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In Brisbane's first preliminary final since 2004, let's look at how they got here and how they'll win. I don't know how deep the…
You have to take this article with a grain of salt as most of it was thought up prior to the horrendous loss against…
For my birthday last December I got two presents: an RACQ membership and the news that Hugh McCluggage had re-signed with the Lions. I…
There is electricity in the Brisbane air. The back half of the season saw the Lions finally start to generate some buzz around their…
Well we get them both at the Gabba and let me tell you: it’s bloody hot up here! And the Lions may be 4 n 0 at that stage so anything’s possible
Eight talking points from AFL Round 1
I know right!! From 27 points down at quarter time too! 14 goals to 2 will do that. So will shutting down their clinical ball spread. The new recruits were worth every penny! Cameron is a star. The young brigade has the belief, the skill and the legs to make their mark this season. Believe the hype
Eight talking points from AFL Round 1
The Ladder after round 1:
1. Coniglio for the Brownlow?
2. A Ross Lyon team scoring 141? WTF?!
3. Believe the hype!
4. Well we all knew Clarko was a genius.
5. Time to find out if Dimma’s a genius
6. Some great drafting last year.
7. Got their bite back.
8. We’re not done yet.
9. Phew! That was close!
10. Doh! We were so close.
11. So this is what a tough draw looks like.
12. 0-6 isn’t new to us.
13. Flat track bullies.
14. The signs are there so keep the faith.
15. Maybe we should have gone on a camp.
16. Damn it was hot over there!
17. Witches hats.
18. Don’t believe the hype.
Eight talking points from AFL Round 1
QUEENSLANDAAAHHHHH!! = Crush everyone south and west of the border. We don’t need fanfare, tickertape parades or back page headlines. Just The Underdog tag and the cup at the end of it all
Seven AFL talking points from the JLT Series week two
You get WiFi in your cell??
I need to get a transfer
Why Brisbane will win the 2019 AFL premiership
McCluggage overrated??? Have you watched him in heavy traffic?? He’s like Joey John’s. Runs with the ball held in both hands, steps off both feet and delivers pin point passes. Bob’s up for a goal regularly too. He’s certainly not in the same league as Cripps but nor was he ever compared to him. Let’s see where he sits at seasons end huh?
2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions
I don’t see Taylor as having any upside. He’d have to take a big step up in not turning it over to warrant a long term future. Great vision but tries to be cute with it often hitting opponents lace out. Witherden and McCluggage are much better ball users. Rayner and Cameron too. So too is McCarthy from the 1 game I’ve seen.
Depth player for mine
2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions
I’m absolutely certain Stef will get plenty of games. He will probably miss round 1 as he comes back from a lay off. Stef’s weakness tho is centre bounces. He’s not overly tall nor can he jump. Archie can do both so will see quite a few games this season to advance his learning. He’s been playing all the intraclubs as no1 and has built a rapport with Neale and Lions so is good to go.
2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions
That’s gunna be the trick as always Cam. Who will come from the clouds ala WCE or fall to their knees ala Crows. It wont be Port in my eyes but stranger things have happened. Such as the last 3 years
2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions
Mitch only got a 1 year contract extension. I dare say he’s not in Fages long term plans. He’s certainly needed this year tho and maybe next, but only to allow the kids time to come on. Someone will definitely pinch his spot for a game or 2 this year as our depth is all inexperienced.
2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions
My round 1 starting line up:
Hodge and Walker can play 3rd tall in defence. Bailey adds some leg speed.
Charlie can help in the middle but I think most of our goals will come from smaller types. Berry and McCluggage will cement their spots in the middle.
Fages really likes the 3 talls, 3 smalls in the forward line and plenty of speed. All 3 smalls can pack mark it too.
B: Luke Hodge, Darcy Gardiner, Alex Witherden
HB: Zac Bailey, Harris Andrews, Daniel Rich
C: Dayne Zorko, Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage
HF: Cam Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Lincoln McCarthy
F: Charlie Cameron, Daniel McStay, Oscar McInerny
Foll: Archie Smith, Jarryd Lyons, Jarrod Berry
Int: Allen Christensen, Rhys Mathieson, Josh Walker, Mitch Robinson
2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions
According to a report I read, both Smith and Stef play like number 1 ruckmen. Stef can play midfield but neither can hold up an end in defence or attack. That’s why Oscar will play all season
2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions
Ballanden played the last quarter and took a couple of marks. Slow burner but has attributes and size. Would hope he gets a few senior games this year
2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions
Oh and Cam!
The Big Oscar McInerney will start every game this year. He’s locked in as the Lions pinch hit ruckman and should improve on taking 2 contested mark’s a game. He will bob up for goals and crash plenty of packs too.
