Strategy Coach Danny Daly said Sunday's match simulation, the second for the 2020 pre-season, was a ‘positive step forward’ for the group.

The team was split into an A and B team and played three 10-minute intervals. Five players from the Under-18 Tasmanian Devils team also took part and played for the B team.

Match simulation allows the coaching group to apply the game plan in a high-intensity professional environment, with umpires in tow.

“It’s always good to get to Tasmania and get on a really good ground that’s about the same size as the MCG,” Daly said.

“We got everything we needed out of it and were really pleased with the result.”

 “We want to keep improving on our game plan; our offence and our defence and our stoppages.

“A few things we’ve been inserting with our defence worked well on the day.

“Our offence is getting better in a couple of areas, which we focused on with the players before the game.

“[The match] was a positive step forward for us.”

The usual suspects for the A team were very strong. Dayne Zorko and Lachie Neale worked well in the midfield together; with Charlie Cameron and Eric Hipwood dominating in the forward 50, kicking four and three goals apiece.

The game also saw some emerging players demonstrate what they are capable of.  

“I think the pleasing aspect from our perspective is we gave a couple of young kids an opportunity,” Daly said.

“Ely Smith and Corey Lyons played in the A team. They showed they deserved the opportunity. They played well and got their hands on the footy a bit.

“In the B team I thought Connor Ballenden played a good game. He kicked two goals and took a lot of marks down in the forward line and was actually opposed to Harris Andrews.

“Dev Robertson’s first hit out for the Club showed why we drafted him. He was winning the ball early.”

The match simulation also gave Tasmanian Lions supporters an insight into what they could see from the Club’s new draftees and traded in players in 2020.

“[Cam] Ellis-Yolmen played in the midfield and worked well with Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons and the like,” Daly said.

“Cal Ah Chee off half back showed why we had high hopes for him; why we got him from the Gold Coast with his ball movement and his running.

“Birch [Grant Birchall] had his first hit out for the Club…”

Birchall played 248 AFL games over fourteen years with Hawthorn but over the last three years only managed eight AFL games due to injury.

 “I think our medical team and our strength and conditioning team have done a fantastic job at getting him to where he is at this pre-season stage,” Daly said.

“He’s been in the system for 14 years and his ability to use the ball and just work with the other defenders.”

The Lions will play another match simulation on Thursday 23 January at Twin Ovals, which is open to the public.