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

[lioninthesand]

Some damming vision of Andrews and our mids defensive efforts on Oliver and Patracca on the couch. How do they come out and play lazy?

I was pretty annoyed watching it TBH, as long as our players are inherently lazy defensively, we won't win a flag.

We know the Dogs will work hard, you'd be silly to think we will be willing to match it.

 

[luthor]

Some damming vision of Andrews and our mids defensive efforts on Oliver and Patracca on the couch. How do they come out and play lazy?

I was pretty annoyed watching it TBH, as long as our players are inherently lazy defensively, we won't win a flag.

We know the Dogs will work hard, you'd be silly to think we will be willing to match it.

When we were at our prime from 2000-2005, Leigh Matthews often referred to the "energy" of the group being the thing that defined how well we would play.

I seem to remember him saying that on most game days, he would know within 5 to 10 minutes whether the Team was "on" or "off'

I think there is merit in this theory..

In that first quarter shootout in the QF on Saturday night, the alarm bells were ringing with me even though we were seemingly matching it with them on the scoreboard. They just seemed top have more energy and purpose in their game than we did. Like they knew what they were doing but we were just making it up as we went along.

There were some mitigating circumstances, (like losing McStay early) but we totally lost the plot in the second quarter and that's when they basically won the game.

Energy and commitment from them versus chaos and self doubt from us.

We need to get our mojo back

 

[mpal6]

That doesn't bother me as much as some of them trashing our players for no reason.

Oscar is apparently the worst remaining finals ruckman?

I'm happy with the underdog status. Just play the match either under the 230pm sun or 730pm grease. Dont do any favors for Dogs.

 

[FFB1]

Some damming vision of Andrews and our mids defensive efforts on Oliver and Patracca on the couch. How do they come out and play lazy?

I was pretty annoyed watching it TBH, as long as our players are inherently lazy defensively, we won't win a flag.

We know the Dogs will work hard, you'd be silly to think we will be willing to match it.

Cringe worthy wasn’t it. Not the first time we’ve seen it this year though. Front running mids with little defensive accountability.

 

[Kernel Kurtz]

There's obviously a reason from the coaching perspective because every time he thinks about it he reverts to the same spot . I'm not smart enough footy wise to really work out why but the opposition have.

Seen that happen as well.
Assessed the alternative and went with the norm.
It's the gameplan and set up , very little switching in our game , this particular time was perfect for the switch.
Also little movement from our players to create little openings like other teams do, and unsurprising considering we have slow big units down back.
we haven't exactly drafted well in this area compounded with injury to the ones we have.
We do have players that can do this , Bails , McCarthy ,Kiddy, Zorks, just need to add more strings to our bow coming out from goal.
It comes down to foot speed , we need a Bolton, Prestia type urgently.
For this game I hope our small forwards involve themselves more in general play down back and around the park.
Really need to get on our bikes.

 

[M Malice]

The Demons had some experienced players available but not selected against us eg. Nathan Jones, Michael Hibberd

14

Michael Hibberd

Age

35

Ht

186cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.4

5star

K

13.1

5star

HB

8.3

5star

M

5.2

5star

T

1.5

3star

MG

326.6

4star

D

16.8

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

6.8

4star

M

4.8

4star

T

1.4

2star

MG

326.6

5star

D

19.2

5star

K

11.6

4star

HB

7.6

5star

M

5.6

5star

T

2.0

4star

, Neville Jetta

39

Neville Jetta

Age

34

Ht

180cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.3

2star

HB

6.4

4star

M

3.2

3star

T

3.2

5star

MG

141.3

2star

D

7.0

1star

K

2.8

1star

HB

4.3

3star

M

1.3

1star

T

1.5

2star

MG

64.0

1star

D

11.0

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

1.8

4star

, Mitch Brown, Jake Melksham

18

Jake Melksham

Age

33

Ht

186cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.2

2star

K

5.8

2star

HB

3.3

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.2

3star

G

0.8

4star

D

9.2

2star

K

5.8

2star

HB

3.3

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.2

2star

G

0.8

4star

D

9.2

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

1.2

3star

G

0.8

4star

.

