Throw former Geelong premiership ruckman Trent West into the mix, and the Lions’ complement of big men would probably be the envy of most AFL clubs.
However, all three of the Lions’ primary ruck options were hampered by injury at some stage in 2013.
Leuenberger played just five games after injuring his knee in Round 4, while a ruptured ACL forced West to miss the second half of the season.
Martin, meanwhile, made a timely return in Round 12, after missing the first half of the season with a combination of foot and back complaints, which also kept him sidelined for the bulk of 2012.
The Club looked to bolster their ruck division even further in the off-season after Essendon’s Paddy Ryder considered a potential move north.
But with Ryder now being linked more closely with Port Adelaide, the Lions have “moved on” and remain confident in what they already have.
“I suppose we’ve nearly moved on (from Ryder). Our ruck stocks are reasonably healthy at the moment,” GM – Football Operations, Dean Warren told NAB AFL Trade Week Radio on Monday.
“The way Stef Martin finished off the season was exceptional, Matty Leuenberer played the last game of the year after having a really injury-interrupted season.
“Obviously Trent West carried the load for the first half of the year when Leuey went down and before Stef came back. Trent will be back midway through next year after he recovers from his ACL. We’ve also got young Archie Smith as well.”
Warren also disputed any rumour that Leuenberger might have been on the trade table, stating that the 26-year-old was “absolutely” a required player.
He also said the Lions remained “confident” of striking a deal with Collingwood that could see Magpies midfielder Dayne Beams join brother Claye in Brisbane, but said the Club wasn’t willing to part with any of its core young talent.
“There's no way in the world we're going to actually trade our young talent. We’re about rebuilding our list, and we’re not about to trade any of those (young players) out,” Warren said.
"We think pick four is a very fair trade, but we do understand that Dayne is contracted.
“If we have to, we might have to wait until he's out of contract the following year.
“Pick four is a good one, and we’d be quite happy to add another quality young player to our list if we had to do that.”
