What do you want out of season 24?

[dlanod]

I loved browny, I want him back.

I think he'd be a bit past it now FWIW.

 

[janty]

To continue to enjoy the Ryan Lester

35

Ryan Lester

Age

32

Ht

190cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.9

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.7

4star

MG

170.4

3star

D

10.3

3star

K

5.8

2star

HB

4.5

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

140.7

3star

D

12.6

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

5.8

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

0.6

3star

Renaissance. Or the Rynaissance as many people across the world call it.

 

[Scubaveg]

Not convinced of that.

I'm tipping a really hot effort by us this week.

If we lose this we're getting out of touch with the 8.

I'll be very surprised if we don't win but I've already said that 4 times this year and we've won 2 of them.

I hope you're right. I see one hungry team with a chip on its shoulder and one not so hungry team that appears to have put the queue in the rack for the season already.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Grasshopper17]

The speed of the game has gone past us, and we don't have the personal on the list to play the new game style.

I'm not so sure about this. Yes, having speedy players can do the job, but you can also make the ball do the work. Right now we aren't doing either.

 

[Grasshopper17]

Cannot abide with people calling our beloved athletes disgusting/lazy ... As seen on X.

So, I have a text book called foundations of sport and exercise psychology which has an entire chapter on burnout and overtraining.

It states that by far the most frequent factor (>50%) of burnout is due to psychological concerns. Such as unfulfilled (Grand final anyone?) or inappropriate expectations. Emphasis on ranking. Lack of enjoyment characterized by coach and external pressure.

I never got an athlete to international level, but I did the courses and was lucky to listen to many of them talk about their experiences.

Athletes typically take three months off after world titles. By off - they stay active and fit but they spend three months away from the sport to prevent burn out. After the Olympics with it's insane pressure they can and do take longer.

Finals shortens that break, and has done for five years.

During the break our guys continue to hang out together, go on holidays together, live together and they don't get that total break. And it's been the same year after year. Except for Joe and those with kids maybe.

They are not refreshing.

They are burnt out.

They are not lazy, they do want to do better, they want to focus for four quarters but they simply can't.

Abusing them won't help.

They need father fagan back to help them find the love and fun in playing and only then we will see performance improve.

And yes, that will help their kicking accuracy.

I think playing a more up-tempo, positive and attacking style of game, one the players are more likely to enjoy, might also help.

But also if you are correct, they may already be beyond the point where that would provide any significant benefit. Hard to say one way or the other from outside the club.

 

[Sproj]

Can we give the whole team a four week training block? We’ve looked short in match fitness all year, run out of energy by the end of the third quarter.

 

[irish]

respect ! this team needs to earn it

 

[Ceebee]

I want to see our team in sync again .

 

[mpal6]

I want Kiddy's replacement to announce himself by second half of 2024. Brain, Fletcher or whoever it is - take on the designated kicking role and show us what you've got. Go for your kicks without fear of mistakes, job is yours for this season.

I also want Fagan to tinker and unveil a new game plan. He built the 3 tall game plan with repeat forward entries and locking it in, which was successful for last 4-5 years. He can surely mimick what is successful right now in GWS, Sydney, Geelong, Carlton model and come up with his own. It's a bit like F1, all cars will go through mods once season starts and try to play catch up to the front runner for the year. By mid-season multiple cars will have bits n pieces resembling the front runner, whether it's side pods, front wing, rear wing etc. There is no shame in doing the same in AFL, game plan wise. We may not have the exact like for like players, but try and build something in 2024 which can be perfected in 2025.

 

[M Malice]

I want Kiddy's replacement to announce himself by second half of 2024. Brain, Fletcher or whoever it is - take on the designated kicking role and show us what you've got. Go for your kicks without fear of mistakes, job is yours for this season.

I also want Fagan to tinker and unveil a new game plan. He built the 3 tall game plan with repeat forward entries and locking it in, which was successful for last 4-5 years. He can surely mimick what is successful right now in GWS, Sydney, Geelong, Carlton model and come up with his own. It's a bit like F1, all cars will go through mods once season starts and try to play catch up to the front runner for the year. By mid-season multiple cars will have bits n pieces resembling the front runner, whether it's side pods, front wing, rear wing etc. There is no shame in doing the same in AFL, game plan wise. We may not have the exact like for like players, but try and build something in 2024 which can be perfected in 2025.

