Matthew Leuenberger

[christicehurst]

http://i46.tinypic.com/rqxidt.png

Number: 23
Height: 204cm
Weight: 104kg
Debut: Rd 14 2007
DOB: 07-06-1988
Recruited from: East Perth (WA)

Introduction
The former first round draft pick is a highly rated modern-day ruckman who can cover ground quickly, win plenty of the ball and occasionally push forward to kick goals. At 204cm, he has exquisite skills, great mobility and blistering pace which makes him one of the most exciting young prospects in the AFL.

Background
• Matthew Leuenberger’s father migrated from Switzerland back in 1986 and settled in Perth. He opened a French restaurant – located only a drop punt from Subiaco Oval – and often took his son (Matthew) to watch visiting AFL teams train.

• For Matthew Leuenberger, athletics and basketball were a big part of his junior sporting repertoire. However, he decided to focus on a football career because the AFL seemed more appealing than the NBL.

• He was initially spotted while playing for Hale School in Year 11 and was invited to train with the U18 West Australian side.

• He was later included in the East Perth Colts side and played six senior WAFL games after the U18 national championships where he had a carnival-high 61 hit outs.

• He won the Mel Whinnen medal as best-on-ground in the Colts’ Grand Final before impressive further with his speed and mobility at the Draft Camp in Canberra.

• After much hype, Leuenberger was drafted to the Lions with Pick No.4 in the 2006 AFL National Draft.

2007
• Leuenberger battled injury throughout much of his first AFL pre-season and was forced to miss the entire NAB Cup competition.

• He eventually returned to the field for the Lions Reserves side where he began dominating matches playing a mixture of roles both in the ruck and up forward.

• He earned a senior call-up for the Lions’ Round 14 clash against West Coast in the familiar surrounds of Subiaco. Opposed to arguably the AFL’s premiere ruckman Dean Cox, Leuenberger battled manfully as the Lions secured an upset win over the reigning premiers.

• Leuenberger held his spot in the senior team as Jamie Charman’s back-up for the remaining nine matches – an amazing feat for a developing teenage ruckman.

• The finest performance of his debut season came in Round 20 against Sydney at the Gabba. With Charman out injured, Leuenberger went head-to-head with experienced Sydney ruck duo Darren Jolly and Peter Everitt and took the honours in a thrilling draw. He was desperately unlucky not to receive an AFL Rising Star nomination for his 15 disposal effort.

2008
• Following the trading of Cameron Wood to Collingwood and the shock retirement of premiership ruckman Beau McDonald during the off-season, Leuenberger quickly became an important part of the Lions team.

• He began the season in the seniors and once again stood up when senior ruckman Jamie Charman missed through injury against Port Adelaide in Round 4.

• He was the youngest player selected in the AFL’s 150-year Hall of Fame Tribute Match’s initial squad. However, he was not chosen in the final All-Stars team.

• He was later relegated to the Lions Reserves when the Club chose to play key forward Mitch Clark in the ruck.

• He returned to the senior team only to injure his knee against Essendon at Telstra Dome in Round 15. The injury required surgery which forced the young ruckman to miss the reminder of the season.

• Leuenberger’s 10 senior matches in 2008 took his career total to 19.

2009
• After a full pre-season which saw Leuenberger add considerable size to his 204cm frame, the West Australian began the 2009 home-and-away season as the team's number one ruck option.�

• He played three matches before tearing the lateral meniscus in his knee which required surgery and approximately three months on the sidelines.

• Further complications arose when Leuenberger suffered a post-operation staph infection which made him incredibly ill and delayed his recovery.

• After losing more than 10kg because of the infection, Leuenberger returned to Brisbane and commenced his recovery. Despite being considered unlikely to return in 2009, he remained committed to making it back in time for the AFL Finals.

• He remarkably returned to the Lions Reserves late in the season but after two match hit-outs in the Reserves, his knee did not respond ideally. He therefore was not considered for the Lions' Finals campaign. http://www.lions.com.au/players/playerprofile/matthewleuenberger/tabid/5189/playerid/15644/category/senior/season/2009/selected/bio/default.aspx

[christicehurst]

Great game for the first time as the No.1 Ruck. He'll be feeling very good about himself after this game.

[Rally_21]

Extremely impressed with his performance tonight. Easily worthy of the Rising Star award this week, because to take on that rucking duo like that was inspirational.

[Spanner]

There's going to have to be some superstar heroics by another youngster today to wrest this week's Rising Star from him.

[the_champ33]

Brilliant game last night. Came through with the jump in the final quarter. Deserves Rising Star nomination this week.
He'll need Charmo's help still. Not ready, experienced or mature enough yet to handle the duties alone.

[Spanner]

It'll either be him or Nathan Brown getting the nom this week. Lewie's helped by the fact that he was on a winning team.

[Spanner]

It'll either be him or Nathan Brown getting the nom this week. Lewie's helped by the fact that he was on a winning team.


Another week, another nomination not forthcoming. It's a bit of a slap in the face, really. Full credit to Kieran jack, who by all reports did one hell of a job on Kerr, but really.

In better news, Leuenberger is one of the seven Lions in the initial squads for the Hall of Fame Tribute match.

[christicehurst]

Let corked thigh in the 3rd quarter against the Demons. Will update to see how this goes.

[Spanner]

It'd be a pretty exceptional corkie to keep him out of the next match.

[the_champ33]

Is that what happened? I wasn't aware of our team having any injuries. Our ruckman weren't as dominant as normal, but still did well.

[christicehurst]

I haven't heard any news so he might be fine. Both ruck men weren't crash hot.

[the_champ33]

I've heard zero injury concerns from the senior side.

[christicehurst]

I've heard zero injury concerns from the senior side.


Good to hear. Everyone escaped injury free.

[the_champ33]

Maybe not.
We'll see what happens when the team sheet is released.

[Spanner]

I think it's actually a good thing for Lewie that he's only played half the games this year. He needs to build up his mulculature.

[christicehurst]

He'll play more next year I would say. He's done well this year.

[Spanner]

Oh, he's been marvellous, no doubt! It's just that if we were to field him all season, with his younger, less developed body in a high-impact ruck position, he'll likely pick up a stress injury.

[the_champ33]

Thats why Mitch Clark needs it split

[worbsy]

Seems Clark has replaced berger for the time being. I don't really mind it either, Clark has been very good as the backup ruckman so far and it gives berger the chance to build up his body a bit more. Clark adds more to our team right now because matthews hardly gives berger any gametime when he plays.

[the_champ33]

I like the Berger, but I can see why he's favoured over Clark and versatility is part of it.

Berger body isn't mature or developed enough as you said. That's fine and fair enough. It happens to some. I also don't think he's quiet versatile enough to play other positions.

Berger and Charmo were simply rotating the ruck in the past.

Clark has shown he can by playing forward, 2nd ruckman and recently a backman. This makes it easy to share the load on Charman and provides extra running legs on the bench.

The game is just so quick now and fresh legs always help. By playing with 1 true ruckman, it allows us more running type players.

I like the Berger and he's unlucky. But I see the point on why he's out.

[worbsy]

Great thing with Clark at the moment is that he and Charmo can alternate between rucking and then resting/playing up forward. With their height, it can really overwhelm most team's defenders, adding another big target alongside Brown and Bradshaw, when he's back. Hasn't really seemed too top-heavy yet either. YET.

[the_champ33]

Excalty right Worsby and sadly Berger must wait.

All the ruckmen struggle to break into the seniors and it usually takes seniors to earn a berth.

It's happened to Charman himself and Beau McDonald. Even Crackers Keating struggled once recovered from injuries and he was the vetaran.

[the_champ33]

Good to see him back in the seniors, but then injured.

Hopefully it's not too serious and he can play again.

[christicehurst]

We shall keep a update in the injury thread about the Berger. Hope he's ok.

[the_champ33]

possible knee cartilage damage and the weeks can vary depending on the damage and which ligaments.

Prefer to wait for the injury list now

[worbsy]

Knee injuries are never good. Spose it could be worse though...

[christicehurst]

possible knee cartilage damage and the weeks can vary depending on the damage and which ligaments.

Prefer to wait for the injury list now


That sounds terrible...

[Jedstheman]

Matthew Leuenberger got a 3.8 rating for the year from insidefootball

[worbsy]

He didn't get much of a chance yet again, with Matthews trying to ease him into AFL.

Vossy, throw Berger in the deep end and give us a superstar now, not in 5 years.

[Jedstheman]

He didn't get much of a chance yet again, with Matthews trying to ease him into AFL.

Vossy, throw Berger in the deep end and give us a superstar now, not in 5 years.
Fast track all youngins and then piss em off to anyone who will take them if they are not preforming after three years or forty five games Burger not in that basket though he will face an uphill battle getting back next year hope we see him in fine form in 2010.

[Jedstheman]

A few Q&A with Le burger as reported in inside football this week with Ben Casanelia.

B.C:Are you enjoying the grind of Pre season Vossy Style?
M.L:I can tell you it has been alot more full on than last year.when I first came back I was on a limited program becuase of the knee injury from last season but I started with the main group about a fortnight ago.Its been tough......really tough.

