MATTHEW Leuenberger has flagged a selection dilemma for the Brisbane Lions, conceding there isn't room in their best side for three ruckmen.
Having finally overcome a knee injury, Leuenberger is available for next week's NAB Cup opener against the Western Bulldogs, while Jamie Charman is also fit after ankle surgery ruined his year.
However, Mitch Clark's brilliant season as the side's No.1 ruckman and the recruitment of Brendan Fevola and Brent Staker has left Leuenberger unsure of coach Michael Voss' plans.
"I think they'll try to play two ruckmen. I can't see the three of us together, to be honest," he told afl.com.au from the Lions' two-day community camp on the Sunshine Coast this week.
"We're top heavy up forward at the moment with Fev, Staker and Browny (Jonathan Brown) … so having four big guys down in the forward line, whether that can happen, I'm not sure.
"I haven't heard anything about what the coaches are thinking but that's my thought on it."
Leuenberger added that the competition for a ruck spot in the senior side had motivated him throughout the pre-season.
"It also means if the three of us can stay fit, the coaches have the choice," he said.
"It's a luxury we didn't have last year so it will certainly help the team."
The Dogs clash will be Leuenberger's first competitive hit-out since his aborted comeback with the reserves on the eve of the senior side's finals campaign.
He played two games in the QAFL but broke down in the second when he was put into the ruck.
"It was just a rush against time. I wanted to get back for the finals and tried to do anything possible to get there," he said.
"It was just a race against the clock, and the clock won."
Leuenberger took the full seven weeks off after the season but kept running to free up his knee.
Now, with a full range of movement and a solid fitness base behind him, he is ready to tackle his fourth season at AFL level.
"I can't wait to play. I only managed three games last year and even before that, I missed virtually the last half of 2008," he said.
"It's nearly a year-and-a-half of footy. I'm itching to get out there and see where I'm at."
The former No.4 draft pick intends to play throughout the NAB Cup competition in a bid to recapture match fitness.
"I've been able to do all the training and I haven't missed any sessions," Leuenberger said.
"I've done contested work in the ruck, at ground level and in the air, and I've had no issues with it (the knee) at all so I'm pretty confident with the way it is at the moment."
