Brisbane veterans Jack Gunston and Daniel Rich received’t play Sydney on Friday evening or for “a little while” after telling coach Chris Fagan their kind wasn’t as much as scratch.
In the wake of the Lions‘ loss to Hawthorn at the MCG last weekend, the duo went to Fagan early in the week and told the coach their form didn’t warrant choice towards the Swans.
Watch each match of each spherical of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
But relatively than play within the VFL, the duo will endure a major coaching block to construct their health.
“Both those guys aren’t going to play this week and they’re not going to play for a little while,” Fagan mentioned on Thursday.
“Both lads came to me on Monday and wanted to have a chat about their football.
“They‘re not happy with the way that they’re playing at the moment, they believe that their form doesn’t warrant selection at the moment and it just goes to show what good honest men they are.”
Gunston, who joined the Lions from Hawthorn this season, solely six disposals and no scores towards his former workforce final week.
The 31-year-old has kicked 11 objectives in his 11 video games, however just one previously 4.
Rich, 33, has come below scrutiny for his lack of kind for a lot of the season and solely had 13 disposals towards the Hawks and was subbed out of the sport.
Fagan mentioned there was little level them enjoying within the VFL given their huge expertise and it was higher to construct their health up and push to get again within the senior workforce.
“There’s obviously the option to go back and play in the reserves but I think at their age the best thing we can do for them to give them the best chance to get back to playing their best footy is to give them a training block,” he mentioned.
“For the next few weeks, that’s what they’ll be doing, just building their bodies up, building their fitness up. Hopefully in a few weeks time they’re feeling really good.”
Fagan mentioned Rich, who has solely performed seven video games this season, was additionally battling accidents and the additional health work would assist him in the direction of the back-end of the season, a Brisbane finals marketing campaign.
“Rich has had a few injuries this year and missed games and Jack takes a bit of time between games to recover and what happens is they end up not training and it doesn’t help them,” he mentioned.
“We sort of want to give a circuit breaker with them, if you like. I’m not sure how long they’ll be out for and when they’ll be ready to come back, but that’s the decision that we made this week.
“You want to give them a bit of time to get back to playing their best football, but they recognised it themselves this week.
“I‘m very confident those boys will get back and play some good footy.”
Source: www.news.com.au
