Dunkley’s challenge to a Cam-do Lion
Lions star Josh Dunkley has challenged Cam Rayner to deliver consistently strong midfield performances to cement his spot in Brisbane’s engine room.
The versatile Rayner was outstanding last Thursday night in Brisbane’s 22-point win over Melbourne with a midfield effort that included 25 disposals, nine of which were clearances.
Rayner’s MCG display raised his hopes of being shifted more often from the forwards to Brisbane’s starstudded midfield.
However, Dunkley said Rayner had to produce similar form regularly during his midfield spells for the positional switch to occur more regularly.
“It’s pretty special what he can do as a player,” the Lions vice-captain said ahead of Brisbane’s battle with the undefeated Geelong at the Gabba on Saturday night.
“Consistency and all that comes into it now for him, and if he wants to get more midfield time, we want to see those behaviours more often.
“It’s great that he could start like that (against Melbourne) and show us what he’s capable of.
“A game like (that) will go a long way to helping him with his confidence levels, and knowing that he can do it against the best is going to be real important. When he gets his chance (in the midfield), I’m sure he will take it like he did (against Melbourne) and we look forward to getting him in there more.”
Former Bulldog Dunkley was also a standout against the Demons with a display that included 30 possessions.
“I feel good. The start to my year’s been pretty good, albeit losing a couple of games,” he said.
The Lions are chasing a third successive win after starting their season with three straight losses.
“We’ve known that we haven’t been too far off it and it was nice to get our season going … and put together a pretty good performance,” Dunkley said.
The Lions must maintain their form to have any chance of beating the in-form Cats.