#4 Jared Polec
Recruited in 2010 from Woodville-West Torrens, Polec’s 2011 campaign ended prematurely with a foot injury sidelining him for the season after just three senior games. He subsequently spent the year building his strength and maintaining his fitness, before completing a full pre-season and impressing in the Lions’ 2012 NAB Cup campaign. Polec was selected in the Lions’ Round 1 team, where he stayed until Round 9. He particularly impressed with his efforts against Melbourne, with 18 disposals and six marks, and Fremantle, where he kicked two goals. Polec went on to play a further four games from Round 10-17 before an adductor injury struck.
Click here to view Jared Polec’s player profile.
#24 Joel Patfull
Patfull, recruited from Norwood, has once again been Mr. Consistency in the Lions’ backline in 2012. One of the competition’s hardest working, but unheralded, players, Patfull has regularly held down defensive posts against both small and tall opposition forwards. He is one of a handful of players to play all games so far in 2012 and is currently second in the league in the ‘one percenter’ stat category - those little defensive efforts like spoils, smothers and shepherds that increase pressure and turnovers, but don’t necessarily get the individual Dream Team points.
Click here to view Joel Patfull’s player profile.
#30 Jack Redden
Jack Redden, recruited from Glenelg, has further stamped himself on the AFL competition as a bullocking midfielder and tackling machine - he currently leads him teammates in tackles (114), with first-year dynamo Dayne Zorko his next challenger on 87. Redden, like Patfull, has played all 19 games and has had a consistent year with his solid work ethic, clean hands and a hunger for the footy. He has regularly been among the Lions’ best on ground, most notably in Round 6 against Essendon (30 touches), Round 9 against North Melbourne (26 touches, nine marks, two goals), and Round 10 against West Coast (15 tackles, 21 disposals).
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#34 Jesse O’Brien
O’Brien, from North Adelaide, has been hampered by injury in 2012 after a promising 2011 season, where he played 12 senior games. He has managed just two in 2012 in Rounds 2 and 3, before shifting back to the Reserves to provide experience and pace in the midfield. His season was cut short earlier this month with an adductor injury, and subsequent surgery should see O’Brien fit and ready for the 2012 pre-season.
Click here to view Jesse O’Brien’s player profile.
#42 Justin Clarke
Justin Clarke was recruited in the 2011 Rookie Draft from North Adelaide, where he played just one Reserves game - but still showed enough to spark the Lions’ interest. The 195cm youngster has since piled on over 10kg and flourished in his key defensive post for the Lions Reserves. Described as ‘very raw’ but with enormous potential and great pace, he has been likened to Lions great Nigel Lappin and Essendon stalwart Dustin Fletcher.
Click here to view Justin Clarke’s player profile.
