BRISBANE Lions co-captains Jonathan Brown and Simon Black will miss at least the first two games of the NAB Cup.
Although neither player is in doubt for the opening premiership fixture on March 22, coach Leigh Matthews said the duo will be rested during the early stages of the AFL’s pre-season competition.
"Simon has a bit of a groin issue and won’t be ready," Matthews said.
"We could push Jonathan if we wanted … but those two won’t play until March." Brown and Black will be joined on the sideline by key forward Daniel Bradshaw, who has also been scratched from the NAB Cup.
Black was restricted to stationary drills at training prior to Christmas and is entitled to a lighter workload after such a demanding year.
The 28-year-old missed only one premiership game and despite suffering heavy tags, clocked his 200th appearance and finished equal second in the Brownlow Medal count in a rewarding 2007.
Losing Brown and Black severely weakens Brisbane’s leadership group which has already lost retired utility Chris Johnson.
The reality is Brisbane might be top heavy with rookies and second-year players when it plays Essendon at the Gold Coast on February 16.
"In terms of who plays in February, of the 47 or so contracted players, 30 to 35 are available," Matthews said.
"That forces us to play our rookies and players who haven’t played much senior football.
"And that’s probably what you want to do in the NAB Cup."
Matthews said Bradshaw was progressing well after last season’s knee reconstruction but will not be ready to play until the end of March.
"What that means for senior selection in the early part of the home and away season I’m not sure," he said.
Brown’s carefully managed training program is purely precautionary.
The All-Australian centre half-forward said the coaches cycle his training workload - two heavy weeks followed by one lighter week - to ensure he is not at risk of developing stress related injuries.
The Sunday Mail (Qld)
Source: Black, Brown in cotton wool
