A couple of surprises in the latest FF newsletter, so thought I would pull a few bits of interest out for discussion on here. Adelaide DEF B. Smith played 3 NAB for an average (DT) of 47. Significant he got a run in all games. Brisbane FF talks up O'Brien DEF/FWD who averaged 64. Might be that missing pairing for McKernan? Carlton Duigan DEF seems a lock with an av. 74. Curnow MID played all 3 for an av. 59 - one to watch. Hawthorn Matty Suckling DEF put his hand up with an av. 91. When you also consider Cheney, does not look good for Puopolo. Shane Savage MID scored 81 in the final round, enough to stir a few loins. North Richardson FWD with av. 69 looks like a lock. However, Atley MID and Pedersen DEF with 46 and 37 respectively over 3 rounds you would have to rate a bit disappointing. Port Salopek with 95 may have managed to sneak under the Lucas radar. Pittard MID, despite only av. 38 now looks like getting the nod ahead of Irons. Richmond Cotchin out of the blocks early with 99 av., but slight surprise was Nahas with av. 95 - possible FWD POD if you are tempted by mid-pricers. West Coast Darling would appear to be a lock with av. 69. Gaff (42) disappointing given his price. Dogs FF talks up Callan Ward w. av. 85. Yet another mid-priced MID on the cusp.
While O'Brien looked good against the Suns, I'd be surprised to see him play Rd 1. I reckon he will get some games this year, but I think he needs another preseason under his belt before he becomes a regular / has a real impact.
Clark for one, and they gave Lester a run as a FWD in the NAB also. @Terry, Saw that you posted on the Wall that the Hun will be printing SC preseason scores on Monday. Any more info on what format this will have? Their printed match summaries after each NAB cup match (not challenge) had the TOG info, so I'm wondering if they will include this or not. I suspect not, but optimism is called for here! With the crazy numbers of substitutions being used, the preseason stats are going to be an absolute minefield to negotiate unless the TOG info is available.
Pretty sure Saturday Herald Sun has preseason supercoach scores , also some little magaizne where the journo's give their predictions and all kinds of crap.
Nice bit of work Terry, Savage is looking an interesting proporsition @ $110K. Maybe he will get a gig playing off the Hawks bench. Bad news if Irons is going down the list in terms of a Rd1 start! I can't cover the change up to $110 K without a rejig. Would make my last hour or so before game time very testing. Now if they could have only picked Schnieder instead of Milne for that nom. rookie spot, I would be able to relax & enjoy the lead up!
@Corks - I concur with Jason. 1) Brennan didn't often play forward last year. 2) O'Brien hasn't really been playing forward through the NAB - more on the wing. 3) Mitch (who has never looked like a forward to me) will replace Fev. 4) If (big if) there's a spot open, then Lester, who has played well forward through the NAB, will squeeze into it. 5) It is more likely he'll play as a sub for an underdone Brown in Rd 1. 6) Mids (including the likes of Black) will rest forward more than previously. 7) Based off the Suns game, the Lions likely forward line will be comprised of Brown, Clark, Staker, Power, Buchanan and Banfield
@jason Only detail I recall seeing was, 'every player, every stat.' They really were a dog's breakfast during the first round tho', so interesting to see if scores are more realistic during latter rounds (and might just compare them to DT). Hopefully they also end up on their web site eventually. Bit difficult to pick up a copy of the Hun around here. @Bob Still thinking Lester might get a start?
@Terry - IMO Lester has ~80% chance of being at least a sub (particularly with Brown underdone), and maybe a 30% chance for the bench. Others aren't as bullish on him, but I really liked what I saw vs the Suns and he earned plaudits against Melbourne. As early as the Lions AGM (in December) Voss said Lester was a good chance to play early given his "solid legs". My prediction for the Lions team for Rd 1: B: Patfull Merrett McGrath HB: Hanley Maguire Adcock C: Redden Rockliff Raines (tagging) HF: Power Clark Banfield F: Staker Brown Buchanan R: Leuenberger Black Rich Int: Bewick, Polkinghorne, Stiller Sub: Lester (nb: No Beams (in a close call, but in a young team Voss'll likely side with the older bodies of Stiller and Bewick) and no O'Brien. I guess we'll know soon enough.
<blockquote>Quote from TerryinBangkok on March 19, 2011, 16:27 @jason Only detail I recall seeing was, 'every player, every stat.' They really were a dog's breakfast during the first round tho', so interesting to see if scores are more realistic during latter rounds (and might just compare them to DT). Hopefully they also end up on their web site eventually. Bit difficult to pick up a copy of the Hun around here.</blockquote> Fair enough. I've always been intrigued that the Hun website has a different selection of stats to the Hun online area. TOG is in the printed copy, but not online. Same for Ruck hitouts to advantage (%. Suppose it makes buying the paper copy still worth something...
Thanks Bob, I hope those solid legs get a workout because we saw last year what new blood can do at the Lions. Just looking at your 22, might be another major clean out at the end of the year if 50% of these guys don't take the bull by the horns. Jeez, you take JB out and it looks a bit thin. Must bring on a new generation leadership group as well.
<blockquote>Quote from Bob on March 19, 2011, 19:46 My prediction for the Lions team for Rd 1: B: Patfull Merrett McGrath HB: Hanley Maguire Adcock C: Redden Rockliff Raines (tagging) HF: Power Clark Banfield F: Staker Brown Buchanan R: Leuenberger Black Rich Int: Bewick, Polkinghorne, Stiller Sub: Lester (nb: No Beams (in a close call, but in a young team Voss'll likely side with the older bodies of Stiller and Bewick) and no O'Brien. I guess we'll know soon enough.</blockquote> No Polec either I noticed...you don't think he'll get a gig?
<blockquote>Quote from eckie79 on March 19, 2011, 20:10 No Polec either I noticed...you don't think he'll get a gig?</blockquote> IMO, not likely. Just didn't get enough of it through NAB. Again, we'll see soon enough.
<blockquote>Quote from TerryinBangkok on March 19, 2011, 20:02 Thanks Bob, I hope those solid legs get a workout because we saw last year what new blood can do at the Lions. Just looking at your 22, might be another major clean out at the end of the year if 50% of these guys don't take the bull by the horns. Jeez, you take JB out and it looks a bit thin. Must bring on a new generation leadership group as well.</blockquote> Yeah, I'd personally rather see the likes of Beams and Lester get a run before Buchanan, and Voss may well go down that path, but I think it unlikely.
On paper, that is a pretty ordinary "best 22". Has me thinking Brisbane might give GCS and WC a good run for the spoon this year...
Yeah, I didn't want to put Bob in a miserable mood for the season ahead but really, take out Adcock, Redden, Rockliff, Banfield, Brown, Rich, the Burger, Bewick and Lestor and how many clubs would be clambering for a go at the rest? Blackie is a champion, but now needs a softer role. Power has the potential but has been coasting. Clark wants to be a ruckman and some other club may give him the chance. Add to that the fitness cloud over Jed and Brownie.... Drummond is important, but has become a real concern. If I was Michael Voss and knew my future depended on this season with that 22, I'd be joining Fev at the casino.
Hehe...yeah...the Lions drafting from ~'01 through '07 was pretty woeful. Thankfully Hadley seems to know his stuff, so, believe it or not, their list is on the improve, but there are a few lean years ahead. Having said that, while the Lions are yet to lose a game this season I choose to believe they'll perform better than most expect. Hope springs eternal.