In just five weeks, the Brisbane Lions will be lining up for their first competitive hitout for the year against St Kilda as part of the 2015 AFL NAB Challenge pre-season competition.

The Lions’ training load has ramped up in recent weeks as the practice matches get nearer, with the focus now shifting to incorporate less individual running and more fine-tuning the team’s in-game strategies.  

Offensive Strategy Coach, Gary O’Donnell, says Lions fans can expect to see more competitive work at training.

“We’re in a heavy phase of training at the moment – a heavy load week. The boys will be tired by the end of the week, but they’re training at a high standard and at a high intensity,” O’Donnell told Lions TV.

“In the coming couple of weeks…we’ll go into game-phase. We’ll start to have match practice simulation training.”

In further good news, Daniel Merrett and Trent West have returned to the track after spending the majority of their pre-season so far in the rehab group.

“‘Rog’ Merrett is just starting to join in with some training, and so is Trent West after his ACL,” O’Donnell said.

“Daniel Rich is going from strength to strength with his ACL and looks like he hasn’t missed a beat. He’s involved in most of the drills, and in contact as well.

“Pearce Hanley and Ryan Harwood have had little setbacks, but we expect them to be training this week. Generally the list is pretty healthy for this time of year. We’re very pleased.”