Star defender Harris Andrews is the last Brisbane Lions player to rule out Sunday’s clash against Essendon.
Defender Carter Michael will make his AFL debut while the Brisbane Lions continue to be decimated before their clash with Essendon.
Backline star Harris Andrews became the eighth Brisbane player to be ruled out of Sunday’s battle at Gabba on Friday.
Andrews was the fourth Lion to test positive for Covid-19 this week, joining Keidean Coleman, Callum Ah Chee and Dan McStay as those who have fallen victim to the virus.
When you add injured quarterback Dayne Zorko (hamstring), Daniel Rich (hamstring), Jarrod Berry (hamstring) and Jaxon Prior (quad) on casualties, the Lions ’depth will surely be put to the test this weekend.
However, experienced defender Ryan Lester, who has been promoted from the Brisbane VFL team due to illness and injury that has ravaged the club, said players introduced to the top of Brisbane deserve their chance.
“There are a lot of us who haven’t had too many chances (AFL) this year, so it’s always exciting when you get the chance,” said Lester, who after making 32 top-tier appearances in the previous two years has made just one this season.
“We’ve done pretty well in the VFL, so we hope we can come in and play really well for the team, and we hope we can win.
“You clearly want to be on the team for the final, and there’s nothing to say that‘ Fages ’(coach Chris Fagan) is due to return next week to the eight guys who will be out this week.
“Certainly, from this opportunity, there will probably be one or two guys who end up staying on the team for the final, so it’s very exciting.”
Aside from Lester and Michael, a Maroochydore product who joined the club in 2020 through the Lions academy, others ranked in the top 22 this weekend are Mitch Robinson, Nakia Cockatoo, Darcy Fort, Tom Fullarton and Harry Sharp.
If necessary, the mid-sub, who was Prior last week, will come from emergencies Deven Robertson, Tom Berry, Rhys Mathieson and James Madden.
With regular skipper Zorko and his assistant Andrews out, three players – Lester, Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage – will be vying to captain the team on Sunday.
“Whoever it is, it’s a great honor to be able to captain an AFL team,” Lester said.
“I don’t expect it to be me, but if it is, it would be amazing. If not, with a couple of leaders out there, there will be a few of us who will have to step up at crucial moments in the game, and I hope I can do that. “
Read related topics: Brisbane