Barring major injuries, the player who is allocated the green vest pre-game generally sits on the sidelines until late in the third term when the team requires some extra run from fresher legs. There are exceptions to this rule, obviously.
So what happens to the player who might only get 30 minutes of on-field action? Does playing a cameo role hinder their match fitness?
Those questions, and many others, were raised during Patrick Karnezis’ live online chat with Lions fans on Wednesday afternoon.
Karnezis was well equipped to answer such questions considering he has played the role of Lions substitute in each of the past two weeks. On both occasions - against Geelong and Essendon - he was activated late in the third term and had an immediate impact.
But as the talented 20 year-old revealed, the hard work doesn’t necessarily stop for the substitute once the final siren sounds. In fact, while his team-mates were completing their post-match meetings and recovery, Karnezis was being put through a gruelling training session on the field with Physical Performance Manager Brett Burton.
He cut a very lone figure on the Etihad Stadium surface in front of the empty grandstands.
“(I had to do extra training after the game) because I had been the sub for two weeks in a row, and before that had only played half a game in the Reserves,” Karnezis said.
“So I hadn’t had a lot of time on the track.”
Karnezis also said the substitute is generally decided in the days leading up to the match to allow time to prepare.
“Usually a couple days before the game you get told you are the sub,” he said.
“I’m not too sure yet (whether I’ll be the sub again this week against Collingwood), I’ll have to wait and see. Either way, I’m just hoping to be out there with the boys.”
In addition to the football-related questions, the popular forward was showered with love from his adoring fans - and even received more than a few marriage proposals.
“Haha, at 20 years old I’m a bit too young to get married. But thanks for the offer,” was one of his typically polite responses.
Another popular topic that was raised concerned his current hairstyle and whether there was any chance he might grow it out again like in 2011.
“It’s coming back very soon,” Karnezis said of his hair. “I made a big mistake at the start of pre-season (by cutting it short).”
CLICK HERE to read Patrick’s full chat transcript and find out more about his favourite breakfast food, his most admired players, and his intentions to stay with the Lions “long term”.
