Last 12 months Jack Payne would have lacked the “belief” that he may nullify the specter of two of the very best forwards within the AFL.
However, a run of matches on the prime stage has Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan assured Payne can cease Charlie Curnow or Harry McKay, or maybe each of Carlton’s star ahead pair, at Marvel Stadium on Friday evening.
“He’s just looking confident, isn’t he?” Fagan stated of Payne, who has performed 12 successive top-flight video games since late final season after coming into the staff for the injured Marcus Adams.
“I think that continuity, (and) the fact he played in all the finals last year, he’s now starting to believe in himself.
“It feels like you belong. He’s played on some players this year, and he’s done a great job, so I can’t see why he can’t continue that (against Carlton).”
Fagan stated the 23-year-old Payne was like a number of different younger gamers who too typically doubted their capacity.
“That transition in his own mind now that he belongs at AFL level is the thing that’s changed him around,” the Lions coach stated.
And whereas the Lions’ job of stopping Curnow and McKay gained’t be simple, Fagan stated Carlton would even have a troublesome evening attempting to maintain quiet a Lions ahead arsenal that included Charlie Cameron, Jack Gunston, Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Zac Bailey.
“They’ve got their work cut out, their backs, and our backs have got their work cut out as well,” he stated.
The Lions’ defensive unit can also be anticipated to incorporate Noah Answerth, who got here on as an alternative choice to Dayne Zorko within the ultimate quarter of Brisbane’s 48-point win over Fremantle on the Gabba final Saturday.
With Zorko (hamstring) and halfback Daniel Rich (calf) sidelined, Answerth is tipped to be included in Brisbane’s prime 22 on an evening when the Lions hope to increase their profitable streak to 5 matches.
“I thought Noah did well (against the Dockers),” Fagan stated.
“He came on, played a quarter, had seven possessions, made three or four tackles, had a few score involvements … it was very good.
“He did his chances (of being selected this week) no harm.
“He played with a lot of energy, he’s a good tackler, he not frightened of anything – he’s a good young player.
“He’s played a fair bit of senior footy already. It has really only been injury that’s hurt him in the last few years in terms of playing a few more games.”
Originally printed as Brisbane Lions defender Jack Payne to play essential function in opposition to Carlton
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
