Golden chance for Lions youngsters
Brisbane Lions defender Conor McKenna has urged Brisbane’s emerging talent to embrace the plethora of AFL opportunities that have emerged due to the club’s horror run of injuries.
The Lions’ already significant casualty list has grown further after their weekend QClash win over the Gold Coast Suns.
Linc McCarthy and Darcy Gardiner will miss the rest of the season after rupturing anterior cruciate ligaments in their knee, pre-match warm-up victim Brandon Starcevich will be sidelined for at least four weeks with a calf injury, and Noah Answerth has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash with Adelaide due to concussion protocol.
Already on the injury list were Keidean Coleman (ACL), Tom Doedee (ACL), Will Ashcroft (ACL), Zac Bailey (ankle), Dev Roberston (shoulder), Carter Michael (knee) and Callum Ah Chee (hamstring).
From them, only Ah Chee is a chance to play against the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
“It’s good for the young boys, but it’s horrible for them,” McKenna said.
“That’s just football, which is unfortunate … but we just have to move on.
“The VFL players are now going to get a chance. There are going to be three or four boys who get an opportunity to get a place in the team and have the rest of the season really to make it their position.
“There are a lot boys playing well. We do have good depth in the squad, and it’s going to be tested over the next few weeks and probably the rest of the season.
“You’re going to have to take (those opportunities) in the next few weeks if you get them.”
Midfielder Bruce Reville and forward Logan Morris both made their AFL debuts against the Suns, while 21-year-old Harry Sharp made his first senior appearance of the season and just his 11th overall.
“To see a couple of young fellows come in and play their role … really gets the team up and about,” McKenna said.
“It gives a really good boost to the team. Probably we needed it because the (previous) couple of weeks we had not been playing well.”
Potentially in line for an AFL debut on Sunday is versatile 20-year-old Shadeau Brain, while there could also be senior recalls for Jimmy Tunstill, who is also 20, and 22-year-old Jaxon Prior.