B.C:How have you found your first two seasons at the Lions?
M.L:To be honest I have found it a bit frustrating with the ups and downs.i have battled injury in both years and had to deal with being in and out of the team,I have had the highs of playing good footy and the lows of playing bad footy.Then again I have got to understand that I am still only 20 and in the long term I think I have set myself up well.I have learned alot so the 2 years have been valuable despite being frustrating.
B.C:what is the biggest transition from Jnr footy to senoir footy?
M.L:The strength-big time
B.C:what are you eyeing off in 09
M.L:My goal next year is to not play in the reserves any more.I want to cement myspot in the senoirs and add more strings to my bow.I want to push forward when I am not in the ruck to give the coaches more options when it comes to using me.
B.C:What do you need to improve to achieve that?
M.L:Pretty much improve my strengthand my marking.In my Jnr footy I used to pull down some big marks but its alot harder to do against Men.
B.C:What are your impressions of the new coach?
M.L:So far he has been really good.He is really approachable and the guys are enthused that he is onboard.

Well it seems Le Burger will be back by Rd1 maybe......... training with the main group is huge and he now weighs in at 103k.g which I am personaly stoked about we are going to very tough in the ruck now that he has added weight and to put it into perspective he has stacked on 11k.g since the start of last season so he will not get pushed aroud as much.And he said pre season has been really tough which makes me think WTF have we been doing the last few pre seasons?.......... Vossy whip those boys into shape.

[worbsy]

OMFG, that is a LOT of weight! That's awesome, wont be long til he's the number 1 ruckman ;)

[Jedstheman]

OMFG, that is a LOT of weight! That's awesome, wont be long til he's the number 1 ruckman ;)
Very interesting indeed with the weight thing also 2 rucks is better than 1 it will makes us so much better having a fit and firing Le Burger I thought he would not be back untill aleast Rd7-8 next year

[b_lions16]

Bart McColloch and Daniel Murray are both ruckmen as well.

[lion4life]

Charmo could be able to push forward then when Berger rucks

[Jedstheman]

Bart McColloch and Daniel Murray are both ruckmen as well.
Oh I hear you there 16 but a healthy Burger makes life easier for the rookies and makes us so much better also your Dream of Charmo playing more as a forward........ well looks like you will be seeing a bit more of that next year.

[b_lions16]

Mentioned before that Charmo would be handy up forward, he uses his body well, and can take the strong marks while dealing with multiple defenders, using his bulk to shrug off his opponents. But, if we do that, we have to play him deep, like in the goalsquare of something, because he might get in the way of The Twin Towers.

[Jedstheman]

Mentioned before that Charmo would be handy up forward, he uses his body well, and can take the strong marks while dealing with multiple defenders, using his bulk to shrug off his opponents. But, if we do that, we have to play him deep, like in the goalsquare of something, because he might get in the way of The Twin Towers.
The biggest plus is we have well rested players........ if it does get crowed give Browns a rest push Braddy to CHF and plonk Charmo in the goal square Burger being fit is just so good best news I have heard since Stumps arrived at the club

[Jedstheman]

Le Burger is fit and to my best knowledge we will go into RD1 with our best twentytwo ready to fire Blacky may miss with the ankle but I doubt it this is a real plus for us as last season we did not ever once put our best team out together IMO.

[b_lions16]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Matthewleuenberger.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Matthewleuenberger.jpg)
^ The Stare ^ :D
Author: Lisa Muir

[lions_girl_4life]

Lol at that 16, can't wait to see him play.

[Jedstheman]

That a cool photo any notice that when Le Burger got drafted his head looked to big for his scrawny body now it is the oppisite his head looks to small on that big frame of his:p

[the_champ33]

Berger looked good in the Sunday paper back in Adelaide a couple of weeks ago posing with Charman.

[Jedstheman]

did he look like a kid next to charmo or didhe look like a man?

[worbsy]

I reckon Berger looks kinda evil in that pic Scotty posted, must have learnt it from Charmo! lol

And its about to become my avatar ;) UNLEASH THE BEAST! Haha

[christicehurst]

The 15kgs is massive for a player to increase by in a year or so. Can't wait to see him use the extra weight in the ruck.

[lions_girl_4life]

The 15kgs is massive for a player to increase by in a year or so. Can't wait to see him use the extra weight in the ruck.
He's gonna slaughter them!!

[christicehurst]

I'm hoping so. We have to give the midfield every chance to get the ball.

[christicehurst]

I'm quite sure of that!

[lions_girl_4life]

I'm not just saying this because I'm a lions fan but because it's true. We have on of the most talented lists. We have two dynmo forwards (Brownshaw) as well as many rising forwards. Our midfield is unbelievable. With Charmo or Berger in the ruck with Power, Black, Adcock and Magnet, just to name a few. Our backline is very bloody decent. With Merret and Patters leading the way, Adcock when he plays back there, again, just to name a few. We did fantastic at the drafts. We have our hands on Stumpy, Banfield, Redden, Rockliff, just to name a few. Have a look at how Dalziell did, Stumps is gonna match that. Atleast. When the Lions are focused and up to full power, no one can stop us. Not even the Hawks.

[christicehurst]

If Voss can push the team into overdrive there's a small window of a Premiership if Black, Power and Bradshaw are still playing.

[lions_girl_4life]

If Voss can push the team into overdrive there's a small window of a Premiership if Black, Power and Bradshaw are still playing.
Not to mention Brown.

[b_lions16]

Le Berger up forward would be good. He's got a tall and strong build I reckon we could throw up forward if Browny needs a rest. Similar to a Clarko type......

[christicehurst]

He could play that role well.

[worbsy]

Have a look at how Dalziell did, Stumps is gonna match that. Atleast.

Sorry to break the news, but Rich wont be doing what Magnet did just yet. He'll kick goals through the midfield, but his numbers will be well below what Magnets were.

Our list is definitely one of the better ones in the comp, and in a couple of years we'll be right up there with the best teams. And this year we'll go alright too :)

Noticed Nathan Bock's brother in the papers today, 205cm and 83kg! Berger was 203cm and 87, He's now 204cm and 102! :D
2009: The year of the Berger

[b_lions16]

Good marking option I reckon.

204cm, 102kg.....OMFG

*Faints*

[christicehurst]

It's good to see our Rucks are improving. I believe we needed that with Wood going.

[worbsy]

Berger has said that he WANTS to play up forward this year so that he gets more game time, and I reckon he'll tear defenders apart. His skills and speed are exceptional as it is, and then he's got a 204cm, 100+kg frame!

BTW Chris, this "posts appearing without refreshing" thing is great :)

[christicehurst]

That's the Live Topic in action. If a thread becomes popular then it turns on. Match Day Threads will never be the same again!

[worbsy]

I loved watching games when Berger played just to watch him, because of all the hype about how good he was going to be.

Now that he's AFL footballer size, its gonna get a whole lot better :)

When he took on the two Sydney ruckman in that game when Charmo got injured, he was unbelievable for just a kid, and now he may be doing that EVERY WEEK!

He would have been a number 1 draft pick if they re-did that draft, with Selwood going number 2 i reckon.

[b_lions16]

What Le Berger did in Rd 4 against Port was great with Charmo out, the kid had the whole rucking load on himself.

[worbsy]

He took on Jolly and Everitt alone in the Sydney game, and matched it with them 100%!

[Jedstheman]

Jed said in an interveiw that The Menu has put on a hell of alot weight and is ready to roll in 09 rd1........Last year the burger got eaten by some opposing rucks but now no one will eat The Menu he is too big......Bring on the season

[the_champ33]

I was @ that round 4 game too in 2008 when Berger handled the whole rucking duties + witness our victory in a come from behind margin.

Sadly it was also Nigel Lappin's last game for the club too.

[Jedstheman]

In retrospect I would have to say it was a good day and a sad day I am still coming to terms with the loss of Lappin.

[lions_girl_4life]

In retrospect I would have to say it was a good day and a sad day I am still coming to terms with the loss of Lappin.
Especially, to Geelong ( I can't remember if it was them)

[the_champ33]

Yeah Lappin is now an Assistant Coach @ Geelong.

I am sad @ his finish also and hoped Vossy could have convinced him to play on.

Definitely one of the legends and great servants of this great club.

Certainly the broken rib in the GF will always be remembered.

[lions_girl_4life]

I don't think he would have played on, I felt that it was the right time for him to make the transitition from playing to coaching.

[b_lions16]

If Lapps ever made the transtion to a Senior Coach, he would be a rather quiet one without any character. (Micky Malthouse is fun to watch!). No offence or anything, he never seemed like the one to crack a joke with.

All shit aside, he was one of the true champions of the club and his legacy will be remembered forever as part of the Brisbane Lions.

[christicehurst]

I can see a time when a number of Lions players are coaching. Secretly tanking their teams to make the Lions win lol.

[Jedstheman]

I like to think that Lappin@ Geelong,B.Scott @ Pies,C.Scott @ Freeo will be calling Vossey weekly with there teams inside secrets and game plans.

[christicehurst]

We don't need the Pie's gameplay lol

[worbsy]

If Lapps ever made the transtion to a Senior Coach, he would be a rather quiet one without any character. (Micky Malthouse is fun to watch!). No offence or anything, he never seemed like the one to crack a joke with.


But his demands on the team/player performances would be super high, he always set the highest standards for himself and when he didn't perform at those levels he'd be very pissed off at himself.

[b_lions16]

As reported in the Courier Mail today...Iceberg's name has been added to the Records Whiteboard....great thing to hear and we are firing for 09. ;)

[worbsy]

He's pretty quick too, le Berger.

[lions_girl_4life]

He's pretty quick too, le Berger.
And I will see how fast he is tomorrow!

[b_lions16]

Iceburg can play multiple positions....tall forward would be dangerous...no one will be able to stop him from taking contested marks.

