Review Round 9, 2020 - Brisbane Lions vs. Essendon

[M Malice]

Think Ballenden and some of the young guys deserve a chance. Also think longer term Ballenden is our forward or at least forward/2nd ruck. I would keep Ballenden in, even after Mcstays suspension ends. Have to give him and some of the other young guys a chance for at least a few games as part of their development. Saw Witho and Answerth play well last night after being out of the team, they look hungry.

Yep as Connor said we were like hungry dogs.

Obviously when McStay and Rich are ready they will come straight back in, Lester?? Some bloody hard selection decisions coming up for our match committee, good problem to have though. Witherden and/or Answerth would be so unlucky to be left out on last nights form.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Rest Birchall for Lester.

 

[Jivlain]

Chris Fagan saying in his presser that Charlie with his 5 year contract will likely outlast him.

I assume it was an "I'm old" joke at his own expense

Rest Birchall for Lester.

Doubtful his hamstring will be 100% in time.

 

[Happy_Neale]

Me waiting for Cutler to "become a gun at another club"

 

[TyEdwards27]

I assume it was an "I'm old" joke at his own expense


Doubtful his hamstring will be 100% in time.

Fagan said in the presser that it is most likely Rich and Lester won’t play Tuesday.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

The performances of Witherden and Answerth definitely the highlight for me. Witherden showed more aggression than I thought he had in him and his composure and foot skills were reminiscent of his first year. The pace and lockdown ability of Answerth is what we have been missing. I would actually stick with our back six for Richmond, unless they want to rest Burchall. Lynch and Riewoldt are a challenge but if their smalls get off the chain we could be in serious trouble. If Robbo or one of the other mids is rested/sore I wouldn't mind seeing Matho come in. Richmond are the sort of side that like to be in your face and the Beast would revel in that and get under their skin to boot. Skinner and Ballenden will definitely get another start, as they should. People who commented that Skinner looks cumbersome/slow need to factor in that he is 198cm and 100kg and hasn't played at that intensity for three years.

 

[SXT15]

Ballenden is a much bettter option at Full Forward than McStay. Loved his strength in the air and enjoyed watching the players get around him when he marked strongly directly in front and then gave the goal to Charlie. On the down side, just rewatched the game and Hipwood was terrible. He is completely out of form. Also interesting to see Fagan giving him what appeared to be a bit of a “bake” in the third quarter. Based on last night a Ballenden / Skinner combination offers more than a McStay / Hipwood combo. Really looking forward to seeing how they go next week.
Answerth was great all night and Witherden played a very solid game. Oscar was sensational again and I loved his work around the ground. Charlie Cameron was deadly in attack, but how good was his run down tackle in the last quarter. Cam Rayner has also turned the corner and he looks comfortable and dangerous on the field. Lyons, Neale and Zorko were bulls all game and CEY has to be a lock for the rest of the year. Berry was strong and Bailey was solid. That was our best win this year.

tjere

Unfortunately I think Sam is a touch slow and probably lost some agility after three ACL's. I was so glad he scored a goal, but it does take time to get the pace of the game and has not played ressie matches lately as been emergency for most of the year, so maybe just needed time to adjust to the game. Ballenden just needs a bit more size and learn to use his frame. He will stay in the side for most of the year because of Stephs injury. I see him as permanent backup ruck/forward option next year and hope Steph does not get extended.
Been saying for a few weeks Lester not best 22 (nor Adams) and Witho and Answerth played well. Depending on the opposition such as Richmond, Carlton etc that play 3 talls Payne comes in, on some type of rotation basis. Our best 22 does not have to be a lock each week, it depends on the opposition.

We have to give the young guys more than 1 game, up until this year, commentators have been saying Hippy and Andrews still learning. So Skinner and Ballenden in this Tuesday. Payne should be in, possibly with Birchall rested. Witho and Answerth stay. Also opportunity against Dogs and especially North to give some of the young guys a chance. Not sure if we were very good or Bombers just awful. Couple umpiring decisions went against the Bombers, but overall a good % boost. Bring on Tuesday night!

Agreed 110%

 

[Sanchez365]

I actually admired him for saying that rather than make up some BS like 95% of people would have. But I get your point

The commentary is generally pretty appealing, but the lack of any information about what is happening on the ground is frustrating.

No mention alll night of the fact essendon were running on extra at the contest defensive side, hence why they won a lot of clearances but then did nothing with it. Looked like we had witho playing that loose man in defence role but was hard to tell on the vision.

 

[MacMum]

My take on Skinner is that he has been out for so long, a bit rusty, and understandably most likely a bit hesitant about his knees.

Lets give the kid a chance to settle in and feel comfortable within himself, let his confidence grow.....then we can talk about whether he is a good player or not.

 

[Gadzorks]

Just thought I would say whoever found Oscar deserves a raise, best value for money player in the league

i have wondered whether Ben Hudson was involved. Oscar was privately paying Ben to coach him the year before we recruited him as Oscar believed he was capable of playing at the next level.

that’s exactly the attitude that fagan and co love, and maybe Ben let the club know and or put in a good word for him.

Maybe that’s why we hired Ben, other than him being a good coach and good bloke - I still smile at the memory of Ben in the grand final sprint.

 

[a mayes ing]

Definitly got the rub of the green, but l would say it is payback after having absolutly shocing umpiring against Essendon several years back at Etihad.
Great game.

 

[Gadzorks]

a moment that captures the give all you’ve got mentality that is a hallmark of our play is when Oscan was chasing whoever it was down the bench side wing. Oscar wasn’t going to catch him but he kept running to generate pressure.

We were sitting toward one end and got a side on view of Charlie’s chase and tackle on the other side wing. That boy can move, and again it was a give it all you’ve got moment.

it’s these moments that define truely great teams.

