Voss looks to youth as injuries mount - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Voss looks to youth as injuries mount

By Laine Clark 20/04/2009 07:40:14 PM Comments (0)

As a ruck crisis gripped his club, Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss suggested the league allow injury-ravaged AFL teams recruit state league players.

Voss is considering blooding 18-year-old rookie ruckman Daniel Murray against the Cats at Geelong on Sunday after losing his second big man in as many games.

Jamie Charman has been ruled out for "four to six weeks" after scans on Monday revealed he had suffered ankle ligament damage against Collingwood last Friday night.

Charman only featured in the 17-point loss to the Magpies at the Gabba after No.1 ruckman Matthew Leuenberger (knee) was ruled out for three months.

It is a nightmare scenario for Voss as he prepares for the AFL's toughest assignment.

Desperate times call for desperate measures - forcing Voss to consider feeding Murray to the Cats.

East Perth's Murray - Brisbane's top pick at the 2008 Rookie Draft - only made his reserve grade debut last Friday night in the Lions-Collingwood curtainraiser.

Voss is scanning his rookie list as he tries to find a back up for fill-in ruckman Mitch Clark.

The Lions can create two vacancies on the senior list with Leuenberger and draftee midfielder Kieran King both out with long-term injuries.

But Voss believed there should be a system in place to aid teams with injuries in key positions like the Lions.

"We used to have the mid-season draft. (We could have it) after round eight or nine," Voss said.

"There might be opportunities in how we can bring other people into our system, so it's not just closed off for that year.

"Even if it is to have access to state players."

Voss said it would make sense to "most clubs".

"There might be an opportunity for a state league player that's playing outstandingly well back in Western Australia or South Australia or Queensland," he said.

"If there is an opportunity early in the year for that to happen I think most clubs would say that might be worthwhile.

"It's something for perhaps even the AFLPA (players' association) to think about in terms of presenting opportunities for other players that aren't necessarily just on an AFL list.

"There's always a few that slip through the cracks, who have started their year very well, they've been passed on from another club or someone who's developed quicker than what they thought."

At 200cm, 99kg Murray already has the frame to step up to AFL level.

But Voss wondered if it was worth the gamble considering the potential mental scars the Cats could inflict on Murray.

"His size was the reason we recruited him and he has fair mobility about him," he said.

"But as a match committee we've really got to go over the pros and cons of bringing someone in so early and whether he is ready.

"Does it help or hinder his development?

"It is something that we have to throw around for a couple of hours."

However, Voss did receive some good news.

Jed Adcock - who also suffered an ankle injury against the Pies - is rated a "fair chance" of playing the Cats.

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