Preview Round 9, 2023: Brisbane Lions vs. Essendon Bombers, Saturday 13th May, 7:25. Gabba

[Grasshopper17]

We only lose this if we:

1. decide to completely switch off, and just bring a general lack of intensity to the game thinking it will all just happen. Which after winning 5 in a row is possible.

2. Allow Essendon the domination at clearance they had over Port at centre bounces early on yesterday. I'd still back our defenders to handle that barrage of territory and pressure better than Port's did yesterday, but Essendon showed they were quite capable of scoring quickly and often given supply into an open forward line.

3. Get sucked in by Essendon's defensive system. In open play, they fold back hard, often allowing relatively uncontested entries into their back 50, where they then seek to outnumber and use that numerical advantage going back the other way with their run and carry. We need to be mindful not to fall into the trap of simply kicking long and deep to their spares. Hit up shallower targets if they present, and if we do have to go long to contests, make sure it comes to ground (at worst) and our forward pressure will have to be on song.

 

[Gadzorks]

I'm very bullish on us having taken a big leap in maturity.

Looking for a game where we can keep focused, ignore the opposition and just keep bulldozing.

Given the high emotion from last week where we clicked and simply dominated and the eight day break and the home ground I think this week will be a our best flex.

Lions by 45+.

 

[martinson]

We only lose this if we:

1. decide to completely switch off, and just bring a general lack of intensity to the game thinking it will all just happen. Which after winning 5 in a row is possible.

2. Allow Essendon the domination at clearance they had over Port at centre bounces early on yesterday. I'd still back our defenders to handle that barrage of territory and pressure better than Port's did yesterday, but Essendon showed they were quite capable of scoring quickly and often given supply into an open forward line.

3. Get sucked in by Essendon's defensive system. In open play, they fold back hard, often allowing relatively uncontested entries into their back 50, where they then seek to outnumber and use that numerical advantage going back the other way with their run and carry. We need to be mindful not to fall into the trap of simply kicking long and deep to their spares. Hit up shallower targets if they present, and if we do have to go long to contests, make sure it comes to ground (at worst) and our forward pressure will have to be on song.

Just watching 3 or 4 games over the weekend it's interesting how many times teams kick to a 3 on 1 against them ,obviously with a preconceived target or strategy to go deep into a certain pocket.. The Swans and North were particular culprits.

You'd hope your players were smarter than that these days.

 

[Section 5]

The Lions are playing well enough to cover Essendon at The Gabba.
I don't see complacency being a factor this week.
The players would have got great feedback on their pressure and tackling from last week.

If we are a top 4 side, we win by 4+ goals.

 

[Nunez]

The Lions are playing well enough to cover Essendon at The Gabba.
I don't see complacency being a factor this week.
The players would have got great feedback on their pressure and tackling from last week.

If we are a top 4 side, we win by 4+ goals.

So if we win by 2 we're not?

 

[martinson]

Any win for me is a good win.

All I want to do at this stage of the year as a Top 4 side is avoid defeats.

I look at Collingwood with a bit of envy at how they keep managing to get out of jail

 

[FeastOrFamine]

Any win for me is a good win.

All I want to do at this stage of the year as a Top 4 side is avoid defeats.

I look at Collingwood with a bit of envy at how they keep managing to get out of jail

Granted, our past 5 games haven't had moment's where we've had to come from behind to win. We've been in control of all of them for the most part

 

[Section 5]

So if we win by 2 we're not?

Yep
Even if it is wet which it could be.

 

[Nunez]

Yep
Even if it is wet which it could be.

LOL.

bro we could lose and we'd still be a flag chance.

Not that we will though. I suspect a 20-40 point win.

 

[buttermuffs]

The Lions are playing well enough to cover Essendon at The Gabba.
I don't see complacency being a factor this week.
The players would have got great feedback on their pressure and tackling from last week.

If we are a top 4 side, we win by 4+ goals.

Fages didn’t seem too complacent compared to previous years as well especially after the last quarter.

In previous years it would have probably be seen as good enough because of the growth mindset that was more beneficial to a developing team rather than a top team. I feel like this year there’s been a switch to a mindset that’s more focused on completely nailing down any weaknesses that were found in our game the week before. Still a growth mindset but the bar has never been higher.

There was obviously criticism in the past year about whether Fagan was able to reach the next level with the club in terms of performance and I feel like he 100% can now.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[M Malice]

Chris Fagan is now a master coach according to a few pundits... wasn't that long ago the narrative was he is not much of a game day coach.

 

[Dalions]

Fages didn’t seem too complacent compared to previous years as well especially after the last quarter.

In previous years it would have probably be seen as good enough because of the growth mindset that was more beneficial to a developing team rather than a top team. I feel like this year there’s been a switch to a mindset that’s more focused on completely nailing down any weaknesses that were found in our game the week before. Still a growth mindset but the bar has never been higher.

There was obviously criticism in the past year about whether Fagan was able to reach the next level with the club in terms of performance and I feel like he 100% can now.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

Fages did say in the after match presser that he was a little bit disappointed in the last quarter.
Which is the type of thing he would never say in the past.

 

[Section 5]

LOL.

bro we could lose and we'd still be a flag chance.

Not that we will though. I suspect a 20-40 point win.

So i can't have an opinion without the LOL tag.
Yet you have gone with a 20-40 point win.

I tell you one thing if we lose most on here will actually say we are not a top 4 team.

