‘Fine for us’: Lions take injury hits in stride
Murray Wenzel and Roger Vaughan |
The Brisbane Lions’ mounting injury toll has been flipped into a motivating factor as the wounded squad powers towards back-to-back AFL premierships.
Assured a top-eight finish, Chris Fagan’s side can secure second or third spot with a win against Hawthorn on Sunday at the Gabba.
Their 15-6-1 campaign has come despite constant injury dramas, Eric Hipwood (calf) the latest in a setback that could rule him out until a potential preliminary final.
Key forward Ty Gallop shapes as potential cover for Hipwood against a tall Hawks backline.
Small forward Kai Lohmann (calf) is set to return against the Hawks, but two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale (quad) will miss one more match.
Brandon Starcevich (hamstring) appears fit to back-up against the Hawks while Jarrod Berry is looming as a surprise option despite dislocating his shoulder in Friday’s defeat of Fremantle, but is likely to be given more time to recover for finals.
Ruckman Oscar McInerney has been restricted to 11 games with ongoing issues.
Jack Payne (knee), Noah Answerth (achilles), Lincoln McCarthy (knee) and Keidean Coleman (quad) have already been ruled out for the rest of the season by Brisbane.
Veteran defender Ryan Lester, who returned with a rare goal against the Dockers after a concussion of his own, said it would be easy for it all to take a toll.
“Potentially, but I’m not sure because we seem to use adversity,” he said.
“We went to Perth last week (and won as) outsiders and a little bit of adversity and difficulty is fine for us.
“We’ve got enough experience playing, and we’ve got enough young talent coming through that we’re still a very good side, whoever’s out there.
“Absolutely you’d like all your best players out there, and hopefully come finals we’ll get a few back.
“But (I’m) very comfortable, we can still get the job done.”
Neale was confident on Tuesday night that he will be ready for week one of the finals and admits he now views the pre-finals bye differently.
“It depends who you ask – if you ask me, it’s a guarantee. There are still a few boxes to tick,” he told AFL360 of the recovery from his quad injury.
“I’m not a big advocate for the pre-finals bye … but this year I’m very thankful for it.”
Adelaide are set to welcome back defender Max Michallaney (hamstring) when the finals start, while forward Josh Rachele (knee) remains two to three weeks away.
Rachele would be an obvious replacement if Izak Rankine is suspended.
Luke Pedlar is sidelined for a week, also with a hamstring injury.
Essendon captain Zach Merrett confirmed he will return from surgery on a broken hand and play his 250th game on Thursday night against Carlton.
Merrett suffered the injury two weekends ago in the loss to Geelong and said he would wear a guard or glove over the surgical scar.
“I have absolutely no worries about going out there and playing,” he said.
AAP
