Brisbane Lions great Simon Black is certain to play on for a 16th AFL season in 2013 when he can break the games records for both of the club’s merged entities.
Lions coach Michael Voss confirmed on Thursday that an announcement on a new one-year deal for the 33-year-old midfielder was imminent.
Voss said Black’s desire to see an improving Brisbane return to finals action was a driving force as the triple-premiership player looks to continue his 314-game career.
“He’s really keen to make sure he gets the chance to mentor this group,” the coach said.
“Also he’s done a lot of hard work and if we can get a little bit of success then that’s also what’s in the forefront of his mind too.
“He’s desperate for team success.
“We’ve got to use that as a catalyst for us next season.”
Reports last week suggested Black and the club’s list manager Rob Kerr were at odds over contractual issues but Voss indicated the deal could even be announced before Friday night’s club championship dinner.
Black only needs four more games to equal Marcus Ashcroft’s record of 318 for Brisbane while the 2002 Brownlow Medallist is also in the frame to break the 333-game mark of Fitzroy great Kevin Murray next year.
But he will be pushed to become the most experienced Lion as the club is determined to nurse him through the year to ensure he’ll be consistently near his best.
“For Blacky it’s shorter efforts and longer rest and that’s what his pre-season will look like and we’ve got to make sure he’s physically and mentally ready to go,” Voss said.
Black’s modified pre-season will include a trip to Arizona for high-altitude training as
Brisbane will send almost half of their 2013 playing list on a two-and-a-half week camp.
An experienced group of 18 players – including those entering their fifth or more seasons – will leave on November 7 but not include skipper Jonathan Brown who will stay at home due to impending birth of his second child.
Brisbane were a quiet improver in 2012, finishing 13th on the AFL ladder with 10 wins – six more than 2011 – as their emerging youth brigade continued to step up.
That is set to be highlighted in the best and fairest count with Jack Redden and Daniel Rich expected to figure prominently along with Tom Rockliff and Pearce Hanley.
