Lions' Patrick Karnezis steps it up to the next level against Swans

MICHAEL Voss believes Patrick Karnezis will be worth the wait as he prepares to pitch the second-year player into the fray against the Swans.

MICHAEL Voss believes Patrick Karnezis will be worth the wait. The second-year player was expected to be the Brisbane Lions' next big thing after showing glimpses of potential during his debut season.

But he has had to be patient while Aaron Cornelius, Daniel Merrett, Ash McGrath and others filled support roles in the forward line beside captain Jonathan Brown.

Coach Voss' faith in the youngster remains strong and he insists Karnezis is finally ready to grasp his opportunity after replacing injured utility McGrath to face the Swans today in Sydney.

"I'd like Ash available and to play both of them," Voss said. "But the reality is one's gone and one arrives, and I know he'll do a very good job."

AFL great Jason Dunstall was among the analysts who raised the bar for Karnezis when he labelled the Oakleigh product a good prospect.

Brown inflated those expectations further in the pre-season when he said he was excited about forming a combination with him.

"I know there's a few members and fans who'll be happy to see him back," Voss said.

"He struggled a bit in the early part of the season, was a bit up and down, had some niggles.

"He had to get himself a bit fitter in a couple of areas.

"He's been playing midfield in reserves and his running's been fantastic.

"His intensity around the ball has been fantastic. We think he's ready to go the next step and replicate that at senior level."

"He's had to earn his spot and that's not going to hurt him in the long run."

The second-placed Swans are gathering momentum and will benefit from having the fit-again Adam Goodes back in the side.

Sydney's midfield coach Leigh Tudor rates the Lions one of the competition's biggest improvers and wants to limit their uncontested possessions.

"What we want to do is make sure that their better players like Simon Black and Daniel Rich are accounted for, so we just have to play good, accountable football," he said.