The wait is over for Jordan Lisle.
After five games in three seasons with Hawthorn, Lisle came to the Brisbane Lions at the end of 2011 via Trade Week - the Lions were depleted in their ‘tall’ stocks, and Lisle was eager for more opportunity up north.
After slotting into the Brisbane lifestyle with housemate Matthew Leuenberger and finding his feet in the local NEAFL competition, Lisle has spent the past weeks knocking - hard - on the door to a senior spot.
He has impressed Lions selectors with his form in the Reserves - including 35 goals in the past nine games - and will make his debut in Lions colours when he lines up at the Gabba this Saturday to face Richmond.
Click here to view Jordan Lisle's player profile.
His selection is a fitting reward for a player who has proven that he can kick bags of goals, but has also shown his worth at the other end of the ground as an able key defensive post.
And, at Round 19, it has been a long wait for Lisle, who has been waiting patiently for his opportunity.
“I want to get in the seniors as soon as possible, and stay there once I get in,” Lisle told lions.com.au back in June.
“I’ve been happy with my form playing ruck and forward; it’s a role I’m hoping to master and play in seniors as well.”
Six weeks later, Lisle will no doubt be even hungrier to prove his worth this Saturday night.
He will line up as the 46th player to wear the Number 19 guernsey in a senior AFL match for Fitzroy, the Bears and the Lions.
Lisle takes the baton from recently retired premiership ruckman, Jamie Charman, now a member of the Lions coaching staff.
Charman played 129 matches over 11 seasons with the Lions before succumbing to a long-term ankle injury which ultimately forced him to retire in 2011, at age 29.
David McMahon is the all-time games record holder (218) for the #19, playing from 1973-84, and carved out a career for Fitzroy as one of the best half forward flankers in the game.
Other notable names to wear the #19 include Michael McLean (88 games, 1991-97), Ron Harvey (127 games, 1954-55, 1957-63), Fred Williams (106 games, 1920-28) and Harold McLennan (135 games, 1907-16, 1919).
MOST CLUB GAMES IN THE #19
218 - David McMahon
129 - Jamie Charman
127 - Ron Harvey
88 - Michael McLean
77 - Fred Williams
76 - Alan McLaughlin
71 - Harold McLennan
47 - Darryl Herrod
44 - Scott McIvor
36 - Graham D. Osborne
26 - Jack W. Grant
22 - Jack McConchie
22 - George Shaw
21 - Darren Holmes
20 - Harold Carter
18 - Ivan Sharp
16 - Len Pye
16 - Wally Bristowe
12 - David Bain
12 - Noel Carroll
12 - Des Headland
10 - Brad Edwards
10 - Les Gibaud
9 - Rory Hilton
8 - Leo Bird
7 - Jack Lancaster
7 - Dean Harding
7 - Leo Monaghan
6 - Mal MacRae
5 - Gary Ebbels
5 - Brenton Klaebe
5 - Frank Seymour
3 - Tom Ledwidge
3 - Bob Sayers
3 - Wal Dudley
3 - Chris Stacey
2 - Wally Mitchell
2 - Wally O’Brien
2 - Paul Shanahan
1 - Merv Brooks
1 - Peter Corkran
1 - Robert Cummings
1 - Colin Dodd
1 - Mick Keighery
1 - Cyril Zimmer
1 - Jordan Lisle*
