The reliable Ryan Lester is still embracing life with the Brisbane Lions

Lions defender Ryan Lester made the most of his AFL recall last weekend. He’s now keen for a shot at Carlton on Friday night.

Ryan Lester is happy to be back in the Lions’ top 22. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Lions stalwart Ryan Lester believes he has done enough to retain his spot in Brisbane’s team for Friday’s clash against Carlton, but if not, he will “embrace” his return to the VFL and the task of again forcing his way into AFL calculations.

Lester, 30, made his first AFL appearance of the season in Brisbane’s 48-point home win over Fremantle last Saturday.

It was a well-deserved reward for Lester. who has been a standout performer in Brisbane’s in-form VFL team this year.

However, the experienced defender has been in and out of the Lions’ top 22 too many times during his a Brisbane career that started in 2011 to ever take his spot for granted.

And as he gets older, Lester just wants to “enjoy” every chance he gets at AFL level.

“I find I probably don’t ride the wave of getting disappointed every week not getting selected,” he said.

“It’s very much part of the club and the industry that we’re in, but once I got a chance last weekend, I very much enjoyed it, soaked it up, and hopefully I’ll keep my spot.

“It’s just a matter of showing that what I can do when I get out there and not worrying about that maybe next week someone else could come in for my spot.

“That’s just the reality of being in a really good team. You’ve got to embrace that. It’s making sure I still enjoy myself playing VFL, play really well, so when … an (AFL) opportunity presents itself, then I’m there to take it.”

Ryan Lester (right) is intent on enjoying his football, whether it’s in the AFL or the VFL Picture: Bradley Kanaris/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

It’s a “team-man” attitude that Lester is happy to have.

“I probably still wouldn’t be at the club if I didn’t embrace it,” he said.

“Five out of the last six years I’ve been out of contract. I think I’ve been dropped as many times as any AFL player currently on the list, so if I went back to the VFL and spat the dummy, I’d probably have been out of the club three or four years ago.

“I very much love being around the club. It gives me great life balance with two young kids.

“I like helping out some of the young guys who are playing VFL, but then also I really enjoyed playing on the weekend back in the AFL.”

With Darcy Gardiner still out with an achilles problem, and Daniel Rich also set to be sidelined for the next three weeks with a calf injury, Lester should keep his spot for the Lions’ Marvel Stadium battle with a Blues side that will include star forward pair Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.

“They’re certainly going to want to get a scalp in us. They move the ball really well, they’ve clearly got two targets up forward, which are as good as any in the AFL, so we’ve got to play at our best,” Lester said.

“It’s exciting. These are the games that you want to play in – Friday night footy.”