Lions V Tigers March 13

[Tiger29]

Cousins is all class but some of his handballs miss the target. I'm not sure if it is because he is still a bit rusty or if they are for "smart" receivers. Cotchin, Cousins could very well be a match made in heaven.

He has to remember he doesn't have Judd & Kerr beside him. Our guys were a bit flat footed a couple of times and weren't ready when he handballed to them

I thought the kicking into the forward 50 was very good with our players being hit on the lead. Our kicking at goal is still a very big headache. I think this will be the deciding factor in whether we win the 50/50 games this year. The rest of our gameplay seems to have improved, this has not.

Cousins again was very much responsible for this and he and Nathan Brown will be partners in a lot of goals this year. Browny hit the post a couple of times from set shots, so hopefully can improve.

Simmonds & Richo kicking for goal within 30 meters are also suspect.

Far too much switching play from the centre to the wing/flank. It is almost automatic for the players to look there first and ignore everything else.

It seems tactics have changed this year, with it very easy for teams to get the ball to the wing. All the zones are now set up in the opposition forward line, so the it's very hard to pick a safe option when coming into the forward line. Switching play across the ground can overcome this. I think they look at this option first so they can pass the ball before the player across the ground is covered.

 

[MalenyTiger]

I was sitting on a wing and from my view it looked like we experimented with a zig-zag approach out of defence that usually ended at a point between centre, CHF and a HFF. Most of the time it ended in a palyer having space running into the forward 50. Brisbane seemed to be using a "rolling wave" approach coming out of defence (like the Lions did when Voss played). I thought their game plan looked okay whereas ours heavily relied on hitting moving targets. When ours came off it looked good - but Brisbane's pressure was not that great. Whether we have the skills to execute it under pressure from teams like Geelong will be another question...

 

[CarnTheTiges]

What position was Edwards playing? I really like Shane, but he doesn't seem suited for the half back position that they want him to play. Far better and more damaging from half forward.

 

[BrisTiger24]

What position was Edwards playing? I really like Shane, but he doesn't seem suited for the half back position that they want him to play. Far better and more damaging from half forward.

Half back like the previous pre-season games. I agree, he won't make it as a HBFer and we have better options there anyway. HFF or midfield for Shane if he is to contribute to the senior team.

 

[Phar Ace]

Claw,

Bradshaw beat Moore but that's not to say moore had a bad night - Bradshaw was just very good. McGuanne was the best defender on the ground and easily beat Brown for 3 quarters and when moved to Bradshaw in the last 1/4 beat him too. AGREED


Kicking skills across the board were much improved from other games i have seen. Didn't take much exception - both sides struggled at stages, participating in HF to HF football. Brisbane still more accurate, we were faster, but they were fitter.

White worked hard and has blistering pace, I think over runs his capacity to make decisions if there is traffic - he'll get better at it.

Edwards worries me too - he takes too long to get rid of the ball and places himself and his team mates under pressuer in the process. He was awful Friday night, can;t explain his game, believe he will be better than that.

McMahon (Uncle Rico) used the ball really well last night and I know you are not a fan but on last night's performance he certainly has earned his spot in round 1. Yeah, after all the Snachez knocking this week, I took a good look. he was used sparingly really, but only one clanger. Every other pass or handball hit its mark and usually to some advantage. We'll be found out using him against tight checking teams because his first receiver role will be sorely tested becuase of his limited accuracy under pressure, but more so, the team inability to create better second and third options, though this might change with Cousins and was definately better when Cotchin was playing last year.

Richo was superb - he played forward & back - AMEN

Didn't really notice the Brisbane players (was too busy focusing on our players) so wasn't sure who they had in the ruck but the ruck contests probably went 50 - 50 so it didn't really impact on the game. As stated already by many, Browne showed he has got the goods, Angus looks a bit lost around the ground and simmo was his usual strong, courageous self.

Rucks for Brisbane were Clark, Leuenberger and young Matt Tyler. We used Simmo mostly, but Browne and Graham had their opportunities. Did we dominate in the ruck - NO! and we should have. Lions unearthed a good kid in Tyler (15) as well. Lachlan Henderson (14) stood up well at HB for the Lions.

One other thing - I reckon we play much straighter without Johnson in the team - i think johnno will struggle to get his place back... Agreed, he might be best at circle work
Hope that answers your questions

 

[Phar Ace]

I was at the game and figured i'd post a few of my thoughts. Generally agree with most of what has been said though my opinion may vary somewhat due to standing on the wing and having a few drinks... Anyway Ranga Browne was the best ruck on the ground for me, lids was classy without being dominant, and cousins would have easily been BOG (richo a distant 2nd).

Simmo was by far the best. Leuenberger and Browne squared out, Tyler was a mile head of Graham. That Browne squared out to Leuenberger is a credit! Cuz was BOG or at least the difference.

I thought Schulz stood out as one of our best, yeh he made a couple of errors but the conditions would have made the ball a little greasy so think he handled himself well by presenting and providing an honest option.

He started by standing out, but didn't carry it through the game. he could have had a much bigger impact on the outcome IMO but let some 2nd qtr opportunities go that should have been his. He led well at least, even if he didn't get what should have been his. His second efforts are just so absent.

Loved the way Rance goes about it, ditto for whitey and mcguane.
Rance had a blinder of 4th qtr, probably saved the game at times. He was out of position in the first half up fwd and looked it! Still, they tried something and he'll be better perhaps for the xperience.

