Brisbane Lions 2013

[Baron Greenback]

While I'd love to get optimistic about the season ahead, I find it hard to see who the Lions can overtake to make the finals.
I'm confident we'll finish ahead of St Kilda and possibly Essendon, but that's it.

Having said that, there's a core group of young players coming through which they've done well to keep hold of.
Redden, Zorko, Rich, Bewick, Rockliff, Green, Harwood, Golby, Hanley, Beams, Lester and Cornelius all came a long way in 2012.
Rich and Zorko will be the players to watch from the Lions this year.
With Leuenberger to return, plus the addition of Moloney (hopefully 2011 Beamer and not last year's crud), the Lions should show huge improvement.
A full pre-season out of Browny will help too.

I'll be particularly interested to see if guys like Longer and Docherty step up.

My best 22:
F: Green, Brown, Bewick
HF: Zorko, Cornelius, Rockliff
C: Hanley, Rich, Black
HB: Golby, Maguire, Harwood
B: Patfull, Merrett, McGrath
R: Leuenberger, Moloney, Redden
I: Martin, Raines, Adcock, Beams

Players who need to lift in 2013 to keep their spots on the list:
Todd Banfield, Callum Bartlett, James Polkinghorne, Jared Polec, Patrick Karnezis and Jesse O'Brien.
I'm almost inclined to put Jed Adcock on this list. He's been a shadow of his former self the past couple of years. Makes a lot of sloppy mistakes in the back half and doesn't have the pace to match it with small forwards like Betts, Milne. A defining year for Jed I reckon.

I'm predicting 11 wins and 11th spot, with a view to making finals in 2014.

[Squids]

If the lions can get 11 wins then they have had a ripper season. They are a sneaky chance of finals action if they can turn the Gabba into a fortress. If they win 8 games at home they will go close.

Rucks are a bit of a concern, with Luenberger coming back from injury and no Hudson it could be a disaster for them if Luenberger is injured again.


Jordan Lisle should get a few games, was good towards the end of the last year and with a lack of forwards apart from Brown he needs to stand up. I guess he is the second ruckman?

No Staker in your team BG? He is a handy bit player, reminds me a bit of Bret Thorton, not a superstar in any position but plays games if fit.


Minimum of 8 wins is needed for Vossy to keep his job imo.




p.s Mayes is the second AFL listed player that has ran onto the ground with squids. Doubt he will play this year as he will be in the gym for most of it.

[Baron Greenback]

Well they had 10 this season, so 11's not a huge jump.
I just want to see improvement. Every win above 10 is a bonus.
Gotta start being more competitive against teams like North, Richmond, Carlton etc.
If we can beat Adelaide, West Coast, we should be able to match it with them.

They got Martin in from Melbourne as a second ruckman.
Also a bloke called Sam Michael on the list, who's quite tall.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Matt Maguire become a makeshift ruckman again if Leuenberger goes down.

Lisle and Cornelius will be fighting for that forward role I'd imagine.
Cornelius has a better set of hands and kick, but Lisle is more agile and fit.

Don't have Staker in there yet because I'm not sure if he'll command a spot straight away.
Will be valuable if he comes back and plays well though.

Would love to see Mayes play this year.

As for Vossy, so long as they improve and don't go backwards he'll keep his job.
8 wins might be okay so long as they are more competitive in games.

[cheetah]

I think will be the huge surpirse packet this year. Looking at draw might pick a few teams off when traveling 2 the lions den. Really rate the next gen.

[westozfalcon]

As for Vossy, so long as they improve and don't go backwards he'll keep his job.
8 wins might be okay so long as they are more competitive in games.

I don’t think 8 wins will be good enough. A more acceptable target would be the same number of wins as last year (10) with fewer thrashings.
Last year we lost 7 games by almost 8 goals or more. Two of these were by over 90 points.

[Baron Greenback]

As for Vossy, so long as they improve and don't go backwards he'll keep his job.
8 wins might be okay so long as they are more competitive in games.

I don’t think 8 wins will be good enough. A more acceptable target would be the same number of wins as last year (10) with fewer thrashings.
Last year we lost 7 games by almost 8 goals or more. Two of these were by over 90 points.

Our start is crucial. If we can get confidence up with wins on the board early, it will make the middle part of our season easier.

