Essendon great Matthew Lloyd has thrown his support behind Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan’s decision to axe veterans Daniel Rich and Jack Gunston, saying the Lions have “moved past” the pair.
Fagan admitted to reporters on Wednesday there was “no guarantee” the pair come straight back into the high-flying Lions’ side this season, a statement that Lloyd believes is true.
“I genuinely believe that if they are to win the premiership, that they’ve moved past those two players,” Lloyd said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night.
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The Lions, who sit two games clear in third on the AFL ladder, have recorded an impressive 11 wins this season, with Fagan’s men seemingly going from strength to strength on the march to the finals.
The strong run of form comes after the experienced Rich and Gunston stood themselves down indefinitely in June, saying they were not up to AFL standard, putting themselves through a mid-season training block in hopes of being re-selected at the pointy end of the year.
“I think they’re better without them the rest of the season,” Lloyd said.
“The side looks younger, more explosive and fresher with Jaspa Fletcher coming into the team and other players getting an opportunity.
“In terms of Daniel Rich, you’ve got Conor McKenna, Keidean Coleman and Darcy Wilmot who have gone past him.
“I can’t see him coming back unless somebody else gets injured.”
As for ex-Hawthorn premiership power forward Jack Gunston, who joined the club last summer, Lloyd believes there’s no way he finds a permanent spot in front of a group that’s been together for years.
“The forward line is set up with Charlie Cameron, [Eric] Hipwood, [Joe] Daniher, [Zac] Bailey, [Lincoln] McCarthy … and[Cam] Rayner,” Lloyd said.
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But Geelong great Jimmy Bartel says there still is hope for Gunston if he finds some form in the latter half of the season.
”Brisbane are a bit different, they like to use a ruck as their tactical sub. With Daniher showing that he thrives playing a bit of time up in the ruck, you can have another forward line look,” Bartel said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night.
“If the opposition floods back onto Hipwood, you’ve got another smart player inside forward 50 to mark and convert.”
As for what could happen as the season progresses, Lloyd said Fagan is likely to feel more loyalty towards Rich, who he has coached since beginning at the Lions in 2017.
“Rich has been one of the all-time greats of the club. He (Fagan) probably feels like he owes it to him, to give him the opportunity more than Jack Gunston,” Lloyd said.
“That’s a tricky spot for Chris Fagan.”
Brisbane host a struggling West Coast Eagles side on Saturday afternoon at the Gabba, in what could be a big percentage boost for the Lions.
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