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Media; Media releases from the Melbourne Lions
Topic Started: Nov 10 2013, 10:06 AM (258 Views)
Roylion
Zac Dawson
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Media releases from the Melbourne Lions
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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With 7 picks in the first 32 selections, the Melbourne Lions have made the following selections in the National Draft.

#1: Tom Boyd - The powerful, strong-marking tall forward didn't end up playing a heap of footy in 2013 due to his serious ankle injury but he will be right to go in the pre-season and would be expecting to play AFL next year. Boyd kicks straight, dominates games and wants to be very, very good.

#11: Dom Sheed - A West Australian midfielder who hunts the ball, wins clearances and gets things going. He missed the second half of the season with a broken collarbone he suffered during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

#12: Ben Lennon - The Lions saw Lennon up close for a week last January and were highly impressed. He's a half-forward who marks and kicks exceptionally well, and plays on instinct. He made the All Australian side this year after a strong showing at the championships and then moved into the midfield later in the year, where he showed his ball-winning talents.

#22: Darcy Gardiner - Gardiner is a competitive, in-your-face tall defender. In marking contests he finds a way to stop his opponent from getting the ball and he hates being beaten. He probably sits as the best key defender of the draft, despite being a couple of centimetres shorter than would be preferable as a tall at AFL level. The Lions really liked him and were aiming to add him to their key defensive stocks.

#24: Billy Hartung - Is a dasher, able to run the lines and work through traffic. He's an outside player at this stage of his development who enjoys taking people on, seeing a gap between players and seizing it. He kicks with precision on both feet and can play as a half-back, half-forward or on the wing.

#30: Trent Dumont - The South Australian midfielder had a slightly disrupted season with an ankle injury but still showed his talents through the middle and across other spots on the ground. At his best, Dumont is a ball-getting, inside midfielder who enjoys winning the footy, busting through and delivering the ball. He's strong and mature, and was close to best afield in Norwood's SANFL Grand Final win. He offers the Lions some more depth through the middle of the ground.

#32 - George Hewett - Hewett has a lot of admirers and with good reason. He has neat skills on both sides of his body and is prepared to put his head over the ball, win it, and then come out with it. He had a good carnival with the South Australian under-18 side and also has a lot of upside - he is the youngest player in the draft as he doesn't turn 18 until December 29.

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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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The Melbourne Lions are pleased to announce the drafting of Nicholas Robertson and Jarrad Jansen to their rookie list for Season 2014.

Nicholas Robertson is an AIS boy from West Perth that had a fantastic under-17 season, but had a shoulder injury this year and missed a fair chunk of the season. He's a tall, aggressive midfielder, huge motor and runs really hard. The Lions believe that he adds a possible dimension to the side by giving their side that taller bigger body in the midfield.

Jarrad Jansen is a strong-bodied medium midfielder who thrives on the inside and applies enormous amounts of pressure on the opposition. He displays clean hands under pressure and is a strong overhead mark. Versatile and can push forward if needed.

Stay tuned for the next four rookie announcements....

Edited by Roylion, Nov 27 2013, 05:30 PM.
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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Melbourne Lions injury list - 20th May

Tom Boyd - hamstring - test
Ash McGrath - Calf - 2 weeks
Luke McGuane - knee
Chris Newman - Calf - 3-4 weeks
Edited by Roylion, May 20 2014, 04:16 PM.
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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Rohan Bewick and first year midfielder, Nicholas Robertson have both agreed to new contracts with the Melbourne Lions.

Robertson, has committed to a two-year extension with the Club, while Bewick has agreed to a new one-year deal.

After starting off as a rookie Robertson was elevated to the senior list after the retirement of Jonathan Brown. Robertson has played seven games to date in 2014.

Recruited from West Perth, Robertson was drafted by the Lions as a rookie in 2013 with its first selection in the rookie draft.

Bewick, also a product of West Perth, has played 56 games for the Club since making his debut in 2011.

Lions General Manager, Football Operations, Brad Boyd, said the re-signings were both important for the Clubs future:

“Nick will play an important part in the future success of our Football Club and it’s great to secure his services until at least the end of the 2017 season.

“He has really settled into life in Melbourne since making the move from Perth and has definitely showed plenty of signs that he is set for a big future with the Melbourne Lions.

“To have both Nick and Rohan agree to new terms is fantastic news for our Club and highlights the faith this young group has in the future success of the Lions”.
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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Mature aged rookie Ash McGrath has announced his retirement. After battling a calf injury for much of the season, the 31-year-old said it was a pretty easy decision in the end.

Speaking to a packed media conference at the MCG on Thursday, McGrath said his decision to retire was confirmed last Saturday night when he sat on the couch with wife Amanda and watched the Lions go down to the Tigers in the semi-final.

