One of the many intriguing battles surrounding Friday night’s NAB Cup Grand Final will be between the Brisbane Lions’ and Carlton’s midfield.
The Blues boast one of the competition’s most formidable midfield brigades led by two-time Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd and newly appointed skipper Marc Murphy.
Throw in Andrew Carrazzo, Bryce Gibbs, Kade Simpson and Brock McLean, and you begin to see why Carlton are being touted as a potential top-four side in 2013.
Jack Redden, who returns to the Lions’ line-up after being rested against Collingwood, says his fellow midfielders will certainly have their hands full.
“They’ve got a strong midfield,” Redden said.
“(Marc Murphy’s) definitely an elite midfielder in the AFL at the moment – Judd’s obviously one as well.”
“We have to keep a close check on those two I’d imagine because they can break open games. It’s important we don’t let them off the hook.”
It presents a great challenge for the Lions’ engine room, who will be without regular midfield general Simon Black.
But the likes of Redden, Tom Rockliff, Daniel Rich and new recruit Brent Moloney have proven a force of their own so far this pre-season.
With more than half of the Lions’ squad having never experienced a single AFL Finals match before, the opportunity to play on a relatively big stage cannot be understated.
And a fresh piece of silverware is only one win away…
“A win’s a win,” Redden said.
“To give all us young blokes a taste of (success) would be great.”
Test for Lions midfield
Jack Redden says the Lions are ready for Carlton's star-studded midfield