Star Lions recruit Josh Dunkley is adamant Brisbane can overcome the lack of highly effective defender Marcus Adams to contend for this yr’s AFL premiership.
Adams has been positioned on Brisbane’s inactive listing and is ready to overlook all the season attributable to a delayed concussion he suffered after the Lions’ Spherical 21 match final yr in opposition to Carlton.
Dunkley was shattered for his former Western Bulldogs teammate however mentioned that Adams’ well being was the precedence.
“It’s a disgrace that he’s fighting the concussion stuff,” Dunkley mentioned.
“I noticed first-hand Liam Picken … on the Canines had the same factor and couldn’t come again to play footy.
“We’ve acquired to take care of these guys and ensure that their well being and well-being is first in thoughts.
“I’ve been in touch with him (Adams) and he’s clearly a bit of bit disenchanted that he can’t be on the market taking part in however on the identical time he’s simply acquired to take care of himself and do what’s greatest for him.”
Regardless of the lack of Adams being a blow for the Lions, Dunkley mentioned Brisbane had greater than enough cowl for the sidelined star.
“There are undoubtedly a variety of gamers there that may come and fill in for Marcus,” he mentioned
“Jack Payne was good in match sim (simulation on Wednesday) after having a little bit of an interrupted pre-season thus far, so there are undoubtedly the calibre of gamers to fill in for Marcus despite the fact that he’s a very vital participant for us.”
Midfielder Dunkley mentioned he was additionally very happy to assist out in defence.
“I’ve at all times prided myself on the defensive facet of my sport,” he mentioned.
“The tackles, the smothers, the spoils, getting again to assist out my teammates … it’s undoubtedly one thing that I’ll attempt to enhance and assist us acquired to that subsequent step.
“The boys there have already proven some fairly great things and with the ability to make a preliminary last (final yr) is fairly spectacular … so to have the ability to play my position for the group is all I’m trying to do.
“I’m actually centered on turning into a big-game participant for the Lions and actually add to the nice listing the membership has put collectively of skilled and rising expertise.
The Lions on Thursday introduced that Caltex had change into a co-major companion of the membership for at the least the following two years.
The Caltex model will characteristic on the entrance of Brisbane’s house guernsey and on the again of the Lions’ away guernsey.
Lions chairman Andrew Wellington mentioned: “We’re delighted to have the Caltex model becoming a member of the Brisbane Lions at a pivotal time for the membership as we proceed to evolve on and off the sphere.”