"I've been thinking about it all year, especially when I was delisted last year and re-rookied by the Lions but it wasn't until the last month that I sat down with Roosy and tried to work out some stuff. That was even after I was promoted back onto the senior list." he said.

McGrath, always the joker, said it was no coincidence he chose this week to announce his retirement. "I thought I'd do it today because on Monday we've got skinfold tests for next season, so it saves (strength and conditioning coach) Matty Hass bringing the barbecue tongs - so I thought I'd knock it out of the way now."

The Melbourne Lions wish Ash McGrath the best in retirement.
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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The Melbourne Lions have formally delisted Jonathan Brown, Stephen Gilham and rookie Ashley McGrath.
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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The Melbourne Lions have extended the contract of 200 cm key forward, Tom Boyd.

Tom will make the MCG his football home for the next seven years.

Lions Chief Executive, Michael Conlan said today that the Club is thrilled to have Boyd extends his stay with Lions.

“We are delighted to have secured a player and young man of Tom’s calibre for an extended period,” Conlan said today.

“To retain last year's number one draft pick and standout elite player of the class of 2013 to the Den - is a major coup.

“We know our supporters will be thrilled to see Tom play along-side the likes of Liberatore, Selwood, Barlow, Redden, Douglas, O'Meara, Ebert, Stanton, Pearce, Adcock, Longer and Merrett, not to mention Blicavs, Myers, Newman and Adams and the rest of our dedicated playing group."

Boyd's size, speed, leap and marking have long been regarded as close to the complete package in a key forward, also exhibiting strong leadership traits throughout his junior career.

He was also the TAC Cup’s leading goal-kicker in his bottom age year in 2012, and the youngest member of Vic Metro’s 2012 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships division one winning side.
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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The Melbourne Lions have renewed their Fitzroy connection by welcoming Jake Lever, Tom Lamb, Billy Stretch and Jayden Foster to their senior list for 2015. The Lions have also added utility Josh Clayton to their rookie list.

After missing last year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships through injury, Tom Lamb played five games for Vic Country at this season's carnival.

He didn't manage to string together breakout performances but did end the championships well, when he was moved to half-back and offered some drive.

It's where he played a large portion of the rest of the season with the Dandenong Stingrays, including a 27-disposal effort in the club's semi-final win over the Geelong Falcons.

Lamb is the son of former Fitzroy and Melbourne player Wayne Lamb and grandson of St Kilda 1966 premiership player Ian Cooper.

Billy Stretch, a junior midfield star, has been on Melbourne's radar since he was 14, winning "six or seven'' club best and fairest awards for South Australian club Henley.

Stretch's father, Steven, who played 164 games for Melbourne and 25 games for Fitzroy, said his son had remained focused on his schooling in Adelaide this year as he juggled commitments as a bottom-age player in the South-Australian under-18 team.

The Lions also selected Jayden Foster, the Calder Cannon following in the footsteps of his father Peter, who played with Fitzroy. Foster missed a lot of footy last year with a foot injury. He won the goalkicking in the TAC Cup this year with 49 goals in 16 games and is a beautiful left-footer. At 196cm, he has really good athleticism and speed, so the Lions think he'll be able to play as a third tall long-term. His father Peter Foster played predominantly as a key defender in his 170 games with Fitzroy and the Bulldogs.

New rookie Josh Clayton spent two weeks training at the Lions – one in December last year and another in January – and has always barracked for the club.

At 190cm, athletic and capable of playing a number of positions, Clayton has been used all over the ground through his TAC Cup season with the Sandringham Dragons and in his games with Vic Metro.

His end to the year for the Dragons as a lead-up forward who can move into the midfield seemed to suit best, and felt most natural to him.

Clayton's father is Scott Clayton who played 160 games with Fitzroy between 1981-90.
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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Concussion has forced another AFL player out of the game, with the Melbourne Lions' Leigh Adams retiring on expert advice after suffering one too many head knocks.

The 27-year-old's last attempt at a football comeback was in mid-June, but a high blow at VFL level ultimately signaled Adams' end game.

Adams had played 60 senior games in the last three seasons before concussion cut his career short.

After concerns worsened about Adams and his response to head knocks this pre-season, he played consecutive VFL matches and when he returned to competition in May, watched by his wife and parents, the experience was encouraging.

Adams collected 28 possessions, was among the best afield and said after the match for the Melbourne Lions' VFL side that he'd been pleasantly surprised that some heavy contact had not seemed to affect him.

But when he sustained a blow weeks later he was sent for brain and neurological scans.
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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The Melbourne Lions have selected South Australian Aaron Francis with their first pick (number seven overall) in the National Draft.

The 191cm recruit displayed excellent form at both ends of the ground throughout the National Championships.

“He absolutely dominated games,” AFML Draft expert Callum Twomey said.

“He is so good in the air, it probably gives him a couple of centimetres to play a bit taller than he is.”

