Key defender Jack Payne doubtful for Lions and Blues AFL finals conflict in enhance for Carlton
Jack Payne stays doubtful for the Brisbane Lions’ preliminary ultimate towards Carlton after the important thing defender was once more restricted to gentle duties as a consequence of an ankle damage.
Key factors:
- Jack Payne injured his ankle in Brisbane’s qualifying ultimate victory towards Port Adelaide
- The important thing defender wore a moon boot and has been restricted to gentle coaching duties since
- Payne saved Charlie Curnow to 10 touches and a purpose in Brisbane’s win over the Blues in spherical eight
Payne wore a moon boot after their qualifying ultimate win over Port Adelaide and hasn’t skilled since; the imposing again saved to gentle working in joggers at Tuesday’s open coaching session in Springfield.
The 23-year-old has turn out to be one of many Lions’ most essential gamers this 12 months, filling the void left by retired Marcus Adams in an important partnership with Harris Andrews in Brisbane’s final line.
He matched up properly on back-to-back Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow within the sides’ solely different conflict in spherical eight this 12 months, limiting the total ahead to only one purpose.
Darcy Gardiner, pushed out of the AFL squad by a resurgent Ryan Lester this season, shapes because the possible alternative if Payne cannot show his health.
“He is clearly acquired a bit little bit of a sore foot and ankle,” Andrews mentioned earlier than Tuesday’s session.
“He is performed a very very important half for us this 12 months, so fingers crossed he is proper to go.
“His improvement’s been unreal for us as a bunch and , I really feel like this 12 months we have needed to present that we have nice depth.
“Guys like Darragh Joyce and Darcy Gardiner. These guys can are available in and play their function.”
Gardiner has performed simply two AFL video games this season — each losses to Adelaide and Hawthorn — damage permitting Lester the prospect to steal his place within the again six.
He offers away about 10kg and 4 centimetres to Payne, however the 27-year-old boasts 156 video games of expertise as a daily within the Lions’ defence since 2014.
Irish expertise Joyce managed 5 video games whereas each Lester and Gardiner have been injured earlier this season and had 4 campaigns with St Kilda earlier than heading north this 12 months.
“I nonetheless strategy the sport the identical approach as I’d if Payney was on the market, regardless,” Andrews mentioned of how the choice impacts his personal task.
“These guys have all performed a variety of AFL soccer and perceive the best way to play the sport, so nothing has modified in that regard.
“We have gone away from having these actually tight match-ups to taking part in in a system, and there is a actually clear understanding … of what must be achieved in every function.
“We have full belief that anybody that comes into the crew can play that function.”
Be a part of the ABC Sport crew at abc.internet.au/sport as we stay weblog all of the motion from the Magpies v Giants match on Friday, and Lions v Blues match on Saturday.
AAP
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