Being overlooked in favour of two of the AFL’s best is something Lisle understands, but it hasn’t made him any less intent on gaining a permanent place in the top flight.
The 21 year-old has so far spent 2012 in the NEAFL, where he’s steadily improved as the season’s worn on, and he’s bullish about his chances of a senior call-up.
“I want to get in the seniors as soon as possible, and stay there once I get in!” Lisle enthuses.
“The last 6 weeks I’ve been happy with my form playing ruck and forward; it’s a role I’m hoping to master in the Two’s and play in seniors as well.”
“I hope that I’m starting to knock on the door now and play myself into good enough form to warrant selection.”
Senior selection aside, the Oakleigh Chargers junior’s role as part of the Lions Reserves side is now especially crucial given Bryce Retzlaff’s season-ending injury.
Retzlaff was ranked third on the competition goal-kicking standings before rupturing his ACL last weekend, and Lisle acknowledges there’ll be added onus on him to perform.
“Retzy and I are the two tall targets who try and work together; it’s a big loss to not have him for the rest of the year,” Lisle says.
“I’ll definitely have to step up in his absence, particularly as he’s our Captain and such a strong leader of the forward line.”
The perennially-stubbled Lisle was first drafted by the Hawks in 2008, but spent more than two seasons playing for Hawthorn’s VFL affiliate Box Hill, before debuting in Round 11 last year.
After his move to Queensland, and ten games in the NEAFL, the 196cm Lisle reckons there are differences between the respective reserve competitions.
“The VFL and NEAFL do differ a little bit,” he says.
“The VFL has a little more depth because they’ve got so many players to choose from as they get all the kids who don’t get picked up out of the TAC cup.”
So has he found football easier since switching to the Sunshine State?
“Football’s never easy!” Lisle laughs.
“In terms of the overall standard, the VFL is only slightly ahead of the NEAFL; it’s not a huge difference between them at all so every game I have to put in 100%.”
