Another win, another injury for Lions
By rights, Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss should be flashing that winning smile.
But the rookie mentor was left shaking his head in frustration after injury struck once again - this time to key defender Joel Patfull (broken jaw).
Even a third straight win - Saturday night's 36-point comeback victory over Adelaide at the Gabba - couldn't cheer him up.
"It was a fantastic win but I must say I am not ecstatic at this point in time," Voss said after the Lions moved to an impressive 5-3 season tally.
"To be missing a player like that for the next few weeks is disappointing - he's been a critical player for us."
It wasn't just the win that should have buoyed Voss - it was the way they did it.
For the second straight week, the Lions hung in to claw their way back from a hefty first half deficit - this time 25-points - and grind their opposition down.
And it was made all that more special after Daniel Bradshaw eclipsed Alastair Lynch's Brisbane goal-kicking record (460) in a wonderful four-major, third term burst that swung the match.
Bradshaw - who finished with five majors - was swamped by teammates as the crowd rose as one when he broke Lynch's mark, a moment the key forward later said gave him "goose bumps".
Yep, plenty of reasons to smile - but Voss was still doing his best Scrooge impersonation afterwards as he scanned his injury list.
Patfull is expected to miss at least three weeks.
It was a cruel blow for a Lions outfit who were already without ruckmen Matthew Leuenberger and Jamie Charman, small forward Rhan Hooper and the inspirational Troy Selwood.
To boot, fullback Daniel Merrett appeared to roll his ankle during the Crows clash while Jed Adcock also sent a scare through the Lions when he came off the field late in the game.
However, Voss said Merrett and Adcock were "fine" to play in the highly anticipated clash with St Kilda on Sunday.
Hooper (ankle) and Selwood (concussion) are also expected back against the high-flying Saints.
Another bright spot was much maligned midfielder Justin Sherman's 35-possession, three goal effort that helped turn the match on its head.
"A lot of people have criticised him for a lot of things but I think (Saturday night) was a reward for the hard work he's put into his game and how much he's persisted," Voss said.
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.