Lion back at school to inspire young AFL players

(posted 29.10.09)

When most of us return to our old school, the main priority is to ensure we leave having given the impression we're living a successful life.

But when you're an AFL star like Josh Drummond, having a trophy named after you and getting mobbed for autographs was on the agenda when he returned to his old Matthew Flinders Anglican College stomping ground yesterday.

Apart from a puffed-up face thanks to a food allergy, the Brisbane Lions defender is fitter than ever ahead of the start of pre-season training in a fortnight's time.

Following a couple of seasons plagued with injury, the 26-year-old managed 20 games in 2009, missing just four, and brought up the 50-game milestone midway through the season.

“I've made hard work of the 50 but if I get to 100 I hope it's quicker and less painless,” Drummond laughed.

“That's part and parcel of the game though. There's players out there who've had it worse than me so that's the way I look at it.

“I got a running coach and did that three or four times a week, as well as leg weights to try and strengthen my core up, and it's made a big difference.

“I've still got a lot of work to do but I've definitely made improvements this year bodywise.”

The Lions were the major players at AFL's draft week, recruiting plenty of experience in the likes of Brent Staker (West Coast), Amon Buchanan (Sydney), Xavier Clarke (St Kilda) and Andrew Raines (Richmond).

But the arrival of controversial Carlton forward Brendan Fevola understandably grabbed most of the headlines.

“It was disappointing to lose 'Braddy' (Daniel Bradshaw who left the Lions after being offered as 'trade bait' in the Fevola deal) because he's been a great player and is a champion bloke,” Drummond admitted.

“But Fev's a champion player and was the Coleman medallist last year so having him and Browny (Johnathan Brown) in the forward line will make opposition teams very worried about the damage they can do if we get them a bit of footy.

“I'm sure for Fev the penny's dropped after his latest altercation and to move up here to a less AFL-oriented place will be good for him because not everyone will recognise him.”

- story Jon Tuxworth, Sunshine Coast Daily
- photo Sunshine Coast Daily

Suncoast Lions Cup

Back to News and Events