With the Brisbane Lions’ first NAB Challenge match less than a month away, Physical Performance Manager Brett Burton gave fans an update on the progress of the players currently in the rehabilitation group.

Daniel Merrett

“‘Rog’ is back in full training now, back from that broken leg he sustained late in the season.

“He’s on target to play our first NAB Challenge game (against Hawthorn in Melbourne).”

Jonathan Brown

“Browny’s been held up a little bit with that stress reaction in his foot. It’s unusual to see an older bloke get a stress reaction – you usually see it in younger guys who are still adapting to training.

“But coming off his plantar fascia injury last year, he’s probably just getting used to the loads again.

“He’s just had the all clear from the specialist so will start building up his load again now.”

Jackson Paine

“Jackson Paine had a shoulder reconstruction late last season, but he’s going really well and training with the group – minus the contact.”

“We’ll slowly build up his contact in the next few weeks.”

Darcy Gardiner

“Darcy Gardiner had a foot operation a couple of weeks into the pre-season.”

“He’s going slowly at the moment, but we’ve got him running on the AlterG machine (Anti-Gravity Treadmill).”

Lewis Taylor

“Lewy Taylor had an operation as well, just a couple of weeks before Christmas.”

“He’s back running now and slowly building up. We expect him to be back with the main group in the next couple of weeks.”

Luke McGuane

“Luke McGuane is training really well, but is in a modified environment.”

“We expect him to be on modified skills for the next two weeks, and probably about three weeks away from being at full training.”