Round 1 team

[ugg]

SYDNEY
B: Mathews, Saddington, Crouch
HB: Barry, Roberts-Thomson, Bolton
C: Maxfield, Kirk, Ablett
HF: Goodes, Hall, Davis
F: O?Keefe, O?Loughlin, Williams
Foll: Ball, Fosdike, Bolton
Inter: Bevan, Powell, James, McVeigh
Emerg: Buchanan, Meiklejohn, Rogers
New: McVeigh (Pennant Hills), Bevan (Western Suburbs)

Interesting lineup. I really wonder if LRT will play at CHB?

Changes from the team that played in the PF
In: James, Bevan, McVeigh, Powell
Out: Kennelly, Schneider, Nicks, Doyle

[ugg]

Lynch is in

BRISBANE LIONS
B: Johnson, Michael, White
HB: Lappin, Bradshaw, B.Scott
C: Notting, Voss, Pike
HF: Hart, Charman, McGrath
F: Caracella, Lynch, Akermanis
Foll: Keating, Black, Power
Inter: Copeland, Leppitsch, McRae, Hadley
Emerg: Brennan, Shattock, Corrie
New: -

In: B.Scott, Notting
Out: Shattock, Brown

[Charlie]

We'll regret this silly decision with regards to Rogers - with Lynch and Leppitsch playing, we NEED a variety of options down back. Now, I know its a big ask for a bloke in his first match, but the depth wouldn't have hurt...

[ugg]

I'm not too fussed, I could see Leo going with Leppitsch if neccessary. If it was Brown though, I would be more worried.

[Nico]

Originally posted by Charlie
We'll regret this silly decision with regards to Rogers - with Lynch and Leppitsch playing, we NEED a variety of options down back. Now, I know its a big ask for a bloke in his first match, but the depth wouldn't have hurt...

Ditto.

Ablett?????!!!!!!!.

[barry]

Re: Round 1 team

Originally posted by ugg
SYDNEY
Changes from the team that played in the PF
In: James, Bevan, McVeigh, Powell
Out: Kennelly, Schneider, Nicks, Doyle

Also: IN: Ball, OUT: Schauble.

[Nico]

Gee we needed that run off HB by the Irishman.

Still short of our best side without him and Scnides, but still reckon they will go real close.

[Bleed Red Blood]

I still reckon our team will go close, but Rogers shoud be in I believe do we really need Ablett in the team with Bevan & McVeigh probably playing the same role.

I say put LRT on the bench, Rogers at half-back Powell out of the team. I dont like the idea of James being our full-back.

[TheHood]

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
I still reckon our team will go close, but Rogers shoud be in I believe do we really need Ablett in the team with Bevan & McVeigh probably playing the same role.

I say put LRT on the bench, Rogers at half-back Powell out of the team. I dont like the idea of James being our full-back.

Powell has to be in! Has played too well pre-season and demanded a position in this squad.

I might eat my words but his form coming up to Round 1 was irrisistable for the coaching staff.

[floppinab]

Originally posted by Charlie
We'll regret this silly decision with regards to Rogers - with Lynch and Leppitsch playing, we NEED a variety of options down back. Now, I know its a big ask for a bloke in his first match, but the depth wouldn't have hurt...

The options are there Charlie, with Kennelly out we need speed, Bevan will give that.

[Captain]

Originally posted by floppinab
The options are there Charlie, with Kennelly out we need speed, Bevan will give that.

Disagree.

We have plenty of speed, it's by far our strongest asset, especially in defence. Every defender with the exception of LRT has pace. Our 'tall' defenders such as Saddo and Bolton will easily beat their men for pace and then Crouch, Mathews and Barry will provide plenty of run off half back.

We do however lack strong bodied defenders, hence the need for Rogers. Beven will have limited game time and come on for short periods, maybe thrown forward to see if he can sneak a goal. I wouldn't expect much more from him.

[motorace_182]

Every defender with the exception of LRT has pace

Dont most quotes about him read something along the lines of athletic freak?? Doesnt being athletic require an element of speed?

[dendol]

As soon as I heard of Kennelly's injury, I immediately thought of the impact it would have on our defense (right after i prayed that he would be ok of course). He is a vital cog in our run out of defense, and I dont think you can easily replace that, especially with a recently promoted rookie - no disrespect to Bevan personally. If we are relying on this rebound to mount many of our attacks like we did last year, im worried that his absence will have a bigger impact than, say, Schneider's absence.

Already we are without Schauble, so Im wondering how it will pan out for us on Saturday night.

[penga]

Originally posted by Captain
Every defender with the exception of LRT has pace

dont let his ungainly gait fool you, he is by no means slow... dont watch him in pursuit of the ball, watch a midfielder beside him and be surprised how well LRT keeps up

[Reggi]

Brisbane Lions v Sydney
8.15pm tomorrow, Gabba

BRISBANE
B: Johnson, Michael, White
HB: Lappin, Bradshaw, B Scott
C: Notting, Voss, Pike
HF: Hart, Charman, McGrath
F: Caracella, Lynch, Akermanis
Foll: Keating, Black, Power
Inter: Copeland, Leppitsch, McRae, Hadley
Emer: Brennan, Shattock, Corrie

SYDNEY
B: Mathews, Saddington, Crouch
HB: Barry, Roberts-Thomson, Bolton
C: Maxfield, Kirk, Ablett
HF: Goodes, Hall, Davis
F: O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, Williams
Foll: Ball, Fosdike, Bolton
Inter: Bevan, James, McVeigh, Powell
Emer: Buchanan, Meiklejohn, Rogers
New: Jarrad McVeigh (18, NSW-ACT U18), Paul Bevan (19, NSW-ACT U18)

HEAD TO HEAD

Last time - Bris 14.16 (100) d Syd 8.8 (56), preliminary final, 2003, at Telstra Stadium
The Swans dominated most of the match and looked like they would ruin Brisbane's three-peat a week early but the Lions showed why they are a champion team, kicking six unanswered goals in the final term to run away with the game.

Record overall - Bris 18, Syd 10

At this ground - Bris 6, Syd 2

In the 00's - Bris 6, Syd 2

Coaches - Matthews 2, Roos 2

Betting - Bris $1.28, Syd $3.30

TV - Channel Ten, 8pm

Radio - 774 ABC (2nd half)

Who will win and why - On paper, the Brisbane Lions are an imposing unit. But there has been trouble in paradise over the summer and many of the big guns - Voss, Leppitsch, Keating, Black to name a few - are underdone. And Jonathan Brown's absence will be felt. Not that Sydney has been sailing without difficulty. But expect a closer match than one might think. It will be fast-paced and skilful, with good battles across the ground between Hall and Bradshaw, Goodes and Leppitsch, Lynch and Saddington and especially in the midfield, where both teams have electrifying talent no matter how underdone. The Akermanis-Crouch sideshow could also be a highlight.

Prediction - Brisbane by 17 points

- Lyall Johnson