The Brisbane Lions are happy to be back at official training duties ahead of the 2014 AFL season after a rough free agency period.
The playing group took part in the first official training session under new coach Justin Leppitsch on Tuesday before heading to Arizona on Wednesday for a two-week altitude training camp.
The Lions lost five young pieces to free agency, but finally became the recipients of some good news as veteran former Richmond forward Luke McGuane decided to ink with the club after being delisted from the Tigers while veteran Brent Staker opted to resign for a further two seasons.
The 29-year-old Staker made a successful mid-season return after a string of serious knee injuries while the 26-year-old McGuane finally settled on a decision after being listed from Richmond weeks ago.
Preparation for a new season has been a refreshing change of pace according to full forward Jonathon Brown.
“Whenever there’s something new it’s always refreshing and guys will be jumping out of their skin trying to impress, even a 15-year veteran like myself,” Brown said after Tuesday’s training.
“It certainly has been a tumultuous off-season with the board and the young players leaving, but that’s all been sorted out now and we move into 2014 with a positive vibe around the club.
“I think we’re all happy to have left that behind. The players here want to be here, they feel really strongly about the group.
“There’s terrific camaraderie and spirit here and I’m only concerned about the guys that are actually here.”
Leppitisch isn’t the only new face in the football department- club champion Simon Black has been appointed as an assistant since announcing his retirement at the close of the 2013 season while the Brisbane Lions also welcome a new board, headed by chairman Bob Sharpless and also including former premiership coach Leigh Matthews.
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Photo: Robert Cianflone, Getty Images
