MATTHEW Leuenberger had just four disposals in his comeback match against Carlton last Sunday, but Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch was still full of praise for the lanky West Australian.
Leuenberger was dropped after two rounds for his poor start to the season and spent three weeks in the NEAFL before returning against the Blues.
With an injury crisis befalling his team's forward line, Leppitsch used the 203cm ruckman almost exclusively in the forward 50.
Leuenberger finished with four possessions, two marks, nine hit-outs and a one goal.
Although the numbers didn’t appear strong, Leppitsch was said it was the type of performance he had been looking for from the ruckman.
"I thought he was terrific," Leppitsch said.
"He only had four possessions, but his ability to play his role and draw the ball allowed Josh Green (three goals) to do his work, and straightened us up offensively to give us a target.
"He was in dozens of contests, he didn't mark all the balls, some he was just a millimetre away, but that'll come over the weeks.
"His ability to play his role was terrific."
Leppitsch said Leuenberger's response on the training track to being dropped had been first class.
"He's trained very hard, very diligently, (has) come back in and played well. That's what we want from all our players," he said.
Leuenberger and his ruck sidekick Stefan Martin face one of the toughest duos in the AFL on Sunday, taking on Port Adelaide pair Matthew Lobbe and Paddy Ryder at the Gabba.
Martin, who revived his career with a withering end to 2014, has been one of the Lions' best in the opening six rounds, and was dominant against the Blues with 19 disposals and 38 hit-outs.
Leppitsch said Leuenberger would spend a touch more time in the ruck, although he likes Martin's work around the ground.
"There's nothing better than going up against the best, particularly a ruck duel because that's very much one-on-one," the coach said.
"Most other parts of the ground you swap opponents, but you can't get away from it as a ruckman. You've got to take the challenge on and meet it, so I'm looking forward to that one."
Leppitsch said he expected the Lions to play with more freedom against the Power following their breakthrough victory against Carlton.
"I think the monkey's off the back a bit.
"It's like a batsmen, if you keep making ducks, you're just waiting for that first run to get away.
"We can all play the game well, but the nervousness sometimes doesn't bring out the best in you and that's probably what's been happening," he said.
"We can put that behind us now and play with a bit of freedom."
