The Brisbane Lions’ emphatic win over Melbourne on Sunday was impressive and has attracted the attention of the AFL community.
Before their round one upset of West Coast, the Lions were bundled in with the Gold Coast, GWS and Melbourne as automatic wins for most of the other sides.
Many pundits wrote off their list even before the start of the season in the belief that they lacked the talent to compete with even the mid-range sides of the competition.
After round 14, the Lions’ record is now 6-7 and they sit alongside Carlton, St Kilda, Fremantle and Richmond only one game out of the eight.
However, the most pleasing thing for Brisbane this year has got to be the opportunity to develop their player depth.
In recent years, Brisbane has had to rely on a small contingent of players as they watched their injury list grow.
This year, though, many of their best 22 have managed to avoid long absences, and when they have missed out, Brisbane’s young recruits have stepped up to the plate.
Some big names have been ruled out this year, with notable absentees being Brent Staker (ACL) Matthew Leuenberger (achilles), Todd Banfield (leg stress fractures) and most recently Matt Maguire (elbow).
But for the most part, Brisbane have overcome these setbacks and the performance of their reserves is reflective of their dramatically improving talent pool.
Last Sunday, the Brisbane Lions reserves fielded 13 players with AFL experience against the Mt Gravatt Vultures, including Todd Banfield and Sydney Swans premiership player Amon Buchanan.
With few serious injuries this year the Lions’ younger players have been able to develop and are standing head and shoulders above the rest of the NEAFL competition.
Having a strong reserves side is crucial to the success of any AFL team, and the Lions are in the rare position (along with GWS, Sydney, Collingwood and the Gold Coast) of having compete control over their reserves side, rather than just aligning with an existing state club, as happens in the SANFL, WAFL AND VFL.
Here are my top five from the reserves, who are really making their senior counterparts nervous and giving their coaches major selection headaches.
5. Aaron Cornelius
Cornelius has been the source of much frustration among Lions fans. Since making his debut in 2009, he has shown plenty of potential. He consistently kicks bags at full forward in the reserves (seven last Sunday) against some of the best defenders in Queensland.
However, at AFL level, he has never really replicated this form. He is definitely one of the most talented players going around, but needs to lift his work rate.
In tough situations, he has a tendency to play for himself. Once his instincts become more team-oriented, there is absolutely no reason why he can’t have long-term career as a key forward for the Lions.
4. Sam Docherty
The Lions recruited Docherty with their second pick in the 2011 AFL draft, number 12. He has been promising in the reserves but is yet to make his AFL debut, but he has shown he would be ready if called upon.
A natural defender, Docherty got among the goals last weekend, kicking two for the Lions Reserves. Docherty has been compared to players like the Lions’ Jed Adcock, and could be a damaging runner off the half back line.
Docherty’s speed is better than most and this, along with his ability to find the sticks, will hold him in good stead. Unlikely to make his debut this year, he is tracking brilliantly and definitely has a long career ahead of him.
3. Billy Longer
It is no secret that the Lions number eight draft pick is a potential superstar. The Lions have dealt incredibly well with the talented ruckman and with the recruitment of Ben Hudson, have been able to control Longer’s involvement in AFL footy.
With Matthew Leuenberger out injured, Longer would have been forced to step unto quickly were it not for Hudson. Hudson has allowed Longer to get a taste of senior footy but a chance to properly develop in the reserves, an opportunity he has taken with both hands.
2. Patrick Karnezis
The Lions may not have had many injuries this season but the Lions 2011 Rookie of the Year has come down with a severe case of leather poisoning. He has had a number of near-40 possession games, including 44 against the Vultures last weekend, and is always among their best.
The most positive thing about Karnezis, who had his breakthrough game last year in the forward line, is his improved versatility. His best games of the season have come in the midfield and in half-back.
Competing for forward spots with Aaron Cornelius, Jordan Lisle and Bryce Retzlaff (now injured), Karnezis needed to bring something extra to his game. With his improved defence, he is becoming more of a complete player. This is something that will surely not have escaped the notice of Michael Voss.
1. Claye Beams
Beams was the AFL’s round one Rising Star nominee, but he has found it hard to break into the senior side in recent weeks. Winning sides are reluctant to make changes but surely there has to be a spot for Beams somewhere.
After missing most of 2011 with injury, Beams has been an absolute revelation this year. He has been one of, if not the best, on ground for the Lions Reserves over the past month.
He is doing everything right and has been tearing it up from stoppages and in the forward 50. And with a season-high five goals last weekend, the youngster showed he can convert his big efforts too.
Honourable mentions go to Amon Buchanan, Jordan Lisle, Sam Sheldon and Jesse O’Brien, showing just how much depth the Lion’s list has.
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