31 minutes ago, lorn said:

Yeah we're lucky because we have one of the best small forwards, but another good one would be good, but they're becoming hot property

I have been saying this for years, and using the lions as the exemplar - teams need mutiple goal kicking medium mid/forwards, forward/mids and wing/half backs who can push forward and be a threat (eg dempsey, ah chee).

Icing on the cake if they are also good over head

Two such players ain't gonna cut it, let alone one.

Just look how man such players the lions have - McCluggage, Raynor, Bailey, Berry, Ah Chee, Lohmann, Zorko and Wilmont.

And that's not even counting smalls like Cameron, as he's a permanent forward (though does push up when not in the game) or more pure mids like Fletcher, Ashcroft x 2 and Neale, all of whom kick their share of goals.

To illustrate the importance to lions of such players, if you include the latter group (ie Cameron, Fletcher etc etc) 17 of their 18 goals were kicked by small/mediums (the outlier was Morris' late goal).

4 minutes ago, GM11 said:

Wonder

Their salary cap is going to be a squeeze over the next few years.

Not really

The under 21's are on comparatively low money. Neale and Cameron will retire plus they'll keep getting cheap top ups from their Academy.

So I was watching the game with friends yesterday including my very good friend who is an Essendon supporter.

We were discussing how they’re chasing Zac Bailey (who is a gun!), and he said Bailey would love to come play for a big club like Essendon now he’s won 2 flags.

I didn’t know if should laugh at him or cry at his delusion, so I just said the only way Bailey ends up at Essendon is if you throw every single bit of cap you have at him.

Geelong have 1 flag from 9 prelims

very interesting stat

12 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Geelong have 1 flag from 9 prelims

very interesting stat

3 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

he's one of the worst commentators going around - just a mouthbreather spewing inanities

Everything is a scandal or an act of unprecedented brilliance in his eyes. Every player is either a villainous coward or a mythic champion - some are both in the space of three minutes. The fact that Channel 7's "A Team" was him, Taylor and Brayshaw is frightening.

Scott was outcoached especially in the second half, dangerfield, smith shutdown ball movement delivered with purpose and bringing in Neil for the second half instead of starting him a genuis move.

6 hours ago, 640MD said:

Just my take on yesterday.

Lions peaked at the right time plus much fitter.

Jeelong peaked a weak early, and some players didn’t want to put in the effort to stop some lions, not enough respect for the young lions.

Free kicks on the first 3/4 obvious bias, I really hope there is no direction to the umpiring group, from thr AFL .

You only need one or two injuries and the game plan is stuffed, on the day at least.

Like is without Gus and silly boy Smith for a whole year. We did not argue or make enough noise.

He club needs to be fitter and louder,

Looking to 2026

What? And be like Snott? Goody had many shortcomings. But one of them was not making a complete [censored] wit of himself at every presa.

Edited 18 hours ago18 hr by Queanbeyan Demon

22 hours ago, The heart beats true said:

It’s a joke when the league claims the umpires don’t look at stats at half time.

Many umpire apologists claim the umpires can’t affect the result of a game.

They were clearly influenced by crowd noise in the first half. They must have been informed of it at half time, and came out with 5 straight frees to Bris.

If the umpires had kept up with the same errors of the first half, Geelong would have stayed in the game much longer.

The “noise of affirmation “is most obvious at Kardinia Park.With the odd shaped oval, training on their home deck, and travel for the opposition, Geelong should win the premiership every year. No wonder they’ve been up for so long.

They’re experts at sweeping misdemeanours under the carpet. I’m hoping this disappointing result will cause some disquiet in their administration.

Just a fact on equalisation which gets lost on Vic clubs and the focus is on northern states, reality is between Melb , Saints, Roos & Dogs since 2000 only 2 & Bombers & Blues 1,flag, so 3,flags between 6 clubs vs Lions 5 with a 3 peat & back to back and possible another 3 peat in 26.

Edited 17 hours ago17 hr by Demonsone

1 hour ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

What? And be like Snott? Goody had many shortcomings. But one of them was not making a complete [censored] wit of himself at every presa.

C'mon man.
He talked of learning for years at pressers but refused to learn.

2 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Geelong have 1 flag from 9 prelims

very interesting stat

Ive said this elsewhere on D'Land Jnr.

Whilst I envy their finals successes in the early rounds at finals time, there's no scrutiny on this club whatsoever for this stat. But there's crickets from the media verse. caro puff piece yesterday was a classic of this genre.

Why is it so, ?

Is it playing at home on a ground 30m narrower than the G? september impacts. ? Mid-tier players escape through home and away's easy kills at Kardinia park?

Danger was never going to repeat his prelim form again, but everyone assumes he can walk on water. He can't.

Lions are way ahead of them across the ground, and Fagan's coaching , e.g Gardiner straight to Camerron, Neale on at half time, etc, clearly got the best of Scott. My Geelong neighbours are tearing thier hair out today at the lack of Plan B during the game, assuming level at half time was OK, but htey could see that after the earlier finals walloping of the Lions somethng wasn't right and normal transmission had been resumed in the Lions coaching box.

1 hour ago, The Panglossian said:

Many umpire apologists claim the umpires can’t affect the result of a game.

They were clearly influenced by crowd noise in the first half. They must have been informed of it at half time, and came out with 5 straight frees to Bris.

If the umpires had kept up with the same errors of the first half, Geelong would have stayed in the game much longer.

The “noise of affirmation “is most obvious at Kardinia Park.With the odd shaped oval, training on their home deck, and travel for the opposition, Geelong should win the premiership every year. No wonder they’ve been up for so long.

They’re experts at sweeping misdemeanours under the carpet. I’m hoping this disappointing result will cause some disquiet in their administration.