[lions_girl_4life]

Iceburg can play multiple positions....tall forward would be dangerous...no one will be able to stop him from taking contested marks.
He was mainly training in Ruck, he was looking good out there. He was training in ruck with Tippet.

[b_lions16]

Tippett eh....if only he could be like his bro....;)

[worbsy]

Did you get to see Berger doing sprints? He was surprisingly the quickest in the club at that I think in 2007

[Jedstheman]

Did you get to see Berger doing sprints? He was surprisingly the quickest in the club at that I think in 2007

Yeah his 20m spirnts were the fastest which insane for a man his size.

[worbsy]

I spose he does have long legs though!

[Jedstheman]

I spose he does have long legs though!

good point he does not have to cover much ground maybe ten steps where Luke Power or Stumps would be up around maybe 20 me thinks

[worbsy]

You'd think with more power now me may even be able to move faster, too. So excited to watch him this year!

[Jedstheman]

You'd think with more power now me may even be able to move faster, too. So excited to watch him this year!
Me too dude we need him.... our team really started its slide last year when he went down

[worbsy]

Having Charmo forced to ruck alone when he wasn't at peak form to begin with was always gonna cause trouble. Since trading Cam Wood, Berger's importance has skyrocketed and I reckon he's gonna deliver on his potential because he's willing to do the work.

[Jedstheman]

100% rite dude..... hey mate when i see that avartar of yours it makes me smile.

[lions_girl_4life]

100% rite dude..... hey mate when i see that avartar of yours it makes me smile.
Lol, yeah. I got a pic like that from yesterday but haven't been able to load it up yet.

[worbsy]

100% rite dude..... hey mate when i see that avartar of yours it makes me smile.

Me too, thats why its there ;) He's gonna smash the comp this year

[Jedstheman]

Me too, thats why its there ;) He's gonna smash the comp this year

And you can take that to the bank!!!!!!!

[lions_girl_4life]

I was watching him at training. He was doing a fair few laps and spent pretty much the rest of the time in ruck practice. He was getting pretty dang good.

[Jedstheman]

some may laugh but Burger is so important to our team giving your mids first use of the ball at stoppages is one of the most important things in new school football and if Burger is getting"Pretty Dang Good" well imo it is a good day for the BLFC.:D

[christicehurst]

He will need to keep on working on it if we are to start the season off with a bang.

[Jedstheman]

Chris I read a news paper called inside football there was an interveiw in it with Burger and one of the things that grabbed me most about it was Burgers goal was to never play in the reserves again this guy is yet to play 20 senior games and to say that says to me that he is ready for all the hard work it takes to get to the top.

[christicehurst]

That's a good goal to have and there's a good chance he will stay in the top team with the lack of rucks.

[Jedstheman]

That's a good goal to have and there's a good chance he will stay in the top team with the lack of rucks.
His determination and passion for the game will see him as our number one ruck by 2010.
And you can take that to the bank

[worbsy]

He may find himself onto the bench of my DT if he stays around 160k like he ended last year.

[worbsy]

He's been talked up as the next Dean Cox, and now he is the same height, same weight and is miles ahead of where Dean was at that age in terms of skills. And Berger plays a similar style, moving around the ground.

[Jedstheman]

He's been talked up as the next Dean Cox, and now he is the same height, same weight and is miles ahead of where Dean was at that age in terms of skills. And Berger plays a similar style, moving around the ground.

He may find himself onto the bench of my DT if he stays around 160k like he ended last year.

Look back a few pages in this thread I am going into D.T with a Cox/Burger combo.....Thats sounds wrong.:D

[worbsy]

Haha, very wrong.

I can't risk having him as one of my starting ruckmen, but he will be a very handy backup and will make some cash.

[b_lions16]

He'll rise in price I reckon deeper into the season.

Tough Goal...gunna be hard to get but if the guy can do it, I'll jump into the Brisbane River. ;)

[worbsy]

What goal is that?

[b_lions16]

What goal is that?

To never play in the Reserves again in his career.....

A long shot. ;)

[worbsy]

lol, its a certainty that he'll play reserves again.

[Jedstheman]

One of the Sunday papers reported the Burger tweeked his Knee on Friday night he was the Sub for Scott Clousten and it said it was only a tweek so it should be fine but........................I would hate to go another season with a weak Ruck Division it hurts the team so much.

[lions_girl_4life]

I hope to lord it is fine because I absolutely hate how we are torn apart in the rucks most of the games. This is gonna be our major hurdle in Rd 1.

[worbsy]

He needs to finally deliver on all of the potential and hype, so that's not good news at all. Hopefully he's fine and will play against the Dees. I want some match fitness into him while we can.

[b_lions16]

He got totally killed by Hille. I reckon he should be moved forward. 100+kgs of muscle...he could be danger up there.

[Jedstheman]

It has been confirmed Burger will not be lining up for the Lions this week his knee is giving him a little touble still although classed as minor it still worries me no Charmo either.........Good news but Browny is playing ................. Bank it:rolleyes:

[lions_girl_4life]

Fantastic news that Browny is playing. I hope that Bergers knee doesn't give us any more troubles, it is starting to worry me to. Hopefully atleast a few decent games.

[Jedstheman]

LeBurger I take my hat off to you up against the best Ruckman in the comp and you did not take a backwards step had some help from Charmo but at the end of the day Very Solid game indeed............ seems to have an alrite kick on him too which is good for a guy his size.

[lions_girl_4life]

I agree, he played a solid game which is a lot, like you said, against the best ruckman in the modern game.

[b_lions16]

He wasn't no only there at the centre bounces, saw him taking easy contested marks, courtesy to his tall and strong build. Found him everywhere. Definitely had help from Charmo but he also found his way to other positions...roamed forward as well. ;)

[lions_girl_4life]

He was a big help and in a close match like this one, it helps a hell of a lot.

[b_lions16]

BRISBANE'S Matthew Leuenberger-Simon Black clearance combination is set to resume against Carlton this week and should continue indefinitely.

The young ruck star declared he wants to remain a Lion.

Leuenberger's standout round 1 performance against Eagle Dean Cox, widely regarded as the best big man in the business, gained plenty of attention across the AFL.

It was recruiters from two WA clubs, always trying to lure local boys back home, and the cashed-up Gold Coast side that took the most notice.

But the 20-year-old, who was locked away on a multi-year deal while still in his first year as a draftee, has no intentions of going anywhere.

"I am really happy up here to be honest, I reckon we are going places," he said. "I have no thoughts of going home, no intentions of leaving Brisbane.
"Plus, I don't reckon I could handle the lifestyle of a footballer in WA. I wouldn't want the hassle."

His remarks will come as music to the ears of the Lions football department, which is constantly forced to defend itself against interstate poaching raids.

Leuenberger hit a second-season hurdle last year after a shining nine-game debut in 2007 but came out of the blocks firing at the Gabba against the man on whom he has modelled his game.

Lions coach Michael Voss pulled the first coaching mind games of his career when he named Leuenberger as the sole ruckman to take on the Eagles in the lead-up to the game.

Although Jamie Charman was an emergency and was eventually called into the side, Leuenberger was the main man for two days and it gave him confidence.

"It was good to know. I felt the coaching staff had confidence in me," he said.

Leuenberger arrived at Brisbane via pick four in the 2006 draft as a skinny kid with the silky skills and major running capacity, now he looks at home against the league's big boppers.

"I have made some pretty big improvements on my strength, which is what I needed to do," he said.

It starts this week against fellow young gun Matthew Kreuzer, the man he appears locked in a battle for the No. 1 contender's title.

Both coaches know the midfield that gets first hands on the footy will probably win the game. Carlton coach Brett Ratten says stopping the supply to Lions forwards Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw is the key to success.

Ratten says the inexperienced Blues defence has no hope of stopping them unless Carlton's midfielders and forwards stifle the Lions' delivery.

"It will be about the ball supply," Ratten said.

"If Josh Drummond is allowed to waltz out of the halfback line, then Bradshaw or Brown will get it on a platter, no one will defend it, it doesn't matter if you've got (All Australian fullback Matthew) Scarlett and these blokes down there."
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,25275800-5016181,00.html

[worbsy]

Lovett. Hope he plays 70% this week though, not a measly 50 again. The potential is there so rest him up forward, Vossy!

[worbsy]

Oh yeah, and THANKS THE FOOTY GODS HE WANTS TO STAY AT BRISBANE! Best news I've heard since.... well... since Stumps was named Rising Star nominee a few days ago. LMAO!

[lions_girl_4life]

Thank god we have converted him to a Lions Lover let's hope is lifelong.

[christicehurst]

The Berger did very well tonight I think by himself. He had a couple issues with his knee but keep playing.

[b_lions16]

I nearly fainted when he went off, he looked in REAL strife...he came on tho....true courage this kid.
He did could keeping up with the AFL's elite ruckman in Jolly.

[the_champ33]

He is a superb recruit who keeps on impressing the fans.
Always works hard and always steps up.
Covers Charmo well when he takes a sickie.

[worbsy]

Injury-prone though :(

[b_lions16]

BRISBANE Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger faces the prospect of an extended period on the sidelines after injuring his knee at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Leuenberger, 20, limped to the bench in the third minute of the 33-point win over the Sydney Swans and, despite returning to the field to play out the match, will have scans on his left knee on Monday to determine the extent of the damage.

"They think it might be the lateral meniscus," Lions coach Michael Voss told Melbourne radio station Triple M on Sunday.

