It comes after a particularly tough few days, when very little went right for the Club.
Firstly, second year star Sam Mayes was concussed at training and subsequently ruled out of the North Melbourne match, before a virus hit a number of players – including Tom Rockliff, Joel Patfull and Dayne Zorko – on the eve of the game.
The resultant 87-point loss to the Kangaroos was one that fans probably won’t be keen on storing in their memory banks.
After the match, Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch said that it was an opportune time for his team to take stock and reload for the next stage of the season.
“Talk about limping into the Bye…” Leppitsch said.
“We’ve got time to refresh and recover, and we’ll get some players back for our next game at the Gabba against Carlton.
“So there are some positives we can look forward to.”
Mayes, Patfull and Rockliff will be ready for the Blues in two weeks, while Zorko, Jonathan Brown and a host of others will benefit from the rest as well.
A corresponding Bye for the Reserves in the NEAFL means the entire Lions squad will enjoy a four-day break from Thursday.
Innovation & Development Manager, Gary O’Donnell, echoed Leppitsch’s sentiments towards the Bye.
“We’ve had a tough nine weeks – with injury, a tough draw, and having to cope with a new game style,” O’Donnell told lions.com.au.
“So the Bye gives us a chance to recharge, refresh, refocus and reflect.
“The players will still have a program they’ll take away with them over their four-day break, because we want to make sure they all come back next and hit the ground running next Monday.”
