Voss rapt Black's back for Lions - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Voss rapt Black's back for Lions

By Adam Cooper 03/04/2009 08:32:59 PM Comments (0)

Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss believes the return of Brownlow medallist Simon Black could stretch Carlton in the round two AFL clash at Etihad Stadium.

Black is a welcome return for the Lions for Saturday night's game after overcoming a broken wrist, which followed ankle surgery in the off-season.

His inclusion will be a major boost for the Lions against one of the most impressive round-one performing sides in the Blues, whose confidence is sky high after spanking Richmond by 83 points.

Voss said his former teammate added some extra class against a Blues onball brigade headed by Chris Judd and young gun Marc Murphy.

"He just adds that little bit of class in your ball movement and decision making going forward," Voss said on Friday.

"A player of that ilk, if he can contribute his 60 or 70 minutes of football, then that's something ... that's very, very handy for us.

"... Carlton have been able to establish a pretty good midfield and we've got to play at the top of our game on top of our game, but they're going to have to be at the top of their game for our midfield."

The Lions also enter the clash off the back of a first-up win, but Voss said his side could not afford a tardy start like they had in round one.

The Lions let West Coast jump to a 25-point lead at the main break at the Gabba last Saturday night, before they stormed home and won by 11 points.

Voss said the Lions could not rely on crowd support to get them home at a Carlton home game.

"When you're at home and have the crowd behind you sometimes they're able to get you up a little bit and keep you in the game for longer," he said.

"We'll have our small legion of fans down here who will give us a bit of noise, but Carlton (fans) will be out in full voice.

"When you're away from home you certainly don't want to be that far behind in trying to get the lead back."

Judd has overcome a bout of the flu and Voss expected him to play, along with Blues full-forward Brendan Fevola, who was troubled by heel soreness against the Tigers.

Meanwhile, Carlton have put midfielder Adam Bentick on the long-term injured list because of a knee problem.

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