Concussed Lion gets the all-clear
HAVING passed his final concussion test yesterday morning, Brisbane Lions defender Harris Andrews is expected to be available for selection next week.
Andrews has not played since being knocked out by GWS forward Jeremy Cameron on June 23.
Coach Chris Fagan said the star defender had been examined by doctors and cleared to rejoin the group for full training.
“He’s good. He was given the all-clear this morning and can now start doing some contact work and he will be available for selection next week,’’ Fagan said.
“He was a bit sick and sorry for the first week or two but he has made steady improvement since that time.
“The protocols around concussion testing are so thorough now that he wouldn’t be given the tick if he wasn’t all clear.
“You can see in his mood and his level of optimism and energy that he is back to his normal self.’’
In Andrews’ absence the Lions recorded their first threegame winning streak in five years and Fagan said the 21year-old was desperate to get back out on the field and enjoy the club’s run of form.
“He is keen to get back involved, he has been one of the mainstays of the team for the past four or five years,’’ the coach said.
“He is a really terrific young player who was in All Australian form I reckon before he got hurt. Hopefully he can get back and resume that and challenge for a spot in that (All Australian) team by the end of the year.
“It’s a little bit disappointing for him to miss out but he is such a team man he is really happy for his teammates and excited to see what they have been able to do.’’