Lions member Carl Nimb puts his match committee hat on and attempts to select his 'Best 22' ahead of the Lions' season opener against Collingwood on Saturday the 4th of April.
In the final instalment of this three part series, I’m taking on the task of reviewing the forwards on the Brisbane Lions’ list with the aim to pick the front six to provide the targets in attack.
For the first time in more than a decade the Lion King Jonathan Brown is not part of the discussion as a long time stalwart of the Club. It is the next generation’s turn to write their Lions history just as Brown did after arriving at the Club all those years ago.
Senior Coach Justin Lepptisch has a great mix of youth and experience in the forwards on the Lions’ list and needs to decide on the combination that he sees kicking a winning score.
The forwards on the Lions’ list that I considered were; Josh Clayton, Michael Close, Jonathan Freeman, Josh Green, Matthew Hammelmann (Rookie), Jaden McGrath, Luke McGuane, Daniel McStay, Jackson Paine, Brent Staker, and Lewis Taylor.
The first positions to consider are the key forward spots of centre half forward and full forward and supporters can expect them to be filled by Michael Close and Brent Staker.
Michael Close is now heading into his third season at the Club and everyone associated with the Lions will know how highly regarded he is for his work ethic and dedication to learning his craft. He has the benefit of being able to spend some time during the week with Jonathan Brown, who has plenty of knowledge to share. Close played 14 valuable games in 2014 and should see plenty of game time in the AFL this year. This presents a fantastic opportunity for Close to solidify his position in the team.
Staker takes the other key offensive post and his experience will be invaluable for a young forward line. He had his 2014 season wiped out by a rare calf injury but now has his body right and has the minutes under his belt from both the opening two NAB Challenge games against St Kilda and Sydney. Leppitsch will be hoping that Staker can stay injury free this year for the first time in last five seasons.
Having Martin and Leuenberger push forward at various times to support Close and Staker will be invaluable against a Collingwood outfit that will have a very young line-up in the backline.
The next position to consider is the half forward flanks, one of which will see Dayne Zorko lining up there (as suggested in my midfielders article earlier this week) and other will see the 2014 NAB Rising Star Lewis Taylor.
Taylor was taken at Pick 28 in the 2014 NAB Draft and turned out to be the bargain of the Draft. He had a disrupted pre-season but still managed to play all 22 games last year on his way to collecting the NAB Rising Star Award for his stellar effort. He averaged 17 disposals per game, has pace to burn and is very clean in his delivery to his teammates. He is loved by all for his relentless effort and gut-busting runs and is on his way to cult status with the Lions faithful.
The forward pockets I expect will be taken up by Josh Green and Daniel McStay.
Green is a small forward that has formed a great combination and understanding with both Zorko and Taylor last season now known as the ‘Mozzie Squad’. He has fantastic acceleration off the mark and a great goal sense, which saw him kick 33 goals from his 20 appearances to win the Club goal kicking. Green continued to develop the endurance side of his game along with his intense forward line pressure and was duly rewarded with a two-year contract extension. We can expect another big season from Green in 2015.
McStay showed glimpses of his potential in his rookie season in 2014 being played at both ends of the ground. His best performance came against Melbourne late in the season in Round 19. This year he will more than likely be deployed as the third tall forward option, which should give him plenty of latitude against the opposition’s third best defender. He has strong hands and a solid vertical leap and is set for a break out season in 2015, further enhancing the fantastic draft choices the Lions made at the end of 2013.
Accordingly, I see the Lions’ starting team for Round One against Collingwood looking something like this:
B Gardiner Merrett Lester
HB Cutler Clarke Adcock
C Christensen Rockliff Rich
HF Zorko Close Taylor
F Green Staker McStay
Foll Martin D.Beams Redden
Int Leuenberger Aish Robinson
Sub Paparone
I believe this is one of the strongest line-ups that the Lions can put out against Collingwood. There is a good blend of youth, experience and elite A-Grade talent.
The midfield, flanks and pockets are filled with strong ball winners and power runners with elite endurance who are also very versatile across a number of positions.
The key position players of Daniel Merrett and Staker, along with Jed Adcock, provide good experience at either end of the ground and give the Lions composure in what can be an adrenaline fuelled environment being surrounded by so many young up-and-coming stars.
There are forwards on the list that will need to bide their time in the NEAFL until an opportunity presents, either through injury, suspension or lack of form to the incumbents.
Luke McGuane came back to Queensland after nine seasons with Richmond and his 2014 was wrecked by a knee injury that would eventually require surgery after playing just three games. He has a battle to regain a position in the starting line up but does provide a handy option for Leppitsch with the versatility of being able to play as the third tall at either end of the ground.
Jackson Paine has battled for a regular starting position since arriving at the Lions from Collingwood but has displayed good form in the NEAFL through 2014. His aim will be to play at a consistently high level in the NEAFL and state his case for inclusion in the starting senior line up when an opportunity presents itself. He is a handy back up for Leppitsch and the Lions when they need a big bodied forward.
Jonathan Freeman is another hard luck story of the Lions forward line after suffering a back injury during the pre-season, which required surgery and rules him out for a return until after the mid-season Bye. He showed great promise in patches during 2014 with his best game ironically coming against Collingwood in Round 21 where he booted four goals on the night. He has work to do on his endurance and repeat efforts but has all the tools to become a great key position forward for the Lions in years to come.
Josh Clayton, Matthew Hammelmann, Jaden McGrath as new recruits to the Lions will work on all aspects of their fitness, strength and skills while learning the Lions game plan in the NEAFL. They have had good junior careers to get themselves drafted and they now have all the resources of an AFL club to ready themselves for long AFL careers.
McGrath, in particular, has looked at home in the senior team during the opening NAB Challenge matches, and looks likely to get his chance at senior level at some stage throughout 2015.
That is my wrap of the Lions list.
The starting 22 have some seriously exciting and skillful players, which will be more than capable of matching any team in the competition throughout 2015.
Having a team pretty much injury-free as the season is about to kick off is a massive plus for Leppitsch and ensures continued competitiveness at every training session for starting spots.
Make sure you #GetToTheGabba for our Round 1 clash against Collingwood at the Gabba on Saturday the 4th of April.
Carl Nimb is an independent writer and Lions Member (#2604559) who will contribute to lions.com.au throughout the season.
You can follow him on Twitter @CarlNimb
