A CAMEO performance by Daniel Bradshaw has convinced Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews that his recovering forward can get back to his best - albeit in a month's time.
Matthews once again lamented the Lions' reliance on Jonathan Brown after the Coleman Medallist kicked six goals in their AFL season opening 16-point loss to West Coast at Perth last weekend.
In his first game since missing 2007 due to a knee reconstruction, Bradshaw kicked three second half majors in a burst of inspiration but was otherwise quiet.
Matthews said Bradshaw "came up well" after the season opener - but was taking a long term view to the goal kicker's recovery.
"He only got involved in the match a little bit but he should be much better in a month than he is now," he said.
"We are just playing him now because we believe he is better than the other alternatives."
Matthews once again made it clear he did not want Brown to shoulder the Lions' goal scoring burden in their blockbuster against Collingwood at the Gabba on Friday night.
Asked what he thought of Brown's six goal effort marked by key AFL defender Darren Glass, Matthews said: "I am thinking I wish a few others could join in."
"Jonathan was exceptional. When Daniel Bradshaw joined in for a quarter we actually looked okay.
"Clearly no player is good enough to be a one man forward line.
"We want to get from Jonathan what he is capable of giving - which is a lot - but we really need a few more to assist."
Jared Brennan kicked seven goals in the Lions' 93-point thumping of the Pies last July but is no guarantee of starting as a forward this week.
"If Jared Brennan plays full-forward and kicks seven we will probably win the game," Matthews laughed.
"(But) he will play different spots. Last week he didn't do much as a forward but wasn't too bad as part of the midfield rotation.
"He's certainly (at a) higher (aerobic) level than he has been previously."
Anthony Rocca kicked six goals in Collingwood's 26-point season opening win over Fremantle as the Pies ran out the game better than their rivals.
"If Anthony Rocca kicks six they will usually win. But they have got good run and movement - but he (Rocca) is still the main strike weapon," Matthews said.
"(Lions fullback) Daniel Merrett will get that job and it will be a big task.
"They were impressive on the weekend. They were strong."
Matthews was clearly licking his lips ahead of the Friday night showdown.
"Collingwood games are always big. You have the big crowd, big interest - the love `em or hate `em attitude is what Collingwood is all about," he said.
"From a marketing point of view playing them up here early in the year is exactly what you want and from a playing point of view it's always a little different for all the same reasons."
