VFL Round 2

[Dark Beanie]

Pies vs Lions (Away)

Friday 29 March @ 12.05pm.
Venue Brighton Homes Arena, Springfield

Ladder: Pies 7th (1 win, 150.9%), Lions 6th (1 win, 159.7%)

Match centre:

https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/matches/6310

Telecast via VFL website (link above) and AFL app.

[Dark Beanie]

Round 2 preview:

https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/1516329/pies-travel-to-brisbane-for-crucial-round-two-clash

Team selection:

B: S. Sofronidis 54, C. Dean 43, J. Ryan 24
HB: T. Jiath 19, O. Markov 37, C. Mulvogue 66
C: J. Bytel 27, L. Sullivan 33, J. Carmichael 12
HF: H. Harrison (36), J. Richards 29, T. Wilson 56
F: S. Glover 50, J. Hutchinson 49, A. Johnson 40
R: A. Begg 39, E. Allan 16, N. Long (55

INT: J. Hartman 70*, L. Purcell 65, R. Sparkes 51, C. Lane 48, H. Kennedy 53

EMG: C. MacDonald 74, J. Longmire 57, C. Willis 64

IN: O. Markov
OUT: J. Noble (AFL)

[LaurieHolden]

Thanks for the links. I was keen to go but travel wise it's a 2.5 hour round trip from BNE to Ipswich.

[selkevh]

Hot and muggy out this way. Will be very challenging in this heat.
Just as I say this a breeze sweeps in.

[Dark Beanie]

Half time:

Lions 8.4.52 lead Pies 7.4.46

Goals; Richards 2, Harrison, Wilson, Kennedy, Hutchinson, Allan

Top disposals: Sullivan 17, Harrison & Dean 11, Sofronidis, Bytel & Long 10 each

[stui magpie]

Just watched the 2nd quarter before I walk down and watch local footy. Some good play, back to within 6 points. I'd love to see Begg get a shot in the Snr's as a tall forward/2nd ruck, his second and third efforts are great.

[Dark Beanie]

Only been able to watch bits of the game.
Begg definatley not a 1st ruck but his follow up work has been great so far. Showed glimpes of that last season.
Same as last week - got hammered in the 1st quarter but Pies fought back in the 2nd quarter.
Just slow starters or a breeze to left of screen?
And it must be hot as Sof in in the short sleeves today.

[LaurieHolden]

HALF TIME Lions by 6
Lions 8.4 - 52 to Magpies 7.4 - 46

Great 7 goal fightback that quarter. Some really nice running play to get us back into the match.
https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/matches/6310#player-stats

Senior listed players :
Lachlan Sullivan : everywhere 17 disposals / 5 clearances. Just keeps running. Positions his body well in contests, keeps his shoulders in front of his opponent. Uses his hands well to provide link up opportunities. Too good for VFL, but good enough to force someone out in AFL?
Edward Allan : he's almost ready. Wants the ball, links up well, and keeps running. Get him onto a wing in the seniors or as a sub.
Sam Sofronidis : 10 disposals. Will play senior football. Reads the play well, plays as a big man, not afraid to put his body on the line or run off his man. Nice hands marking and sharp on the handball.
Harvey Harrison : 11 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal. He'll be banging down the door by mid-season. Looms as the one likely to put pressure on Schultz. Composed runner, reads play well.
Aiden Begg: having a real dip. While I don't expect he'll develop into a Ruckman, there's enough there to suggest we persevere with him.
Joe Richards : electric at ground level. Doesn't get a heap of it but as Julie McCreery emphasises "when in front, make it count!". Richards does tat/
Jack Bytel: 10 disposals. In and out of the contest but when he's had it has used it well.
Jakob Ryan : 8 disposals. A composed player. Another who will be banging down the door after the mid-season break. He'll be too good for VFL next season.
Tew Jiath : raw, but you can see a player there. Will take time to develop, requires coaching. Remains a 2025 prospect.
Charlie Dean : 14 disposals. Solid, but can't help but think there must be better options somewhere in the system.
Josh Carmichael :2 disposals. Well suited to this level but I can't see him making the jump. Just lacks polish and wouldn't possess the ability to influence a game at senior level.
Oleg Markov : 5 disposals. If he wants to play senior footy again, he'll want to pull his finger out. Disappointing commitment.
Ash Johnson : 4 disposals, 3 marks. Generally unsighted. More than just being off his tucker. He's lucky he's contracted until 2025, otherwise this year would have been his last. Maybe Freo or WCE will throw him a lifeline for a 3rd rounder at best. Plays bruise free football.

[LaurieHolden]

3/4 TIME Lions by 24
12.6 78 to 8.6 54

We only added 1 goal that quarter. Lions controlling the footy better.
https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/matches/6310#team-stats

Lions are a kick and mark side. Kicks 168 > 121. Marks 85 > 43.
Magpies and a handball and run side. Handballs 81 > 113.

Our best : Lachlan Sullivan, Sam Sofronidis Jakob Ryan Harvey Harrison Edward Allan.

[Dark Beanie]

Lions kicked away again in the 3rd quarter to lead by 24 points at the final change.
Lions 12.6.78 lead Pies 8.6.54

Goals: Richards & Hutchinson 2, Harrison, Wilson, Kennedy, Allan

[LaurieHolden]

Bang, goal Pies! Back to 2 following that last Lions goal.

[LaurieHolden]

Richards goal, 6 for the match. Lions win by 2. 105 > 102.

Entertaining match.
Our best : Lachlan Sullivan (BOG), Harvey Harrison, Joe Richards, Sam Sofronidis Jakob Ryan, Edward Allan.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest smears is if someone is accused of playing bruise free football. For the skill Ash Johnson's possesses, his lack of effort cost us that game. Just didn't work hard enough.
8 disposals, 1 behind.

https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/matches/6310#player-stats

[The Black and White Lion]

Great from Sullivan. He's firmly in the frame for Gather Round now edging deeper into the 26.

Geez Laurie what do you think about Joe Richards? he's having a great start to the VFL year and miles in front as the leading goal kicker already. Feels like the little big kid has found his groove in that fwd line.

Reckon Ash Johnson might need a spell from the VFL soon as well. His head is not in the game. Finding it all too tough at the moment and letting go far too easy.

What do you reckon about Jack Hutchison's game now the spotlight's been firmly shone on him?

[Ronnie McKeowns boots]

[Ronnie McKeowns boots]