The latest additions to the Brisbane Lions’ playing list have certainly made an impression on their teammates and coaches at pre-season training.
Their impact was arguably most evident during the Club’s first 2km time trial for the New Year, with three new faces occupying the top four positions.
Draftee Marco Paparone took the honours narrowly ahead of second year rookie Richard Newell, who further proved his status as one of the team’s elite runners.
Paparone’s effort was even more notable considering he shaved 10 seconds off the time he had run before the Christmas break.
Fellow draftee Michael Close came in third, followed by the Club’s off-season Free Agent signing Brent Moloney.
The recent results were just the latest in a string of eye-catching performances from newcomers Paparone, Close and Moloney on the track.
Jack Redden, who came in equal fifth in the 2km run with Niall McKeever, believes the outstanding efforts from these new recruits has helped raise the standards across the entire playing group.
“They’ve been really good so far. All the young boys are really good runners, they’re at the top of the group so far,” Redden told lions.com.au.
“All the old boys are trying to chase them.”
Recent 2km Time Trial Results (Top Five)
1. Marco Paparone
2. Richard Newell
3. Michael Close
4. Brent Moloney
=5. Jack Redden
=5. Niall McKeever
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