ELITE PERFORMANCE MANAGER Brett Burton says it is important the Lions continue to follow the program that has been put in place despite a difficult run with injury.

View the latest injury list on the Bupa Health Centre
 
“When you’re under adversity like we are at the moment and zip five, it’s important we stick to the plan and stay consistent.
 
“As soon as you start chopping and changing then you’re not sure what you’re going to get”, Burton said.
“Our philosophies stay the same and we’ll just keep batting up, make sure we’re training well and keep it consistent and the tide will turn.”
 
The Lions will wait on results of Captain Tom Rockliff’s concussion tests on his availability to play in Sunday’s game against Carlton at Etihad Stadium. Rockliff was cleared of any jaw damage following the Club’s loss to the Gold Coast last weekend.
 
“Rocky’s had one concussion test, so we’ll keep going with those tests during the week and checking in with the Doc and that will be a day to day proposition in how he goes.
 
“It’s not like a corky or a hamstring strain where you can see the physical evidence on the scan it’s really just how the player is feeling and the concussion test.
 
“We’ll see how he is later in the week.
 
Forward Brent Staker’s hamstring injury will keep him sidelined for at least a fortnight.
 
“Stakes has unfortunately hurt his hamstring, it’s just on the minor end of the scale so he’ll go through his hamstring rehabilitation protocol and we’ll get him up and running tomorrow and he’s hopefully a couple of weeks away.”
 
And Burton says Jackson Paine’s ankle will require a reconstruction after injuring it in the Reserves loss to Ainslie on ANZAC Day.
 
“Jackson did a really good job of the ankle unfortunately, which obliterated all of his lateral ligaments so he’ll have an ankle reconstruction on Thursday and that’s pretty much his season done.”