We need to do the same and bite the bullet with one particular senior player and not select him on sentimentality and form lost long ago > Grant Birchall

14

Grant Birchall

Age

36

Ht

193cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.9

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

9.3

5star

M

5.8

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

250.0

4star

D

13.3

3star

K

9.2

4star

HB

4.2

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

1.3

2star

MG

250.0

4star

D

14.0

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

0.6

3star

.

 

[Fagenslions36]

100 % Payne or Lester for Gardiner if not fit . If adams went forward you know he won’t be outmatked. He plays deep in goal square and Joe roams at CHF

 

[Fagenslions36]

All about tackling and defensive pressure if we bring intensity we will get plenty of good looks . I still think j dogs defence looks suspect

 

[On the quiet]

Posted on Sunday that Gardiner should be declared unfit for this game. Shame to see a reliable defender obviously playing injured. Did appear last night that Fages indicated he might be available and therefore likely play.
So a slow Birchall, slow Rich, slow Lester (Fages indicated at Sat: presser would play), slow Andrews, injured and slow Gardiner (if playing), all in the backs. Starc and Kiddy, and arguably Adams provide some leg speed, with Rich our main kicker. Depending on how the backs go, think Adams/Lester or perhaps Payne (but unlikely) may rotate in the forward line. My guess would be Lester, has played in the forward line previously and would think he would be reasonably competitive in the air.

Birchall stays but must be getting close to the end, although if we win how is Fages going to drop him for the Prelim: Hoping for a strong performance from Birchall with a couple special penetrating kicks through the corridor.
Payne should be there somewhere, especially if Gardiner out.
Lester not in my back 7 but comes in somewhere (as Fages indicated in Sat presser), think Prior misses out.

Oscar must play ruck. If he can dominate our mids should be better than last week.
With Ah Chee apparently still injured Cockatoo stays, but looks underdone.

I think we win, but thought we would win by a goal against Melbourne. With so much emotion involved for us supporters, hope the young guys (Kiddy, Fullerton/Ballenden, Payne etc etc) do their roles for the team, but lets remember they have all played less than 20 games, with some much less, and they will be trying their absolute best for the team.

Lions to win at the GABBA.

 

[Gadzorks]

Sick of waiting to sort out tickets, both for this week and the last two years of ballots/will we/won't we get to the game, will there/won't there be a game.

I pay for my seats, and when games are on at the Gabba I want my seats. I want to be able to go to the lions site, say yes please to my seats for the final and get them.

I don't want the option to buy two tickets for each membership seat, especially as it may inconvenience another member by making them miss out on their seat.

Screw the people who aren't members who ring you up and say can you get us a ticket. Get your own damn ticket, buy your own membership. Stop expecting to sneak in as a priority without paying for the right to get your own.

Rant ended. Hopefully. I'm a bit stuck on this issue ATM, so might need another rant to get it all out.

 

[martinson]

It's obvious in hindsight that the effort to to run down the scoreboard against WC took a lot more out of us physically and mentally than we imagined.

We were celebrating like we won the GF.

Looked spent from fairly early on last week , just couldn't lift our legs when the heat went on but regrouped when we were able to go more defensive.

It's very difficult to win finals with injured/underdone players and we're not good enough to do it.

 

[Nuggo]

J Berry replaces McStay up forward with Payne/Ballenden as the medical sub. If a midfielder goes down then Berry to midfield and Payne/Ballenden to forward line.

 

[Nuggo]

Also I feel that Lester is in for Gardiner. However if Gardiner plays then perhaps Lester as the medical sub as I don't know why you would take Coleman, Rich, Adams, Harris or Starcevich out for Lester.

Ah Chee if fit would come in for Prior. Actually Lester will come in for Prior.

 

[mpal6]

J Berry replaces McStay up forward with Payne/Ballenden as the medical sub. If a midfielder goes down then Berry to midfield and Payne/Ballenden to forward line.

