Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is making a slow but steady comeback from injury. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail
IT is difficult to take baby steps when you are 204cm tall.
But Brisbane ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is doing just that as he travels the long and frustrating road back to the top after an Achilles injury virtually wiped out his 2012 season.
The 24-year-old completed a series of 40-metre sprints and jumping drills at Lions training this week and is planning to play in Brisbane's last two NAB Cup pre-season matches.
The giant WA product played just three games in 2012. He attempted a comeback late in the home-and-away season, but the injury flared again.
Leuenberger's winter of discontent was all the more disappointing given he finished 2011 in career-best form.
"I felt I like I was making big in-roads into where I want to go as a player," he said.
"All my results in the pre-season last year were the best they have ever been.
"But I never really got a shot at it, which was pretty frustrating."
Leuenberger said sprints and jumping were testing his leg, but it was "holding up".
"I'm feeling no pain at all," he said.
Lions captain Jonathon Brown at pre-season training at Coorparoo. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail
If he was to be sidelined again, the depth of Brisbane's tall timber would again be sorely tested, with key position players forced to pinch-hit in the ruck.
Meanwhile, Lions vice-captain Daniel Merrett could not be happier that things are getting "narky" at Brisbane training.
Competitive drills between the forward line and defenders are causing spirts to run high and the full-back said the extra passion on show in the pre-season augered well with Brisbane hoping to improve on the 10 wins from 2012.
"At the moment we are all over the forwards, it's good competition," Merrett said.
Lions defender Daniel Merritt at pre-season training at Coorparoo. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail
"Where our group is at, we are developing and breeding into the younger guys to be aggressive...it's perfect."
This time last year, the long-time defender was swung into attack after captain Jonathan Brown suffered his third facial injury in a training mishap.
With former Hawk Jordan Lisle leading the race to be Brown's foil in 2013 ahead of ex-Demon Stefan Martin and a host of rookie recruits, Merrett is glad to return to the backline, nicknamed "The Men's Club" by Brisbane defenders.
"I feel most comfortable down there, but it's always fun kicking a few goals," he said.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Baby steps for Lions giant
Dengan url
http://ganangandollar.blogspot.com/2013/01/baby-steps-for-lions-giant.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Baby steps for Lions giant
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar