Lonie to have break out year

[Drake Huggins]

Robbo most definitely. He was right up there for turnovers. Still love the bloke and think he's an important part of our future. Needs to stop turning it over, al a Gilbo!

[Joffa Burns]

OK so I did a 'Bundy' & prematurely evaluated Lonie in FEB 2018.

What is the feeling toward our number 1 whipping boy now?

Has plenty of ticker, making his tackles stick, provides enthusiasm, energy and can win the ball.

Would love to see his conversion improve.

The kid can play footy!

[Enrico_Misso]

Gee I'm glad I did't post in this thread.

...unlike all those other posters now with egg all over their faces

[stkfc1]

Haha. Yep Lonie making quite a few look foolish but a lot of it was warranted at the time. He stunk it up for a while there but he's put in the hard yards and the work is paying off for him. Couldnt be more happier for him. Massive kudos to the young man, and the club, for turning it all around. Maybe we're not as bad as developing players as a lot of folks make out?

[saintsRrising]

Lonie was arguably one of our hardest working players against the Hawks. Was all over the ground. Could have easily kicked 5 goals too.....

You can definitely say, no Lonie, no win.

[GilsAuPair]

Yep, I'm calling it now!!!

Jack Lonie will have a break out year in 2018 and silence the Saintsational critics.
30+ goals, 100 plus tacks, countless pressure acts, multiple goals assists.
Not not at Sandy, in the ones playing for the Saints.

The other break out player will be Jack Steele who will go to a whole new level this season as a goal kicking mid and tackling machine.
Much in the mold of how Seb Ross improved over the past couple of seasons.

Anyone else for a prediction?

looking good

[The Barometer]

Lonie was arguably one of our hardest working players against the Hawks. Was all over the ground. Could have easily kicked 5 goals too.....

You can definitely say, no Lonie, no win.

The new Barometer!!!???

[saintsRrising]

Lonie was arguably one of our hardest working players against the Hawks. Was all over the ground. Could have easily kicked 5 goals too.....

You can definitely say, no Lonie, no win.

The new Barometer!!!???

Well I was thinking the Hawks game. But maybe it is every game now

[Saintmatt]

I've been far from JL's biggest fan - not because of effort, desire or skill - just because he's so small. As in minute. I've always felt that was going to be a bridge too far for him in making it as - in his role has a pressure forward - he needs to be able to stick tackles and, up until 2019 - he's been so easily brushed aside.

Of all the players to have become significantly more effective in doing their job in 2019 as a result of the much discussed tackling, grappling sessions over pre-season - I think the evidence is now overwhelming that it's JL who's benefited the most. He's actually become very effective at taking down the much bigger opponents he's regularly faced with (rather than being brushed aside).

Much credit to him and the person/s whom instigated the tackling training

[Scollop]

I love the way he infuriates opposition players

Reminds me a little of Hayden Ballantyne. I looked up Balla's stats and I reckon by the end of his career Lonie should have him covered in all areas...except maybe not the frees against column

Well done to Jack

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_ ... 1=C&fid2=C

[SaintPav]

I love the way he infuriates opposition players

Reminds me a little of Hayden Ballantyne. I looked up Balla's stats and I reckon by the end of his career Lonie should have him covered in all areas...except maybe not the frees against column

Well done to Jack

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_ ... 1=C&fid2=C

[DJ Higgins]

Haha. Yep Lonie making quite a few look foolish but a lot of it was warranted at the time. He stunk it up for a while there but he's put in the hard yards and the work is paying off for him. Couldnt be more happier for him. Massive kudos to the young man, and the club, for turning it all around. Maybe we're not as bad as developing players as a lot of folks make out?

I was a critic of lonies and still am but not as much. Always thought he was too good for VFL but not AFL standard. That was evidenced by most of last year until the end and the fact that no other club was seriously interested in him, there were a few that asked questions but let's be real no offers if worth were made.
I then read an interesting article about him and how he was playing prior to the last month when he basically went screw it, I am playing my way.
Prior to that his role on the team was more to be a huge team player IE always trying to offload and pass as quickly as possible and that resulted in errors and turnovers. Now he is like bugger it I am having a shot which is what he did in VFL and tore the place up.
Still needs to work on his tackling and goal kicking but he is now playing a role that suits his style and it shows. It's nice to be proven wrong every now and then

[twirlyhair]

Just shows that we do need to patient with players. It takes time. Get them to 60-80 games and judge then. The game and comp. is tough. Support and understanding will always be better than condemnation.

