Please find below an edited transcript from what was said during the Q&A session.
Ryan Lester: Hey guys, how you going?
Coops: Hey Ryan, who is the most annoying player/coach at the Club? Also, which player are you most excited about watching play this year.
Ryan Lester: I get on well with most of the boys. Billy Longer’s forgetfulness can be annoying at times! But also Billy is one of the most exciting new players we have at the Club and I am looking forward to seeing what he can do this year!
Anonymous: Hey Ryan, rumour has it Tommy Rockliff has been running an absolute FIFA clinic on you lately, any comment on why he has been dominating you?
Ryan Lester: Haha, yeah few of the boys like FIFA at the Club. I’ve played Rocky a few times but unfortunately he has an out-dated version of FIFA so his victories don’t count. Golby, McKeever and Bartlett are a few of the better players at the Club.
Erin: What did you think of Brisbane’s performance against Essendon last week?
Ryan Lester: Hey Erin, the performance on the weekend was disappointing. However, it’s sometimes important that we play games similar to the one on the weekend as we often expose our weaknesses and allow us to review these and work on them.
Coops: What position are you most likely to play this season?
Ryan Lester: Hey Coops, I'm not too sure where I will be playing this year. I did most of my pre-season training as a forward, however I've been playing all over the park in the pre-season matches. So I think I will be used similar to Brent Staker and maybe play at both ends of the field as the year progresses.
Rob: Ryan, congratulations on your pre-season form. Coming into your second year at the Club, have you done anything different this year to prepare for the season proper?
Ryan Lester: Thanks Rob. Pre-season this year was a lot different to last year because I was able to do a lot more of the training as my body load didn’t have to be managed as much. It was also good that I didn’t have to spend too much time in the gym as I did all that gym work whilst I was injured!
Jason: When will Zorko be back? I think he was a great pick up in the Draft, what will he bring to the team?
Ryan Lester: Hopefully Dayne will be back in the next few weeks. He was a very good pick up and I was lucky enough to live with him for his first month at the Club. He brings a lot of excitement and enthusiasm to the group!
Bev: You seem to be in great form and well and truly over your injury. Do you prefer playing forward or back?
Ryan Lester: Thanks Bev. I'm not sure if my forms too good, but it’s good to be back out on the park playing again! I probably like playing up forward kicking goals with Patty K!
Josh: Hi Ryan, You've been training so well in pre-season, do you think you'll be playing round 1?
Ryan Lester: Hey Josh. I was happy with my pre-season. I’m lucky I’ve been given opportunities in the NAB Cup so far, but not sure if I'll get a Round 1 spot...we will have to wait and see!
Nate: G'day Ryan, I've got a sneaky fiver on you for the Rising Star. Is my money safe?!!!
Ryan Lester: I think your money is safe at the TAB. Billy Longer might have been a better option. Or Jared Polec…
Rodney: Who at the Club has taken you under their wing and provided you with most advice and looked after you?
Ryan Lester: Hey Rodney, Matt Maguire has been really good to be since I’ve been at the Club. As I am number 35 and he is 36, we see a lot of each other in the locker room and he’s always good for a chat.
Bev: Did you get back home to Melbourne during this last break?
Ryan Lester: Yeah, I was lucky enough to play in Melbourne on the weekend and the Club let me stay down until yesterday. It was good to catch up with family and friends as I hadn't seen them for a couple of months!
Guest: Hey Ryan! Has there been any noteworthy pranks done lately?
Ryan Lester: There are a few pranks that go round the Club! Unsure about the suspects, but peanut butter on door handles seems to have been the latest I’ve heard.
Gracie: Hey Ryan, ‘sup? How many pairs of boots do you own?
Ryan Lester: Hey Gracie, I have one pair of boots I wear to train in, and one pair to play in.
Jason: Who does the best 3km time trial and the best beep test at the Club at the moment?
Ryan Lester: Hey Jason, young rookie Richie Newell is the best long-distance runner at the Club. Some of the other boys who are also very fit are Mckeever, Stiller and Redden.
John: What is your worst ever moment in football?
Ryan Lester: Hey John, my worst/most embarrassing moment was in my first game when I missed an open goal from 10 metres out.
Max: Hi Ryan, I've seen you spend a little bit of time on-ball occasionally. Is this something you'd like to build on?
Ryan Lester: Hey Max, I played a lot of my junior football as a midfielder so hopefully in the future I can maybe sneak a bit more time in there. But I think our midfield is very strong at the moment so it’s hard to break in just yet!
Bev: A lot of good players come through the Oakleigh Chargers. Any reason why?
Ryan Lester: Hey Bev, you’re correct! There have been a lot of kids drafted recently from Oakleigh. I think this is due to the fact that Oakleigh have played Finals in the last few years and also there is a good club environment down there!
Gracie: Me again, what’s your favourite colour and food? Oh, and say hi to Dan Rich for me!
Ryan Lester: My favourite colour is red. Favourite food is Chinese. And I will say hello to Richy for you.
mikey127: Hi Ryan, how do you expect our forward line to set up for Round 1?
Ryan Lester: I think the forward line is still quite open. Merrett has been doing well down there and it was good to see Billy pluck a few good marks on the weekend! Unfortunately I don’t pick the side though, so I’m not sure.
Mat: Hello Ryan, who do you think will pick up Mitch Clark in the first match?
Ryan Lester: Hey Matt, I think it will be out of Patfull, Maguire and McKeever. All three are very capable of playing on him, and I’m sure all of them would relish the opportunity. Patfull and Maguire were close mates with Mitch so it would be interesting!
Bree: Hi Ryan, what was your favourite subject at school?
Ryan Lester: Hey Bree, like most sport lovers my favourite subject was PE.
Nate: Who was your favourite player when you were growing up?
Ryan Lester: Hey Nate, I was a St Kilda supporter growing up, so Nick Riewoldt was my favourite player.
Coops: How is it being able to rock up at training each day and see the likes of Browny, Blacky, Vossy and Brett Burton?
Ryan Lester: It’s pretty surreal sometimes and makes it easy to get up and train everyday knowing you will be training alongside some of your idols.
Bjay: Good to see you out on the park, Ryan. What does the season hold for you personally and the Club as a whole?
Ryan Lester: Hey Bjay. It’s good to be out playing. I’m just hoping to be able to play as many games as I can to get some experience! The Club is positive that we will be on the improve this year. Only a week and we will get a better indication!
Scotty: Hey Ryan! How do you like living up here in Brissy? And who are your closest mates at the Club?
Ryan Lester: Hey Scotty, I'm enjoying living up here! The weather is generally a fair bit better. Some of my closer mates at the club are Patty K, Greeny and Retzlaff.
Thanks Guys. Hope I gave some decent answers. Hopefully in for a good season and look forward to seeing you all at the GABBA!
You can also CLICK HERE to view some of the recent live chat transcripts with Josh Drummond, Jesse O'Brien, Simon Black, Matthew Leuenberger, Ash McGrath, Bryce Retzlaff, Aaron Cornelius, James Polkinghorne, Josh Green, Dayne Zorko and Brent Staker.