Rd 1 v Western Bulldogs (ES)
W Should win. Had the wood over the Dogs last year and of course they're terrible.
Rd 2 v Adelaide (G)
L Tough one to pick. Crows to start favourites, but last year's loss will be in the back of their minds.
Rd 3 v Gold Coast (MS)
W Must win. Big. Will be a true test of how far the team has come.
Rd 4 v North Melbourne (ES)
W Tough one. Outplayed in 1st half last year, but stormed home. Gotta start winning these matches though.
Rd 5 v Melbourne (ES)
W Win and win easy.
Rd 6 v Sydney (SCG)
L Struggle in Sydney. Can't see that changing.
Rd 7 v West Coast (G)
L Like Adelaide, WC will be wary, but should still beat us.
Rd 8 v Essendon (ES)
W I'm backing us in for a win here. We were woeful against them last year, but won't happen again.
Rd 9 v Carlton (G)
L All depends on what Mick can get out of Carlton. Bit of an unknown, but I'll go with a Blues win.
Rd 10 v Collingwood (G)
L Pies will be too good, even at the Gabba.
Rd 11 Bye
Rd 12 v Fremantle (PS)
L Always a tough trip to Freo. Can't see us winning, but an upset could make our season.
Rd 13 v Geelong (G)
L Had more scoring shots than the Cats last year in the wet. Could go either way.
Rd 14 v Hawthorn (AU)
L No chance
Rd 15 v Gold Coast (G)
W At the Gabba, must win big again.
Rd 16 v North Melbourne (G)
W Consecutive home games should give us the edge over North.
Rd 17 v Melbourne (TIO)
W Another win on the cards. Lions should be able to handle the Darwin heat.
Rd 18 v Port Adelaide (AS)
W Nearly lost last year, but should still come away with the chocolates.
Rd 19 v St Kilda (G)
W Should've beaten Saints last year at home. Won't make same mistake twice.
Rd 20 v Richmond (MCG)
L Winning streak to end. Tigers too good in Melbourne.
Rd 21 v GWS (G)
W Handy percentage booster late in the season.
Rd 22 v Western Bulldogs (G)
W Another win over the struggling Doggies.
Rd 23 v Geelong (SS)
L No chance. Hopefully a finals appearance isn't hinging on this one.

A bit optimistic, but that would give us a 12-10 record.
Could quite easily lose matches against Essendon and North, but should win the others.

[cheetah]

Getting number 32 put on my 2 brisbane lions jumpers! Go Mayes! Great bloke from a great pirie family! Thanks for signing footy card for my boy! Benny we will have 2 catch up and sink some rums when he puts on the cherished tri colours of the pride!

[Baron Greenback]

Getting number 32 put on my 2 brisbane lions jumpers! Go Mayes! Great bloke from a great pirie family! Thanks for signing footy card for my boy! Benny we will have 2 catch up and sink some rums when he puts on the cherished tri colours of the pride!

The number of the great Shaun Hart!

And Cheynee Stiller

[cheetah]

Great season preview BG! Worth a few dollars 2 make the eight on that review! Shaun Hart norm smith medalist! I think he holds the record for least disposals and winning that medal?

[Baron Greenback]

Great season preview BG! Worth a few dollars 2 make the eight on that review! Shaun Hart norm smith medalist! I think he holds the record for least disposals and winning that medal?

Thanks mate!
Like I said, the start is crucial to get the confidence up.
Could do a Richmond and lose games after leading at 3/4 time.

I reckon you're right. Only got 21 disposals or something.
Had a great game that day though. Still brings a tear to my eye.

[Baron Greenback]

Great season preview BG! Worth a few dollars 2 make the eight on that review! Shaun Hart norm smith medalist! I think he holds the record for least disposals and winning that medal?

Thanks mate!
Like I said, the start is crucial to get the confidence up.
Could do a Richmond and lose games after leading at 3/4 time.

I reckon you're right. Only got 21 disposals or something.
Had a great game that day though. Still brings a tear to my eye.

Was actually 23 touches. All thanks to Jesus H Christ!

[Baron Greenback]

Actually, he was still the leading possession winner that day with Vossy.
Didn't realise that.

[cheetah]

I did not realise he was equal with voss. My mates always tease me about how he is the worst winner of norm smith. I was actually surprised he won it that day. Still champion player. I hope sam has great career like his!

[gadj1976]

Rd's 6 through 14 will tell the tale for you guys. You start with a reasonable run, then it gets hard, then very hard, then very very hard. If you're up and running at about Rd 11, you could make the 8. If you're not, you'd better start regrouping for Rd 15.

[RustyCage]

utility Brent Staker set for another 6 weeks on sidelines after undergoing minor knee surgery

[Baron Greenback]

utility Brent Staker set for another 6 weeks on sidelines after undergoing minor knee surgery

Last chance for Stakes.
Needs to get on the field and get through unscathed.

[Baron Greenback]

Jed Adcock named co-captain with JB today.
Would've been happier with Rich, but we'll see how Jed goes I guess.

[RustyCage]

Can't say I've ever been a fan of the co-captain idea, I don't understand why a team can't just have one

[dedja]

x 1,000,000

[The Dark Knight]

Can't say I've ever been a fan of the co-captain idea, I don't understand why a team can't just have one

Agreed. It's stupid.