The following events will soon be consigned to Club history as the Lions gear up for another assault on the AFL Premiership in 2012.
The Lions will count down the 10 significant moments from 2011 throughout December, with the final instalment featuring on Friday 23 December - prior to the Club’s official closure for the New Year period.
MOMENT #9: BLOODING YOUNG CUBS
CLICK HERE to watch a video highlights package featuring each of the 11 Lions’ debutants from 2011
The Brisbane Lions proved they were committed to the development of their youth by blooding a Club-record 11 debutants in 2011.
Claye Beams (Round 1), Rohan Bewick (Round 1), Josh Dyson (Round 20), Mitch Golby (Round 12), Josh Green (Round 9), Patrick Karnezis (Round 13), Ryan Lester (Round 1), Broc McCauley (Round 2), Niall McKeever (Round 14), Jared Polec (Round 3) and Bryce Retzlaff (Round 7) all had their first taste of senior AFL action, with 23 year-old Bewick leading the way with 12 matches.
But it was Oakleigh Chargers product Patrick Karnezis who made the biggest impact of the newcomers, playing 11 straight games from his Round 13 debut and booting 17 goals at an average of 1.54 goals per game - a figure that was bettered only at the Lions by regular spearhead Jonathan Brown (2.2 goals per game) and Mitch Clark (1.59 goals per game).
Such was Karnezis’ consistency, he kicked multiple goals in seven of his 11 games and was held goalless just once - against Collingwood in Round 22 at the MCG.
It therefore came as no surprise when Karnezis was awarded the Lions’ Rookie of the Year Award at the Club Champion dinner in September.
His closest competition for the honour probably came from Irishman Niall McKeever, who made his debut as a raw and athletic competitor in Round 14 against Fremantle, but gradually proved a reliable option in defence throughout the second half of the season.
McKeever played in each of the last 10 senior matches, gaining valuable experience up against to some of the competition’s best forwards.
Every Lions fan would have seen glimpses of what each of the debutants could potentially produce in the future.
First round draftee Jared Polec amassed an impressive 11 first quarter disposals in his debut match against Melbourne at the MCG, while Claye Beams and Ryan Lester were also busy early before being sidelined with long-term injuries.
The likes of Bewick, Dyson, Golby, Green and Retzlaff will also take greater confidence into the 2012 pre-season with a better understanding now of what is required from them to make that next step.
24 year-old rookie ruckman Broc McCauley, on the other hand, was delisted by the Lions at the conclusion of the season after getting an opportunity to play three senior games in 2011.
Despite McCauley’s departure, 10 of the 11 Lions debutants from 2011 will still be lining up again for the Club next season, no doubt with the intention of becoming more regular members of the senior side.
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RELATED LINKS
Get to know Patrick Karnezis
Karnezis makes his mark
Josh Dyson set for Lions debut
McKeever to make his debut
Karnezis kick on
Golby to make senior debut
Maroon, blue, gold and Green
Retzlaff to make own history
Polec to continue proud tradition
Polec named for AFL debut
Numbers up for Lions
Debutants named for season opener
PREVIOUS MOMENTS
#10: CELEBRATING GREATNESS
