Ask The Coach – Brisbane

Written by Schwarzwalder on February 21 2019

(Written & Created By Natopotato88)

 

Video: Ask The Coach – Brisbane

 

The AFL have been posting videos of coaches answering questions from Twitter Users.  Some of these questions can be quite helpful for SuperCoach. Role changes, position structures & rookie info are some of the issues that can come up in these videos.                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

Today we meet up with Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan.

 

To begin with is a question about the roles of Cam Rayner (328k FWD) and Zac Bailey (276k MID/FWD)

They may seem irrelevant in terms of their scoring potential, but Fagan says they have been experimenting with Bailey on whether he plays on-ball or halfback. They like his “dash” and he played a couple games in defence just late last year. After not playing Rounds 15-21 Bailey came back from the reserves and scored 60 and 87 in the last 2 games of the season against the Suns and Eagles.

He played 12 rounds last year with those last two games being his highest and 3rd highest score finishing with an average of 50.8 for the year. The crucial part of this is that Witherden scored 13 in 10% of game time and DNP. This causes a few questions on whether Bailey will be taking points away from Witherden or he might free Witherden up? Keep an eye on Bailey during the JLT to see if he affects the output of Witherden in any way.

Rayner is still just a forward with slightly more midfield time. Not too much going on there.

More midfield time for Rayner?

 

“Can you see any of our draftees making an immediate impact this year?”

Ely Smith (117k MID) is looking most impressive, although many are training in modified programs due to injury. “He might just pop up in the midfield at some stage.” Fagan isn’t too confident on a immediate RD1 impact but it does appear he could be a potential downgrade target.

He had good results in the AFL Draft combine, coming 1st in the standing vertical jump and did very well in the vertical single leg jumps. Plus, he has an accurate kick, which shows he can score well in SuperCoach. Keep track of Smith but I don’t expect him to make a RD1 debut.

 

“Besides McStay, which other talls can support Hipwood this year?”

Tom Fullarton (102k RUC) was recruited as a basketball player, but was originally a footballer. “Allegedly one of the best players for his age at 16” and he is showing promise this pre-season. Since he is making the change back into AFL from basketball, it doesn’t appear likely that Fullarton will get a game.

Connor Ballenden (124k FWD) is another option at 200cm like Fullarton, however he was drafted in 2017 so has just spent a season playing 17 games in the NEAFL and kicking 19 goals while helping in the ruck. He kicked 5 goals in a match with several contested marks, so he will be pressing to make the 22 but he would probably be competing with Archie Smith and McInerny. These rookies aren’t looking too likely that they will play, so it appears you can probably let them past in the JLT.

 

SuperCoach Enigma, Daniel Rich. More time up the ground?       

“Will Rich move out of the backline, to the wing or midfield?”

Fagan has played him at half back since he arrived, but Rich (428k DEF) does have the capacity to play on the wing and on-ball and “we may well explore that this year”. Rich is only 28 so he still has a few good years left in him. Only issue is consistency. Scoring 6 scores of 99+ witha further 5 scores of 60 or under (not including an injury-affected Rd 1 of 21pts).

Fagan is wanting the team to become more flexible so he is trying to get players more comfortable in new roles. If Fagan experiments with this, how will Neale and Zorko fit in the midfield? How would Witherden go in defence? Would Witherden receive the ball more often if Rich is no longer at half-back?

 

Very interesting with this team as they are looking to become more flexible so there may be a few role changes in the team. Watch the Lions closely to see how Fagan organises the team for Rd1 and who will be getting the benefits from any of the potential role changes.

 

**Nato on Twitter: @natopotato88**

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5 thoughts on “Ask The Coach – Brisbane”

  1. “Fagan is wanting the team to become more flexible so he is trying to get players more comfortable in new roles. ”

    Not another one…

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    1. Lol it’s getting to the point where supercoach will get everyone to reset their teams at the halfway mark. OK first half of the season is over now everyone make new teams for the run home.

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    2. they’re all saying it. Saints too.

      It’s as if coaches feel the new rules are going to significantly impact the pace of the game (ie make it a lot faster) and therefore need numerous players to have the ability to endure five-ten minute spells going through the middle … any more might be too much for a number of them! Mr Magnets might just be a genius, given the Dogs already play this way!

      Who knows!?!

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