There is a healthy competitiveness brewing at the BrisbaneLions. After a bumper trade and draft period, the Lions list is in arguably atthe healthiest it has been in the past few years.

With Premiership players, Dayne Beams and Allen Christensenmaking the move north the Lions midfield is flooded with talent. Throw in thelikes of Rockliff, Redden, Rich, Zorko, Hanley and the Lion’s match committeehave got a wealth of talent to choose from.

Speaking to SEN last night, Brent Staker said Senior Coach,Justin Leppitsch had highlighted early the need for all players to fight fortheir spot.

“On our very first day of preseason Leppa said, ‘there are26 midfielders and we can only fill about 14 spots and that’s a healthy signfor our footy club,’” said Staker.

“That’s what it was like at West Coast back in the day and Ithink it’s a great sign for the future of the Lions.”

Staker also commended new recruit, Christensen, on theleadership he has brought with him to the Gabba.

“We had our team camp up at Noosa last week and he(Christensen) really took up the role of being a leader in that group,” saidStaker.

 “He had a lot to sayabout leadership and what it takes to be an elite football club, and everyonereally listened in.”