2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions
The JLT match provided a good hit out. What the Hawks lacked in experience they made up for in defensive pressure for decent chunks of the game. As the day wore on you could see the Lions click into gear with quick, precise ball movement and lots of quality inside 50’s.
I was well impressed with McCarthy.
He kicked goals, set them up, crashed packs and had the most tackles for the game. Touch wood his body holds up. Archie Smith took another step forward and may well be number 1 ruck to start the season. McCluggage is like a fine bottle of scotch, ageing to perfection. Watching him weave through traffic will become the norm this year. Mathieson got plenty of the ball and it will be interesting to see if he can maintain that consistantly.
I’m not getting my hope’s up this year, everyone’s still learning. 8 wins would be acceptable but a few more is not out of reach. Keep the percentage on the rise, win a couple of close ones and unearth a few more stars on the rise would be a good outcome.
2019 AFL season preview: Brisbane Lions
Great write up as always Josh. Lots to be excited about.
The Lions should go 2 n 0 vs the Hawks again this year after dismantling their reserves team. As good as the new recruits were, the likes of McCluggage, Rayner, Mathieson, Smith and Witherden all played well too so signs are good for the top 8.
Blues supporters will definitely have Walsh and Cripps posters taking centre stage in the pool room come round one. Hope they don’t choke!
Angus Brayshaw is now captain of my fantasy teams. Just sayin
Ten AFL talking points from JLT week one
After reading the entire article and all the comments, I’m still chuckling about Buddy’s defined field position:
“Last year’s Coleman medallist and eventual leading goal kicker, Riewoldt has been rated as the best key forward in the game (Lance Franklin’s position is ‘Lance Franklin’ for what it’s worth).”
The Roar AFL Top 50 2019: 10-1
I did.
And the answer to my question: When was the last time Aus won an Ashes in England with Anderson opening the bowling?
Is: Never.
Cameron Bancroft's ton was a timely reminder
Based on what??
When was the last time Aus won an Ashes in England with Anderson opening the bowling?
Would that be Never???
Perhaps you need to do some research Don.
http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Series/SeriesListCountry.asp?A=AUS&B=ENG&W=X
Cameron Bancroft's ton was a timely reminder
The only ones exaggerating it were the channel 7 replays of him getting out caught in the infield all summer.
I don’t doubt the guy can bat and when he learns to pace his innings will post some big tons from the top of the order as he did yesterday.
However, we all know Anderson and co will have watched those replays too and come up with a clinical plan on how to dismiss him.
Why feed the guy to the wolves when he can bat with Smith at 2nd drop and learn the craft from a master?
With so many options in the openers slots someone’s going to be unlucky.
Would you take 2nd drop on an Ashes tour over 12th man???
Cameron Bancroft's ton was a timely reminder
So Harris smashed 174 off 198 to down the Bulls with 4.4 overs to spare.
Having watched him all summer I didn’t think he was suited to opening at test level. Goes for elevated cut shots while the balls still moving and the fields in catching positions.
Now I have questions: didn’t Steve Smith drop to 4 to allow Ussie to go first drop?
With no Ussie, would Steve bat at 3?
Wouldn’t then, to an older ball, Harris slot into 4 and benefit?
Warner/Burns
Bancroft/Renshaw
Smith
Harris
Patterson
Head
Cummins
Paine
Starc
Lion
Hazelwood etc
Cameron Bancroft's ton was a timely reminder
“What I have included here is the four factors applied to the players in the 2018 grand final and ranked those players in terms of offensive contributions only.”
So, aaaah, can we see the rankings?
The four offensive factors in Australian football
I agree with that.
Warner cracked under the public attention he copped in RSA. Cracked to the point he decided to cheat.
The British tabloids won’t be any less harsh or irresponsible in their personal attacks on him in the midst of an Ashes series. He may well prove to be a liability if he’s not prepared to cop it.
After demolishing Sri Lanka at home, here's how Australia's Ashes squad is shaping up
I believe Ryan Burton was drafted as a forward.
Sure his time down back has been his most fruitful, but if the shoe fits he could end up forward again if no one comes along.
Clarko has his work cut out for him during the trade period. He needs to find some value and trade out some old heads for draft currency. He’s proven he doesnt need top 10 picks to strike gold but he does need picks.
It will be interesting to see how he plays his cards
Hawthorn's list is at a crossroads – here's what the club can do
“when they are too busy fumbling, dropping easy marks, overrunning ground balls and handballing to no one.”
This happened a LOT. Even the Tiges got in on the act
Eight talking points from AFL Round 1