It’s rare because the selection process for most of last season was largely dictated by injuries and player availability, whereas the Lions are currently in the fortunate position of having a large number of players fit, ready and vying for senior selection as the team approaches Round One.
24 Lions players took part in last Sunday’s impressive 67-point win over the Gold Coast, with each making a valuable contribution.
The automatic inclusion of Captain Jonathan Brown for the season opener means that at least three players need to be cut from the side that beat the Suns.
Ruckman Broc McCauley, who twisted his ankle during the match against the Suns, remains on the Club’s rookie list and must be elevated before being considered for senior selection.
Draftee Ryan Lester played in every Lions pre-season match and has performed a valuable role for the team as a lead-up forward. The 18 year-old will come under serious consideration and could likely debut in Round One.
Among the other possible debutants are Rohan Bewick and Claye Beams who have each improved immeasurably throughout the pre-season.
21 year-old Bewick is no stranger to senior football having represented West Perth in the WAFL last season. The hard-running wingman collected 22 disposals and took 13 marks against the Suns to stake his claim for a senior berth against the Dockers.
Meanwhile Beams successfully completed his rookie apprenticeship with the Lions Reserves last year and was among the team’s best in the Shanghai Showdown against Melbourne in China last October. The 19 year-old midfielder has also proven a handy goal-kicker when in attack.
Jesse O’Brien, who played one senior game for the Lions in 2010, is another relatively new face who has been one of the side’s pre-season bolters. His running, hard tackling and goal sense have been features of his game - particularly across the past two matches.
Then there’s Pearce Hanley, Andrew Raines, Cheynee Stiller and Amon Buchanan who had limited senior opportunities in 2010, but have all done their jobs in the lead-up to the 2011 AFL premiership season.
The process of trimming the team to just 22 players becomes even more difficult when you consider that the likes of first round draftee Jared Polec, Ryan Harwood, Tom Collier, Sam Sheldon and James Hawksley didn’t play last Sunday, but are all pushing hard for selection.
Only Josh Drummond (quad), Mitch Golby (knee), Xavier Clarke (knee), Jamie Charman (achilles) and Callum Bartlett (knee) won’t be considered when the coaches convene to find the perfect mix to face Fremantle on Saturday 26 March.
Regardless of the outcome, there will certainly be a couple of players who could be considered ‘unlucky’ to be left out.
The selected senior players will certainly be under pressure to perform each week, otherwise their determined team-mates will be waiting in the wings ready to take their position should it become available.
But this healthy competition for senior spots can only help develop the depth of the Club’s playing list.
