Black continued to shoulder a great deal of the Lions' midfield responsibilities last season, but was ably assisted by emerging young guns Tom Rockliff and Jack Redden who took on more significant roles in 2011.
But the 32 year-old says there are plenty more midfield reinforcements waiting in the wings at the Club who are ready to make an impact next year.
“Our first round draft picks over the last couple of years - Callum Bartlett and Jared Polec - have had a few injuries but show a lot of potential,” Black told Melbourne radio network SEN.
“Hopefully they can get a good pre-season under their belt, because they’re going to be long-term players for the Club in our midfield.”
“We lack a bit of pace in the middle of the ground, and they can give us that. If they can stay healthy, they could make a real impact on the Club.”
When you include key contributors Daniel Rich and James Polkinghorne into the mix - along with the likes of Ryan Harwood, Josh Green and Claye Beams - it’s hard not to be excited about the Lions’ future midfield brigade.
The evergreen Black will no doubt remain the ‘midfield General’ for at least another season after signing a one-year extension to his contract, and hinted that there could still be more football in him post-2012.
“I’ll just see how it goes,” Black said.
“I’m 33 next year so I’ll just have to see how next season transpires and whether I can still get a kick and whether I’m still enjoying it.”
“I did enjoy my footy this year, even though we didn’t win too many games. But hopefully we’ve turned a corner and it can be onwards and upwards for the Club from here.”
Black also said the Club’s latest influx of draftees had made a good first impression.
“At this time of year, when they first arrive, you don’t really know much about them,” he said.
“But they all seem like really good kids. They are respectful and want to work hard. So I’ve been really impressed with them from the outset.”
