Training 2023 Pre-season thread

[lionraven]

Judging from all the preseason reactions, we should just submit the whole list bar defence for All Australian nomination. What could have been if Ryan Bastinac

Ryan Bastinac

Age

33

Ht

184cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.2

5star

K

10.0

4star

HB

9.2

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.0

5star

CL

2.6

4star

No current season stats available

D

18.8

5star

K

10.8

4star

HB

8.0

5star

M

3.4

4star

T

3.6

5star

CL

2.6

5star

was still alive on our list. Rest well, sweat prince. Gone too soon but NEVER forgotten.

 

[Viceregal]

Judging from all the preseason reactions, we should just submit the whole list bar defence for All Australian nomination. What could have been if Ryan Bastinac was still alive on our list. Rest well, sweat prince. Gone too soon but NEVER forgotten.

Who was Ryan Bastinac?

 

[Section 5]

All smiles for Big O as Lions' new mids are unleashed

Oscar McInerney is excited to be working with new Lions Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft in the midfield

www.afl.com.au

 

[Mighty Lions]

Exactamondo. It's just a pity the game isn't played on paper, or we'd be world beaters.

It bemuses me the consistent flak Zorko seems to cop around these pages. Sure, he is prone to the odd melt-down. Personally I put it down to the frustration he must sometimes feel about the commitment levels he perceives from those around him. From bigger people. I forgive him the occasional transgression. One thing you can never throw at him is a lack of endeavour. Reminds me a bit of the crap Robinson routinely copped when to my uneducated eye he was often one of the few having a red hot go whatever the circumstances.

As to our backline, Blind Freddy could see we had real problems off the back half last season and before. Unless we correct this it's difficult to see how we might take a further step forward. Let's hope.

It bemuses me the consistent flak Zorko seems to cop around these pages. Please provide the posts where Zorko is receiving consistent flak. I must have missed it. In my opinion, a fit & dialed in Zorko is very important to our chances this season, same as Rich which I have mentioned several times.

As to our backline, Blind Freddy could see we had real problems off the back half last season and before. Did Blind Freddy also see that our backline's struggles primarily came from the way the ball came into our oppositions forward 50 where they had almost no chance of stopping? I dont see our back half being so much better than the 2 last seasons but I do see our overall defence all over the ground improving significantly which inturn helps our defenders big time.
Let's hope we get some luck with injuries. On paper (which is all you can go on now until the season starts right? ) we are pretty strong and should no doubt be one of the strong favorites before round 1 commences. As a Lions supporter, I'm fortunate to see the potential of this team and I am excited for what the season can potentially bring. Exactamondo again.

 

[Saucery]

I think Berry is ideal to be used to negate a third tall or a mid sized forward. I’ve been flogging this option all summer. He has a defensive mindset, proved this on Oliver in the 2022 finals. He’s big enough at 192 cm, about the same as Gardiner, Adams and Lester. That’s the same basic size as Stewart and Henry at Geelong or Vlastuin or Grimes at Richmond. He’s got a bit of that backman mongrel about him too.
I know just about every armchair expert has him on the wing this year, but there are plenty of other options for the wing. With the arrival of Dunkley and the development of Robertson, there should be improved midfield defence without relying on Berry.
I’d like to see greater flexibility and thought this year.

I'd love to see the crash bros at work in the back line, Starc and Berry!

 

[martinson]

It bemuses me the consistent flak Zorko seems to cop around these pages. Please provide the posts where Zorko is receiving consistent flak. I must have missed it. In my opinion, a fit & dialed in Zorko is very important to our chances this season, same as Rich which I have mentioned several times.

As to our backline, Blind Freddy could see we had real problems off the back half last season and before. Did Blind Freddy also see that our backline's struggles primarily came from the way the ball came into our oppositions forward 50 where they had almost no chance of stopping? I dont see our back half being so much better than the 2 last seasons but I do see our overall defence all over the ground improving significantly which inturn helps our defenders big time.
Let's hope we get some luck with injuries. On paper (which is all you can go on now until the season starts right? ) we are pretty strong and should no doubt be one of the strong favorites before round 1 commences. As a Lions supporter, I'm fortunate to see the potential of this team and I am excited for what the season can potentially bring. Exactamondo again.

I don't disagree with anything you said Mighty Lions but if you go back to the Melbourne game last year where Zorks got hung out to dry some regular posters who had been having sly digs at him over time came out with with some quite derogatory and demeaning content that painted him as the worst Captain and example to mankind ever to pull on a footy boot. It was totally unedifying and telling.

