Brisbane 2010

[hearts on fire]

The Lions will be a huge chance for top 4 this year with a big powerful forward line.

Interesting to see how the Fev goes.

[Mr66]

Top 4

[Rik E Boy]

5-8. Got to laugh at some of the Brisbane hype up here (understandable I suppose). Big pumping up last week and now that Fev has kicked the one goal it's 'Fev Fails'. Not exactly the best conditions for a power forward in the slush at Canberra mind you. If the Fev reckons he can fly under the radar in Qld he is very much mistaken.

regards,

REB

[CK]

Top 4 without a doubt. Taking out Fevola for a minute, Leuenberger is virtually a recruit for them this year. Him and Clark working in tandem will be awfully hard for many opposition teams to counter - this is still leaving out Jamie Charman. With Rich having a year under his belt and working with Black and Power on the ball, it creates real headaches to contain. This assumes that Johnstone has a quiet year, but still attracts quality taggers. Jared Brennan looks on the edge of a real breakout season and his versatility is hard to stop.

The backline looks very solid with Drummond, Patfull, Adcock and Merrett. If Maguire gets fully fit, then that is a massive bonus.

The forwardline of Fevola and Brown will be very hard to hold and suspect that Staker, Buchanan and possibly Rischitelli will work at their feet.

Lastly - I'd have a very long, close look at Jack Redden to win the NAB Rising Star, although Natanui will have a big say in that. Redden's ten games showed enormous promise and with the midfield there already, he can slot in very well and slip under the radar.

[Drop Bear]

Voss has alot of personnel to choose from, so it should be an exciting year.
Have to consistently put four quarters of football together if they're going to finish top 4.
Charman will be the trump card IMO.

[Rik E Boy]

Won't win enough games away from the Gabba to make top four IMO.

regards,

REB

[Turbo]

Won't win enough games away from the Gabba to make top four IMO.

regards,

REB

I agree, more likely to finish 5-8

[hearts on fire]

SNAPSHOT
Coach: Michael Voss
Captain: Jonathan Brown
Finished 2009: sixth (14 wins, nine losses, one draw)
Best and fairest: Jonathan Brown
Leading goalkicker: Jonathan Brown (85 goals)
Leading possession winner: Luke Power (615)

NEW PERSONNEL
On-field: Amon Buchanan (traded from Sydney Swans), Xavier Clarke (traded from St Kilda), Brendan Fevola (traded from Carlton), Andrew Raines (traded from Richmond), Brent Staker (traded from West Coast), Callum Bartlett, Ryan Harwood, Jesse O'Brien, Bryce Retzlaff, Matt Maguire (NAB AFL Draft), Mitch Golby, Josh Dyson, Niall McKeever, Sean Yoshiura, Claye Beams, Broc McCauley (NAB AFL Rookie Draft)
Off-field: Jade Rawlings (assistant coach), Craig McRae (head of development), Manny Lynch (leadership and development coach)

BEST 22
B: Ashley McGrath, Daniel Merrett, James Hawksley
HB: Josh Drummond, Joel Patfull, Jed Adcock
C: Travis Johnstone, Daniel Rich, Jared Brennan
HF: Justin Sherman, Jonathan Brown, Michael Rischitelli
F: James Polkinghorne, Brendan Fevola, Amon Buchanan
Foll: Mitch Clark, Simon Black, Luke Power
I/C: Matthew Leuenberger, Jack Redden, Brent Staker, Sam Sheldon

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER
Jonathan Brown remains the man upon which this Brisbane team's fortunes hinge. While Brendan Fevola's ability to settle into his new environment will be paramount, there is a proven correlation between Brown's ability to stay on the park and his side's success.

UP AND COMER
Jack Redden is entering just his second year in AFL football but in 10 games last season showed the poise of a player in the making. The goalkicking midfielder has added bulk to his frame and, with more game time in 2010, looks likely to make an even bigger impression.

NEEDS A BIG YEAR
The unpredictable but freakishly-talented Jared Brennan can play anywhere at a pinch, making him one of Michael Voss' most valuable assets. If he can string together a consistent season, he could plug whatever hole his coach was unable to fill during last year's trade and draft periods.

CHANGING TACK
With the Lions possessing two of the game's most lethal forwards, Michael Voss should instruct his men to get the ball into attack as quickly as possible. The more times Brown and Fevola see the footy, the more likely the Lions are to kick a winning score.

