Preview Round 7, 2023: Brisbane Lions vs. Fremantle Dockers, Saturday 29 April 1:45pm at the Gabba

[On the quiet]

I know that some have been writing it off as bad luck/protection for opposition players but Joyce has given a fair few free kicks away. Learning and developing still and has done a few good things, but not to the extent that he's guaranteed a spot right now imo.

I agree with the above, but i think he has been performing admirably, all things considered. I don't think he was marking Comben in Mt Barker, I thought it was Harris, nor the other multiple goal scorer Stephenson. I know you were at the ground so would have a better idea of his overall performance, but I think from memory one of his frees he was put under some pressure with a quick handball in the first Q.

I don't mind if this is a 'planned' farewell game for Lester at the GABBA, in case there is not another opportunity during this easier run of games, for example in a few weeks, we play the Suns, but they do have the three talls, and I don't think there is a matchup for Froggy.

Dropping Joyce when there is no VFL this week for him to work on a couple of things, and just my opinion, no one 'kicking down the door' in ressies as a KPD, probably not great for the confidence. Playing this week against a weaken Freo; IMO would have been better for Joyce in preparation for Curnow, McKay and very likely De Koning next week. Maybe Gardiner is back next week? as I cannot see Froggy being able to take Curnow, McKay or De Koning, so we must be planning to include Fort with Oscar, with Fort playing chiefly as a back to deal with De Koning, subject to Gardiner not playing.

 

[Viceregal]

The only thing Froggy is missing in a comparison with Hodgey and Birch is 4 flags.

Well I just wasted a bunch of time tying to work out if Lester had played in four NEAFL flags or been in the winning ALFx team etc and didn't find anything useful ... was going to type something like yeah but neither Hodgey or Birch have four NEAFL flags or a Wizard Cup or whatever but shrug.

 

[3KZ is Football]

The only thing Froggy is missing in a comparison with Hodgey and Birch is 4 flags.

… and none with us.

 

[FootyNorth]

Guys sorry to post this in the wrong place but is anyone in the Big Footy Lions Supercoach Leagues?
Was looking for a chat place on it??

 

[Cubs2Lions]

 

[FootyNorth]

Without wanting to risk the ire of the room, has any one given any thought that Darcy Fort

32

Darcy Fort

Age

31

Ht

204cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.6

2star

K

5.8

2star

HB

2.9

3star

M

1.9

2star

T

1.8

4star

G

0.8

4star

D

9.2

2star

K

6.0

2star

HB

3.2

2star

M

1.8

2star

T

1.8

3star

G

0.2

3star

D

7.6

2star

K

5.4

2star

HB

2.2

2star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.2

3star

G

1.2

4star

could actually be number one ruck right now. There is no questioning Big O's effort, attitude and leadership but his tap work leaves a little to be desired. The amount of time he taps to advantage of Opp seems way too high. Love it when he just thumps the thing forward. Darcy's tap work is no better or worse but he does add a little more to the forward line than Oscar.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Without wanting to risk the ire of the room, has any one given any thought that Darcy Fort could actually be number one ruck right now. There is no questioning Big O's effort, attitude and leadership but his tap work leaves a little to be desired. The amount of time he taps to advantage of Opp seems way too high. Love it when he just thumps the thing forward. Darcy's tap work is no better or worse but he does add a little more to the forward line than Oscar.

It's extremely even between the 2 IMO but I'm not too bothered either way

 

[Grasshopper17]

Anyone else pick up Lachie's reference to JL in the coaching setup?

 

[rye]

people reading way too much into lester over joyce imo

freo are a team we really dont need 3 dedicated key defenders againts

joyce has been quite good as a key defender but he doesnt really offer much outside of that

lester can play as a pseudo kpd, whilst also being flexible enough to be a true utility across the ground and cover all sorts of needs

more than happy for him to get a run

 

[royboys4eva]

I'm rapt for Froggy to get a game. I can't recall him playing too many poor games in the last few years when he has been selected. Always does a solid job wherever he is selected to play. Reads the ball well - obviously struggles with quick players and I can't imagine he has got any quicker. Hope he goes well and proves a few people wrong. The spot he has taken in the team is no doubt Gardiners to lose when he is fit.

Also one of the big positives for our season so far has been Charlie's form. On top of the goals he is kicking the fact that he has started the season so well and is coming top three in Coleman medal means he should be invested every week. I sometimes wonder with Charlie if its a low key match and he doesn't get a goal early that he can drift around and not be at his dynamic best. Get him a goal early and you will see a switched on Cameron for 4 qtrs.

