The Brisbane Lions should make finals again this year but who are the most important players to getting them there?
1. Brendan Fevola
This one will be disputed long and hard but I think Fevola is worth mentioning in this list. He won’t be used to having another spearhead forward in the team (Jonathan Brown in case you hadn’t gathered) and doesn’t know the team as well as he did back at Carlton. If he can adjust quickly to not being a lone target, accept the ball will be shared, and still kick 50+ goals he will be a key to their chances.
2. Daniel Rich
A good follow up year from the 2009 Rising Star winner is a must. He proved himself to be a integral part of not just the current midfield, but also the future midfield for the Lions and if he can keep improving then he will be a superstar before long. Even an equal year will be enough to set him up for the future, but also help the Lions make it to September action in 2010.
3. Jonathan Brown
The big man will naturally still play a massive part in the Lions finals aspirations. He was second in the 2009 Coleman Medal behind now fellow teammate Brendan Fevola, and 2010 looms as a dangerous one for opposition defensive line ups with these two to cover. Brown will still need to repeat his 2009 performance despite the goal kicking ability of his counterpart if the Lions are any chance this season.
4. Simon Black
This man is the heart of the Lions midfield. His hard work ethic, excellent disposal of the ball, and years of experience will be key to the Lions in the middle of the ground. His leadership to some of the younger Lions, particularly Daniel Rich, will go a long way to them maturing well as players. Black isn’t afraid to put his body on the line to get his team first use of the ball, but is also great when he is loose and will usually hit a target. His overall ability in all areas of the game will be important to the Lions in 2010.
5. Jamie Charman
Returning from injury Charman will be looking to reclaim the number 1 ruck position from Mitch Clark. This sort of competition is good for the Lions because it means they will have some excellent ruck stocks. If Charman and Clark can work together well, and Leuenberger can push for senior selection the Lions will have no ruck problems in 2010 (injury permitting).
Tags: Brendan Fevola, Daniel Rich, Jamie Charman, Jonathan Brown, Simon Black
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Pardon my french, but I would !@#$ing love to have those 5 at my club.
You overrate Jamie Charman. By his own admission he was lucky to get back in the team when Leuenberger was hurt, then got injured himself. Now Mitch Clark has overtaken him too.
Centre half back is the Lions most important position this year. With Joel McDonald gone we'll be relying even more on Clark to get back to fill the hole unless somebody else stands up. Maybe a bigger role for Joel Patfull, or will Maguire stand up? I'm not counting on it.
It all adds up to Mitch Clark being much more important than Jamie Charman.