Lions wary of slow return to action

A NUMBER of their best have failed to recover in time to play but Palm Beach Currumbin coach Jess Sinclair remains hopeful his QAFL team can avoid a sluggish return to football after a three-week break.

The Lions will host Wilston Grange at Salk Oval today with the Round 10 clash the first since the reigning premiers’ win over Labrador on May 25.

The unbeaten side had a bye the following week and didn’t play last weekend due to the representative game between the QAFL and Adelaide Football League.

Sinclair was wary of a fast starting Grange despite their rivals sitting second last.

“I went and watched them in the pre-season when they played Broadbeach but it was hard to get a gauge,” he said.

“They are good starting team by all reports.

“We have to be at our best again and we are coming off a double bye so it’s always a bit of the unknown.

“Sides tend to struggle to get out of the gates after a bye.”

Palm Beach Currumbin have made three changes to the Round 8 side, with defender Jackson Emblem returning (broken hand), Tom Frazer (hamstring) and Southport forward Mitch Johnson also coming into the side.

They will replace midfielder Jason Burge (foot), halfback Adam McKenzie (overseas) and dropped half-forward John Macansh. Sinclair was also hopeful of having forward Jack Anthony (ankle) return but the former AFL player is likely to be back next week.

In better news for PBC, Todd Grayson, who injured his hamstring in the pre-season, will play his first game back in the club’s reserves.

Meanwhile, Labrador will play Sandgate at Lemke Road and Surfers Paradise will play the Western Magpies at McCarthy Homes Oval.

Broadbeach have the bye.