Francis averaged 16 possessions and six marks per game throughout the Championships.

He kicked goals but also lined up in defence – spending time opposed to Josh Schache when SA met Vic Country.

AFL Academy Coach Brenton Sanderson worked closely with Francis this season and said the new Lion possesses great versatility.

“He’s probably not your classical key position player and he’s going to be more of your third tall back/third tall forward,” he said.

“He’s an incredible talent and a real natural. I see him playing more midfield, but when you look at his height and size, he might end up playing key position. I see him playing his best football as a midfielder. I think he’s going to be a real genuine talent.”
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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It was the day Ben Keays had waited for.

The 18-year-old will play for the Club he has supported since childhood after the Melbourne Lions drafted the young midfielder at Pick #21 in the AFML draft.

Keays grew up as a Lions supporter.

“I’ve supported the Club for as long as I can remember” Keays said. "My great-grandfather Fred Keays played for Fitzroy and so did my grandfather Desmond. My granddad came over to support Melbourne after the merger of the Demons and the Lions in 1995."

“Getting to work the boys in the squad is going to be amazing. Hopefully they've got a thing or two they can teach me. I just can’t wait.”

“I can’t wait to get to training and get started.”

Melbourne certainly have a bargain in this kid. Ben Keays is a dominant inside ball winner who has shown on multiple occasions that he can go forward and create havoc.

Last year Keays was an unknown quantity. He came out of practically nowhere to dominate the under 18 championships as an bottom-ager. He averaged 23 disposals, five tackles, five marks and two goals a game in the under 18 championships. This led him to be selected into the under 18 All-Australian team. This form he carried into the TAC Cup. Later in the year, he was selected into the AFL Academy level two after his dominant performances through last year.

This year he has made a statement this year with his performances with the AFL academy. In the first game against Werribee he had 21 disposals in a losing side against the bigger bodies. In the very next game he had 24 disposals against the Northern Blues and kicked a goal. These performances were important in order to lay the foundations for an important year ahead.

Keays then went on to impress at TAC Cup level in his first outing with a 43 disposals and 15 handball receives effort – his best for the season. He continued that form throughout his TAC Cup campaign to average 34 disposals, 11 handball receives, five tackles and seven marks.

Keays carried this strong form into the championships and impressed thoroughly. He was smart, clean, composed and lead by example, helping them collect the division two title. He played more midfield minutes this year compared to last year and it shone through on his statline. He averaged 29 disposals, five clearances, six inside 50s, five marks at an outstanding 81 per cent efficiency. This championships gave him a second under 18 All Australian guernsey. An impressive CV if you consider he was not in the AFL Academy program before 2015.

Where Keays stands out is his workrate. He is the type of player who will make sure he can get the most out of himself on the field and make the extra effort most people won’t.

He has also shown glimpses of what he can do forward of centre. Keays has an innate ability to go one-on-one forward. He is strong in a one on one contest and can take a grab. This allows him to play deep and be a key target for a team or maybe a potential match winner Dustin Martin style. As a high half-forward he creates drive and can have moments where you think he could tear a game apart. This was on full display in his bottom-age year where he dominated the forward line.

His marking is one of his best features and allows him to make an impact around the ground. With his contested marking excellent for his size.

Although the previously mentioned traits are important, his stoppage work is pivotal to his game – Keays is a extremely smart player. He does not bully players out of the contest like other contested ball winners, he uses his great agility and weaves through the stoppages taking the ball with him.

Keays at his best can win massive amounts of the ball by ripping it from the other players arms and racking up clearances. This was evident in the first game of the under 18 championships when he had 11 clearances and a game-high 16 contested possessions.

Keays as a whole is an exciting prospect who can play round one and make an impact. He’s a hard-working, goal-kicking, marking, stoppage specialist who is going to play a big role for the Melbourne Lions in 2016.
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Roylion
Zac Dawson
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Trent West retires

Melbourne Lions ruckman Trent West has retired.

Ultimately injuries got the better of the 28 year old.

West announced his retirement to the Lions' playing group on Monday.

West ruptured his ACL last year and has played four games this season but struggled with the knee.

"I felt it was the right time to tell everyone. I feel like there is a weight lifted off my shoulders now," West told the club's website.

"I probably made the decision a while ago and as the year went on that decision probably got clearer for me, mainly because of my body – my knees.

"I could've tried to play on for a year, but I would be battling, I reckon.

"The way I have gone this year, not being able to train during the week just so I can play on the weekend, it's been pretty hard in that regard, just doing everything for my knee to get it up and going for each game.

"That's probably the main reason, (however) mentally I am also ready to get on and do something else.

"In the frustration of the last couple of years I've had enough time to think about life after footy and I'm pretty excited for it."
Edited by Roylion, Aug 16 2016, 01:56 PM.
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