If it weren’t for his weekly appearance on LIONS TV’s ‘Footy Fix’, Brent Staker would be an almost forgotten man among Lions fans, after consecutive knee reconstructions limited the 28 year-old to just six matches over the past two seasons.
But after successfully completing his most recent rehabilitation, Staker is on track for his on-field return early next year.
“The past two years have been very frustrating, but I’m officially out of rehab now and right to go,” Staker told ABC radio in his home town of Broken Hill.
“It’s just that I can’t do any tackling or body-to-body stuff just yet. I have to wait till Christmas to do that, which is only an extra couple of weeks.”
Staker’s knee recently survived a good workout at the Grand Final edition of Channel Nine’s The Footy Show, when he joined four of his teammates - Aaron Cornelius, Elliot Yeo, Dayne Zorko and Jesse O’Brien - on stage for the popular ‘Players Review’.
“We did the Jersey Boys,” Staker said.
“I said that I’d do it again, but only if they put me in the back. Then on day one of rehearsals, they say ‘Stakes, you’re Frankie Valli and you’re up the front’.”
“The knee held up fine - it was a good way to test it out dancing in front of 14,000 people.”
At 196cm and almost 100kg, Staker is of similar size to Captain Jonathan Brown, and has proven more than capable of filling key roles both up forward and in defence.
His versatility will be a welcome addition to the Lions’ senior team in 2013 - which is also set to benefit from the return of ruckman Matthew Leuenberger, who missed most of last season with an Achilles injury.
Staker said there is a real air of excitement surrounding the Gabba at the moment, and that the entire Club is committed to building on the improvements made over the past 12 months.
“We are looking very strong. I’m hoping there are some more good trades and good drafting in the next month,” he said.
“I’m expecting big things. We won 10 games this year, but we need to start beating those teams around us if we’re going to challenge for the eight.”
“Then we can start talking serious football.”
