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Voss ready to face Swans
By NIKKI TUGWELL
March 23, 2004
BRISBANE premiership coach Leigh Matthews is almost certain wounded skipper Michael Voss will play in Saturday night's blockbuster season opener against the Swans.
Voss got through the 2003 finals series on pain-killing injections but is set to carry his much-publicised knee injury into the season opener ? despite being a late scratching from the past two Lions starts.
In other crucial team news, Matthews indicated full forward Alastair Lynch could join Jonathon Brown on the sidelines in what would be a major boost to Sydney's hopes.
"I would say almost certainly [Voss] would play on Saturday night," Matthews said. "I don't think there's much chance he won't."
Despite Matthews' confidence of the captain starting the season, he was unsure how Voss' knee would hold up week-in, week-out.
Swans coach Paul Roos yesterday confirmed the two senior stars who Sydney sorely missed last time they met Brisbane, No. 1 ruckman Jason Ball and forward Michael O'Loughlin, are available for the preliminary final rematch at the Gabba.
O'Loughlin, a standout in both of Sydney's upsets against the reigning premiers last year, and Ball have had pre-seasons dictated by injuries.
The rehabilitation of Ben Matthews has been speedier than expected and the defender is also rated a good chance by Roos of joining the nearly full-strength outfit.
Explosive small forward Adam Schneider, however, is in doubt with a hamstring injury sustained in the Wizard Cup opener against Carlton while reliable backman Andrew Schauble (hamstring) will not play.
"Adam is well down his rehabilitation path but, whether we play him or not, he is a bit doubtful," Roos said. "Benny [Mathews] is a bit further ahead than we thought. If you had of asked me two weeks ago I would have said he wouldn't have played round one but now we will seriously consider him."
The Lions game is tailored on the powerful two-pronged attack of Lynch and Brown which is likely to be where Voss spends most of his time with Martin Pike at centre half-forward.
Matthews has Justin Leppitsch ? if he is available ? or Daniel Bradshaw as options in the makeshift forward line.
By NIKKI TUGWELL
March 23, 2004
BRISBANE premiership coach Leigh Matthews is almost certain wounded skipper Michael Voss will play in Saturday night's blockbuster season opener against the Swans.
Voss got through the 2003 finals series on pain-killing injections but is set to carry his much-publicised knee injury into the season opener ? despite being a late scratching from the past two Lions starts.
In other crucial team news, Matthews indicated full forward Alastair Lynch could join Jonathon Brown on the sidelines in what would be a major boost to Sydney's hopes.
"I would say almost certainly [Voss] would play on Saturday night," Matthews said. "I don't think there's much chance he won't."
Despite Matthews' confidence of the captain starting the season, he was unsure how Voss' knee would hold up week-in, week-out.
Swans coach Paul Roos yesterday confirmed the two senior stars who Sydney sorely missed last time they met Brisbane, No. 1 ruckman Jason Ball and forward Michael O'Loughlin, are available for the preliminary final rematch at the Gabba.
O'Loughlin, a standout in both of Sydney's upsets against the reigning premiers last year, and Ball have had pre-seasons dictated by injuries.
The rehabilitation of Ben Matthews has been speedier than expected and the defender is also rated a good chance by Roos of joining the nearly full-strength outfit.
Explosive small forward Adam Schneider, however, is in doubt with a hamstring injury sustained in the Wizard Cup opener against Carlton while reliable backman Andrew Schauble (hamstring) will not play.
"Adam is well down his rehabilitation path but, whether we play him or not, he is a bit doubtful," Roos said. "Benny [Mathews] is a bit further ahead than we thought. If you had of asked me two weeks ago I would have said he wouldn't have played round one but now we will seriously consider him."
The Lions game is tailored on the powerful two-pronged attack of Lynch and Brown which is likely to be where Voss spends most of his time with Martin Pike at centre half-forward.
Matthews has Justin Leppitsch ? if he is available ? or Daniel Bradshaw as options in the makeshift forward line.