 

[Dalions]

Anyone else pick up Lachie's reference to JL in the coaching setup?

I think he meant Justin Longmuir

 

[MSB ROYS]

If 2023 to date Freo turn up, we'll win by 10 goals. Otherwise it will be close.

 

[mpal6]

Intriguing selection of Lester.

On the one hand i would say he is a better player and less likely to make errors. And given the limited height of Freo's forward line without Taberner if we lose this week it won't be because of this!

But looking at next week Carlton have Curnow and McKay. Lester would not be an option for either of them. Joyce would be. And since Joyce has come in the 3 talls have worked so well. Given the ressies have no game this seems like a mistake because Joyce as an inexperienced player benefits greatly from confidence in being picked and continuity of playing. I agree with giving Lester a game or 2 because you need to get used to AFL pace to be able to come in later in the year if needed. It just seems like the wrong time to do it.

It is similarly odd what we have done with Lyons. 2 sub games in a row so played a total of 2 quarters. This week is a bye weekend so he won't play at all. So a bloke who has had a very limited pre season and needs to be at absolute peak fitness to be able to get a game has played 2 quarters in 3 weeks. He should not have been sub last week. It's not as if we don't have other good options.

Anyway I am solo with the 3yo so a nice relaxed margin please and no injuries. We have been given a handy leg-up for next week with Carlton playing in Perth Saturday night so it would be ideal if we are not having to extend ourselves in the last quarter given it will be pretty warm and we play so early.

We are looking to ride on the back of strong form from Andrews and Payne to offset not having another big body.

If there is no game in 2s, there is a chance we might roll the dice without Joyce even next week. I personally prefer Joyce in the team as the third tall but we just have to wait and see how this new combination pans out.

 

[RU_]

Frederick out is huge for us. Tore us apart last time.

 

[Dalions]

Frederick out is huge for us. Tore us apart last time.

The midfield tore us apart last time.
He was one to benefit.

 

[Section 5]

A definite trend for Zorko.
He may not get much above the 40% this week but will be interesting to see.
Zorko only got over 40% twice last year.

 

[rye]

A definite trend for Zorko.
He may not get much above the 40% this week but will be interesting to see.
Zorko only got over 40% twice last year.


View attachment 1672589

strangely enough i thought his best game was definitely playing pure hff against melbourne. really contributed to our forward half pressure

 

[Dalions]

Would love for the boys to really keep Freo to a low score tomorrow.
Under 50 would be great.

 

[martinson]

The midfield tore us apart last time.
He was one to benefit.

I know he was but he's hard to stop once he gets going.

Has electric speed.

 

[Section 5]

strangely enough i thought his best game was definitely playing pure hff against melbourne. really contributed to our forward half pressure

First game back from a long-interrupted preseason.
Was his best game this year and he was subbed off for the last quarter too.
He was good v North but that was inferior opposition compared to Demons.
Let's hope he keeps injury free.

 

[BuntonRules]

Darragh Joyce

41

Darragh Joyce

Age

27

Ht

195cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.4

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

4.6

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

1.4

3star

MG

207.6

3star

No current season stats available

D

11.4

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

4.6

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

1.4

4star

MG

207.6

4star

was recruited late before the season, after expecting to play VFL. Played every game so far. Mayhap a week off is for his benefit.

 

[Viceregal]

Sunday Squiggle was Brisbane Lions 92 - 66 Fremantle


Now Brisbane Lions 93 - 67 Fremantle

Gabba (QLD)
HGA: Lions +7.4 pts
Ins/Outs: Freo +1.0 pts

I figure we will be over 100 in any case!

 

[HereIGoAgain]

Not sure we can get away with the expectations are too high excuses for much longer otherwise teams like Geelong, Melbourne and Saints are going to put a couple of lengths on us, percentage-wise.

Time to give a very poor Fremantle side a decent flogging at home and keep in touch with the top of the ladder.

Lions by ten goals at least.

 

[briztoon]

Really?

I’ve always found he cracks in. His energy can’t really be questioned, more his class and disposal.

That’s why I feel he’d be a good substitute.

I believe Dalions means Matho will probably be gassed after 5 minutes, with the pace of the AFL compared to VFL today.

 

[luthor]

A definite trend for Zorko.
He may not get much above the 40% this week but will be interesting to see.
Zorko only got over 40% twice last year.


View attachment 1672589

Interesting that Zorko's increased attendance at the CHB's has correlated with our improved form over the last three rounds.

He's still a hugely important player for us.

I for one am not in a hurry to see him pensioned off anytime soon.