Preview Semi Final v Bulldogs @ The Gabba, Saturday 4th September 2021, 7.20pm.

[Pride of lions]

Unfortunately Gardiner has been very poor for the past 3 games since his return from injury. He has been unable/unwilling to tackle and has been non competitive in marking contests. He has obviously been a great player over the past few years but is nowhere near his best atm. I think Payne would be a better option particularly given the height in the Dogs forward line.

 

[davemc_lions]

You assume there would be a reason Fullarton been picked over Ballenden each week even though I think Connor is a better kick and mark then Tom is.

For me if Dizzy not 100% rather play Lester.
If Birchall injured as well

I say ins Lester, AhChee and Ballenden. Like Dev and T Berry not sure happen
Outs McStay, Prior and ???.
Rather keep Cockatoo in even if a bad game as he could be a spark.

 

[martinson]

You assume there would be a reason Fullarton been picked over Ballenden each week even though I think Connor is a better kick and mark then Tom is.

For me if Dizzy not 100% rather play Lester.
If Birchall injured as well

I say ins Lester, AhChee and Ballenden. Like Dev and T Berry not sure happen
Outs McStay, Prior and ???.
Rather keep Cockatoo in even if a bad game as he could be a spark.

I'm a bit torn on Cockatoo myself . That first quarter against WC he really showed exceptional qualities. But he hasn't got warm since. If he's just had a rough few quarters I'd be inclined to risk him but if it's the fitness issue which it looks we can't afford another effort like that. And someone like a T berry in there would at least make it tougher for the opposition . And Ah Chee particularly.

 

[davemc_lions]

I'm a bit torn on Cockatoo myself . That first quarter against WC he really showed exceptional qualities. But he hasn't got warm since. If he's just had a rough few quarters I'd be inclined to risk him but if it's the fitness issue which it looks we can't afford another effort like that. And someone like a T berry in there would at least make it tougher for the opposition . And Ah Chee particularly.

McCarthy also did not see it..
Charlie got loose McCarthy and Cockatoo where quiet
No idea if that was them opening space up for Charlie or just how the cards fell.

We also got picked off time after time kicking into forward 50. Although where was the leads.
Kicked to Berry a few times who missed a few marks

 

[LongLion]

Still don't understand why people think we are going to change everything in a final. Will be minimal changes.

My guess:
Out - McStay, Prior
In - Ballenden, Ah Chee

Lester will be a definite in

 

[Jimmy Two Hands]

Unfortunately Gardiner has been very poor for the past 3 games since his return from injury. He has been unable/unwilling to tackle and has been non competitive in marking contests. He has obviously been a great player over the past few years but is nowhere near his best atm. I think Payne would be a better option particularly given the height in the Dogs forward line.

Agreed - I get the argument that 70% Darcy is better than Payne, but this isnt 70% Darcy this is like 5% Darcy. He only had 2 spoils and 2 1%ers against Melbourne who had 68 inside 50s and 15 marks inside 50s. Basically, the ball was pumping in and Darcy almost made no contests.

Obviously he was hurt, but if he hasnt improved then we just cant carry someone that lame in the back 50. Almost makes me wonder that given we couldnt sub him off, why we didnt just park him up in the goalsqaure, push Joe up and send someone back to at least provide a body down back.

 

[FLVanLandingham]

If Ah Chee good to go, bring him in. Then Lester in for Gardiner. Otherwise Lester in up forward and Payne in for Gardiner (or is he injured, I never remember)

 

[mattsmob]

The more I think about it the more obvious the changes in my mind. Lester to play McStay's role, he has more experienced up forward than Adams, Andrews and Payne combined and I don't think it's worth upsetting the continuity the backline is building for the first time all season.
Ah Chee in for Prior simply as a better and more experienced player for a big game, unlucky for Prior and think he has shown a huge amount for a second year late draft pick. If Birch doesn't get up I'd have one of Prior or Ah Chee in defence the other one the wing, I'll trust the coaches with who would be more suited.
As Zorko mentioned on the Roar Deal when executed correctly the gameplan works so I wouldn't be making any big structural or positional changes.

 

[bungalow_bill]

What happened with Kobe Tozer? At one stage looked like he had potential to be a gun forward. Injuries I'm assuming.

 

[mebevan]

We've lost 2 games at the Gabba in the last 2 years , 1 the Prelim to Geelong and 2 the opening round vs Sydney. They are writing us off massively on the Dogs boards. My bet is whatever changes Fages and the coaching staff make will work. The place will be absolutely rocking. Harris will smash everything out that comes near our goal. Neal, Zorko, Lyons will have massive games and we will get over the line. Crowd needs to absolutely let em have it.