"The best case scenario is he's just pinched it. I guess the worst case scenario is that he's torn it badly and they'll have to repair it so it might be three months. We're sort of hoping that it only just needs a little clean up which will be about four weeks.

"He's pulled up quite well [today]. He couldn't really lock out his knee last night, but this morning he can. We're obviously hoping that that's good news and that it's not too bad."

Leuenberger has played 22 games since the club snared him with the fourth overall pick at the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, but was ruled out of the final seven matches of last season with a knee complaint.

The injury is ill-timed for the Lions who are struggling to get lead ruckman Jamie Charman match fit in the AFLQ competition.

"Charmo really put in an effort for us to come up for round one, but you always knew he was going to be short of a gallop," Voss said.

"The last couple of weeks he's just probably needed to go back and get some time in. We were in a position where we felt we could do that and he went back and played quite well.

"Based on what's happened with Leuenberger he might come back in quite quickly."
http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/74811/default.aspx

[b_lions16]

YOUNG Brisbane ruckman Matthew Leuenberger could be out of AFL action for up to three months after injuring a knee in Saturday night's win over Sydney at the Gabba.
Leuenberger damaged cartilage in his left knee during the third quarter, but the Lions are hopeful the 20-year-old avoided serious damage as he could move the joint freely on Sunday.
Coach Michael Voss did however concede there was a chance the promising big man might have to undergo surgery.
"The best-case scenario is he's just pinched it," Voss told the Austereo network.
"I guess the worst-case scenario is that he's torn it badly and they'll have to repair it, so it might be three months.
"We're sort of hoping that it only just needs a little clean-up which will be about four weeks."
Leuenberger's injury paves the way for Voss to recall Jamie Charman, after he dropped his former premiership teammate following the round two defeat to Carlton.
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/concerns-over-leuenberger-and-ellis/2009/04/12/1239474756765.html
Fuck...not good....3 MONTHS!

[b_lions16]

Shit...I was supposed to post this in his thread...delete this...lol.

[b_lions16]

YOUNG Brisbane ruckman Matthew Leuenberger could be out of AFL action for up to three months after injuring a knee in Saturday night's win over Sydney at the Gabba.
Leuenberger damaged cartilage in his left knee during the third quarter, but the Lions are hopeful the 20-year-old avoided serious damage as he could move the joint freely on Sunday.
Coach Michael Voss did however concede there was a chance the promising big man might have to undergo surgery.
"The best-case scenario is he's just pinched it," Voss told the Austereo network.
"I guess the worst-case scenario is that he's torn it badly and they'll have to repair it, so it might be three months.
"We're sort of hoping that it only just needs a little clean-up which will be about four weeks."
Leuenberger's injury paves the way for Voss to recall Jamie Charman, after he dropped his former premiership teammate following the round two defeat to Carlton.
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfn...474756765.html (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/concerns-over-leuenberger-and-ellis/2009/04/12/1239474756765.html)
Fuck...not good....3 MONTHS!

[b_lions16]

THE Brisbane Lions hope the Easter Bunny brings a late treat in the form of a positive scan for injured big man Matthew Leuenberger.

The young ruckman hurt his left knee in his team's 33-point win over the Sydney Swans on Saturday night.

The Lions are hoping Leuenberger doesn't require surgery but, if he has torn the meniscus in his knee as feared, he could be facing up to three months on the sidelines.

"If he has to have surgery it'll depend on the extent of the tear, I dare say," Lions football manager Graeme Allan told lions.com.au on Monday morning.

"Best-case scenario is he plays this week. Middle-case scenario is he plays in four weeks and the worst case is 12 weeks."

The Lions may now know the extent of the damage to the 20-year-old’s knee until Tuesday.

"We're still waiting on a scan, and being Easter Monday we're struggling to get some place that's open," Allan said.

"It'll either be today or tomorrow ... the scan will either say he's right or he's wrong."

Leuenberger's potential loss would be a big blow to Michael Voss and his team, which has started the 2009 season in promising fashion.

Mitch Clark played out the fourth quarter of the win over the Swans in the ruck, and the Lions may be forced to call on the out-of-favour Jamie Charman in round four.

The Lions, who are 2-1 after three rounds, face Collingwood at the Gabba on Friday night.

Allan said exciting forward Rhan Hooper, who missed Saturday night's win over the Swans with an ankle injury, would be tested ahead of Friday night's clash with the Magpies.
http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/74846/default.aspx

[worbsy]

Injury-prone though :(

3 months? I'm getting some concerns about his career if he keeps hurting those knees of his, look at Garner. I know this isn't a reco, but he is definitely out more than he is in...

This sucks, he was having a real impact as the number 1 ruckman last week.

Charmo, step up big fella, and I think Vossy may need to rethink not using Clark as a 2nd or 3rd ruckman for a lot of his career. We may not have a choice, and Clark did a good job last week when Berger was off.

[worbsy]

He'll come back a few kgs heavier yet again though given its essentially 3 months pretty much off the track, I'd guess.

Will we be calling him Big Guns Jnr soon? lol

Bradshaw is clearly Big Guns Snr. Biggest arms in footy I reckon. Sat behind the goals at the Carlton game and there was a moment when Braddy was standing behind the goal line with his arms up like he was on the mark. His triceps, bloody hell! He's an absolute tank. No wonder he's so good in the contests.

Damn you Berger, just get some articial legs and get back on the field!

[lions_girl_4life]

Ok, he is Big Guns Jnr very soon.

[the_champ33]

The Berger shows terrific form when he's on the field.
But too injury prone, these knees are starting to become a concern now. Hopefully he won't head down the Beau McDonald path.

Mitch Clark needs to be used sparingly in the ruck and should contest in the forward lines. Good size and jump on the man.

[worbsy]

Clark is a pretty shocking kick IMO, thats why I like him as a ruck option at the moment.

[lions_girl_4life]

And put it this way, we need ruckmen atm, yeah we have Berger but the poor bloke can't stop getting injured and we have Charmo, who is good on his day. More decent ruckmen will always help our game.

[b_lions16]

His name is Daniel Murray...202cm and a GREAT kick...he won't be getting any senior games this year as he is rookie-listed, etc. but he'll excel into the future, I reckon.
Other bloke we could use is Scotty Clouston, I've been impressed with him so far.

[b_lions16]

BRISBANE will be without No. 1 ruckman Matthew Leuenberger for up to 12 weeks. The 20-year-old limped off the Gabba on Saturday night and it is believed scans have shown a split in the meniscus cartilage in his left knee.

The options are shaving the damaged area, ruling him out for about four weeks, or sowing it back together and being out for three months. Given Leuenberger's age and his undoubted importance to the club's medium to long-term future, it is highly likely the Lions will take the conservative approach and opt for the surgery that will permanently strengthen the area. Shaving is a quick fix but can lead to bone on bone problems in the future. Coach Michael Voss yesterday was non-committal on which option the club would take.
"We are hoping it is only four to six range but absolute worst case scenario is it could be three months," he said. "He is feeling pretty good this morning, he wasn't able to straighten it out after the game but the next day he could which are good early signs.

"When you hurt your knee you expect it to swell up, be really angry and not react that well. So he seems to exhibit good signs in the first 48 hours."

Leuenberger left the field in the first quarter but was able to return and play a big role in establishing the 33-point victory before another bump forced him off the ground in the final quarter.

"It was fine, he just pinched his knee. That's what they thought it was," Voss said of the initial incident.

"He felt like he had another incident late in the game and that tended to aggravate whatever it was that was going on there, that seemed to be the thing that forced him off and obviously he was done for the night."

His absence has thrown a lifeline to premiership ruckman Jamie Charman who was dropped to the reserves after the round 2 loss to Carlton.

Voss says it was Charman's lack of conditioning because of an interrupted pre-season, not poor form, that had cost him his place in the team.

"If Leuenberger is out then Charman comes quite clearly into the picture," he said.

"He was able to go back and get a full game under his belt, which is exactly what he needed to be able to do.

"That game that he's had has become quite crucial, so he should come in much more confident this week knowing that he's done what's needed." http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,25328886-5016169,00.html

[lions_girl_4life]

This is really going to hurt us. Ruck is where we get absolutely slaughted in each week and this is just going to increse that.

[b_lions16]

An arthroscope on Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger's left knee this morning revealed damage to his lateral meniscus after last Saturday night's match against Sydney at the Gabba.

The injury was immediately repaired with surgery and he is expected to make a full recovery.

Leuenberger is likely to miss the next 12 weeks as he undergoes a strict rehabilitation program.
http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/74925/default.aspx
This is pretty bad considering Charmo is WAY UNDER his best. 12 weeks is a bloody lot and Vossy wants to shorten that time ASAP. He was on crutches this morning. (IceBerg, I mean, not Vossy, lol. :D )

[christicehurst]

12 weeks is terrible. That is going to be a weakness that other teams will try to use against us now.

[Jedstheman]

It is bad but not that bad Charmo will be roaring by the Geelong game and Burger will be back in around ten to twelve weeks meaning we will be able to make a strong push for the finals as for his replacement Clark Merret and Brennan can all rotate threw there we should not put one of the young rucks in as we will loose a midfeild rotating off the bench the Lions mids have done well in recent weeks sharking the ball at the stoppages if they can keep this up it will help cover the Loss of Burger aswell I am starting to worry about Burger and his knees they are a bit shakey maybe all that extra weight gained in the offseason has been a curse?All I mean is that it was great he got bigger but his body must get stronger aswell or injuries will creep in as they have twice in the space of twelve months:mad:

[dannigirl lionheart]

Horrible news :(

Its always sad to see a developing kid get injured

[worbsy]

You can get by without a good ruckman, look at Carlton! lol, Kreuzer and Jacobs aren't gonna be setting the world on fire in terms of hitouts. We won the clearances against the Swans despite being THRASHED in the hitouts, so its not all bad. Its shocking that its Berger that gets injured though, why not Mcgrath? lol

Knee injuries are quite prevalent in the young, tall kids you would have noticed. Being 204cm is gonna put a lot of pressure on those knees!

