will have to pass a fitness test later in the week to nail down his spot, though. Ruckman Stefan Martin is still undergoing concussion tests following his big hit from Steven May and is expected to play, but if he fails the test, watch for Josh Walker to push into the ruck and Jono Freeman to take his forward line spot.

Western Bulldogs - With Jason Johannisen's serious hamstring injury expected to keep him on the sides for a prolonged period, Luke Beveridge could look to second-year utility Lukas Webb to help fill the massive void across half-back. DrafteeBailey Williams could also come into contention to fill that role after impressing at VFL level. Johannisen's absence will be off-set by the return of All Australian defender Easton Wood after the vice-captain missed the last two weeks with a hamstring complaint. Goalsneak Tory Dickson could be an inclusion after getting through Footscray's loss to Richmond in his return from quad and adductor injuries. It was the 28-year-old's first game since week one of the NAB Challenge. Mitch Honeychurch continued his strong state league form with a best on ground performance for the Dogs, while key forward Jack Redpath and ruckman Tom Campbell will come into consideration if Tom Boyd's shoulder doesn't come up.

 

[CarterS]

Just by looking at the various media around, confidence internally appears to be high. Not that they'd publicly say anything else, but there was no talk of "being quietly confident we can cause an upset" in any of our away games so far. A respectable performance is pretty important I think. After we beat Port last season there was a lot of talk about how our season has now started, we are raring to go, etc., and we lost what, ten in a row? Not expecting a win by any stretch but a loss by less than 30 would be good. If we lose by 80 I think it will be a one step forward two steps back deal. Our consistently this season has been there apart form the last few minutes of the Geelong game, we play Eithad better than the G, decent record agains the Dogs, so I am hopeful.

 

[Milux]

No reason we cant cause an upset. Martin will play. Dry deck. Skills seem to have improved and will help our fast ball movement. Captain back. Dogs have injuries to the main part of there rehabilitation. So to say i am quietly confident is an understatement. No reason we cant be within 3 goals by the end of the game. And if we are within 3 goals there is no reason we cant win. We had 65+ inside 50s for 40 ish scores. Do that and kick accurately we will be in more games then not.

 

[Wounded Lion]

Seems like McStay will definitely return this weekend (based on yesterdays press conference), could Andrews possibly make way?

There doesn't seem to be an appropriate role for him this weekend given the Bulldogs shorter/quicker approach to their forward line and he is a touch out of sorts. I wouldn't mind seeing him rested for a week.

In that case I'm foreseeing Rocky & McStay in for Dawson & Andrews, with Mayes to take Dawson's half back role. Rocky's inclusion will likely push Hanley, Richy or Zorko wider in the middle of the ground.

 

[BRAB]

If we put together 4 quarters of the football we produced in the last quarter last week we'll be a really good chance.

Reduced our errors in possession and mitigated a fair percentage of the errors that did eventuate through pure attack on the ball.

No massive key forward will help us immensely. (Boyd is a good player, is no Lynch, Walker, Hawkins, Kennedy though)

 

[Milk Steak]

Seems like McStay will definitely return this weekend (based on yesterdays press conference), could Andrews possibly make way?

There doesn't seem to be an appropriate role for him this weekend given the Bulldogs shorter/quicker approach to their forward line and he is a touch out of sorts. I wouldn't mind seeing him rested for a week.

In that case I'm foreseeing Rocky & McStay in for Dawson & Andrews, with Mayes to take Dawson's half back role. Rocky's inclusion will likely push Hanley, Richy or Zorko wider in the middle of the ground.

I wouldn't be leaving out Andrews. I want him to get as much experience as possible. I know they don't have an overly tall forward line, but he's fairly versatile. Be good to see him floating across half back a

 

[Ceebee]

Andrews is maturing beautifully.
Becoming a Mr Fixit type of player.
Going to be a Ripper.

 

[KissKiss]

I think the only reason we would leave Andrews out the moment (aside from a forced move) would be for a rest. He is still very young so over a long season I don't think that would be a bad thing

 

[snooplions]

Andrews had been looking a little off his consistent best from last year in my eyes, saw the stats from danny daly, and compared to the other defenders his work rate was not at a very high level. Not sure what his distance run, or repeat efforts were like last year in comparison though so he could just be at a low base. Even then, it's mainly been his marking that's been scratchy, but I'm sure the coaches will let him know he's got to start covering the ground more. Keep him in.