 

[fugitive]

As Zorko mentioned on the Roar Deal when executed correctly the gameplan works so I wouldn't be making any big structural or positional changes.

Definitely not, just replace McStay and back the players in to execute the game plan and get the job done. If you remember we made some changes against before last years prelim against Geelong almost sending the message that the coaches were worried about their big bodies and it backfired.

 

[briztoon]

What happened with Kobe Tozer? At one stage looked like he had potential to be a gun forward. Injuries I'm assuming.

A couple of knee reconstructions.

 

[T Rick]

I'm a bit torn on Cockatoo myself . That first quarter against WC he really showed exceptional qualities. But he hasn't got warm since. If he's just had a rough few quarters I'd be inclined to risk him but if it's the fitness issue which it looks we can't afford another effort like that. And someone like a T berry in there would at least make it tougher for the opposition . And Ah Chee particularly.

Cockatoo has had a few absolutely brilliant moments in games against Freo and WCE (first quarter) but clearly looks underdone. When running at full bore, he pulls up almost in anticipation of pulling a hamstring. I have no idea as to whether that is mental (not trusting his body) or physical but playing him is a calculated risk/reward scenario - particularly in an elimination final.

 

[Shaq attack]

Another thing on Harris is he seems to be overly concerned with covering for team mates. In the finals against Richmond last year, he was constantly going in to assist Payne and looked like he had no confidence in Payne beating his direct opponent. I think this coupled with his own form and potential injury have led to his average display on the weekend.

 

[bato]

Seriously? What mental demons could he possibly be having in a high stake QF final with preliminary final berth on the line?

More so when he realised he was being beaten. It becomes a huge mental battle when your opponent is beating you. He looked well and truly defeated by the end of the game.

He started doing seriously strange things like spoiling and missing the ball. I don't think I've ever seen him do that before.

 

[Harris Specter]

Our team's success relies so heavily on confidence. When we're all up and about, we look unbeatable and quite honestly, the sky is the limit.

Once a couple of things start going wrong, the boys drop their heads and refuse to put in the same level of commitment. Serious issue which needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.

 

[Harris Specter]

Still perplexed as to how Mathieson is getting a game ahead of Dev Robertson at the moment. Hope some journalists can ask the question.

 

[bungalow_bill]

Still perplexed as to how Mathieson is getting a game ahead of Dev Robertson at the moment. Hope some journalists can ask the question.

Been wondering the same. Unless he's injured you'd think Robertson would be getting games

 

[twhowler]

Yep. Dev also much more flexible on wing / forward. And Matho’s sub games in which we needed him most, saints and dees, he did nothing. Watching him in the mitch robbo re-sign video, he looks a but flustered. Must know his squad spot in the line. It’s a brutal occupation but he’s been given plenty of chances and hasn’t been up to it.

Still perplexed as to how Mathieson is getting a game ahead of Dev Robertson at the moment. Hope some journalists can ask the question.

 

[fugitive]

Our team's success relies so heavily on confidence. When we're all up and about, we look unbeatable and quite honestly, the sky is the limit.

Once a couple of things start going wrong, the boys drop their heads and refuse to put in the same level of commitment. Serious issue which needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.

Totally agree, that’s exactly where our issue has been at times, man on man we are equally as talented as any team going around so it’s not a talent issue, simply a mental issue a bit like our 2001 team before they went on that amazing run after beating the bombers or the Geelong team post 2006, we just need to flick that switch and we won’t look back.

 

[fugitive]

More so when he realised he was being beaten. It becomes a huge mental battle when your opponent is beating you. He looked well and truly defeated by the end of the game.

He started doing seriously strange things like spoiling and missing the ball. I don't think I've ever seen him do that before.

Leppa did that once in a game in 2000 against Carlton when Whitnall kicked 9 on him, he was throwing his shoe around and all sorts.

 

[Nunez]

Still perplexed as to how Mathieson is getting a game ahead of Dev Robertson at the moment. Hope some journalists can ask the question.

He's been a sub. It's not like he's in our starting 22.

 

[Lion_LegacyXL]

I haven't been to a Lions losing performance since 2008, hope that drought continues.

 

[MacMum]

You can be our lucky charm, you are going to the game I hope.......and any chance you happen to be going to Perth in the next couple of weeks?

 

[Lion_LegacyXL]

You can be our lucky charm, you are going to the game I hope.......and any chance you happen to be going to Perth in the next couple of weeks?

Just bought my tickets, the moment we beat Port in Adelaide next week I'll be booking my flight to Perth if that happens.