[b_lions16]

They used to be more common before the changed the centre square! Guys would go down with SERIOUS knee injuries! ;)

[Jedstheman]

You can get by without a good ruckman, look at Carlton! lol, Kreuzer and Jacobs aren't gonna be setting the world on fire in terms of hitouts. We won the clearances against the Swans despite being THRASHED in the hitouts, so its not all bad. Its shocking that its Berger that gets injured though, why not Mcgrath? lol

Knee injuries are quite prevalent in the young, tall kids you would have noticed. Being 204cm is gonna put a lot of pressure on those knees!

It is a stange one worbs as he didn't cop a big Knock and he came back on I put it down to the weight gain and a very big pre season after rehab perhaps too much too soon who Knows? He is still so young but I forget about his age always because he always does something impressive every game.

[worbsy]

Yeah, those knee clashes were ridiculous. It didn't even look like Berger did anything to make it happen, he just sort of stood there and then limped! Well, with some slight twisting of the knee when he landed.

[worbsy]

He has been disappointing in a lot of ways (ie. not getting many games, and when he does only getting 50% game time), but when he plays as the number 1 ruckman he shows so much that you can't help but think we have a future superstar ruckman.

[lions_girl_4life]

Injuries have been my main worry for him. He just can't seem to stop himsel from getting injured. Once he is over that it is 'Watch out! Berger is on the loose.'

[Kenyon]

13 weeks on the side lines, then regain fitness & match practice, lets face it, we wont see the Berger again this season unless he gets a recall for the finals. Assuming we make the finals!

[worbsy]

Kenny, Voss would bring Berger back ASAP, he won't just let him sit out the season!

We want as many games into him as possible.

[christicehurst]

13 weeks on the side lines, then regain fitness & match practice, lets face it, we wont see the Berger again this season unless he gets a recall for the finals. Assuming we make the finals!

Can't see it. He's a needed player for the Lions and will be pushed back in.

[worbsy]

He's our number 1 ruckman now!

[b_lions16]

He's our number 1 ruckman now!
Yeah...and he would be playing every game if he didn't have balls as knees.

[christicehurst]

It says alot about our low ruck numbers :(

[worbsy]

We should have kept Cam Wood.

[lions_girl_4life]

Cam Wood?

[worbsy]

Although having said that, Wood hasn't set the world on fire either.

We traded Cam Wood for Travis Johnstone, lionsgirl. He was a first round (I think? maybe pick 18?) ruckman a few years ago.

[b_lions16]

Cameron Wood....got traded to Collingwood at end of the 07 Season.

[b_lions16]

Although having said that, Wood hasn't set the world on fire either.
Meh...with our ruck stocks now, he would've came in handy any day 200cm+, he was tho, and he could kill up forward.

[lions_girl_4life]

Ruck.... Enough said... We need more of them/.

[b_lions16]

It would be an understatement to say that I am a little frustrated with my body at the moment.

After countless hours on the training track over the pre-season, my body was beginning to feel capable of withholding a full AFL season.

I had overcome surgery to my right knee which had kept me out for pretty much the second half of 2008 and was looking forward to playing some more senior footy this year.

I pulled-up really well after my first two games against West Coast and Carlton but felt a twinge in my left knee early in the first quarter of last Saturday night’s match against Sydney.

I immediately came from the ground to get it fully checked out by our physios, but before long it felt fine enough again so I returned to the field shortly afterwards.

It wasn’t until a ruck contest in the final quarter that the injury became serious and I was forced to spend the rest of the game on the sidelines. I could tell straight away after the knock that something wasn’t quite right – and it became even more obvious when I still couldn’t straighten my left leg the following day.

When I went under for my arthroscope on Tuesday morning, I presumed that the surgeon was just going to cut away some cartilage and I would be fine to play again in about four weeks.

However, I woke up with a huge brace on my knee and was surprised to hear that I would likely miss three months of footy.

Needless to say I was shattered.

Basically I had torn the lateral meniscus which provides a cushioning between the bones in your knee. While you can sometimes simply shave away some of the cartilage (cushioning) and recover a bit quicker – it’s only a quick fix and can cause more serious problems later on in your football career.

You hear a lot about ‘bone-on-bone’ issues with older blokes who have endured lingering knee injuries throughout their careers – and that is what happens when you don’t look after that cushioning.

Considering I am only 20 years old, it was definitely a smarter option to actually repair my lateral meniscus even though means spending a little bit longer on the sidelines now. This also means that I shouldn’t have any degenerative problems with the knee once it completely heals.

I guess it’s short-term pain for long-term gain.

Given the news is still fresh, it’s pretty hard to see the positives.

But at least I should still be back towards the end of the season – hopefully just in time for Finals.
http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/75046/default.aspx

[lions_girl_4life]

Atleast he is trying to keep positive and looking towards the finals. Not much positive for him in any other area of football.d

[b_lions16]

It's good that he's sticking with the long-term 'safer' option. If he took Nick Malceski's so called 'Miracle Operation', it would've struck again later in his fine career. ;)

[lions_girl_4life]

As I see it, I'd rather him have a decent amount of time off now than cutting his career short a few years later.

[b_lions16]

BRISBANE ruckman Matthew Leuenberger has been floored by a post-operation staphylococcus infection that has stripped 11kg off his lean frame and cast doubts over his ability to return to AFL action this year. The 20-year-old West Australian spent a week in a Perth hospital and is hooked up to a 24-hour intravenous antibiotic drip at his parents' home.

Leuenberger (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Leuenberger) is also undergoing regular blood tests to determine what type of staph infection he contracted. He is not likely to be allowed to return to Brisbane for another two weeks.

The third-year player has dropped to 93kg, the same weight as when he arrived at the club as a skinny teenager via pick four in the 2006 national draft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_AFL_Draft).

Leuenberger said he had picked up the infection after surgery to repair his meniscus tendon which he tore against Sydney in round 3, a procedure that was to rule him out of football for three months.



The medical reports suggest the stint in hospital won't add time to the rehabilitation of the knee injury, but Leuenberger is unsure how the dramatic weight loss will affect his ability to regain strength and fitness for a possible comeback - originally pencilled in for about round 15.

"People are thinking it shouldn't, but I have got no idea what to expect," he said."The night I played Sydney I weighed 104kg, and after getting out of hospital I was 93kg, over the space of two weeks I lost 11kg.


"At the moment it feels like I have got a lot of work to do to regain the weight I have lost on top of doing the necessary rehab work for my knee."

Lions (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/club/0,27044,5016181,00.html) coach Michael Voss has instructed Leuenberger to "hook into mum's roasts" as he battles to regain the 11kg he lost.

"He was struggling there for a moment and he can't come home to Brisbane for a while," Voss said.

"He is still working through it. He is taking a pretty heavy course of antibiotics."

Although the reports are that Leuenberger's recovery from knee surgery is not expected to be affected, the dramatic weight loss has sapped the rising star's strength and is almost certain to delay his return to AFL action.

"They tell me it won't delay his return, but it is hard to think it won't," Voss said.

He said the good news was that although the amount of weight lost was an alarming figure, he thought it wouldn't take Leuenberger as long to regain the bulk as it had taken to put it on over three summers spent in the Gabba gym.

"I think he lost about 11kgs, he wasted away a fair bit," he said.

"He has put some back on. He spent a few years developing it. If it was a first-year player without a training base under his belt you would be more worried.

"It is not so much of a concern, he is more worried than we are. Let's hope he is hooking into a few of mum's roasts."

Leuenberger returned to Perth to recover from the surgery to repair the meniscus tendon he tore in the round 3 clash with Sydney, but was rushed to hospital where surgeons were forced to perform another operation.

"I started to feel ill about four days after the initial operation, I was feverish and the knee was swollen," Leuenberger said.

"I thought I could fight it, but when I landed home I was pretty ill.

"I had a second operation done in Perth. Basically what he did was flush out the knee and the infection with saline fluid and he put drains in my knee for about five days."

Leuenberger revealed he was still feeling drained from the infection but said the blood tests showed he was on the road to recovery.

He has already put on about 3kg and is slowly starting to regain his appetite. "The tests are showing I am fighting the infection. Every time I get a test done the numbers have come down," he said.

"I had a loss of appetite while I was in hospital, I just wasn't eating but now I am eating back to normal and making an effort to eat more than I feel like eating."

The 20-year-old now tips the scales at 93kg, the same size he was when he first arrived at the Lions via the club's first pick (No. 4 overall) in the 2006 national draft.

"The night I played Sydney I weighed 104kg and after getting out of hospital I was 93kg, over the space of two weeks I lost 11kgs," he said.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,25463307-5016169,00.html
OH FUCKKKK!!!! :mad:

[Balony_pony16]

I have a feeling that The Berger is going to be one of those injury prone players...amn I wished we could have got J Selwood instead

[lions_girl_4life]

This isn't good! This definately isn't good! As 16 put it: OH FUCK!

