Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger answered questions from fans during a 30-minute live online chat at 3:30pm (Queensland time) on Wednesday 15 February 2012.

Please find below an edited transcript from what was said during the Q&A session.

Matthew Leuenberger: Hey guys, Leuey here. How are we all?

Jayden: Are you playing in the NAB Cup?

Matthew Leuenberger: Hey Jayden, I’ll be playing in the NAB Cup. Am fit and healthy for selection

Jayden: Sweet, what about Ben Hudson

Matthew Leuenberger: Pretty sure Ben will be playing as well. All 4 of us ruckman are fit and ready for selection. Expecting all of us to play at some stage of the Cup

Megan: Leuey - are you looking forward to taking over Charman's honour of being sponsored by Harry the Cat here in VIC?

Matthew Leuenberger: Hey Megan, I can’t wait. Charmo was shattered about not being sponsored by Harry any more.

Jayden: Do you think this year will be more successful for the Club?

Matthew Leuenberger: Yeah, I’m very optimistic about this year. We are all fit and healthy and have made massive physical improvements. We’re training far better at the moment than we were this time last year.

Emy: Happy Valentine’s day for yesterday! Did you have a good day? :)

Matthew Leuenberger: Thanks Emy. Had a very boring Valentine’s Day. Spent it at home with Jordan ‘Moose’ Lisle on the couch

KLR: Hey Leuey, how did you pull after this morning? How do you think Big Ben will go this year?

Matthew Leuenberger: I pulled up well. I think Ben will go well this year. He’s in a good frame of mind, has done all the training, and is very difficult to compete against.

Emy: Haha, oh so romantic :P how was the game today? Or whatever it was that you guys did this morning :P

Matthew Leuenberger: Game was great today. It was that much more fun compared to training. Was a good hit out too. The team got a lot out of it

Jayden: Do you think the team is in a chance for playing Finals?

Matthew Leuenberger: If we can stay healthy and have a few more young guys step up, I think we are every chance to play finals footy

Megan: Glad to hear it Leuey. Apart from the Gabba, what's your favourite ground to play at?

Matthew Leuenberger: I would have to say Subiaco. Purely for the fact that it means that I’m at home in Perth for a few days.

KLR: Do you think you might go forward and boot some goals this year?

Matthew Leuenberger: I think so. Pretty sure they are keen to play two rucks, so for rotations, I think it’s inevitable that I would see some time forward

Emy: What is your favourite band?

Matthew Leuenberger: My favourite band.....tough one. Probably say the Black Keys

KLR: Who was your favourite footy hero growing up in WA?

Matthew Leuenberger: Unfortunately it isn’t a West Aussie. I was a Carlton supporter as a kid and loved Stephen Kernahan

Steve: Hi Leuey! Do you consider yourself a prankster... or are you always at the receiving end?

Matthew Leuenberger: I probably lean more on the side of prankster than being on the receiving end. Not a notorious prankster though

REECE86: Who are the young cubs we should keep an eye on over the year for a senior berth?

Matthew Leuenberger: Keep an eye out for Elliot Yeo. He’s been very impressive. Billy Longer, for an 18 year-old ruckman is very impressive, and Jack Crisp on our rookie list has been impressive also

REECE86: Have you had much to do with Harvs seeing you might push forward this year?

Matthew Leuenberger: I spend most my time in areas with the midfield, but over the pre-season I have spent a few sessions here and there working with Harvs and the forwards

Steve: What would you consider the best prank you've done, and who do you have to watch your back for?

Matthew Leuenberger: I got Billy Longer when he first moved up, pretending to be someone I wasn’t. He took it hook line and sinker. I won’t go into details though. I would probably have to say Jack Redden

KLR: What's it like having Charmo as your coach? How does he compare to Beau?

Matthew Leuenberger: Charmo has been great, a little different to Beau, but still a lot of similarities.

Andy: Hey mate....I’m in the middle of putting together my Dream Team... who do you have in yours this year?

Matthew Leuenberger: I don’t do Dream Team, sorry. If I did, I would give Harwood a go. Heard people say Brown is cheap - he’s flying at the moment

Moose: Hey Leuey, you prankster. You're pretty tall, do you get that a lot?

Matthew Leuenberger: Aahhh Jordan "moose" Lisle, you can answer that one for us I reckon.

KLR: Lol, how do you think "moose" will go this year? Will he play forward or back?

Matthew Leuenberger: I think he will do just fine. Hasn’t missed a session this pre-season and has been impressive with his work rate and his attack on the footy in the air

Tara: I am guessing that you are 'moose' live together - who else do you live with, and who is the better housemate?

Matthew Leuenberger: Yeah, I do live with the moose. Just him and I at the moment. I had Billy Longer living with me until Christmas, but had to move him on. Left the door wide open whenever he left the house.

IanHaso84: Hey Leuey, great to hear that you're still fit and firing. How do you see the chemistry between yourself and the rest of midfield at this stage? Do you feel as though it is strengthening?

Matthew Leuenberger: Yeah, I do. We have spent a lot of time together over the pre-season and the improvement has been evident.

KLR: Which NBA team do you follow?

Matthew Leuenberger: Detroit Pistons.

Any way guys time has come for me to leave. Lovely chatting to you all. Thanks for your support. GO LIONS!!!


You can also CLICK HERE to view some of the recent live chat transcripts with Ash McGrath, Bryce Retzlaff, Aaron Cornelius, James Polkinghorne, Josh Green, Dayne Zorko and Brent Staker.