Lachlan Henderson ready to add another AFL notch

[Hayley]

FRESH from a nine-goal haul for the Suncoast Lions, Lachlan Henderson is ready for another chance at AFL level.

However the No. 8 pick in last year's national draft won't be too despondent if he doesn't get the call-up for the Lions' clash against the West Coast Eagles on Saturday night at the Gabba.

He has already achieved his goal of playing one senior game this season.

So for the 18-year-old to have been involved in six of Brisbane's 15 matches this year has been beyond his wildest dreams.

"It's been a really good experience for me.

"I just wanted to get through the season without playing for two or three weeks and then suffering an injury and have to miss games.

"So far it's worked out well for me."

Perhaps Henderson's best chance of a senior recall this weekend is if Lions' talisman Jonathan Brown succumbs to a hip injury he suffered in Brisbane's disappointing loss to Essendon at Telstra Dome last Saturday night.

Both Brown and fellow Lions co-captain Simon Black (shoulder) must pass fitness tests to line up against the Eagles.

Henderson backed Brown to play and said the big forward's presence was crucial in Brisbane's bid to snap a two-game losing streak.

"I don't think Brownie will miss this one," the AIS-AFL Academy graduate said.

"And even if he doesn't play, I'm no certainty to get a call-up.

"It depends on how things need to be structured."

Henderson wasn't expecting Lions coach Leigh Matthews to make mass changes in response to shock defeats against lower-placed sides Melbourne and Essendon.

"We've played well for patches in both those games," he said.

"It's a matter of doing it for the four quarters, winning the 50/50 contests and putting our head over the ball.

"There's no panic.

"These losses are just a little bit of a hiccup.

At least Matthews knows Henderson is in rare goal-kicking form if he calls on the young gun.

Making his nine-goal effort in Suncoast's 75-point thrashing of Morningside at Esplen Oval last Sunday all the more remarkable was the fact he did not get to sleep until after 3am that same day.

Henderson flew to Melbourne as an emergency for the Lions, with the club's post-match chartered flight home ensuring it was a long and tiring night.

"I was probably a little bit fatigued during the game and got a bit lucky to kick nine," he admitted.

"But catching the flight back on the same night did help.

"I managed to get six hours sleep when I finally got home."

The tall Henderson dismissed himself as an option to act as ruck cover for string bean Matthew Leuenberger, who is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Irishman Colm Begley is expected to return from a quadriceps injury this weekend via the Suncoast Lions.

Defender Joel Macdonald will miss at least another week with an ankle injury.

[worbsy]

Sorry Hendo, it appears 9 goals won't get you a senior game under Lethal even though we have had two poor losses in a row.

I'd go and have a chat to Proud about it...