Introduction Albert Proud’s fierce attack on the ball and goal sense makes him a useful option both up forward and in the centre. The courageous and aggressive Queenslander is recognised as a natural ball-winner whose trademark ‘grunt’ adds another dimension to the Lions midfield. Background • Originally from Melbourne, Proud moved away from his parents to live with his sister in Brisbane as a 15 year-old and he later lobbed with a schoolmate’s family. • He joined the local Mt Gravatt Football Club and before long was selected to represent his State for the first time as an underage player in the 2005 U18 national championships. • His junior performances were so impressive that he became highly touted as a potential top-five pick at the beginning of 2006 before a stress fracture forced him to keep him foot in plaster for the opening months of the season. • He returned in time for the national U18 championships where he was selected as Queensland’s Captain. A natural leader, he helped guide Queensland to its first Division Two title since 1999. • Upon his return for local AFLQ club Mt Gravatt, Proud tore ligaments which sidelined him further. • He still managed to represent Australia in the U18 International Series against Ireland in the third and deciding match after being sidelined for the first two games. • He had been compared to Norm Smith Medallist Byron Pickett for his zeal and aggression with which he hunts man and ball alike. • The Lions had no hesitation in selecting the local talent when he was still available with their second pick (No.22 overall) in the 2006 National Draft. 2007 • During his first pre-season with the Lions, Proud further established a reputation as a hard-nut. In a simple training drill, the young Queenslander sandwiched himself between two of the Lions’ bigger players – Jonathan Brown and Daniel Merrett – and ended up with a busted shoulder. • While the injury was only minor, it kept him sidelined until Round 2 of the 2007 season when he appeared for the Lions Reserves side in the AFLQ. • Proud made an immediate impact in the AFLQ both in the centre and up forward and did no harm to his chances of a possible senior debut. • He eventually got his opportunity in Round 12 against Geelong at Skilled Stadium when he was called-up for his senior debut. He collected eight disposals against the eventual premiers in tough conditions at Kardinia Park, but showed plenty of hardness against his more experienced opposition. • He spent limited match-time on the field the following week against Port Adelaide before spending the remainder of the season in the Reserves side. • He played all but one matches for the year (including two senior games) to prove that he had overcome any injuries that he had experienced in his final year as a junior. 2008 • Despite completing an impressive pre-season training campaign where he was regularly named among the Lions’ best players in their pre-season practice matches, Proud failed to make the senior team for the season opener against West Coast at Subiaco. • A dominant performance with the Lions Reserves resulted in his immediate recall for the team’s Round 2 clash against Collingwood. • Used primarily as an impact player, Proud featured in two consecutive matches before being sent back to the Reserves to work on his endurance. • He continued to star for the Lions Reserves but managed only one more senior match until Round 17 when the team felt need to bring in a hard-nosed midfielder to help the likes of Simon Black and Luke Power. • Proud responded immediately with a career-high 21 disposals against North Melbourne at Gold Coast Stadium. He remained in the seniors for four of the last five matches – taking his career total to nine. • His efforts for the Lions Reserves were rewarded when he finished sixth in the AFLQ’s Grogan Medal and earned selection in the AFLQ Velocity Sports Cup Team of the Year.2009 • Proud put in one of his hardest pre-seasons in 2009 and reached personal best times on the training track. However, an off-field indiscretion saw him suspended by the Club during the pre-season which interrupted his progress. • He missed the Club's season-opener against the Eagles at the Gabba but returned the following week and went on to play 13 of the next 16 senior matches. • He became a regular feature of the side predominantly as a hard-tackling small forward and occasional midfielder. He kicked the first goal of his AFL career against Adelaide in Round 8 and finished with a season tally of four. • After playing in the team's Round 17 win over North Melbourne, Proud was forced to sit out the rest of the season with a serious foot injury.
The rejuvenation of the Brisbane Lions side continues as the club announces more list changes Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 3:09PM
Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss said Albert Proud has worked hard to earn his place back in the side Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 7:30PM
Young Lion Albert Proud says he has made a decision to be himselfWednesday, August 06, 2008 - 9:45AM
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