Ever since I've been on here there's been a general under appreciation of what he's done for the club both as a player and a Captain.

That's how I see it. Likewise it'd be a crucial factor for us this year if he could be fit and firing. He's not getting any younger so I'm hopeful . I'd like to see him relinquish the captaincy so he can focus solely in his footy in what is going to be his last year I would imagine.

Barring unforeseen circumstances and injuries this looks like the year where we have most of the pieces in place.

 

[pod17]

Might have been mentioned earlier in these pages, but from the photos posted of training and games, it’s noticeable how fit Hipwood looks. He has all the tools to really damage sides - as he did a couple of times coming back from a knee (which is no mean feat for a taller player like him).

Really looking forward to what he can deliver after a strong preseason and entering his prime. His tackling efforts and desire to impact the contest were noticeable additions later in the year. I wouldn’t be surprised by a 50 goal season (fitness permitting).

 

[BRAB]

Judging from all the preseason reactions, we should just submit the whole list bar defence for All Australian nomination. What could have been if Ryan Bastinac was still alive on our list. Rest well, sweat prince. Gone too soon but NEVER forgotten.

Absolute King.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Who was Ryan Bastinac?

BRAB, tell this lost soul of ours about the legend of Ryan Bastinac and his holy influence on the Brisbane Lions

 

[SizeMatters]

Rich is cooked. Probably won’t be best 22 by mid way into the season. I’ll bookmark this.

 

[BrainOfMorbius]

Rich is cooked. Probably won’t be best 22 by mid way into the season. I’ll bookmark this.

Easier to find it when you need to delete it?

 

[BangyBangy]

Rich is cooked. Probably won’t be best 22 by mid way into the season. I’ll bookmark this.

He's a decent cook. Are you looking for his recipes?

 

[briztoon]

It bemuses me the consistent flak Zorko seems to cop around these pages. Please provide the posts where Zorko is receiving consistent flak. I must have missed it. In my opinion, a fit & dialed in Zorko is very important to our chances this season, same as Rich which I have mentioned several times.

As to our backline, Blind Freddy could see we had real problems off the back half last season and before. Did Blind Freddy also see that our backline's struggles primarily came from the way the ball came into our oppositions forward 50 where they had almost no chance of stopping? I dont see our back half being so much better than the 2 last seasons but I do see our overall defence all over the ground improving significantly which inturn helps our defenders big time.
Let's hope we get some luck with injuries. On paper (which is all you can go on now until the season starts right? ) we are pretty strong and should no doubt be one of the strong favorites before round 1 commences. As a Lions supporter, I'm fortunate to see the potential of this team and I am excited for what the season can potentially bring. Exactamondo again.

Apparently we had the best luck last year, in regards to injury.

 

[martinson]

Apparently we had the best luck last year, in regards to injury.View attachment 1602158

It's true.

Though we had narrative going that some of our guys were carrying injury issues. Daniher , Gardiner , Zorko , well that was obvious , Rich, Andrews , Hipwood in recovery mode , Rayner just getting himself right , that's off the top of my head.

As the year progresses many players are carrying something ,especially the older ones.

 

[Section 5]

Apparently we had the best luck last year, in regards to injury.View attachment 1602158

No wonder Eagles were crap

 

[jfn]

I'd love to see the crash bros at work in the back line, Starc and Berry!

Starcevich Payne Berry
Coleman Andrews McKenna

as a starting back six.

Payne looks the part. Imposing size. Looks like an AFL full back. Just needs to get that full back mongrel mojo.
Rich on the bench to interchange with Coleman and do the kicking in.
Wilmot interchanging with McKenna for speed and breaking the lines. I also can see these two spending periods further up the ground.
Rayner as an option to spend time in the back six, as he is doing in the interclub games, to cover the Starcevich and Berry role.
It also sounds like Joyce is impressing in the practice games. He might be a handy pick up, and i wouldn't be surprised if he got a game or two this year.
That leaves Gardiner and Lester as versatile back ups, plus a few others in the twos. And in any given game when a backline SOS is needed, Gunston can fill in.

A lot has been said about the lack of depth on the backline. There's a fair bit of flexibility and talent there. I think it's coming together quite well.

 

[nup]

Might have been mentioned earlier in these pages, but from the photos posted of training and games, it’s noticeable how fit Hipwood looks. He has all the tools to really damage sides - as he did a couple of times coming back from a knee (which is no mean feat for a taller player like him).