Unfortunately we are an 80s Holden Camira and the Giants are an F1 McLaren.

 

[mpal6]

Unfortunately we are an 80s Holden Camira and the Giants are an F1 McLaren.

Haha, it's not that dire to be honest. Its like that saying "things are never as good or as bad as its perceived". We have a 2 time brownlow medallist in the middle along with some strong talent in their prime age - Dunkley, McCluggage, Bailey etc. We have a good pipeline too - Ashcroft brothers, Fletcher and so on. Our defense and spine are pretty good and at a minimum finals worthy.

We just need a change in attitude and drop the "woe is me" mindset. Sure we came in ready to start at grand final again and wanting to skip the home n away season. Well we are where we are now and the players as well as the coach can decide what they want to salvage out of it.

This is a mature squad, should be able to embrace and adapt a new game plan however difficult it may be. If we latch on to something new, we will be pretty scary to play against in the second half of this season.

I don't fear a single team from ladder leader Geelong to the very bottom if we come back with the right mindset. We are a very strong offensive team with AA worthy talent in every line, unfortunately the team seems to have forgotten this bit.

 

[bungalow_bill]

How many teams have lost the grand final and not had a down year the following season?

 

[M Malice]

I want an undefeated May in 2024.

May 5 v Suns(H) W
May 12 v Crows(A) W
May 18 v Tigers(H) W
May 26 v Hawks(A) W

Win all 4 we go into the bye with a 6-5 W/L record and all is not so gloomy and we can refresh for the race to the finals

 

[Dalions]

A Premiership
Still possible!

 

[dlanod]

A Premiership
Still possible!

I'm on board!

 

[Elixuh]

I want an undefeated May in 2024.

May 5 v Suns(H) W
May 12 v Crows(A) W
May 18 v Tigers(H) W
May 26 v Hawks(A) W

Win all 4 we go into the bye with a 6-5 W/L record and all is not so gloomy and we can refresh for the race to the finals

I like the dynamic we are in.

First 4 days after these crippling losses is:
We’re never going to win a game again
Rebuild
Trade players for picks
Sack the coach

Then as we get into the week:
We may never lose another game
If we can just win the next 11 in a row we should make finals.

 

[Nunez]

I like the dynamic we are in.

First 4 days after these crippling losses is:
We’re never going to win a game again
Rebuild
Trade players for picks
Sack the coach

Then as we get into the week:
We may never lose another game
If we can just win the next 11 in a row we should make finals.

Spoken like a man who's been Fatwa'd. Enjoying the little things!

 

[Elixuh]

Spoken like a man who's been Fatwa'd. Enjoying the little things!

I’ve not got much time left, I must think positively about my circumstances

 

[Nunez]

I’ve not got much time left, I must think positively about my circumstances

I will miss you Larry.

 

[Grasshopper17]

How many teams have lost the grand final and not had a down year the following season?

Every team to have lost a Grand Final by 40 points or more since 1995 has either failed to make the finals the following year or failed to win a final even if they made it. Sydney reached the top 4 in 2015 but went out in straight sets.

Of the rest:

Geelong made a Preliminary Final in 2021
Collingwood made a Preliminary Final in 2019
Sydney made a Semi Final in 2017
Fremantle went out in straight sets in 2014
Hawthorn won the flag in 2013
Collingwood made a Preliminary Final in 2012
St Kilda made 2 Grand Finals in 2010
Geelong won the flag in 2009
Sydney made an Elimination Final in 2007
West Coast won the flag in 2006
Collingwood made the Grand Final in 2003
Essendon made a Semi Final in 2002
Carlton made a Preliminary Final in 2000
North Melbourne won the flag in 1999
St Kilda went out in straight sets in 1998
Sydney made the finals in 1997

I think that's enough. Right now we're a pretty clear outrider... A mentally fragile one at that.

