Assistant coach Adrian Fletcher takes lions.com.au through every player on the Brisbane Lions list ahead of its season opener against the Eagles.
SENIOR LIST
Jed Adcock
He’s had a strong pre-season, is now a club vice-captain, great communicator and competitor. He may slip back to defence but will primarily be used as a midfielder.
Matt Austin
Had an interrupted pre-season with some hamstring problems but had good continuity the last two months. He’s good at finding space and has a penetrating kick. Hopefully Matt can play seniors games in his second season.
Todd Banfield
He broke a bone in his hand in the off-season but is back in full swing now. Has worked on his decision making and disposal and is a dynamo who has great speed and defensive pressure.
Simon Black
He’s had a broken bone in his hand but will be right for round one. He was second in the Brownlow Medal last year. Blacky is the club’s best ball winner and he’s raring to go.
Daniel Bradshaw
He was brilliant last season with 75 goals. He looks sharp again. I actually think missing the year (in 2007) with his knee will help the back-end of his career.
Jared Brennan
He’s set a high standard over pre-season training. Jared took the next step last season and continues to grow in confidence, maturity and his leadership skills. He’ll be used mainly in the midfield.
Jonathan Brown
As always we just wanted to hold him back a bit in pre-season to keep him fresh. He’s the captain and the leader and he’ll be Jonathan Brown and expect others to follow.
Jamie Charman
Missed the start of pre-season but has put eight good weeks together and is ready to play. He’s one of our most important components with his rucking and ability to follow up with clearances.
Mitch Clark
He’s worked hard on leg and body strength over the off-season. We’ve got high hopes for Mitch. He’s got a lot of ability and talent and we don’t want to pigeon-hole him so he’ll play forward and back.
Scott Clouston
He’s worked hard on skills and decision making over the past few months. Scott’s a good lead-up player who has a penetrating kick and can be used down back or in the ruck at a pinch.
Tom Collier
Tom had a huge pre-season and put on 7kg. With the extra muscle has come extra belief and confidence. He believes in himself now.
Aaron Cornelius
He’s played NAB Cup and has an uncanny ability to find the ball when others can’t. Got terrific hands but is still working on his body strength and is a work in progress.
Bradd Dalziell
There’s no risk of second season blues for him. His ability to cover the ground is enormous and he can maintain speed for 120 minutes. We used him on a wing last season but he can give us more in other parts of the ground.
Josh Drummond
He’s an important player for the Lions, he’s our quarterback. He sought out a running coach in the off-season and is looking sharper than ever.
Scott Harding
Has an extra lease of confidence with a new coach on board. He’s been terrific in pre-season matches and gives us another forward crumbing option.
James Hawksley
Has worked hard on his strength. He’s got a good sidestep and a good leap and can read play well. He’s got to play games for us.
Lachlan Henderson
He’s learnt plenty in his time in the backline during the pre-season. Lachie’s a very professional second-year player and he can play back or forward for us.
Rhan Hooper
He loves playing footy. Did extra sessions with Vossy when he was suspended from the club. We want to give him opportunities to come up the ground because when he has the ball it’s better for the Lions.
Travis Johnstone
Travis has really settled into Brisbane now. He’s a smart footballer. Guys that can look laterally really have a nous for the game. He’s led the way in many pre-season drills and looks sharp.
Kieran King
He’s a 400m national champion and he just glides across the ground. He’s a work in progress. He has blistering speed and a good kick and is on a learning curve during his first season.
Matthew Leuenberger
He’s put on weight through his core and legs and really grown into his body. Matty’s a modern day ruckman with his athleticisim and ability to win the ball at ground a level.
Joel Macdonald
Joel was one of our best players for the first half of last year before he got injured. His had good continuity the past two months and we’ll look for him to win that 50-50 ball and be creative off half-back.
Bart McCulloch
He’s a vey smart, very intelligent young guy. He’s going to be developed for our ruck but it will take time. Young ruckmen need that resilience in their bodies to handle the repeat efforts.
Ashley McGrath
His run down back can open a game up for us, but he can play forward and at times he can give us some run through the middle. You can’t lock guys into one spot and Ash is a core payer for us.
Daniel Merrett
Had a bit of an interrupted pre-season with a minor quad injury but we’re confident he’ll be right for round one. ‘Rog’ is the core of our side. We need him down there to take the big blokes.
Tim Notting
His experience is valuable to us. We’ve got a lot of first and second year guys who we don’t want to put too much pressure on. Tim gives us that kangaroo bounce around the ground and will play lots of games this season.
Joel Patfull
He’s an awesome player and very under-rated. He can play on so many types and we usually give him the opposition’s most dangerous forward.
James Polkinghorne
Had a good pre-season, increased his endurance base and with a strong body I think James is around the mark and ready to go. Can play forward or in the middle.
Luke Power
He’s the Eveready battery of our team. Just like Blacky, he’s so professional and all he wants to do is get the football. Luke’s just a superstar.
Albert Proud
Had a fantastic pre-season and increased his endurance. He’s a hard ball winner and all he needs is an opportunity. Has a fantastic attitude.
Jack Reddan
Our second draft pick, Jack’s shown some good signs in the NAB Cup. He’s very clean at ground level. He’ll be a midfielder but we just need to let him develop.
Daniel Rich
Really stepped up to the plate. We’ll play him in a number of roles, across half forward, through the midfield. Has to increase his endurance base, but Daniel is level headed, has a mature body and a beautiful left foot.
Michael Rischitelli
Was fantastic last season. He loves a contest and his ability to win that 50-50 ball and pressure the opposition makes him a really important component to our midfield.
Tom Rockliff
Tom has been fantastic since he got here and will be developed this year. He’s a smart player and you can’t teach that. We don’t expect too much at this stage and games would be a bonus.
Jason Roe
He’s getting fitter as the pre-season goes. He can play on a wide range of players down back and is very good at coming off his own man and helping others. Gives us good rebound.
Troy Selwood
He’ll play a number of roles for us this season. Can play down back on a dangerous forward or do a job through the middle. Troy is great for our balance.
Sam Sheldon
Had osteitis pubis and missed most of last year then got hit by glandular fever so it’s been a rough run. Been training the last month and still filling into his body and getting back his strength.
Justin Sherman
I think Justin knows how to play different roles now and has really matured. Had a strong pre-season and with his speed and ability to keep his feet we can use him on a wing, as a tagger or up forward.
Cheynee Stiller
Has put 5kg on which is great. He’s played on a wing for two years but to give us flexibility we want Cheynee to play inside and outside this year.
Matt Tyler
He can play down back or up forward and has developed that core strength. He’s got good agility and for Matt it’s about taking opportunities. His goal would be to play senior footy this year.
