Jack Payne stays in doubt for the Brisbane Lions’ preliminary closing in opposition to Carlton after the important thing defender was once more restricted to mild duties on account of an ankle harm.
Key factors:
- Jack Payne injured his ankle in Brisbane’s qualifying closing victory in opposition to Port Adelaide
- The key defender wore a moon boot and has been restricted to mild coaching duties since
- Payne saved Charlie Curnow to 10 touches and a aim in Brisbane’s win over the Blues in spherical eight
Payne wore a moon boot after their qualifying closing win over Port Adelaide and hasn’t educated since; the imposing again saved to mild operating in joggers at Tuesday’s open coaching session in Springfield.
The 23-year-old has grow to be one of many Lions’ most vital 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 in the perimeters’ solely different clash in spherical eight this 12 months, limiting the total ahead to only one aim.
Darcy Gardiner, pushed out of the AFL squad by a resurgent Ryan Lester this season, shapes because the possible substitute if Payne cannot show his health.
“He’s obviously got a little bit of a sore foot and ankle,” Andrews stated earlier than Tuesday’s session.
“He’s played a really vital part for us this year, so fingers crossed he’s right to go.
“His growth’s been unreal for us as a gaggle 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. Those guys can come in and play their role.”
Gardiner has performed simply two AFL video games this season — each losses to Adelaide and Hawthorn — harm permitting Lester the possibility to steal his place in 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 in 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 still approach the game the same way as I would if Payney was out there, regardless,” Andrews stated of how the choice impacts his personal project.
“These guys have all played a lot of AFL football and understand how to play the game, so nothing has changed in that regard.
“We’ve gone away from having these actually tight match-ups to enjoying in a system, and there is a actually clear understanding … of what must be accomplished in every function.
“We’ve got full trust that anyone that comes into the team can play that role.”
Join the ABC Sport group at abc.internet.au/sport as we dwell 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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