[Jedstheman]

Staph infection nasty he will be back just needs to eat a little more when re- habing

[b_lions16]

He lost 11 kilos...which is the average gain of a football player through THE WHOLE YEAR! The anti-biotics drip will no doubt kill his appetite, so his return will be delayed, I reckon. :mad:

[worbsy]

Holy fuck, thats terrible news for us... He wouldnt beat bloody Jeff Garlett in the ruck if that weight loss continues!!

[b_lions16]

Aiming a bit low there mate...Jeff Garlett didn't eat properly in his childhood due to his mother and father abandoning him and sometimes he had to sleep in the back of cars. It was the only hope when he was drafted by Carlton in the Rookie Draft.
IceBerg gained 4 kgs ever since so he's on the road to recovery. ;)

[lions_girl_4life]

He's a good boy, he will be doing all he can just to get white line fever again.

[b_lions16]

As most of you may already know, things haven’t exactly gone to plan since I underwent surgery to repair the lateral meniscus after I injured me left knee in our match against the Swans back in Round 3.

The injury ruled me out for three months and has been a nuisance ever since.

After the initial operation, I started to feel a bit sick and my knee swelled up pretty badly. I just figured that was part of the after-effects of that type of surgery, so I decided to head back home to Perth where I could spend some time with my family while I recovered.

It wasn’t until I arrived in Perth that it really hit me. I became violently ill and my knee ached.

I was rushed back to hospital in Perth and discovered that I had a post-operation staphylococcus infection. The doctors basically put drains in my knee and flushed out the infection with saline to try and fix the problem.

After spending nine more days in hospital, I was eventually allowed to head back home to stay with my parents – but not without a 24-hour IV drip and plenty of oral antibiotics.

The infection left me with very little appetite and I ended up losing around 11kg. I finished up weighing around 93kg – which was the same weight I was back in 2006 when I first came to the Club.

I have since been pretty much under house arrest and carried a 24-hour IV drip around everywhere I go for a month. The drip had to be on me constantly in a bumbag which quickly became a regular part of my regular attire. Thankfully my blood tests have shown dramatic improvement over the past couple of weeks.

The hardest part for me was trying to put on the weight that I had lost. I’ve certainly become conscious of eating more than I probably need to and over indulging at times in an attempt to put on extra kilos. I have even been trying to eat extra meals between breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Mum has been great in helping look after me and cook some of my favourites, but I reckon I must have emptied her fridge out by now.

I developed a pretty strong training base throughout the pre-season, so the Club’s hoping the weight will come back pretty easy – particularly once I get stuck back into those leg weights.

The good news is that my microbiologist only yesterday gave me the all-clear to travel so I have booked a flight back on Friday.

I’ll probably go back to Brisbane via Melbourne so that I can watch the boys play North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.
http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/77744/default.aspx

[lions_girl_4life]

Poor bloke. Chances are he will be one of the injury-riddled players.

[Jedstheman]

The crutches were only discarded on Monday.
And it wasn't so long ago he was hooked up to a 24-hour antibiotic drip.
But a recovering Matthew Leuenberger believes reclaiming the Lions' No.1 ruckman tag this season is a realistic goal.
Lions coach Michael Voss isn't so sure after the 20-year-old shed 11kg in two weeks when he contracted staph infection during his recovery from knee surgery.
"He's walking that tightrope on whether he plays again this year or next year," a concerned Voss said.
And Mitch Clark might have also have a big say in Leuenberger's plans.
Clark has surprised everyone with the ease in which he has stepped into the ruck role in the absence of not only Leuenberger but also the experienced Jamie Charman (ankle).
Even Leuenberger is a fan.
"I think he has been doing an amazing job," he told AAP.
"It was a real big ask for him to come in and ruck solo when he hasn't really done it before at senior level.
"He's been a big part of why the side is doing so well at the moment."
The Lions have cracked the top four nearing the halfway mark of the 2009 AFL season, an impressive achievement considering their injury toll which also includes key defenders Joel Patfull and Daniel Merrett.
"He is going to be hard to knock off his perch, because he has done so well," Leuenberger said of fellow WA product Clark.
"If he's No.1 and I am No.2 I can live with that but I am certainly going to be training and aiming to be the No.1.
"If it doesn't happen it won't bother me but it will make me a better player to aim for that.
"Maybe we could make a good ruck combination one day, you never know."
Leuenberger is aiming for a round 19 return.
It is a big call from a bloke who returned to Brisbane to begin his rehabilitation just days ago.
Playing AFL football seemed a long term prospect indeed when Leuenberger was hooked up to a drip at his parents' WA home recently.
After breaking down in a round three win over Sydney almost two months ago, Leuenberger underwent surgery in Brisbane then returned home to WA to recover - only to go under the knife days later due to the infection.
Following nine days in a Perth hospital, Leuenberger was then hooked up to a drip at his parents' house as his blood was constantly monitored.
Months after initially undergoing surgery, Leuenberger finally got the all clear from medical staff and flew into Brisbane on Saturday night.
He is now "ripping in" at rehabilitation as he recovers from his second serious knee injury in as many seasons.
Overall injuries have restricted the 2006 No.4 Draft pick to just 22 AFL games.
"I have tried asking people why, but I get mixed answers," Leuenberger said of his shocking injury run.
"Some say it is because my body is still growing. But I think it is more just bad luck to be honest."
Rather than asking "why", Leuenberger these days is asking "why not".
"I believe I can return this season. I can do it," he said.
"The thing is we don't really know what to expect. We would have known had it just been the knee but having had an infection too we don't know.
"It will be a learning experience for all of us."
AAP


Burger is back in Vegas but as he says he is weary of Mitch Clarke and would play second fiddle to him if he had too........... amazing that when mentioning his return in rd19 to the Coach Vossy says Mitch Clarke might have something to say about it.....Bloody Lovett Burger is talkin Smack and he is nine weeks away:rolleyes:

[lions_girl_4life]

ANy combo of our three ruckman would be a damn good ruck combo

[worbsy]

...if Charmo can come back in-form for once! He used to be awesome.

[b_lions16]

I might be showing personal bias here, but I reckon Mitch Clark has been one of the most improved players in AFL competition this year.

Since Jamie Charman and I both went down with injuries early on in the season, Mitch has been forced to shoulder most of the team’s ruck duties by himself.

His role is likely to continue for the rest of the season as well with Charmo out until next year with an ankle injury while I’m still probably a bit over a month away from returning.

While Mitch played a fair bit in the ruck during his junior years, he has become better known as a key forward since joining the Club in 2006.

He earned a Rising Star nomination for a five goal performance up forward against Collingwood at the Gabba in 2007 and has even been trialled in defence as a tall and mobile centre half-back.

His successful transition to the ruck has been just another feather in his cap and is further proof of how versatile the big fella really is.

Despite only playing sparingly in the ruck for the first month of the season, Mitch has since shown that he can match it with the best in the business.

He is currently ranked sixth among all ruckmen in total disposals (185), third in tackles (46), seventh in hitouts (244) and third in marks (68). He has also had more rebound 50s (22) than any other ruckman in the competition.

Most importantly, he has played in every match for the Club so far this season and is quickly becoming one of the team’s most important players.

It’s been a massive effort particularly considering he managed only 22 senior matches in his first three seasons in the AFL.

I think Mitch is really enjoying the responsibility and challenge of being the team’s number one ruckman.

He has been ably supported in the ruck by Jared Brennan, who at only 195cm has been more than helpful as his back-up. Jared has helped Mitch get a breather every now and then and was particularly good in the ruck during the final quarter against Hawthorn back in Round 12.

Even regular full-back Daniel Merrett got into the action last Saturday night against Melbourne and showed that he can have a crack in the middle when Mitch needs a break.

It’s reassuring to know that these guys are really standing up in the absence of our injured ruckmen. The same has occurred recently in defence with the likes of Lachlan Henderson, Jason Roe and Joel Macdonald doing the job down back in the absence of Daniel Merrett, Josh Drummond and Joel Patfull.

The Club is very big on having a depth of talent that can help fill any voids left by injuries.

Before I finish, I would like to send my thoughts out to Lions Development Coach Craig Brittain who is currently in hospital battling a post-operative staphylococcus infection after having surgery on his knee.