This is always my plan B and I like it. I keep thinking the plan A of keeping Berry in the middle and taking them head-on is more valuable before Dogs midfield gets on top.

 

[Big Bryza]

Having an unbiased look at the game just gone I'm not sure the AFL could do a whole lot more for the Dogs really.

Four [4] goals to one small stager from free kicks???? Seriously!!!

I hope the officials on Saturday are fully alerted to the strategy.

Which of the 4 free kicks did Weightman actually stage for?

 

[jackess]

Which of the 4 free kicks did Weightman actually stage for?

He staged for or ‘drew’ all four of them.

 

[Squizz89]

Mike Whiting on Twitter just now FWIW:

“Saw 15mins of brisbanelions training before they went behind closed doors. Andrews in rehab group (as he has been every Tuesday this season). Gardiner and Birchall taking part in drills to warm up. Positive sign was Cal Ah Chee out there and doing some quick running.”

 

[Kernel Kurtz]

Tickets on sale today Priority 1 starts at 1:00pm .
Get ready Gadz should be on everyone's email.

 

[On the quiet]

Mike Whiting on Twitter just now FWIW:

“Saw 15mins of brisbanelions training before they went behind closed doors. Andrews in rehab group (as he has been every Tuesday this season). Gardiner and Birchall taking part in drills to warm up. Positive sign was Cal Ah Chee out there and doing some quick running.”

could that mean Ah Chee for Cockatoo, who looks underdone

 

[Nuggo]

Mike Whiting on Twitter just now FWIW:

“Saw 15mins of brisbanelions training before they went behind closed doors. Andrews in rehab group (as he has been every Tuesday this season). Gardiner and Birchall taking part in drills to warm up. Positive sign was Cal Ah Chee out there and doing some quick running.”

So you would expect Lester and Ah Chee in for McStay and Prior (maybe Cockatoo if cooked)
Sub being up for grabs depending on who plays where.

 

[martinson]

could that mean Ah Chee for Cockatoo, who looks underdone

On reflection Cockatoo only went for a quarter against WC and then hardly touched it.

He looks the goods when he does something but we can't afford anyone who can only play limited time.

Hopefully he's getting better, though regressed last week.

Good bonus if Ah Chee is fit enough. Once again don't play him if he's not quite right.

 

[Ceebee]

I expect we will find out at the end of the season what injury Harris actually has .

Hopefully it gets sorted off season and we can get the old Harris back.

 

[Tassie4ever]

Which of the 4 free kicks did Weightman actually stage for?

My direct response- Weightman either staged or drew all 4 frees.

Additionally, I pose this question. Having observed AFL for many, many years I can't recall anyone ever kicking 4 goals in one game from frees. Never. Not even experts like the Geelong duo.

Don't try to tell me the officials don't consult. They do. They should in the case of this bloke. Clearly recall Robinson in one recent game pointing out his badly cut face to one official, with zero response. My point- some are more equal than others.

 

[KissKiss]

We've spent so much of the year carrying unfit players. We've had weeks of Dev, Prior, Matho, JBerry(when he came back from injury) and now Cockatoo all playing really low ToG%. Pretty sure Fullerton and Ballenden were the same as well. Really think that has hurt ujs when seeing really fit teams run all over us.

And agree Im still not convinced finishing 4th was better than being short and in 5th. The emotional high was great but think we could have been better off with the easier win against Essendon and then built that confidence

 

[Nunez]

We've spent so much of the year carrying unfit players. We've had weeks of Dev, Prior, Matho, JBerry(when he came back from injury) and now Cockatoo all playing really low ToG%. Pretty sure Fullerton and Ballenden were the same as well. Really think that has hurt ujs when seeing really fit teams run all over us.

And agree Im still not convinced finishing 4th was better than being short and in 5th. The emotional high was great but think we could have been better off with the easier win against Essendon and then built that confidence

So you'd rather be playing the Dogs in Perth this week? Because that's precisely what would be happening if our roles were reversed.