Really looking forward to what he can deliver after a strong preseason and entering his prime. His tackling efforts and desire to impact the contest were noticeable additions later in the year. I wouldn’t be surprised by a 50 goal season (fitness permitting).

definitely, he is going to be pivotal.

 

[M Malice]

Luck does come into some injuries but you can not underestimate the positive impact of an elite medical and rehabilitation team.

Also I wonder if they counted in the Cats statistics the players that were managed/rested.

 

[Berrygood]

I'd love to see the crash bros at work in the back line, Starc and Berry!

Isn't Gardiner hard enough for ya? Starce n Darce is enough crash back there. Let's keep some of it in the guts where needed.

 

[Kernel Kurtz]

I don’t believe we’re overhyping ourselves.

We should be premiership favourites, in my eyes. Geelong and Melbourne up there as well.

Yes it’s very hard to win it all, but we’re in the best position we have been, for nigh on 20 years, to have a red hot crack.

It’ll come down to luck and injury, as it does for most top clubs.

Luck and injuries, yep you need the better side of those scenerios.
Few more tweeks as well.
The talk of being more defensive or accountable, is certainly a big step if we do actually take another step.
The other thing in our game for years now has been territory footy.
If we can move the ball slicker in other words more uncontested then that will be our rise to the top imo. .

It will come down to our SPREAD in attack and defending, little movement or willingless to defend or attack the whole park has been our weakness.
Bottom line if we are more defensively minded then we have to cover the park with team defence or another word is COVER defence.
Someone cover space if we move the ball forward, don't leave us open if we loose possession.
Still a lot to improve from our previous years , also still worried about how Harris , Dizzy will cover the ground when it's there turn.
The other frustrating thing in the past which directly controls keeping possession is refusing to kick to the shorter lead and then kick long to a contest to only loose the footy.
Our players on paper has improved , let's see if we have tweeked our gameplan enough?

 

[Mighty Lions]

Ashcroft a lock for Round 1. If form is any indication of how good this young man actually is, he will make Nick Daicos look ordinary. His workrate is elite in all aspects of any game he's played including tackling.

 

[Quigley]

It's true.

Though we had narrative going that some of our guys were carrying injury issues. Daniher , Gardiner , Zorko , well that was obvious , Rich, Andrews , Hipwood in recovery mode , Rayner just getting himself right , that's off the top of my head.

As the year progresses many players are carrying something ,especially the older ones.

Personally I think we suffered because we continued to carry guys who were injured. In hindsight it probably would have been better to rest them when needed and see if they could come good.

 

[M Malice]

Ashcroft a lock for Round 1. If form is any indication of how good this young man actually is, he will make Nick Daicos look ordinary. His workrate is elite in all aspects of any game he's played including tackling.

Nick Daicos was sensational(he is elite by foot) in 2022 albeit in a completely different role than Ashcroft will play, if Will makes Nick's 2022 look ordinary that would some effort.

Sam Walsh's debut season was also pretty impressive.

 

[Section 5]

Ashcroft a lock for Round 1. If form is any indication of how good this young man actually is, he will make Nick Daicos look ordinary. His workrate is elite in all aspects of any game he's played including tackling.

If Nic Daicos continues his 1st year form i doubt anyone makes him look ordinary.
Agree that Will Ashcroft plays round 1 and most of the year.
Daicos and Ashcroft are lucky in that they both went to clubs that made the 8 in 2022 and both get good on field player support.
We all have high hopes for Will. He could end up being the Lions 2nd rising star winner.
I hope he gets through his 1st year injury free and along with Dunkley solves our midfield class depth.

 

[Grasshopper17]

It will come down to our SPREAD in attack and defending, little movement or willingless to defend or attack the whole park has been our weakness.
Bottom line if we are more defensively minded then we have to cover the park with team defence or another word is COVER defence.
Someone cover space if we move the ball forward, don't leave us open if we loose possession.

This is the other thing about improving your defensive structure... It means when you do get the ball you are prepared to take more risks, whether that's moving the ball quickly or taking that short option, because you're trusting your defence to be well set if we turn it over.

Last year Fages and others spoke about slowing down our attack a bit to help us lock the ball forward, but I reckon it was as much as anything about giving our defence more time to get set behind the ball. This approach is robbing Peter to pay Paul a bit and is not how we want to play.

Not everyone can or will be involved in a forward thrust, so those not involved need to immediately switch to "defence mode" while we still have the ball.