Oscar McInerney, the ruckman for the Lions, has hailed his “selfless” teammate Jack Payne. Payne is a key defender who is running out of time to be fit for Brisbane’s crucial finals match against the GWS Giants on Saturday night.
Payne, whose knee injury ended his finals campaign last year, is desperate to recover from the injury that sidelined him during Brisbane’s victory over Carlton in the weekend elimination final at the Gabba.
Payne practiced with his colleagues at Springfield on Tuesday while sporting a knee brace after receiving positive scan findings.
He was limited to handball and jogging drills, but the Lions are eager to give him every opportunity to play this weekend at Engie Stadium against the Giants, who are led by star forward and Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan.
McInerney remarked, “Jack is a big man, and I know he’s going to give it everything.”
“On Saturday night (at the Gabba), it was evident how amazing and selfless he was.”
Even though things weren’t going well for him at the half, he was still going strong and you couldn’t have told he was hurt.
“I’m sure footy fate will reward him and he’ll train really well over the next couple of days,” the man said, encouraging the lads.
This next Saturday, McInerney will play in his 150th AFL game, and he is looking forward to against “old school” Giants ruckman Kieren Briggs.
The 30-year-old big man remarked, “I’ve actually loved watching him, even though I’ve never actually crossed paths with Kieren over our journey so far.”
He’s one of the greatest at the ruck craft, which is the one aspect of rucking that I adore.
“He moves so naturally. He goes for it and defends that drop zone with such strength.
“He’s old school, and you can tell that his ruck coach is big (former Geelong, Sydney, and GWS ruckman) Shane Mumford because of the way they follow through and set an example for their midfielders.”
“He’s had an amazing two years and has been a really big reason why they’re having such good clearance dominance, so I’m really excited for that challenge.”
McInerney acknowledges that he occasionally gets “white line fever,” but he refuses to give up the fight.
“On game day, the majority of guys wear masks, which is enjoyable to put on and provides a two and a half-hour competitive outlet,” the man stated.
“I love playing footy, and that’s part and parcel of it, but sometimes it’s hard to look at the footage when you look back the day after and wonder who that bloke is.”
Brisbane has lost to the Giants twice already this year, so the Lions should be cautious of the “orange tsunami” that might blow them away on Saturday night.
They play the ball pretty well on both sides. We are aware of that one thing about the Giants. They can get it out to the players that move the ball really well because their contest is so good, according to McInerney.
We are aware of the “orange tsunami” and their ability to work together seamlessly, so those kinds of high-quality sides are pitted against the everyday fare.
“All you have to do is try to match them in the contest; that’s what makes them so good.”
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