 

[Gadzorks]

Please please please no more injuries.

And with the kids off the leash we will get energy galore, some absolute shocking (funny/heart breaking) stuff ups mixed in with moments of future glory.

Spectating is easier - not premiership points watching, so can enjoy the games as they unfold. A bit circa 2019.

 

[DevRoboGun]

This team below (available in September) can still win the flag IMO:

Lester Andrews Starcevich
Wilmot Payne Zorko
Berry Dunkley McCluggage
Bailey Hipwood Rayner
Charlie Daniher Lohmann
Oscar Neale Ashcroft

Fletcher McKenna Ah Chee Dev

Tunstill

 

[Full Wingspan]

This team below (available in September) can still win the flag IMO:

Lester Andrews Starcevich
Wilmot Payne Zorko
Berry Dunkley McCluggage
Bailey Hipwood Rayner
Charlie Daniher Lohmann
Oscar Neale Ashcroft

Fletcher McKenna Ah Chee Dev

Tunstill

The losses of Dizzy, Linc, Doedee and Kiddy have been a true punch to the guts, but I absolutely agree with you. We are still a very capable side and our losses this season (save for the GWS 2nd half blowout, which is explainable given the 5-day turnaround after a wet slog-fest) haven't been that bad against pretty decent opposition.

The lapses, 3qt fadeouts, inaccuracy in front of goal and the ability for other teams to get a run on have definitely been a lowlight and cause for concern - however these things can be addressed.

The performance against Melbourne at the G and the re-emergence of Zorko as a creative and damaging half back have been some highlights, as well as the opportunity for some of the younger talent on our list to get an opportunity. The win on the weekend should have been 100 points had we kicked straight and would have been even more extraordinary given the circumstances. A gutsy performance when our season was definitely on the line.

I recall Brendan Bolton (during his time as Hawthorn's caretaker) discussing their mindset of when 1 soldier goes down, another steps up to fill the role. This approach has Fagan written all over it and he will be backing the inclusions to get the job done. As big a loss each player has been, we have been able to:

• Fill Kiddy's role with someone as equally (if not more) damaging in Zorko
• Doedee and Dizzy were largely absent from the side in 2023
• Will be likely to cover Linc's high-half forward role (medium sized forward with good decision making and contested marking ability) with Ah-Chee (who has been on the fringe and a real swing-man in recent years)

We also have the inclusions of Bailey, Ashcroft and Dev to look forward to which will improve our side with class and experience. Assuming a better run of injuries until September, the current injury 'crisis' will at least give our depth some decent exposure and preparation if they need to be called upon again. I am really excited to get a look at some of the emerging talent on our list and I believe we have enough experience across all lines to 'carry' these younger players i.e. we have not hit the point of critical mass (just yet).

Premierships aren't won in April/May. Although our season is in a precarious position, if we could manage to make finals or even a first week home final, we're in with a genuine chance for a flag.

There's still plenty of (lion) left in this fight.

 

[Nuggo]

That team needs more Bruce! Field kicking was sublime for a first game.

 

[Full Wingspan]

Good post; agree with all of it; shame in a lot of ways which is obviously stating the bleeding obvious is if only we’d won a couple of those we should have such as Carlton game and I think Cats game I think we’d come close to finals. It’s not insurmountable if we still win this week and the following few before the bye that we’ll get reinforcements such as Zac, Cal, Starc and Dev and perhaps Will later again that we could make finals and I bet our opponents would be very nervous getting a wounded Lions come finals even on their home deck. Our best is still to exceptional if we can rediscover it.

This season has a bit of the 2003 "doing it the hard way" feel to it. Alternatively, it may well be a 'close but not quite' year which is okay - the key pillars of our side are still quite young and it could be a bit of one step back, two steps forward kind of year.

I was very happy with the decision making and foot skills from Bruce. I hope he can build his tank because we need quality ball users like that.

A real test against Adelaide this week though. We can't afford to waste our opportunities. I'm hoping there is a bit of post-showdown/Sloane retirement hangover which might help our cause. I honestly thought the Crows would be thereabouts this year. They gave us a lot of trouble when we played them last season.