Assistant Coach Adrian Fletcher has revealed that the Lions Match Committee werenβt prepared to risk selecting ruckman Matthew Leuenberger for Saturdayβs all-important season-opener against the Western Bulldogs.
Leuenberger, who has played just two βhalf-gamesβ this pre-season since recovering from a persistent Achilles strain, was considered too underdone for such a high stakes match.
βObviously (Leuenberger) would have been a high risk proposition for Round One,β Fletcher told lions.com.au.
βYou need to have 22 fit players and rely on everyone to perform for the full 120 minutes. Leuey just didnβt have the miles in his legs.β
βItβs also a credit to young Billy Longer who has really stepped up during the pre-season.β
The Lionsβ relatively healthy list meant the Match Committee were forced to make some tough decisions on players who had performed well during the NAB Cup.
Sam Docherty and Andrew Raines were the two members of the teamβs NAB Cup premiership side who missed out on selection in Round One.
But Fletcher expects the fierce competition for senior spots to intensify throughout the season.
βWe believe that there are 32 players who could legitimately push for selection week in and week out β and thatβs not including our young developing players,β Fletcher said.
βThatβs a great position for the Club to be in β it makes for a healthy and successful football environment.β
βThe players who have been selected know that if they donβt do the ground work leading into games, and subsequently have a hiccup on match day, then there will be a number of players waiting in the wings for their spot.β
βThatβs how we will get better.β
Risky ruckman: Fletcher
Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger was considered 'too risky' for Round One