However, you are correct we can lose and still be a flag chance.
Same as anyone from 1st to 15th is a flag chance at this stage of the season.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Look like it will be wet.

 

[jjami15]

This will be their fourth game in 18 days and the second away game with a six day break. I reckon it'll play out similar to the Blues game where it will be close early and we will pull away in the second/third. Factor in that they have lost three on the trot and they'll be up for it but if you break their spirit I feel they will away. Add in the fact that we would have had an 8 day break. Small things and nothing at all in regards to how one plays football but still important IMO.

 

[Section 5]

Fages didn’t seem too complacent compared to previous years as well especially after the last quarter.

In previous years it would have probably be seen as good enough because of the growth mindset that was more beneficial to a developing team rather than a top team. I feel like this year there’s been a switch to a mindset that’s more focused on completely nailing down any weaknesses that were found in our game the week before. Still a growth mindset but the bar has never been higher.

There was obviously criticism in the past year about whether Fagan was able to reach the next level with the club in terms of performance and I feel like he 100% can now.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

I think the coaching staff have done a good job playing a slightly different style of footy and player matchups depending on our opposition.
Excluding the R1 Port disaster.
Having Dunkley in the middle has helped overall team balance greatly.
The number of players that can run through the midfield on game day with confidence is growing.
One ruck, then Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage, Bailey, Zorko, Ashcroft, Berry, Wilmot, Rayner. You can add one more from below if Rich is not named.
Apart from Ashcroft and Wilmot there is a lot of experience now in that group of midfielders.
Then if someone is not available you can add Lyons/Answerth/Sharp/Ah Chee/Prior/Robertson/Mathieson. All solid replacements if needed.

Some may have noticed that Gunston has gone to the wing then dropped back in defense late in a few quarters.
Reason being to hopefully stop any late scores with an extra defender when opposition looks like they are on a role, late in the quarter.
I like this line of thinking, but Gunston has not been very effective in that role to date.
Seeing how effective Rayner was in defense in the early games he would be my choice to do that role when needed.

 

[Milux]

Draper and Phillips would make me consider bringing Fort back in (feel like this will be a discussion every week).

I'm always for bringing Fort in. But Joey has been doing a pritty decent job as a back up ruck. I've actually been surprised how effective his taking it out of the ruck is.

 

[martinson]

I think the coaching staff have done a good job playing a slightly different style of footy and player matchups depending on our opposition.
Excluding the R1 Port disaster.
Having Dunkley in the middle has helped overall team balance greatly.
The number of players that can run through the midfield on game day with confidence is growing.
One ruck, then Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage, Bailey, Zorko, Ashcroft, Berry, Wilmot, Rayner. You can add one more from below if Rich is not named.
Apart from Ashcroft and Wilmot there is a lot of experience now in that group of midfielders.
Then if someone is not available you can add Lyons/Answerth/Sharp/Ah Chee/Prior/Robertson/Mathieson. All solid replacements if needed.

Some may have noticed that Gunston has gone to the wing then dropped back in defense late in a few quarters.
Reason being to hopefully stop any late scores with an extra defender when opposition looks like they are on a role, late in the quarter.
I like this line of thinking, but Gunston has not been very effective in that role to date.
Seeing how effective Rayner was in defense in the early games he would be my choice to do that role when needed.

100%

If you're going to drop someone back Gunston no longer has the tools and that was evident this week .

I'd do anything to get Rayner more involved in the game and that's an additional role that he could take ownership of. He's hardly wearing himself out at the moment.

 

[Lazza16]

Who comes for Coleman?

Madden had some impressive moments in the 2s. I think speed is needed against the Bombres.

 

[luthor]

I'm still filthy about that stupid Covid game loss and I'm hoping that the team feels the same way.

It was the difference between a top 4 finish and finishing 5th and having to do it the hard way to get into the PF .

Fire up Lions.

We can't afford another costly miss against a side we should roll comfortably with the personnel we have available

 

[McIvor]

I'm still filthy about that stupid Covid game loss and I'm hoping that the team feels the same way.

It was the difference between a top 4 finish and finishing 5th and having to do it the hard way to get into the PF .

Fire up Lions.

We can't afford another costly miss against a side we should roll comfortably with the personnel we have available

Same - moreso that Matho was not included when weeks after that game he improved our team significantly.

 

[Denno]

Madden had some impressive moments in the 2s. I think speed is needed against the Bombres.

It was when Thompson was coaching them

 

[FLVanLandingham]

I'm still filthy about that stupid Covid game loss and I'm hoping that the team feels the same way.

It was the difference between a top 4 finish and finishing 5th and having to do it the hard way to get into the PF .

Fire up Lions.

We can't afford another costly miss against a side we should roll comfortably with the personnel we have available

I know we had some bad losses last year, but yeah that was the one I was most annoying with too.

Essendon may be up and about, but we will stomp them down.

 

[luthor]

Madden had some impressive moments in the 2s. I think speed is needed against the Bombres.

Sharp and Madden have similar attributes.

Unless Madden is absolutely bashing down the door, Sharp will probably get another run.

 

[twhowler]

Same - moreso that Matho was not included when weeks after that game he improved our team significantly.

Matho was sub. And just sat there. For the entire match. Adams was on one leg. Lyons was doing nothing. We were losing to a bottom four side and desperately needed a change. AND THE SUB JUST SAT THERE IN HIS TRACKSUIT.

If there is a single person on this forum who thought was a good call from the coaching group i'll throw up.