After consistently dominating at the local level in recent weeks, Patrick Karnezis, Cheynee Stiller and Jack Crisp all earned a spot in the senior team for last weekend’s clash against the competition’s ladder leaders - Sydney.
“That’s the strength of having a successful reserves grade side - we pick guys who are in good form,” Reserves Coach Nathan Clarke said.
“Guys probably aren’t being rewarded as much they have been in previous years, but when they are, they understand the importance of playing well to hold their spot.”
Another player who grasped his chance at a senior berth against the Swans was Claye Beams, who receive an incredibly late call-up after Simon Black struggled to get through the pre-game warm-up.
Beams had already featured in the curtain-raiser match, but had no hesitation in accepting the substitute’s green vest at the 11th hour.
“I think he might have even slipped in a post-match burger after the reserves game - it was that unexpected,” Clarke said.
“But I guess if there was a bloke that could do it at the last minute, it was Beamsy. He’s such a knockabout sort of guy, and doesn’t let things worry him too much.”
“He would do just about anything to play senior footy, so he was rapt to get the tap on the shoulder.”
The challenge for these players is to now replicate their impressive form at senior level to consolidate their positions.
They needn’t look any further than former reserves team-mates Ryan Harwood, Dayne Zorko, Rohan Bewick, Josh Green and Niall McKeever for inspiration.
Zorko has been nothing short of a revelation since debuting back in Round 7, and Harwood seems to have reinvented himself as a hard-nosed defender.
Bewick and Green have each strung together seven senior matches in a row, while McKeever has held down a key defensive post since Round 10.
With many more young Lions on the verge of senior selection, the competition for spots remains fierce, which is a positive indicator towards the Club’s improving depth of talent.