 

[Wounded Lion]

All this debate sounds like we will start having selection headaches again, which is great!

 

[Ironmonger]

No reason we cant cause an upset. Martin will play. Dry deck. Skills seem to have improved and will help our fast ball movement. Captain back. Dogs have injuries to the main part of there rehabilitation. So to say i am quietly confident is an understatement. No reason we cant be within 3 goals by the end of the game. And if we are within 3 goals there is no reason we cant win. We had 65+ inside 50s for 40 ish scores. Do that and kick accurately we will be in more games then not.

We're probably going to have some problems scoring against the Dogs. They're quite a bit more organised and effective with the ball than we are, and won't give us as many counter-attacking opportunities. Plus obviously they play Etihad really well.

Perhaps small victories, like getting good performances out of Andrews, Cutler and Schache, should be our aim this week.

 

[Nunez]

The thing to remember is Andrews is only in his second year. How amazing is that considering he is a KPP and already plays at a high level?

 

[Skoob]

Seems like McStay will definitely return this weekend (based on yesterdays press conference), could Andrews possibly make way?

There doesn't seem to be an appropriate role for him this weekend given the Bulldogs shorter/quicker approach to their forward line and he is a touch out of sorts. I wouldn't mind seeing him rested for a week.

In that case I'm foreseeing Rocky & McStay in for Dawson & Andrews, with Mayes to take Dawson's half back role. Rocky's inclusion will likely push Hanley, Richy or Zorko wider in the middle of the ground.

Maybe the thought was to play Martin less (if at all) and with Walker in the ruck, Mcstay goes forward.

 

[blueiris]

McStay can play forward are people forgetting that Walker Schache and McStay would worry the Bulldogs defence and if Martin is rested play Walker in the Ruck and play McStay and Schache forward

 

[Milux]

We're probably going to have some problems scoring against the Dogs. They're quite a bit more organised and effective with the ball than we are, and won't give us as many counter-attacking opportunities. Plus obviously they play Etihad really well.

Perhaps small victories, like getting good performances out of Andrews, Cutler and Schache, should be our aim this week.

But their key organises are out. Without murphy last week they looked a little lost. Although still got the result. Now no JJ their run has almost vanished. Wood back would hurt us. Boyd might not play. We could send bewick to do a close checking role to Suckers as he is now their back line general with murphy out. Or has suckers been played forward?

 

[iBeng]

I just noticed the title of the thread and have been giggling at it for a good 30 minutes.

 

[compact72]

But their key organises are out. Without murphy last week they looked a little lost. Although still got the result. Now no JJ their run has almost vanished. Wood back would hurt us. Boyd might not play. We could send bewick to do a close checking role to Suckers as he is now their back line general with murphy out. Or has suckers been played forward?

Suckling plays back more than anything, so he will probably be there on Saturday. Hopefully Wood will be back, as that will be pretty important for us

Dickson still might come into the match which will help our forward.

Either way, should be a good game, and good to see you guys getting the confidence back

 

[James North]

Parliament/Funkadelic reference I hope.

 

[Kevvo]

We're probably going to have some problems scoring against the Dogs. They're quite a bit more organised and effective with the ball than we are, and won't give us as many counter-attacking opportunities. Plus obviously they play Etihad really well.

Perhaps small victories, like getting good performances out of Andrews, Cutler and Schache, should be our aim this week.

I think you're probably right.

What gives me hope is the potential impact of concentrated injuries on their side, as opposed to just the volume of injuries. While I agree that they are an organized and effective team, their halfback line is normally a strength of theirs. This week it will plausibly be at least a relative weakness. I'm prone to over-optimism, but I wouldn't be surprised if that had a meaningful impact on their offensive and defensive potency.

We're a perfect example of how a shaky half-back line can create turnovers in really damaging spots. Structurally, I think our defense has been reasonably well organised. If we get lucky and they turn it over more than normal, the players that are used to running forward will either do so and get caught out of position, or might get burned and hold back. Either would help us out a lot.