 

[luthor]

Definitly got the rub of the green, but l would say it is payback after having absolutly shocing umpiring against Essendon several years back at Etihad.
Great game.

Although some of the decisions we got were soft, bordering on just bad (McGrath HTB), I did enjoy it immensely when the camera panned to outraged Bombers supporters incandescent with rage and otherwise spitting the dummy.

Maybe now they know how our supporters feel when, mostly we are on the receiving end when we play in Melbourne.

 

[3KZ is Football]

 

[davemc_lions]

really happy both Answerth and Witho took their chance. That is what makes teams like the Tigers strong.
They have depth that can come in and play.
Answerth seemed more attacking then last year, I do like a defender who defends.. His player had to move too mid to get a touch.
CEY is a lock when fit adds to the team hardness.. If Robbo does not get you CEY will.

Skinner looked nervous and thought played well second half. Has good hands and size. Be interesting what happens when McStay is back.
Connor had a good debut his skills are many levels above Archie although ruck work still needs some work. He is a second ruck in NEAFL so thought did well.
Although I think Draper playing his first did a great job against Big O/Ballenden. You worry weeks to come. Hope Big O not injured.

I had Neale, Charle, Noah, Witho my best and added Rayner.
This year been his best I think he filled a lot of McStays crash and bash role in the forward 50
Also could off added
Linc had a great game lots of small things i seem too notice more and more
Same with Lyons does things that get lost.
Zorko, Berry and Clugga had solid games.
Darcy/Andrews did well they had more inside 50's then us also think Birchall/Ah Chee improving.

Be interesting if we rest Birchall seeing Rich/Lester Fagan does not think will be ready.
Do we bring in Payne against Lynch?

 

[Big Sauce 21]

How good was Big O's Mr Larson chase. Wish he wouldn't do that though, we need him fit but damn it was great.

 

[SizeMatters]

McStay is having a career best season. Unfortunate that he got rubbed out but he deserved some time off for that hit. Hipwood is the one I'm most worried about once McStay comes back in if he continues to play like a C grader. McStay, and Ballenden as our keys add a bit more flexibility... only issue is that Ballenden needs to use his body ffs. Still scratching my head as to why we played Smith earlier in the season would have been prime time to blood Ballenden. Smith is done.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

My take on Skinner is that he has been out for so long, a bit rusty, and understandably most likely a bit hesitant about his knees.

Lets give the kid a chance to settle in and feel comfortable within himself, let his confidence grow.....then we can talk about whether he is a good player or not.

He came good. Very slow though. If we get the mix right of McStay, Hipwood and Skinner up forward while martin is out it should work. Once stef is back the Big O can go back to his resting forward role.

 

[LIONS08]

i have wondered whether Ben Hudson was involved. Oscar was privately paying Ben to coach him the year before we recruited him as Oscar believed he was capable of playing at the next level.

that’s exactly the attitude that fagan and co love, and maybe Ben let the club know and or put in a good word for him.

Maybe that’s why we hired Ben, other than him being a good coach and good bloke - I still smile at the memory of Ben in the grand final sprint.

You are 100% correct regarding Hudson letting the club know. I know a few members of his partners family. There were certainly other clubs interested at that point but we beat them to him!

 

[TyEdwards27]

He came good. Very slow though. If we get the mix right of McStay, Hipwood and Skinner up forward while martin is out it should work. Once stef is back the Big O can go back to his resting forward role.

At times did look a little slow but you have to remember how quicker the is at an AFL standard compared to NEAFL or reserves matches. It will take a couple more games to work out the pace.

 

[briztoon]

Can someone tell me what Hipwood kept doing to giveaway frees to his opponent in the forward flank all night?

I swear he marked it a couple of times, only to have to hand it over every time.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Can someone tell me what Hipwood kept doing to giveaway frees to his opponent in the forward flank all night?

I swear he marked it a couple of times, only to have to hand it over every time.

Is the one where he took at his ankles confusing you like it did me? I was watching with no sound and got hella confused.

 

[Ralphy2017]

really happy both Answerth and Witho took their chance. That is what makes teams like the Tigers strong.
They have depth that can come in and play.
Answerth seemed more attacking then last year, I do like a defender who defends.. His player had to move too mid to get a touch.
CEY is a lock when fit adds to the team hardness.. If Robbo does not get you CEY will.

Skinner looked nervous and thought played well second half. Has good hands and size. Be interesting what happens when McStay is back.
Connor had a good debut his skills are many levels above Archie although ruck work still needs some work. He is a second ruck in NEAFL so thought did well.
Although I think Draper playing his first did a great job against Big O/Ballenden. You worry weeks to come. Hope Big O not injured.

I had Neale, Charle, Noah, Witho my best and added Rayner.
This year been his best I think he filled a lot of McStays crash and bash role in the forward 50
Also could off added
Linc had a great game lots of small things i seem too notice more and more
Same with Lyons does things that get lost.
Zorko, Berry and Clugga had solid games.
Darcy/Andrews did well they had more inside 50's then us also think Birchall/Ah Chee improving.

Be interesting if we rest Birchall seeing Rich/Lester Fagan does not think will be ready.
Do we bring in Payne against Lynch?

Yes

 

[FLVanLandingham]

Trying to look up rules re: throwing mouthguards. Especially with covid etc would they look down at throwing saliva around?

Any chance of Robbo getting a week? Or am i getting influenced by nuffies on twitter

 

[iBeng]

So much for Cutler being given away for 'free' and was about to dominate for Essendon.

He hasn't changed much from his Brisbane playing days.

He had me a little nervous in the first quarter, not gonna lie...