Brown hungry to rip into NAB Cup

A super-fit Jonathan Brown aims to play three of the Brisbane Lions’ four NAB Cup games as he looks to put the injury horrors of 2011 behind him.

In his longest pre-season training campaign for a decade, Brown is champing at the bit to start in the Lions’ NAB Cup opener against Gold Coast and Melbourne on February 25.

Brisbane’s inspirational captain has traditionally made just a single pre-season appearance but says it’s important for his own match fitness and the Lions’ chemistry to get plenty of game time.

“I’m hoping to play three out of the four and that will hold me in good stead,” said Brown, who played just 10 matches last year due to horrendous facial injuries in rounds one and 17.

“It’s advantageous to myself personally and also to the team to have some continuity over the NAB Cup period.

“Vossy (coach Michael Voss) needs to work out what his side is and get some good chemistry going into the season after a couple of lean years.”

Brisbane battled to 15th without both Brown and vice-captain Daniel Merrett for most of 2011 which copped a sting in the tail with Mitch Clark leaving for Melbourne.

With the bookends back and their young list one season more experienced, the strong forward is tipping they can turn competitiveness into more victories in 2012.

“Ultimately we have to finish,” Brown said.

“We lost a lot of close games last year and that’s the next step for us as a side – to be able to handle ourselves in those situations and get over the line.

“I think we’re making giant steps forward.”

The skipper has been most impressed with a greater sense of purpose and ownership from within his squad.

With a decision yet to be made whether a replacement will be made for Clark in Brisbane’s leadership group, Brown said a handful such as Daniel Rich, James Polkinghorne, Jack Redden and Matthew Leuenberger were all deserving.

“The more guys you can get displaying the right behaviours is important and that’s what we’re starting to get at the Brisbane Lions which I thought was pretty lean for a few years,” he said.

“I don’t think we had enough (players) taking ownership of the team.”

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