Lions Review to date.

[Ringo]

As this is my 10,000th counted post thought it appropriate to post in this board.

With all the off season dramas seemingly resolved and Leppa as coach we looked towards the 2014 season with much promise.

Matthews appointment to Board showing benefits and we await appointment of CEO in the coming weeks. There is still some dissatisfaction with Board and hopefully will be resolved soon to allow club to move on, Main contentious issue is the move to Springfield and Chairman's perceived conflict of interest.

The AFL did not hand us a very favourable draw and as such we were comprehensibly by Hawthorne in our first round match. We showed plenty of promise in our second match and first match at home against Geelong. 

We have been a very inconsistent team with promising displays one week followed by very insipid displays the next. Do not think I am being too harsh in saying the Senior players did not stand up when it counted to provide leadership with a few missing in action. May be harsh but my observations.  Real low point being 2 weeks ago when we lost to GWS for the first time. For the first time in a couple of seasons I was tempted to leave before end of the game due to efforts being put in.

Injuries to key players in Rich and Berger, with Staker and McGrath yet to play this season, have played a part but are not the sole reason for our current position. This required the playing of a number of youngsters earlier than required and highlighting the gaps left by the go home boys.

However despite the dire circumstances there have been some encouraging signs from young players:
James Aish has got star written all over him,
Nick Robertson is not afraid to get down and dirty and will be a handy player in the future.
"Squizzy" Taylor has joined the mosquito brigade and his combination with Zorko and Green is great to see,
Gardiner has held down a key defensive position and looks strong.
Cutler has shown some good signs and will benefit from the experience.
Paporone continues to develop as a forward but will he be brownies replacement/
Mayes continued his strong development and is an essential part of our 22.
Justin Clarke continued his development and cemented himself as a defender and allowing Sauce to go forward.
Close needs to exert himself more to stay in the 22.

Disappointments: Lisle and Paine failed to grasp the opportunity to cement a forward position. Golby not going on with what was promised last year, Moloney dropping off in form, Beams not coming back from injury as strong as expected.  Not his fault but do not think Harwood was given the opportunity he should have had.

Promising signs for the future.  Would like to see Johno Freeman get a run prior to season end just to see how he would go as a KPP Forward. Rockliff has leadership written all over him.  When fit a midfield of Rich, Reddan, Rockliff, Hanley, Aish. Mayes is pretty handy.

What for the future:
Obviously now with Browns retirement we need to use our first draft pick on a forward and hopefully McCartin or Hugh Goddard will be available at our pick. If we pass on these then our recruiters need sacking.

So overall still in a rebuilding phase but think we will show vast improvement next year with games into draftees and some experience returning.

Sorry for the length but needed a quality post for this milestone.

[nrich102]

Good write up ringo, agree with most of what you said.

On Paparone, He looks a lot better playing through the midfield imo.

Unfortunately we are going through a rebuild of a rebuild, which is never a good place to be, as we saw at Melbourne in the last few years. Whats your opinion on our best 22 this far into the season?

My go at it is;

FB: Maguire, Clarke, Patful
HB: Harwood, Gardiner, Adcock
C: Hanley, Rich, Aish
R: Leuenberger, Rockliff, Redden
HF: Zorko, Paparone, Green
FF: Staker, Merrett, West

INT: Mayes, Close, Taylor
SUB: McGrath

Oh, and btw Ringo, congrats on getting Legend status ;)

[Nige]

McGrath and Close over Mayes?

Also, you named West twice.  :P

[nrich102]

McGrath and Close over Mayes?

Also, you named West twice.  :P

Meant to name Mayes where West was on the bench  :-X