Lions shield Fevola from prying media - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Lions shield Fevola from prying media

By Jim Morton 29/03/2010 06:32:32 PM Comments (0)

Brisbane will keep star AFL recruit Brendan Fevola on a media ban indefinitely to help him overcome the fallout from the Lara Bingle picture scandal.

Lions coach Michael Voss was unrepentant on Monday as he explained why the club had gagged Fevola ahead of Thursday's blockbuster clash against his former club, Carlton.

The former Blues spearhead has been put off limits since Bingle announced she would take legal action against him for the circulation of a nude photo taken in 2006.

Voss felt Fevola's mere presence ensured Thursday's game would be well promoted but also admitted greater exposure would help do a better job in filling the Gabba.

He said Fevola's on-field actions would do the talking for the near future, refusing to put a date on when his media ban would be lifted.

"He's carried an emotional load for the last six weeks and I think we've mutually come to an (agreement) that his footy is the part that has got to do the talking," Voss said.

"That's what he's committed to do and as a football club that's what we're committed to do.

"He wants to do that and that's the right path to go at this point in time.

"We think it will work. Don't think I'm going to sit here and justify access to Fev."

Fevola showed some of his best and worst in kicking 3.7 in his Lions debut, combining for eight goals with skipper Jonathan Brown in Saturday night's 32-point win over West Coast.

He is sure to receive major attention from his former teammates on Thursday when he'll likely be pitched into a battle with Jarrad Waite.

Although Carlton will miss both Fevola and Chris Judd from the team which gave up a five-goal lead to lose last year's elimination final, Voss expects another nail-biter between the two clubs.

The Blues have won three of the last four AFL matches against Brisbane, plus last month's pre-season match.

"We've always had great clashes against them," he said. "I would anticipate it's going to be a pretty close game, just history says that.

"I think they will come up very, very confident they have the arsenal to beat us."

Brisbane are set to be without Swans recruit Amon Buchanan (broken thumb) for a month but are hopeful vice-captain Jed Adcock can overcome an ankle problem to play Carlton.

Voss rated Adcock a 50-50 prospect due to a short five-day turnaround but said he'd be given every chance to play.

James Polkinghorne looms as the most likely replacement for Buchanan, to undergo surgery on Tuesday, while Albert Proud, James Hawksley and Tom Rockliff are also in the mix for selection.

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