Co-Captain Jonathan Brown might still be lynchpin of the Brisbane Lions’ attack, but Assistant Coach Adrian Fletcher says the skipper’s absence won’t alter the team’s forward structure.
While Brown himself is obviously irreplaceable, the Lions have options available to fill the void left by the three-time Club Champion.
“The most important thing for our forward line is to have two post players, and we have those in ‘Rog’ Merrett, he gives us a good contest down the line, and Stefan Martin, who came in to replace Browny,” Fletcher told LIONS TV as part of the Vero Coaches’ Wrap.
“So (against Richmond) we had the two talls, and played Ryan Lester as a third (tall) hit-up player. Then we had our three crumbing players in Zorko, Green and O’Brien.
Fletcher said the Club would likely boast a similar-looking set-up for the remainder of the 2013 season.
“We’d love (Brown) back, but we know we’re not going to before the end of the season,” he said.
“So we have to go with what we’ve got, and we think there’s a good balance.”
The Lions’ forward line won’t be the only area under the microscope this Saturday night against Greater Western Sydney, with the team’s defence and midfield also with their work cut out for them.
Matt Maguire, Joel Patfull and co down back will have their hands full trying to contain second year sensation Jeremy Cameron, while the Giants’ midfield is one of their greatest strengths.
“They’ve got an elite midfield group that can run and carry the ball. They’ll use their hands through the middle of the ground,” Fletcher said.
“We can’t take them lightly, they’re a very talented side.”
Brown-less forward set-up
Adrian Fletcher says the Lions' forward line can cope without Brown