While 2016 was a disappointing season overall for the Lions, with just three wins and a spate of injuries, some young cubs showed plenty of promise in their development.
Today lions.com.au brings its series of player reviews, for players with guernsey numbers 6-10.
#6 Josh Green
One third of the ‘Mozzie Squad’, Josh Green was another Lion to spend a stint on the sidelines this season as a result of another injury. The 24-year-old played 11 games in 2016, with a stress fracture in his foot ultimately ending his season for the second consecutive year.
Coach’s notes:
Green played 11 games for the season. He kicked 10 goals and 12 behinds, it was the first time in three seasons that he hasn’t won the goal kicking for us, playing mainly as a forward.
#7 Tom Bell
Tom Bell played 14 games of the 2016 season and averages 16.7 disposals with a season high of 24 against the Sydney Swans. Forecast to miss the second half of the season after surgery to repair his meniscus tear, the 25-year-old made a surprise comeback in round 22 against the Cats.
Coach’s notes:
In his first year at the Club coming across from Carlton, Bell played 14 games and succumbed to a knee injury. He was lucky enough to come back and play the last two games of the season. He had a good impact as a forward, he kicked 15 goals for the season. He had 38 tackles in his 14 games. One thing he did bring to the footy club was his ability to run hard forward of the contest and put pressure on. Moving forward he just needs a big pre-season in his contested ball area but all in all a very good first season for Belly at the Club.
Tom Bell kicked four goals against the Hawks at the Gabba in Round 10. (Photo: Matt Roberts/AFL Media)
#8 Rohan Bewick
In a season troubled with injury, Rohan Bewick played 14 games for the Lions. Groin and hip injuries interrupted an otherwise standout season for the West Australian. Bewick averaged 15 disposals and 3.3 tackles playing on the wing.
Coach’s notes:
Probably had his best season to date until groin injury hampered him. He got himself a new two year deal during the season due to his hard work and improved his contested ball area. He averaged 5 contested balls a game which is up +3 on 2015. He played mainly as a wingman for us, at times he had jobs running with some of the best midfielders in the competition – Andrew Gaff at West Coast comes to mind. It’s been a consistent season, he’s just another one that needs a big pre-season to comeback harder and hopefully have a better season in 2017.
#9 Dayne Beams
Dayne Beams played just six quarters of football this season before requiring knee surgery for troublesome tendinitis. When the midfielder returned, however, he was back to his brilliant best collecting 30 touches and kicking a goal against Port Adelaide in Round 7.
Coach’s notes:
Beams was sorely missed in 2016, he only played six quarters of football. In that game and a half he showed what an elite player he is. He had 48 disposals, showing what he means to the team. He becomes like a new recruit for us in 2017 through the midfield and hopefully with himself, Rockliff and Hanley we can improve our ability to impact games.
#10 Daniel Rich
Daniel Rich averaged 19.6 disposals in 2016. Rich’s best game of the season came in Round 1 against the West Coast Eagles in Perth. Fresh off a four-year contract extension, Rich opened the season with 23 disposals, 11 tackles and kicked two goals in a team best performance. However, as the season progressed he struggled with consistency in his game, often struggling to break a tag.
Coach’s notes:
Played 21 games for the season, 412 disposals for the year, he kicked 17 goals for the season which was probably his best return from a goal kicking point of view. He played mainly through the midfield, had stints through half-back but his run out of defence helped us impact games where it could. An area he needs to improve on next year is his ability to handle a tag, he got tagged in quite a few games this year and that’s an area of focus for him heading into 2017.
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