Voss will continue to want his team to play with a hard edge, but as a result of the extra firepower there might be a more free-flowing style in 2010. It will also be a new-look Lions outfit. The heavy trading period saw an influx of new talent and, if they can all get their bodies right, Andrew Raines, Matt Maguire, Brent Staker and Xavier Clarke will not only add experience but great depth to the list.

INJURY LIST
Luke Power (groin) - 2-3 weeks
Xavier Clarke (knee) - indefinite
Callum Bartlett (knee) - indefinite

WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
"At this point, almost every team feels as though they've had a good pre-season. On personal reflection there isn't much we would do differently. The level of information absorption and the changes that have happened over the pre-season period have been significant.

"But there is just so much that needs to go right for a team to ultimately succeed. However, if preparation is enough to get us the distance then we have certainly given ourselves every chance to succeed." - senior coach Michael Voss

CRYSTAL BALL
Michael Voss should be admired for going all-out in 2010. Believing the Lions are on the cusp of a premiership, he's bucked the trend of the in-vogue rebuild by trading heavily early in his coaching career. In 2010 the Lions have 11 matches at the Gabba and, with a strong list and good crop of youngsters, will look to sneak into the top four. That doesn't look out of the question, although much will rely on how the Lions new recruits - particularly Brendan Fevola - settle in. Just how effective the intimidating Fevola-Jonathan Brown double-act works will crucial to any success Voss' team may have this season.

SEASON OPENER
March 27 v West Coast at the Gabba.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx

[CoverKing]

Top 4 without a doubt. Taking out Fevola for a minute, Leuenberger is virtually a recruit for them this year. Him and Clark working in tandem will be awfully hard for many opposition teams to counter - this is still leaving out Jamie Charman. With Rich having a year under his belt and working with Black and Power on the ball, it creates real headaches to contain. This assumes that Johnstone has a quiet year, but still attracts quality taggers. Jared Brennan looks on the edge of a real breakout season and his versatility is hard to stop.

The backline looks very solid with Drummond, Patfull, Adcock and Merrett. If Maguire gets fully fit, then that is a massive bonus.

The forwardline of Fevola and Brown will be very hard to hold and suspect that Staker, Buchanan and possibly Rischitelli will work at their feet.

Lastly - I'd have a very long, close look at Jack Redden to win the NAB Rising Star, although Natanui will have a big say in that. Redden's ten games showed enormous promise and with the midfield there already, he can slot in very well and slip under the radar.

Think you may find both these players are ineligible because they played 10 games. thats the cut off i think

[CK]

Top 4 without a doubt. Taking out Fevola for a minute, Leuenberger is virtually a recruit for them this year. Him and Clark working in tandem will be awfully hard for many opposition teams to counter - this is still leaving out Jamie Charman. With Rich having a year under his belt and working with Black and Power on the ball, it creates real headaches to contain. This assumes that Johnstone has a quiet year, but still attracts quality taggers. Jared Brennan looks on the edge of a real breakout season and his versatility is hard to stop.

The backline looks very solid with Drummond, Patfull, Adcock and Merrett. If Maguire gets fully fit, then that is a massive bonus.

The forwardline of Fevola and Brown will be very hard to hold and suspect that Staker, Buchanan and possibly Rischitelli will work at their feet.

Lastly - I'd have a very long, close look at Jack Redden to win the NAB Rising Star, although Natanui will have a big say in that. Redden's ten games showed enormous promise and with the midfield there already, he can slot in very well and slip under the radar.

Think you may find both these players are ineligible because they played 10 games. thats the cut off i think

Ten games or fewer. so both just qualify.

[Rik E Boy]

Fevola aside, this team has topped up with some pretty ordinary players. I'm still not sure why they got rid of Joel MacDonald and that midfield looks pretty thin in terms of talent. Yeah gun forward line but second year Rich is their third best midfielder already behind Black and Power. None of the midfielders at Brisbane are in their prime which is a worry for them.

regards,

REB

[Interceptor]

Fevola aside, this team has topped up with some pretty ordinary players. I'm still not sure why they got rid of Joel MacDonald and that midfield looks pretty thin in terms of talent. Yeah gun forward line but second year Rich is their third best midfielder already behind Black and Power. None of the midfielders at Brisbane are in their prime which is a worry for them.

Which is probably why Voss kept a hack like Travis Johnstone on the list.
The quality of the Lions players does drop away somewhat and the team can suffer with poor delivery into the forward line at times. The Semi Final against the Dogs exposed the gap in class between them and the top 4.

On the plus side, the recovery of their ruckmen should allow Mitch Clark more key position game time.
Should finish 5-8.

