Rookie Noah Answerth reflects the growing discipline within Brisbane Lions camp as they surge onwards

The old adage better late then never is ringing true for defender Noah Answerth as he leaves a broken back in the review mirror and hits the accelerator in his developing role with the Brisbane Lions, writes Alastair Lynch.

AFL clubs always talk about the importance of everyone playing their role.

When that happens you don’t need incredible feats from individuals.

Chris Fagan addressed his men at the start of the season about this and I reckon Brisbane are the embodiment of one of footy’s most enduring cliches.

Mitch Robinson on the wing, Dan McStay hitting as many contests as he can even skipper Dayne Zokro sacrificing the huge numbers of previous years to play a role that not only kickstarts the Lions’ pressure but is also giving midfield minutes to emerging teammates.

They are all examples of the individual roles that have rocketed the Lions up the AFL ladder to where they are now, which is a genuine premiership threat.

But the one we aren’t talking so much about is first year player Noah Answerth.

I’ve got to confess the only thing I really knew about Answerth when he came into the senior side in Round 6 was that he had missed his first draft year with a broken back and was taken the following year, this past draft, with the Lions’ final selection.

The assumption was he might not play for a year or two given it was a young side and there were more highly rated draftees ahead of him, but as the weeks have rolled on it has become apparent just how important the role he plays for the Lions is.

Brisbane’s coaches say his teammates have total confidence in Answerth to win his contests and make the right decisions with ball in hand — remarkable feat for a first-year player.

He does the right thing on the track and is said to be an absolute sponge for information, which is the sort of things teammates notice and appreciate.

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Noah Answerth has been a revelation this year down back for the Lions.

But it is still a step to winning their total trust on game day.

In the past two weeks he has taken on and completely beaten GWS star Toby Greene, who I rate as one of the best players in the competition and rising Port Adelaide forward Connor Rozee.

Rozee torched the Lions at the Gabba in Round 3, kicking five goals.

The Lions did not have a suitable opponent for him that day.

Answerth is a disciplined defender who is also capable of breaking the lines and providing rebound.

Brisbane knew this was an area they were lacking in their list and they actually earmarked Answerth a few years ago before he broke his back.

Noah Answerth enjoyed a big game against the Giants where he closed down Toby Greene.

He returned to football last year and played well for Oakleigh as an over-aged player and the Lions monitored him closely.

Brisbane’s priority was to build their midfield and they chose Ely Smith, Tom Berry and Joyce with their first three picks as well as academy product Connor McFadyen.

No one else was biting on Answerth so they took advantage of the AFL’s new rules about live trading of picks.

They struck a deal with North Melbourne to swap their 2019 fourth round pick in exchange for the Roos’ 2018 selection.

With pick 55 in hand they selected Answerth who has become the only player from last year’s draft class to play a senior game.

Originally published as Rookie Noah Answerth reflects the growing discipline within Brisbane Lions camp as they surge onwards