It should. They surely must understand the home ground issue and its impacts in finals as you clearly spell out above.

17 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Chris Scott alluded to some extenuating circumstances as to why they couldn’t run out the game, but would not expand on it in his presser.

Anyone know what the circumstances were? I know a former recruit from the GWS at the end of 2022 was missing from their best line up but aside from that they seemed like a settled unit on field.

Scott whinges and makes excuses all the time. Just a sore loser - sad that with their excessive home ground advantage it doesn’t happen more often.

Extenuating circumstances unable to be revealed? Really?

Maybe recruiting the toxic bulldog?

9 hours ago, BDA said:

i'm delighted the Cats didn't win yesterday

I am starting to worry about the Lions though. Their list is chock full of quality young players. they have the potential to be a dominant force for many years

The challenge lies before us - bring it on.

8 hours ago, old dee said:

There is no one in football I dislike more than Scott.

Collingwood #5? Collingwood 😎? Three way tie.

Penrith looking good for a GF against Melbourne.

Five in a row if they win !!

It's only tiny consolation but I do love the fact we can say we beat this year's premier. I think weve done that 9 times since 1980 but we've probably played 65 or 70 games against these teams weeks away from glory which is hardly.a great ratio. (BTW have I missed any? ... 88, 89, 93, 98, 2002 , 05, 18, 23, 25)

1 hour ago, demon36 said:

Ive said this elsewhere on D'Land Jnr.

Whilst I envy their finals successes in the early rounds at finals time, there's no scrutiny on this club whatsoever for this stat. But there's crickets from the media verse. caro puff piece yesterday was a classic of this genre.

Why is it so, ?

Is it playing at home on a ground 30m narrower than the G? september impacts. ? Mid-tier players escape through home and away's easy kills at Kardinia park?

Danger was never going to repeat his prelim form again, but everyone assumes he can walk on water. He can't.

Lions are way ahead of them across the ground, and Fagan's coaching , e.g Gardiner straight to Camerron, Neale on at half time, etc, clearly got the best of Scott. My Geelong neighbours are tearing thier hair out today at the lack of Plan B during the game, assuming level at half time was OK, but htey could see that after the earlier finals walloping of the Lions somethng wasn't right and normal transmission had been resumed in the Lions coaching box.

Clearly something doesn't work for them. Sure they contend regularly which I guess would be nice but such regular failure would do my head in.

And the fact the media lets them off almost everything is shameful. Tanner Bruhn being one example. Whats' he doing on the ground after the game after such a devastating 'finger' injury?

One can only imagine how the sanctimonious media would react if it was the Demons

What a comeback by the Broncos

Melbourne V Brisbane GF

Get on board the purple wave !!

1 hour ago, monoccular said:

Scott whinges and makes excuses all the time. Just a sore loser - sad that with their excessive home ground advantage it doesn’t happen more often.

Extenuating circumstances unable to be revealed? Really?

Maybe recruiting the toxic bulldog?

The challenge lies before us - bring it on.

Collingwood #5? Collingwood 😎? Three way tie.

Yep good point mono. A three way tie!

3 hours ago, Demonsone said:

Just a fact on equalisation which gets lost on Vic clubs and the focus is on northern states, reality is between Melb , Saints, Roos & Dogs since 2000 only 2 & Bombers & Blues 1,flag, so 3,flags between 6 clubs vs Lions 5 with a 3 peat & back to back and possible another 3 peat in 26.

If its one every 18 years it should be 6-7 flags for the six sides. Will never happen as AFL wont allow Vic domination at expense of interstate clubs, so Vic supporters need to enjoy every little success along the way.

6 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

So I was watching the game with friends yesterday including my very good friend who is an Essendon supporter.

We were discussing how they’re chasing Zac Bailey (who is a gun!), and he said Bailey would love to come play for a big club like Essendon now he’s won 2 flags.

I didn’t know if should laugh at him or cry at his delusion, so I just said the only way Bailey ends up at Essendon is if you throw every single bit of cap you have at him.

The cruel and entirely appropriate response would be to point out that their most pressing need is a consistent gun midfielder with great leadership who can unite the team.

Besides, pretty sure Zac Bailey is coming to us as a free agent at the end of next season.

How many 1st and 2nd years players were in the Lions team?

Just curious

14 minutes ago, Dingo said:

How many 1st and 2nd years players were in the Lions team?

Just curious

Five

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by John Crow Batty

2 hours ago, Dingo said:

How many 1st and 2nd years players were in the Lions team?

Just curious

2 hours ago, John Crow Batty said:

Five

I am convinced it is a pattern. 'Normal' progress can get a team into contention and build a great list, but the extra push to Premierships, and obviously dynasties, needs to come from a burst of kids brought into that 'contending' environment and attitude.

Obvious singular examples are Selwood and Rioli, while the biggest would have to be the double-surge Richmond got from simultaneously trading very well and nailing a couple of drafts. Richmond went from a bit of a joke where only 15 players total had shared any spots in the B&f for seven seasons and their position had hovered between okay and insignificant... to a historically notable run of dominance.

Quick tangent - aside from Martin, Richmond didn't do all that well in the early draft rounds for almost a decade prior to their premiershi. The 2014 draft which changed their whole game plan with Butler, Short, Castagna and Lambert only started striking gold (or at least a lot of good silver) by round 3 and later.

See also Jackson, Pickett, Rivers, of course.

Without making too much of a fuss of it, this is also why the excessive academy perks are such a problem. The chances of a "nepo baby" club getting a big extra boost when already a contender is far out of proportion to other clubs.

14 hours ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

The fact that Channel 7's "A Team" was him, Taylor and Brayshaw is frightening.

Really miss Dennis, not so much Bruce, but as a pair they were streets ahead (states/countries really).