Lions forward Linc McCarthy making good progress in return from knee injury

A Brisbane Lions forward who suffered the heartbreak of missing the team’s grand final win last year is making good promise in his return from injury.

Friday’s intra-club match will come too soon for Linc McCarthy, but the Brisbane forward is pushing hard for selection in the Lions’ season-opening clash against Geelong on March 6 as he continues to make strong progress in his return from a knee reconstruction.

Of the four Lions players who suffered season-ending anterior cruciate ligament ruptures last year, McCarthy is the most advanced in his recovery compared with Keidean Coleman, Tom Doedee and Darcy Gardiner.

For the first time this pre-season, McCarthy, 31, was on Wednesday able to take part in every drill and did so with great gusto.

He won’t be involved in Brisbane’s first intra-club game on Friday but is on target to play in Brisbane’s trial against Adelaide on February 27 at Springfield.

Linc McCarthy is on track to play a trial against Adelaide. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“It looks like he hasn’t missed a beat,” Lions forward Cal Ah Chee said of McCarthy.

“It’s super exciting for Linc. It’s been a long year for him and a few of the boys who did their knees, but it’s exciting to see them all coming back, and Linc’s such a big player for us, especially in the forward line.

“He’s such a great leader down there, and I’m looking forward to when he comes back and see what he can do as well. He’s an important player for us. His presence out there, he’s such a great leader, so good at his forward craft, and he’s always just willing to help blokes out there, especially the young guys.

“We need that in our forward line. Him and Charlie (Cameron) are probably the ones who lead that the most.”

McCarthy’s return will also add to the competition for spots among Brisbane’s forwards, where Ah Chee emerged as a star in the Lions’ premiership success last year.

Ah Chee, whose versatility had sometimes worked against him at the selection table, was able to cement a spot in Brisbane’s forward line last season and kicked four goals in the Lions’ 60-point grand-final win over Sydney.

Lions forward Cal Ah Chee is confident ahead of the new AFL season. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I probably didn’t have a huge amount of belief early in my career but certainly found that last year, and hopefully that can take my game to another level.

“Playing in the forward line has allowed me to play my simple brand of footy and I feel like when I’m out there now, I can just play football and not think too much.

“It’s just playing that natural brand of football that I got drafted for.”

Ah Chee’s pre-season will also include playing for the Indigenous All-Stars against Fremantle on Saturday week at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

“I’m just really excited to be playing with all the Indigenous boys. It’ll be a pretty good spectacle for everyone to see.” he said.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had an All-Star game. To be playing on Nyoongar country as well, which is where I’m from, is really exciting.

“To play against an AFL side is pretty special as well. It’ll be a good preparation for the year too.”

Originally published as Lions forward Linc McCarthy making good progress in return from knee injury