RISING star Matthew Leuenberger says the Brisbane Lions will be significantly better for a competitive hit-out when they take on North Melbourne in Friday’s NAB Challenge match at Princes Park
The Lions were noticeably rusty in their NAB Cup loss to Essendon at Carrara last week – not surprising since Queensland’s inclement weather meant it was their first real match practice for the year.
Leuenberger predicts a sharper performance from the 29-man squad named to face the Roos.
Ruckman Jamie Charman is in the frame to play his first game of the year, while Irishman Pearce Hanley could match the feats of compatriot Colm Begley by debuting two weeks into the pre-season competition.
"Our skills were a bit below bar on the weekend because it was our first match for five or six months," Leuenberger said.
"We’ve been working on our skills under pressure as much as we can in training, but until you are out there in a match it’s not the same thing.
"I think we’ll definitely be better for having played a game and that we’ll keep improving as we get towards round one."
While Jonathan Brown and Simon Black remain on the sidelines for the Lions, North Melbourne has named a close-to full-strength team.
The Roos’ most notable absentee is gun on-baller Daniel Wells, who has a groin injury.
Squads:
Brisbane Lions (with guernsey numbers):
2 - Albert Proud, 4 - Travis Johnstone, 5 - Scott Harding, 7 - Jed Adcock, 8 - Tim Notting, 11 - Justin Sherman, 14 - Lachlan Henderson, 17 - Jared Brennan, 18 - Anthony Corrie, 19 - Jamie Charman, 22 - Tom Collier, 23 - Matthew Leuenberger, 24 - Joel Patfull, 25 - Wayde Mills, 28 - Troy Selwood, 30 - Robert Copeland, 31 - James Polkinghorne, 32 - Cheynee Stiller, 33 - Rhan Hooper, 34 - Bradd Dalziell, 37 - Matt Austin, 38 - Haydn Kiel, 39 - Josh Drummond, 40 - Phil Smith, 41 - Scott Clouston, 42 - Pearce Hanley, 44 - Nigel Lappin, 45 - Daniel Dzufer*, 47 - Joel Tippet
* Replaces Luke Power who was named in the initial 29-man squad
The Brisbane Lions have been forced through general soreness sustained by Robert Copeland and Scott Harding at Wednesday’s competitive training session to delay Daniel Dzufer’s second match suspension by one week. This, together with the pre-season list management, has reduced the total number of players available to 29 forcing Daniel’s temporary return in the best interests of the entire squad’s match-day workload. Daniel will serve his second match suspension on the Friday 29 February fixture being played at Gold Coast Stadium.
North Melbourne (with guernsey numbers):
1 - Hamish McIntosh, 2 - Ed Lower, 3 - Brady Rawlings, 4 - Daniel Harris, 5 - Sam Power, 6 - Shannon Grant, 7 - Adam Simpson, 9 - Jess Sinclair, 11 - Michael Firrito, 12 - Lindsay Thomas, 13 - Leigh Adams, 14 - Gavin Urquhart, 15 - Ben Ross, 16 - Leigh Brown*, 17 - Blake Grima, 19 - Andrew Swallow, 20 - Drew Petrie, 21 - Corey Jones, 26 - Lachlan Hansen, 27 - Aaron Edwards, 28 - Matt Riggio, 29 - Brent Harvey, 31 - David Hale, 33 - Matt Campbell, 36 - Shannon Watt, 37 - Scott Thompson, 39 - Leigh Harding, 42 - Scott McMahon.
*Replaces Nathan Thompson who was named in the initial 29-man squad.
The Roos (at a glance):
It was a summer of semi-controversy for North Melbourne – somewhat strange when you consider it kept their coach (Dean Laidley), regained its best forward following a knee injury (Nathan Thompson) and came off a preliminary final appearance.
With new chairman James Brayshaw spearheading the decision not to permanently relocate to the Gold Coast, the Kangaroos are on the lookout for new revenue streams to ensure their financial survival.
On the field, Laidley’s side is looking to prove last year’s unexpected appearance was no fluke.
Watch out for youngster Lachlan Hansen (no.26), who impressed in the NAB Cup loss to the Western Bulldogs, and Thompson (no.23), who is a strong mark and an accurate kick.
Last time they met:
The Lions and Kangaroos were two of the most in-form sides in the competition when they clashed in round 18 of 2007 at the Gabba.
The Lions were in the midst of a five-game winning streak that would lift them back into the top-eight and finals contentions, while the Roos had won 12 of their previous 14 matches, after starting the season 0-3.
With Jonathan Brown booting six goals, the Lions notched a very comfortable 37-point win – and the margin would have been even bigger with a better conversion rate in front of goal.
Odds and sods:
Jared Brennan became the first Lion ever to register multiple super goals when he kicked two versus Essendon – earning $2000 for his junior club Southern Districts in the Northern Territory.
Somewhat bizarrely, three of the four super goals in the match were kicked from inside the 50m arc, two from 50m penalties and the other from a relayed free kick. Adding to the oddities, the only super goal to genuinely travel 50m came impressively from Brennan’s non-preferred right boot.
In another statistical quirk, all five of the Lions’ 2007 draftees turned out against the Bombers, while only two of the six-man 2006 class – Matthew Leuenberger and Albert Proud - made it onto the field. Chris Schmidt (quad), James Hawksley (groin), Sam Sheldon (groin) and Matthew Tyler (lower back) all missed out through injury. Based on the selected teams, that scenario could well be repeated.
Events:
This weekend the Lions travelling squad will also attend the club’s annual Victorian Family Day on Saturday 23 February 2008 at The Manningham Club, 1 Thompsons Road, Bulleen.
The free Family Day is open to all members and supporters and goes from 10:00am – 1:00pm.
There will be plenty of activities happening throughout the event including player interviews, autographs and photos as well as rides, entertainment, food, drink and merchandise sales.
