Ryan Lester’s form rewarded with first AFL appearance of season

Winning three games in succession hasn’t stopped Lions coach Chris Fagan making a change to Brisbane’s team for Saturday’s clash against Fremantle.

Ryan Lester is set to make his first AFL appearance of the season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / AFL Photos / via Getty Images

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan’s ongoing tinkering with a winning line-up is a timely reminder to the Lions squad to avoid complacency against Fremantle at the Gabba on Saturday.

Despite his side chasing a fourth successive victory this weekend, Fagan has made a change to Brisbane’s backline, with the experienced Ryan Lester to make his first AFL appearance of the season at the expense of Irishman Darragh Joyce, who has been named among the emergencies.

Lester’s selection is a reward for his good form in Brisbane’s VFL team.

Lions co-captain Lachie Neale said it was also a warning to his players that being part of a winning team did not guarantee them a spot the week after.

“The best teams still try to change their line-up,” Neale said on Friday,

“We’re so early in the year. I can guarantee you our line-up in round 22 won’t be the same as this week; it’s always going to change a little bit.

“It shows that if you do stack up performances in the ‘twos’ that you can get an opportunity in the ‘ones’ as well.

“It probably puts us guys that are playing on edge a bit more – that you’ve got to perform, otherwise there are guys who are playing well who are going to take your spot.”

Lachie Neale is ‘happy’ for Ryan Lester. Picture: Matt King / AFL Photos / Getty Images

Neale was delighted for the popular Lester, a renowned team man.

“He’s been leading the VFL side superbly for the first month and a bit, so it’s a just reward for ‘Froggy’,” he said.

“I think he can play a really good role for us down back. They’ve got some pretty versatile forwards who play that medium size like Sam Sturt. … who he’ll be able to play on.

“He can win his own footy as well, and use it pretty well, so I’m happy for him.”

Former Docker Neale said he hadn’t given his old club much thought ahead of Saturday’s clash, but expects the Dockers to come out fighting after having lost four of their six matches this season.

“I haven’t really thought about the Dockers too much this week, which is nice … but they’re going to be coming out pretty fierce, I would have thought, (after) probably not playing the footy that they want to,” he said.

“We know what their best is like. We’ve got to be able to match their intensity straight away.

“Last year (in Perth) they touched us up with contested ball and clearance, so they’ve certainly got the cattle to really perform in that area.”

Originally published as Ryan Lester’s form rewarded with first AFL appearance of season