It is pretty similar to the one I suffered a couple of months ago after my knee operation and I wish him all the best with his recovery.
http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/79807/default.aspx

[lions_girl_4life]

I didn't hear about the Development Coach - hope you get better mate

[b_lions16]

DESPITE a staph scare, injured Brisbane Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger said he would be OK with going under the knife at St Andrew's Hospital again. As Lions assistant coach Craig Brittain continues to fight the staph infection that has kept him in the Brisbane hospital for five weeks, Leuenberger said he would return to St Andrew's despite his own terrifying post-operative battle.
He lost 11kg and spent an extra nine days in hospital after contracting an infection following knee surgery at St Andrew's in April.
An investigation has cleared the Gabba of being the source of the staph that struck down Leuenberger and Brittain.
Tests revealed staph was on one of the club's massage tables, but was not the strain that floored the duo.
The director of medical services at St Andrew's, Dr Ian Brandon, said in a statement the infections were community-acquired.
Lions CEO Michael Bowers said last week the club was satisfied the hospital was not the source of the super bug.
Leuenberger, 21, said he had no time for the blame game as he continued his rehabilitation from a lateral meniscus tear - with a view to a comeback in Round 22.
"You can't be pointing the finger," Leuenberger said.
"It could have come from anywhere.
"You just don't know, so you have to get on with things.
"I haven't thought about it much, but I would be OK with going back there to St Andrew's."
Leuenberger - who returned to Perth for part of his recuperation - has visited Brittain a number of times since the assistant coach went in for a routine knee operation in June.
The infection in Brittain's knee spread to the bone and he has had a number of post-operative procedures to flush out the infection with anti-biotics.
Leuenberger said being bedside with Brittain brought back bad memories of his fight against staph.
"I was in there for nine days and that was enough for me," Leuenberger said.
"I really struggled with it, so I find it hard to imagine what he is going through.
"I weighed in the night I did my knee and I was 104kg. By the time I got out I was 93kg. (He now tips the scales at 101kg.)
"It took me years to put that weight on and to see it go so fast was scary.
"I wanted to go up and see Craig, and see how he was doing because he's been there for a while now.
"He's pretty frustrated, which is understandable. He can't wait to get home."
Leuenberger's left knee was manipulated under anaesthetic on Friday in a bid to increase the range of movement.
He said the knee was locking at 120 degrees and the procedure would be crucial to his comeback.
"The recovery slowed down a bit and a lot will depend on how it comes up after the manipulation," Leuenberger said.
"I've started running, just doing straight run-throughs and that's been going well.
"It's just a matter of breaking through this scar tissue so I can get that extra range back in the knee.
"We'll just have to see how it goes because I'd love to get back playing footy before the end of the season."
Leuenberger broke down in the Round 3 win over Sydney at the Gabba and his late-season return for the Lions would give the club a significant boost.
Fellow ruckman Jamie Charman was struck down with a season-ending ankle injury the next week in Brisbane's loss to Collingwood.
Mitch Clark has done an exceptional job of filling the void.
But a successful Leuenberger comeback would give Brisbane another key position option.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,25800415-5016181,00.html

[lions_girl_4life]

Can't wait for the young fella to get back, when is he expected again?

[worbsy]

rd 22 it says... I doubt his chances though. He'd need time in the reserves, and my guess is he's gone for the season.

[b_lions16]

He'll be needed...Clark can't shoulder the load by himself and now with Brennan gone for a coupla weeks, he'll need to get back ASAP. Clark scraped/cut his knee because he fell in that hole...lol. :D
Provided we make Finals and get into the Semi's...we might see this young fella back on the field. :D

[lions_girl_4life]

It would be fantastic to get him back in, in case of finals, and I saw the Clarky fall. If I wasn't a Clarky fan it would have been so god damn funny.

[Balony_pony16]

We need the Berger back for the finals...If we play a strong rucking team in the finals it will be a early exit for us. Clark is doing great, but against dominant ruckman he will get slaughter like what happened in the port game

[Balony_pony16]

good to see Berger has put back on most his weight that he lost...he now weighs 101 kgs after dropping to 95kgs. Only 3 Kgs off his playing weight

[sweegs]

We need the Berger back for the finals...If we play a strong rucking team in the finals it will be a early exit for us. Clark is doing great, but against dominant ruckman he will get slaughter like what happened in the port game

Amen to that.

[worbsy]

Excellent that hes piled the pounds back on. May be a chance to play this year after all!

[b_lions16]

Regular season games don’t get much bigger than playing Collingwood at the MCG for a potential spot in the top four.

There will be close to 70,000 people at the ‘G’ on Saturday night - most of whom will be wearing Magpie colours - with plenty more tuned in at home around the country.

I’ll be one of those people in front of the TV eagerly anticipating a match that will likely shape both teams’ ladder positions.

While Adelaide, the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and the Lions are in a tight battle for the final two spots in the top four, a win for us this weekend would more importantly almost guarantee that the side will be playing Finals in 2009.

12 wins should cement you a spot in the top eight and that’s the team’s ultimate goal at the moment.

But it certainly won’t be easy this week. Collingwood have only lost one match in the past two months and are hitting their best form at the right time of the season. However, we have now won nine of our past 12 and are gaining some momentum and confidence heading into the final stages of the season.

The team will not only have to deal with the Collingwood team this week, but also their parochial home crowd and the build-up of a genuine MCG blockbuster.

I have only played three matches at the MCG so far in my AFL career, and it is certainly an occasion to behold. We don’t get to play there too regularly so it will be a relatively new experience for many of our younger players.

In fact, more than half of our team who played in last week’s win against North Melbourne have played five games or less at the MCG during their career - seven of which have either never played there or only had the one experience.

Tom Collier (1 game), Josh Drummond (4), Daniel Rich (1), James Polkinghorne (3), Michael Rischitelli (5), Sam Sheldon (1), Cheynee Stiller (4), Bradd Dalziell (0), Jack Redden (0), Pearce Hanley (0), Albert Proud (1) and Mitch Clark (3) are all relative newcomers to AFL’s biggest stage.

It’s where all the big games are played - including Finals - and an occasion like this Saturday night is a great opportunity for these guys.

It will be made even bigger for us considering one of the Club’s greatest ever players will be celebrating a huge milestone.

Simon Black will run out for his 250th match this Saturday night and I’m sure the boys will be keen to ensure his milestone match is a memorable one.

He is one of the most accomplished and respected players in our game. He has won just about every award (individual and team) you can imagine and is one of the nicest and most humble blokes you will ever meet.

Blacky is a true inspiration both on and off the field with the way he goes about his business.
http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/81684/default.aspx

[lions_girl_4life]

Couldn't have said about Blacky better myself

[b_lions16]

BRISBANE Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is hopeful he can play a part in his side's finals campaign as he nears the end of his rehabilitation from a knee injury.

Leuenberger, 21, has not played since round three after being forced out with a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee.

His rehabilitation was then set back when he contracted a staph infection before flying home to recover from the operation at in Western Australia.

"Now I'm just trying to get fit and get ready to play," he told lions.com.au, ahead of round 20.

"There's definitely still a chance I'll play this year. I'm hoping to return round 21 or 22 through the reserves.

"I don't know how many games I'll need in the AFLQ; I don't really know what to expect.

"My strength and fitness is not really different to what it was before the knee injury and the staph and all that stuff, so there is really no reason why I can't play any different to what I used to."

Leuenberger said he would be back playing now if it wasn't for the infection that confined him to a hospital bed for 10 days after his April operation.

He had flown home to Western Australia a week after his surgery to recuperate with his family when it was discovered he had contracted the infection through the arthroscope holes in his knee.

"I was complaining about the pain but was just told to give it time, and when I got home, my mum said, 'You're not right' and took me in to see a doctor. The following day I was in hospital," he said.

"It became a full body infection after a few days. I was getting these really unpredictable fevers where I would go into a bad sweat and become quite delusional.

"The infection being in the knee meant it was really painful because there was so much fluid and junk in the knee itself.

"My leg was meant to be kept straight but because there was so much fluid, it was actually pulling my heel towards my bottom.

"There was so much pressure in my knee, it felt like it was going to explode."

Leuenberger lost 11 kg throughout the ordeal, and was sleeping up to 16 hours a day for three weeks afterwards.

He underwent a second operation to clean out his knee, had a drain placed in the joint for four days, and was treated with antibiotics intravenously for a month.

He was then on a three-month course of oral antibiotics, which he completed only recently.

The origin of the infection remains unknown, but there are links to the club as assistant coach Craig Brittain – who had surgery in St Andrews Hospital at the same time as Leuenberger – was also struck down with the bug.

"We've got no idea how we got it. It's a community based bug so it's pretty hard to put your finger on where you get it from," Leuenberger said.

"We'll probably never know."

He said the experience was one he was not keen to relive, or to put his family through again.

He is also looking ahead to playing a part in the Lions' September campaign alongside ruckman Mitch Clark, who has carried the big man duties alone for most of this year.

"I've been pretty lucky to never have anything too serious to happen in my life, and so that was probably some of the toughest few months I've ever had," he said.

"Now, I've put my weight back on. I'm not quite at 104kg yet, but I'm around 101kg, which is enough.

"I can't wait to get back out there again. It's really frustrating sitting on the sidelines watching the boys when they're doing so well.

"It will be great to just get out there again, and maybe play a part in the finals. That's my goal. My role would be to back up Mitch and help him out, which would be great."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/82610/default.aspx

[lions_girl_4life]

Sounds good, he also is an if we want a full strength side.

[b_lions16]

After spending 17 weeks on the sidelines, it was a great feeling to be back out on the field last weekend.

I’ve spoken a fair bit already in this column throughout the season about the difficulties I faced during my rehabilitation from a torn lateral meniscus.

What was meant to keep me out for around three months took a while longer mostly due to the fact that I contracted a staph infection after surgery.

It’s been more than four months now, but I am glad I have been able to have one last crack at it before the season is over.

While I always remained confident of making a return, there were probably some doubts surrounding whether I would actually be able to play again this year.

Even though I only played the first half, last Saturday afternoon’s reserves match against the Western Magpies was enough to make me feel as though all the hard work in rehab has been worth it.

I felt about as fresh as I have ever been and really enjoyed being part of the contest again.

I have been training with the full Lions group for the past few weeks now and even done some running for the reserves so my fitness levels had definitely improved, although it’s fair to say that the hitout gave me some much needed match conditioning.

Fortunately, I pulled up really well and will look to get even more minutes under my belt this week in the reserves’ Elimination Final against Mt Gravatt on Sunday at Coorparoo.

There is still a definite possibility that I could be ready to play with the senior team by the time the Finals start. It will obviously depend on my own form, fitness and whether the Match Committee believes I can be of value to the team.

