Staker ends year on a high
Despite an early bout of homesickness, Brent Staker says his move to the Lions has been a real positive for his football career
Staker was hobbling around the dressing room after the match with a badly injured right ankle sustained in the third quarter, but was glad to have completed all 22 games in his first season in Lions colours.
Traded from West Coast in the off-season, the versatile 26-year-old was a shining light in a gloomy year.
On Saturday night he had the task of keeping Swans superstar Adam Goodes quiet, which he did for three quarters, before being thrust forward in the last term.
“It’s always a good challenge playing on a two-time Brownlow Medallist,” he said.
“Goodesy is one of those players that doesn’t stop working. I did OK on him, got a few kicks and tried to work off him, but you still have to watch him like a hawk because he’s very potent when he gets the footy, so as much as you try to attack, you really have to defend first.”
It was a performance that typified his season - honest, hard-working and full of quality - and one that should see him going close to the Lions’ best and fairest.
Staker said he had settled well in Brisbane after a period of adjustment.
“It was a huge move, it’s not like moving two doors, you’ve got to move 3000km and it’s a massive challenge in life,” he said.
“I battled a fair bit of homesickness but that’s a given. As the year’s gone on I’ve felt more at home.
“Homesickness is a tough thing to fight. You just have to pick yourself up every day and move on and have good people around you.”
Staker has played most positions on the ground over the season and said while it was a disappointing season for the team, he had developed personally.
“I’ve got a lot out of the season and I’m pretty happy with how I’ve tackled 2010," he said.
“I’m really enjoying in defence. I started the first half of year in the forward line but I’ve been enjoying it down back. We’ve got a good group of defenders back there, we’ve had a few injuries but when everyone is back we’ll be a strong unit in 2011.”