But Sherman, who today had his locks lopped as part of the World’s Biggest Shave, is quick to point out that the motivation won’t be on account of the 64-point defeat inflicted by the Bombers in round eight last year.
“I think everyone is a little bit disappointed that our practice match was rained out last week and can’t wait to get out there because of that,” Sherman told lions.com.au.
“We did a little bit of match practice work the other night at training and you could see that all the guys are ready to go.
“It’s a long summer and we’ve worked really hard over the pre-season, so to know that games are just around the corner is great.”
In an interesting twist, Leigh Matthews will hand over the coaching reins to assistant Justin Leppitsch for the game and Sherman is sure his former teammate will acquit himself well at the helm.
“Knowing Leppa, I think he’ll really relish the chance to do it,” Sherman said.
“With the career he had, I’m sure that one of the things Leppa would have looked forward to at the end of it was to one day coach a team.
“I know I’m looking forward to playing under him. He’s a guy who has really helped out a lot of the boys over the years, including myself when I’ve found myself playing in the backline.”
Sherman is well known for his adventurous fashion sense and has sported several different haircuts in his three years at the Gabba – most of them eye-catching.
But the ‘do’ he’ll showcase against the Bombers is the result of a genuine belief in a cause rather than a desire to make a style statement – or, for that matter, to put a challenging 2007 behind him.
“The Leukemia Foundation is something I feel pretty strongly about,” Sherman said.
“With the kids who I have visited in the Mater Hospital and who I have met through the Lions, you can only imagine the stress they are under and how difficult their lives can be.
“I actually shaved my head for the World’s Biggest Shave with Luke Power when I first got to the club, so it’s not totally new for me.
“Besides, I think I was probably due for a change anyway.”