[SaintPav]

Get them to 60-80 games and judge then.

Sounds realistic.

[saynta]

Haha. Yep Lonie making quite a few look foolish but a lot of it was warranted at the time. He stunk it up for a while there but he's put in the hard yards and the work is paying off for him. Couldnt be more happier for him. Massive kudos to the young man, and the club, for turning it all around. Maybe we're not as bad as developing players as a lot of folks make out?

I was a critic of lonies and still am but not as much. Always thought he was too good for VFL but not AFL standard. That was evidenced by most of last year until the end and the fact that no other club was seriously interested in him, there were a few that asked questions but let's be real no offers if worth were made.
I then read an interesting article about him and how he was playing prior to the last month when he basically went screw it, I am playing my way.
Prior to that his role on the team was more to be a huge team player IE always trying to offload and pass as quickly as possible and that resulted in errors and turnovers. Now he is like bugger it I am having a shot which is what he did in VFL and tore the place up.
Still needs to work on his tackling and goal kicking but he is now playing a role that suits his style and it shows. It's nice to be proven wrong every now and then

The filth offered him a deal, but we gave him a longer contract and he decided to stay. Thank god.

[saynta]

Just shows that we do need to patient with players. It takes time. Get them to 60-80 games and judge then. The game and comp. is tough. Support and understanding will always be better than condemnation.

Paton and Langlands will be excellent midfielders if we can get that many games into them. The future would be secure if Bytel, Clark and Coffield all work out as well.

[Joffa Burns]

Just shows that we do need to patient with players. It takes time. Get them to 60-80 games and judge then. The game and comp. is tough. Support and understanding will always be better than condemnation.

I agree with this assessment, and based on this where does this leave Dean Kent?
Probably played 70-80 games over 8 years and he is still what he was at Melbourne, a fringe 22 player at very best.

The issue here is we have offered a potential list clogger a 3 year deal, no wonder he jumped at it.

[freely]

Had to have insurance for Parker, hind and young. Couldn't guess all 3 might make it

[Joffa Burns]

Had to have insurance for Parker, hind and young. Couldn't guess all 3 might make it

But a 3 year deal for a fringe player at Melbourne while they were weak as pIss?

[GilsAuPair]

Ranked equal 3rd in AFL for tackles inside 50.

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_ ... t=LT&st=T5

[twirlyhair]

Just shows that we do need to patient with players. It takes time. Get them to 60-80 games and judge then. The game and comp. is tough. Support and understanding will always be better than condemnation.

I agree with this assessment, and based on this where does this leave Dean Kent?
Probably played 70-80 games over 8 years and he is still what he was at Melbourne, a fringe 22 player at very best.

The issue here is we have offered a potential list clogger a 3 year deal, no wonder he jumped at it.

I guess you also have to look at positional opportunity and how many above home in comparison to holes in our list. Still too early to know imo

[bigred]

I am his biggest critic.

Trust me, I shyt can him to all and sundry, repeatedly.

He's making me look like a fool.

With that said, he should have kicked at least five on the weekend. At least.

[freely]

Had to have insurance for Parker, hind and young. Couldn't guess all 3 might make it

But a 3 year deal for a fringe player at Melbourne while they were weak as pIss?

Yeah, I agree basically - but I'm guessing best we could do in terms of bringing in a ready made.

[thejiggingsaint]

I'm neither a "basher" or "lover" of young Jack, I'm simply VERY happy for the kid... AND for us too! That he's having such a fine run of form! Good onya Jacko!

[DJ Higgins]

The filth offered him a deal, but we gave him a longer contract and he decided to stay. Thank god.

That they did saynta but not a serious one in serious money/term etc.

I think that if lonie keeps playing the way he currently is then he will be a definite starter in each game. I think too that whoever thought of hiring Billy Slater needs a huge Pat on the back as it's not just lonie who's tackling has improved.

Dees is a huge test in a bug ground for our guys. Iets hope lonie kicks a bag