Tambling played well for mine and i was impressed by his attack on the pill, hitting the ball at full pace which allowed him a bit more space to break some lines. Kel reliable as ever down back and saw thursty put in a couple of nice spoils.
Tambling was another who had a one quarter blinder (2nd). His second half was very average and may have been as a result of heavy knock he got when making a contested possession his, rode the bump and delivered off two steps and ran straight to the boundry (hammy twinge I'd say) for a rub, while the game was still full on in his sector. He came back but was far more cautionary and got caught a few times.

A bit disappointed with edwards, his disposal just didn't cut it and seems to get lost out there.
It was rare that got to dispose Friday - usually caught holding it - he had one of those nights!

Those were the main stand-outs for mine (with an honourable mention to jacko as well thought he was solid and consistent)

Enjoyed giving the umpires a laugh by telling him to look out for travis johnstone - he'd been lifting his skirt up at him all game, and good to see so many tiger fans there against a QLD based side.
Disappointed with most of the players post match - made us (and lots of kids in tiger gear) wait for an hr and a half after the game to see them, only to walk straight past them (notable exceptions richo - staying until he was told to go, browny, whitey, and jack). Just thought they could have spent 5-10 minutes mingling with fans and signing for kids given there will be home games up here and they should be trying to chase up as much support as possible.
Thats it from me... Carn The Tigers

CTT, must try and catch up in July eh!

 

[Phar Ace]

39? for Brisbane kicked two great goals from nearly the exact same spot about 45 out running between our defense and the boundary with little pressure from our zone.

That was the boy from MAROOCHYDORE - Josh Drummond. Didn't one get kicked from outside 50?

 

[U2Tigers]

That was the boy from MAROOCHYDORE - Josh Drummond. Didn't one get kicked from outside 50?

I reckon both his were.

 

[AstuteTiger]

Half back like the previous pre-season games. I agree, he won't make it as a HBFer and we have better options there anyway. HFF or midfield for Shane if he is to contribute to the senior team.

agree his skills can let him down at times but Edwards will be a player, for his size not scared at all to go in and has great endeavour and knows where to find the ball, i see him long term as a midfielder and if so needs to put on another 10kgs, IMO shane will play his best footy or as some say have a break out year in 2010/2011

 

[Phar Ace]

agree his skills can let him down at times but Edwards will be a player, for his size not scared at all to go in and has great endeavour and knows where to find the ball, i see him long term as a midfielder and if so needs to put on another 10kgs, IMO shane will play his best footy or as some say have a break out year in 2010/2011

You, Francis Jackson and I agree.

 

[Griff]

I was there too. Too tired to write anything Friday; had a 2 hour drive home. Can't hope to offer anything comprehensive, but a few extra points.

1. We were clearly experimenting with passing inside the 50. Lost count of the number of times (maybe a dozen) we had a mark inside 50 and instead of going for goal, looked for a pass. Mostly it came off, which is testament to real improvement. I remember once Shultzy taking a mark not far from the behind post and kicking it away from goal to centre it; I think Morton got that one and kicked it. Another one went to Richo who missed.

2. Many of the points were from deliberate, gettable shots; ie 30-40 metres out, slight angle. Offenders included Bowden, Brown, Shultz, simmo, Morton I think--a bunch of players who are usually reliable. Take that into account and really, we killed them.

3. Brisbane were a rabble except for the first half of the final quarter. Their game plan seemed to be to run the ball in a pack through the middle. Our tackling and play in defence killed that. And our pressure forced countless turnovers. Partly it was a slippery ball--few players tried bouncing it when running--mostly it was their skills.

4. I was impressed with Tambling. He went to where the ball was. There was a sublime moment when he got the ball, was surrounded by three Brisbane players, and then just stopped to pick a good option, and delivered a beautiful pass. It was all poise. That magic when good players just know they have time. By contrast Raines tended to panic, and White was a mix-- some beautiful dodging and running on and some painful running into trouble. I think he's a step above Rainsey, but maybe I'm wrong.

5. I thought Shultz did well too. He worked for the ball, and went looking for kicks when things were quiet down in front of goals. He took some nice marks with a wet ball and passed well.

6. Someone else mentioned our better passing. For the first time I saw glimpses of that great Sydney play; forwards running back to mark the ball kicked deliberately over their head.

7. I also liked Jackson's game. Some errors, but a lot of tough stuff too.

8. I don't think Jonathon Brown is fit. He was getting a lot of physio attention at the breaks. Bradshaw on the other hand...

The main weaknesses were still there--handballing to someone under pressure leading to a turnover instead of kicking it, but Wallace is clearly training them to use this to beat the flood.

I came away pretty happy. We're not Geelong, but we are a long way from bottom 6. There is a real steel in the team. Their goals came from midfield clearances, good run and carry and good passing to their forwards. Then our guys stepped up and stopped it, and got back on top...with another flurry of points and a couple of goals.

In a lot of ways I think the team is pretty even, like good teams are. There are some absolute champions (Deledio's class was breath-taking, but there wasn't enough of it), and some players who are struggling. I think we would have won without Richo and Cousins, as good as they were.

 

[Hancho]

Some might say the tigels were just warming up but they will need to be at their best against the blues because I have this really bad feeling they'll be putting us on a bbq,

all the hype was about Ranga's first game and Tambling's blinder in the first quarter. next time we can't rely on the interstaters to give us a true indication of our form.

No BBQ's next time, we'll be roasted like a pig on coals