[Baron Greenback]

Fevola aside, this team has topped up with some pretty ordinary players. I'm still not sure why they got rid of Joel MacDonald and that midfield looks pretty thin in terms of talent. Yeah gun forward line but second year Rich is their third best midfielder already behind Black and Power. None of the midfielders at Brisbane are in their prime which is a worry for them.

regards,

REB

Adcock and Brennan are hardly mugs. They'll play in the middle along with Drummond.
And then there's Travis Johnstone who can play when he wants to. But can be frustrating as hell to watch too.
I agree with your call on MacDonald though. Don't know what they were thinking getting rid of him for the likes of Staker, Clarke or Buchanan.
At least we picked up Matt Maguire for nothing. Injury free he will be better than MacDonald.

[Drop Bear]

Fevola aside, this team has topped up with some pretty ordinary players. I'm still not sure why they got rid of Joel MacDonald and that midfield looks pretty thin in terms of talent. Yeah gun forward line but second year Rich is their third best midfielder already behind Black and Power. None of the midfielders at Brisbane are in their prime which is a worry for them.

regards,

REB

Adcock and Brennan are hardly mugs. They'll play in the middle along with Drummond.
And then there's Travis Johnstone who can play when he wants to. But can be frustrating as hell to watch too.
I agree with your call on MacDonald though. Don't know what they were thinking getting rid of him for the likes of Staker, Clarke or Buchanan.
At least we picked up Matt Maguire for nothing. Injury free he will be better than MacDonald.

Sherman can rotate through the midfield, seeing Buchanan can fill the small forward role. Be nice to see Rischetelli lift after an average couple of years as well.

[The Dark Knight]

Top 5 for me with my man Danial Rich to have a big season

[Rik E Boy]

Sherman, Adcock, Brennan...those names have merely confirmed my initial thoughts about how good the Brisbane 'midfield' is. Isn't Adcock a back? Brennan is brilliant at his best but that doesn't happen enough and I'm yet to be convinced by Sherman either. Brisbane Lions at home, Fitzroy Lions away does not a top four side make.

regards,

REB

[Baron Greenback]

Sherman, Adcock, Brennan...those names have merely confirmed my initial thoughts about how good the Brisbane 'midfield' is. Isn't Adcock a back? Brennan is brilliant at his best but that doesn't happen enough and I'm yet to be convinced by Sherman either. Brisbane Lions at home, Fitzroy Lions away does not a top four side make.

regards,

REB

Last year the Lions weren't that bad away.
They were 8-3 at home and 5-5-1 away.
With the new inclusions I'd imagine that record would only improve.
A full fit Adcock will play in the midfield this year.
Correct call on Brennan. He needs to improve his consistency which he has done bit by bit over the past couple of years. I'm expecting a big season out of him.
I'm not convinced on Sherman either....

[Drop Bear]

Inconsistantcy is their biggest problem. Can be very very frustrating to watch at times, knowing what they can deliver at their best, but I still can't help but bloody watch!

[Rik E Boy]

Sherman, Adcock, Brennan...those names have merely confirmed my initial thoughts about how good the Brisbane 'midfield' is. Isn't Adcock a back? Brennan is brilliant at his best but that doesn't happen enough and I'm yet to be convinced by Sherman either. Brisbane Lions at home, Fitzroy Lions away does not a top four side make.

regards,

REB

Last year the Lions weren't that bad away.
They were 8-3 at home and 5-5-1 away.
With the new inclusions I'd imagine that record would only improve.
A full fit Adcock will play in the midfield this year.
Correct call on Brennan. He needs to improve his consistency which he has done bit by bit over the past couple of years. I'm expecting a big season out of him.
I'm not convinced on Sherman either....

5-5-1 away won't keep the Cats out of the top four.

regards,

REB

[Baron Greenback]

Sherman, Adcock, Brennan...those names have merely confirmed my initial thoughts about how good the Brisbane 'midfield' is. Isn't Adcock a back? Brennan is brilliant at his best but that doesn't happen enough and I'm yet to be convinced by Sherman either. Brisbane Lions at home, Fitzroy Lions away does not a top four side make.

regards,

REB

Last year the Lions weren't that bad away.
They were 8-3 at home and 5-5-1 away.
With the new inclusions I'd imagine that record would only improve.
A full fit Adcock will play in the midfield this year.
Correct call on Brennan. He needs to improve his consistency which he has done bit by bit over the past couple of years. I'm expecting a big season out of him.
I'm not convinced on Sherman either....

5-5-1 away won't keep the Cats out of the top four.

regards,

REB

We'll see....