It will be tough to break into a side that has performed so well all year, but I’ll certainly be putting my hand up.

I have never played in an AFL Final and would obviously love to experience the big stage of playing in September. That could also be said for more than three quarters of the Club’s playing list who have never played in a Final.

In fact, only nine of our current players have experienced a Final. That leaves 37 players who have never tasted September action - at least until next week.

There is a real sense of excitement and enthusiasm among the playing group, but we aren’t getting too ahead of ourselves.

This Saturday night’s match against Sydney at the SCG is critical because a win would secure us a home Gabba Final against the loser of Saturday’s match between Carlton and Adelaide. A loss will leave us seventh and while we would still play the loser of the Carlton v Adelaide match - it would be on their home turf. http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/83579/default.aspx

[b_lions16]

Matthew Leuenberger: Will be the player Brisbane are most looking forward to getting back. His season was ruined by injury but he is back running now and should be at full strength for next season. Rating: 3

[worbsy]

If he can do next year what Clark did this year, we will be a bloody dangerous side.

[b_lions16]

I hope Charman gets traded and Berger will become our permanent tap ruckman as Clark gets beaten when he goes up the bigger bodied men like Hudson, McIntosh, etc. And Clark can get around the ground and destroy teams there. ;)

[worbsy]

Berger as main ruckman, Charmo as backup. Clark as either an agile forward or as our CHB.

[b_lions16]

Clark at CHB sounds good as he is a big frame and will outmark his opponent. No place for him up forward, IMO...it would get too top-heavy up there. I would like to see how Charmo returns...he can be influential and he was nearly AA Ruck a few years ago, but form issues have gotten in the way.

[Balony_pony16]

I can't wait for the Berger to come back in the team...his tap work is awesome, and it will free up Clark for a number of more important roles

[lions_girl_4life]

I'd love seeing a Berger Clark ruck combo

[b_lions16]

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Brisbane+Lions+Training+Session+AtfvuUoBEnWl.jpg
^ Matthew Leuenberger @ Brisbane Lions Training on December 6th 2009 ^
Photo provided by Zimbio

[christicehurst]

Does he look bigger now?

[lions_girl_4life]

He does a bit :) Looks fit

[Jedstheman]

looks to have regained the weight he dropped from the Staph infection he had great to see..................can not wait 43 days and counting

[lions_girl_4life]

I'm hoping to get up to watch a training on the 17-18th, as I have concerts in Toowoomba on the 16th, so I'm trying to talk the folks into going to a trip onto Brisbane "to see friends"

[Jedstheman]

2010 Player Questionnaire



9:31 AM Fri 29 January, 2010
http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/clubs/lions/leuenberger_profile-c.jpg


Matthew Leuenberger 2010 Profile
Name: Matthew Leuenberger

Your earliest football memory is: Playing freeball footy - which is now Auskick

Where were you on the day you were drafted: In Melbourne at the Draft

First person you called after you were drafted: No idea

The hardest part of pre-season training: Running/conditioning sessions

Favourite training drill: 4-on-4 handball drills

If you could play another professional sport, it would be: Basketball

Sports teams you support (non-AFL): Detroit Pistons

What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you: I study Commerce outside of football

What dish would you serve up if you were on MasterChef: Chicken Laksa

Where is the furthest you have been from home: New York

What is the oldest item in your wardrobe that you still wear: Pair of speedos

Most environmentally conscious teammate: Tom Collier

Teammate most likely to Google his own name: Matt Austin

Teammate most likely to go into politics after football: Troy Selwood

What rules you more - your heart or your head: Head

Do you prefer a planned event or an unplanned event: Planned

The last concert you went to: Parklife 2009

Your favourite cricketer: Marcus Stoinis

French fries or wedges: Fries

Speedos or boardshorts: Boardies

What’s on your iPod: Music

[b_lions16]

Judging by that photo, he's lost much of the original muscle he had at the start of the year. So now that Clark's gunna play ruck, what does that leave for IceBerg? Back-up ruckman would be the obvious choice but he also has the endurance to play midfield or key position so he's pretty versatile around the ground. ATM, he needs to work in the gym to put on some of his lost weight.

[worbsy]

It takes years and years for guys his height to stack on the muscles. Look at Dean Cox; he's not that ripped and he's the best there is so I wouldn't worry too much.

[b_lions16]

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/clubs/lions/leuenberger_camp_diary-c.jpgThe boys are enjoying their last school visits before heading back to the Maroochy Multi Sports Complex for a public training session and Superclinic from 3:30pm.

The enthusiasm of the kids has been great and it brings home the importance of the Community Camps and visiting those junior fans who can't get to many games throughout the season.

Players are still talking about last night's dinner which was hosted by local radio personalities Todd and Nugget from Hot 91.1FM and Zinc FM's breakfast crew.

They didn't hold back with getting stuck into a few of the boys - making up a few new nicknames in the process including Brent 'The Heartbreaker' Staker.

Dan Merrett copped his fair share along with Travis Johnstone who was bagged regularly for his 'wildman' grooming and overall appearance.

The event raised plenty of money for junior AFL on the Sunshine Coast, helped along by one of Justin Sherman's match-worn jumpers from last year fetching $1,500.

We started early this morning for a brisk swim down at the Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesiving Club where we were joined by some of the Nutri Grain Ironmen and Ironwomen.

Some of the guys got involved in a mock Ironman event - swim, board and run - which Hayley Bateup romped in. She is super fit and led from start to finish.

Josh Drummond flipped sausages at the Bank of Queensland tent while Brent Staker and Daniel Merrett got involved in another beach race against 'Sarge' from Hot 91's breakfast team.

After the beach event, we went to the Maroochydore training ground for a Rec Footy match between some of the Lions players and some local celebrities.

The blue team - which was captain by Jed Adcock - got up pretty easily in the end thanks to his team-mates including Fev, Polks, Amon Buchanan and a couple of local heroes.

Daniel Rich captained the red side which also included Mitch Clark, Jesse O'Brien and Tom Collier.

It was great to see a couple of coaches get involved as well. Beau McDonald and Craig McRae showed that they had lost none of their abilities since retiring.

The next big event will be at 3:30pm when the boys train at Maroochydore.

It will be a huge setup with a merchandise tent, Bernie 'Gabba' Vegas and our membership team on hand to hopefully recruit some new members.

While it's obviously hard for some of the people up here to get to every game considering the distance from the Gabba, we have had good feedback from the area regarding our 3-game memberships.

These membership allow people to attend any three games they like throughout the season at a cheaper rate than buying them at the gate.

http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/89258/default.aspx

[lions_girl_4life]

Richy already having his first taste at captaining :) Seemed to be between our two contenders for captain after Browny :D

[Jedstheman]

Lions' tough decision on ruck quandary


http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20A-E/Top_heavy_246a.jpg
Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger can't see him, Mitch Clark and Jamie Charman fitting into the same side

By Jennifer Witham 10:01 AM Sun 07 February, 2010


MATTHEW Leuenberger has flagged a selection dilemma for the Brisbane Lions, conceding there isn't room in their best side for three ruckmen.
Having finally overcome a knee injury, Leuenberger is available for next week's NAB Cup opener against the Western Bulldogs, while Jamie Charman is also fit after ankle surgery ruined his 2009 season.
However, Mitch Clark's brilliant display as the side's No.1 ruckman and the recruitment of Brendan Fevola and Brent Staker has left Leuenberger unsure of coach Michael Voss' plans.
"I think they'll try to play two ruckmen. I can't see the three of us together, to be honest," he told afl.com.au from the Lions' two-day community camp on the Sunshine Coast this week.
"We're top heavy up forward at the moment with Fev, Staker and Browny (Jonathan Brown) … so having four big guys down in the forward line, whether that can happen, I'm not sure.
"I haven't heard anything about what the coaches are thinking but that's my thought on it."
Leuenberger added that the competition for a ruck spot in the senior side had motivated him throughout the pre-season.
"It also means if the three of us can stay fit, the coaches have the choice," he said.
"It's a luxury we didn't have last year so it will certainly help the team."
The Dogs clash will be Leuenberger's first competitive hit-out since his aborted comeback with the reserves on the eve of the senior side's finals campaign.
He played two games in the QAFL but broke down in the second when he was put into the ruck.
"It was just a rush against time. I wanted to get back for the finals and tried to do anything possible to get there," he said.
"It was just a race against the clock, and the clock won."
Leuenberger took the full seven weeks off after the season but kept running to free up his knee.
Now, with a full range of movement and a solid fitness base behind him, he is ready to tackle his fourth season at AFL level.
"I can't wait to play. I only managed three games last year and even before that, I missed virtually the last half of 2008," he said.
"It's nearly a year-and-a-half of footy. I'm itching to get out there and see where I'm at."
The former No.4 draft pick intends to play throughout the NAB Cup competition in a bid to recapture match fitness.
"I've been able to do all the training and I haven't missed any sessions," Leuenberger said.
"I've done contested work in the ruck, at ground level and in the air, and I've had no issues with it (the knee) at all so I'm pretty confident with the way it is at the moment."
Matthew Leuenberger is a $202,100 ruckman in this year's Toyota AFL Dream Team (http://afl.virtualsports.com.au/).

[Kenyon]

No shit Burger! He's been reading most posts!

[Hayley]

http://i46.tinypic.com/rqxidt.png

[b_lions16]

Looking at this pic and the one on the previous page, he's packed on the guns, anyone has the stats on how much beef he's put on?