Lions stalwart Ryan Lester believes he has accomplished sufficient to retain his spot in Brisbane’s workforce for Friday’s conflict towards Carlton, but when not, he’ll “embrace” his return to the VFL and the duty of once more forcing his method into AFL calculations.
Lester, 30, made his first AFL look of the season in Brisbane’s 48-point dwelling win over Fremantle final Saturday.
It was a well-deserved reward for Lester. who has been a standout performer in Brisbane’s in-form VFL workforce this yr.
However, the skilled defender has been out and in of the Lions’ prime 22 too many instances throughout his a Brisbane profession that began in 2011 to ever take his spot with no consideration.
And as he will get older, Lester simply desires to “enjoy” each probability he will get at AFL degree.
“I find I probably don’t ride the wave of getting disappointed every week not getting selected,” he mentioned.
“It’s very much part of the club and the industry that we’re in, but once I got a chance last weekend, I very much enjoyed it, soaked it up, and hopefully I’ll keep my spot.
“It’s just a matter of showing that what I can do when I get out there and not worrying about that maybe next week someone else could come in for my spot.
“That’s just the reality of being in a really good team. You’ve got to embrace that. It’s making sure I still enjoy myself playing VFL, play really well, so when … an (AFL) opportunity presents itself, then I’m there to take it.”
It’s a “team-man” angle that Lester is completely satisfied to have.
“I probably still wouldn’t be at the club if I didn’t embrace it,” he mentioned.
“Five out of the last six years I’ve been out of contract. I think I’ve been dropped as many times as any AFL player currently on the list, so if I went back to the VFL and spat the dummy, I’d probably have been out of the club three or four years ago.
“I very much love being around the club. It gives me great life balance with two young kids.
“I like helping out some of the young guys who are playing VFL, but then also I really enjoyed playing on the weekend back in the AFL.”
With Darcy Gardiner nonetheless out with an achilles drawback, and Daniel Rich additionally set to be sidelined for the following three weeks with a calf harm, Lester ought to hold his spot for the Lions’ Marvel Stadium battle with a Blues facet that may embody star ahead pair Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.
“They’re certainly going to want to get a scalp in us. They move the ball really well, they’ve clearly got two targets up forward, which are as good as any in the AFL, so we’ve got to play at our best,” Lester mentioned.
“It’s exciting. These are the games that you want to play in – Friday night footy.”
Source: www.news.com.au
