Brisbane Lions Track Watch: The latest match sim news and scouting notes from Brisbane

All eyes at Brisbane match sim were on one recruit looking to fill a Joe Daniher-sized hole for the premiers. Turns out, a 19-year old young gun might be ready to take on the unenviable task.

Brisbane might have unearthed its key forward of the future in Lions Academy graduate Ty Gallop after the No. 42 pick in last year’s national draft booted a game-high five goals in Thursday’s match simulation at Brighton Homes Arena.

All eyes were on Sam Day in the race to replace Joe Daniher inside the reigning premier’s high-powered forward line and the ex-Sun delivered with a standout four-goal, three goal assist outing as the focal point of the ‘A’ team’s attack.

But down the other end, pit against a premiership backline featuring Harris Andrews, Jack Payne, Dayne Zorko Darcy Wilmot and Ryan Lester, it was Gallop – four days removed from his 19th birthday – who stole the show for the ‘B’ team.

Brisbane Lions Academy player Ty Gallop was the star in match sim. Picture: Ben Grimes

The 194cm Maroochydore product took strong pack marks and was dynamic on the lead, while also showing an impressive nous at ground level including a deft pick-up and snap for his first goal in the opening term.

But what might impress the coaching staff the most was his chase down effort on Jarrod Berry late in the third quarter, when he made up 15m on the veteran midfielder to force a boundary throw-in.

It felt eerily similar to the same time last year, when Logan Morris kicked six against the Lions’ starting backline to announce himself to the Brisbane faithful before getting his opportunity in the second month of the season and never looking back.

The youngster’s performance will give Chris Fagan and forwards coach Stuart Dew something to think about as Opening Round approaches, but given Gallop is an out-and-out forward he may still have to bide his time to crack into a team that is predominantly searching for its next ruck-forward following Daniher’s retirement.

To that end Day put his hand up with an impressive performance playing predominantly as a forward, occasionally moving into the ruck when the returning Oscar McInerney was resting.

The 197cm spearhead has quickly become a popular figure at his new club and with each goal and assist, cheers rang out from teammates on both sides.

Sam Day also impressed. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It was an important statement showing from the former foundation Sun, after struggling to run out the previous week’s match sim when played firstly as a ruck opposed to Darcy Fort.

McInerney played the entire match on his return from the shoulder injury he suffered in the preliminary final against Geelong and looked good, albeit matched against a VFL opponent for the majority of the afternoon.

The Lions’ grand final hard luck story started the match for the ‘B’ team but was quickly forced into a jumper switch when Fort’s day ended early due to hamstring tightness.

Skipper Lachie Neale also completed a full match after playing only half the previous week and looked to be completely free of the plantar fascia injury that he famously played through last September.

With Charlie Cameron and Callum Ah Chee on Indigenous All-Stars duties, Conor McKenna played as a permanent small forward and kicked four first-half goals in an impressive cameo.

Bruce Reville was best afield for the ‘B’ team alongside Gallop, while last year’s No. 25 pick Sam Marshall impressed on the wing and through the middle.

Norm Smith Medalist Will Ashcroft was held out of the match simulation with muscle tightness but the club had no concerns over his fitness.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions Track Watch: The latest match sim news and scouting notes from Brisbane