In the second of a club-by-club series, we look at how Michael Voss upended Brisbane’s list chasing one more flag.
BRISBANE LIONS
Live selections: 27, 47, 73, 84, 91
Rookie promotion selections: 95 (Pearce Hanley)
It is blindingly obvious that coach Michael Voss has taken the view that the top end of his list has another flag in them, which has led to a clean-out of the lower ranks and a splurge on the trade market to force his way into top four contention once again. After his game of 52 Card Pickup, the Lions list looks nothing like it did last year.
Despite the hype over the forward line trade shenanigans, the most apparent result of this is in the key defenders, where the Lions have lost five of the seven in last year’s starting depth chart, with only Joel Patfull and Daniel Merrett remaining. The loss of the perfectly serviceable Joel Macdonald for nothing is particularly mystifying, but then again I’m not a three-time premiership captain, so what would I know. What surprises me is that among the five senior players that Voss traded for, none was a tall defender. More than any other of the holes in the Lions’ charts, this is the one that I think will be targeted for a mature-age recruit. It fits Voss’ mood for him to be looking at mature-agers from lower leagues, in addition to the recycled players he has already jumped on. Names like Matt Maguire and Mitch Thorp have already been worked over on Lion fan boards, though I suspect Voss might have a smokie lined up. Perhaps the new CHB might already be on their list… one of their ruckmen, perhaps, such as Jared Brennan? Or young Tom Collier, who is currently in as good a position as any to be the next Sam Gilbert at the Lions. It’s a big unanswered question at this stage.
Lion fans, when they aren’t bitching about the new Paddlepop Lion logo, are also worried about Brisbane’s lack of a small crumbing forward. This is a perennial complaint of at least half the fans in the AFL about their team, but it is true that the Lions lost a little something when they delisted Rhan Hooper and to a lesser extent Scott Harding. This is probably an area which has been laid out for Justin Sherman to exploit on a rotational basis, the same way that the likes of Leon Davis and Patrick Dangerfield did in 2009 to great effect. Nevertheless, without a dedicated forward under 180cm there is a weakness there in what is now called frontal pressure, which may have Voss searching for a mature-bodied Daniel Chick type in the draft.
chadwick
November 19, 2009 at 10:54 am
Interesting write up. The backline is something i will keep an eye on in the NAB. Certainly should be DT relevant.
wceagles
November 19, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Collier would be an interesting DT prospect I honestly havent heard his name mentioned prior to now.
Quigley
November 19, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Hey Mont
Macdonald himself identified Collier a few months ago as the guy who was going to take his spot. He will play as a third tall / rebounding defender. He is by no means assured of a spot though especially with all of the new acquisitions.
If Clark goes to CHB (I hope not but if) seriously consider Patfull for SC. Playing as the loose man he can get a lot of it.
Up front the big bodied smalls will be Polkinghorne and Buchanan who will both split time in the midfield. The guy to keep an eye on and who is easily the most dangerous crumbing option is Rockliff. Keep an eye on him in the preseason. Staker was also told he would split time between HF and the midfield with Brennan. There is a shortage of speed up front but I think there are enough options that if they don’t recruit that small speedy guy it will not be the end of the world.
If we pick an in and under particularly a mature aged one jump on board because that is a significant for us and there is a spot there waiting to be taken.
m0nty
November 19, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Good to see you on here Quigs, as the most authoritative fan source on Brisbane players – and we don’t get much out of Lion fan boards, which are poorly populated. Listen to this bloke and learn, commenters.
My question is: exactly who is Collier fighting with on the depth chart? Xavier Clarke and Andrew Raines have more experience, but neither of them can play on a third tall, can they? Is Charman any chance to be rotated through the backline, Robert Campbell style? The Hawks seemed to rotate their ruckmen through the backline this year, maybe both Brisbane and Essendon will do the same with Ryder and Clark next year.
Disco DB
November 25, 2009 at 9:49 pm
“I’m not a three-time premiership captain, so what would I know”
ahahaha! Love it @m0nty.
Won’t Buchanan bring the frontal pressure? ‘Mature bodied’ exactly as you described.
m0nty
November 25, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Buchanan is a midfielder these days.
Narkee
November 26, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I had my eyes on Collier for the 2009 DT Season as he had a couple of good NAB games. I’m glad I didn’t pick him but maybe 2010 is his year!?!?
Quigley
November 27, 2009 at 6:16 pm
With Maguire being picked up I expect Patfull will play the third forward role. Clark is another option being thrown around as a tall at the back although I don’t agree with that myself.
Staker might be an option as well although he is likely to start up forward. Cornelius did well last year and would also be a chance for a game or two next year and he played in the backs when he had a chance this year.
Voss also could go shorter in some games depending on match ups.
All in all I really like Collier but he is by no means a surety to play 22 next year.
For those SC people out there I would seriously be looking at Patfull next year.