Matthews: We need four umps

Sportal ©

Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews believes the introduction of four field umpires for AFL matches is a must after watching Saturday night's Hall of Fame match between Victoria and the Dream Team at the MCG.

Matthews was impressed with the way the game was free of the usual illegal holding tactics that so often restrict the game's star midfield players during regular home-and-away matches.

And he put part of this down to the fact that Saturday night's game was controlled by four umpires as opposed to the three umpires that officiate in home and away matches.

"Having four umpires out there (on Saturday night) made a difference," Matthews said on Monday.

"There is a lot of talk in football about hassling and tagging and holding (players) around stoppages and there is no doubt the fourth umpire is necessary."

"It (having four umpires) would have helped with the running of that game on Saturday night."

Meanwhile Matthews was a relieved man on Monday after his champion forward Jonathan Brown came through Saturday's game unscathed.

Matthews had expressed reservations in the lead-up to the game about Brown playing because of a quad injury that caused him to miss the previous week's clash against Geelong but Brown was desperate to play and skipper Victoria for the first time.

"He has come back undinged and we are all happy," Matthews said of his champion co-captain.

Meanwhile Matthews said the week's break from club matches had done his team the world of good with the Lions poised to name their strongest side of the season for this week's clash against Carlton at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

Not only will Brown return after missing the Round 7 loss to Geelong but Matthews said 2002 Brownlow Medallist Simon Black could also return after missing the Cats game due to a bout of osteitis pubis.

And Josh Drummond, the Lions' best defensive kicker, is also available having missed the past five matches with a quad injury while another defender in Jason Roe is a chance to play in the seniors for the first time this season.

Travis Johnstone is also expected to face the Blues after missing the Cats clash due to a hamstring injury while goalsneak Ash McGrath should be fit despite injuring his ankle against Geelong.

But veteran midfielder Nigel Lappin is not progressing as well as the Lions would like with an Achilles injury and will miss again.