Newcomer Lyons aims to get his derby hands dirty
JARRYD Lyons is a newcomer to the QClash but will bring his own experiences from another AFL rivalry into an expected Round 1 club debut for Gold Coast.
Lyons spent the first five years of his AFL career in the two-club city of Adelaide where he enjoyed a period of showdown dominance at the Crows over Port Adelaide in South Australia.
The 24-year-old Suns recruit won three of his four games against Port Adelaide and comes into Saturday’s game knowing exactly what it will take to win the derby at Metricon Stadium.
“I came from the Adelaide Crows who are a two-team town so we had the showdown,” Lyons said.
“Form means nothing in these games. It doesn’t matter where you have come from you can always find that extra bit in the derbies.
“It will be a massive game and it’s exciting to play in a QClash.
“I have only ever played Brisbane a few times in my career so I don’t know too much about them to be honest. I’ll study up through the week and work out what we are going to do.
“It’s really exciting for the footy club and I’m excited to build towards Round 1. There is no better way to start than with a QClash.”
Lyons played in Gold Coast’s final JLT Community Series against the Western Bulldogs after missing the first two preseason matches with achilles tendinitis. The inside midfielder had one final hit-out on Saturday in Gold Coast’s NEAFL practice game against Aspley where the Suns team, with 17 listed players, beat the Hornets 20.16 (136) to 4.6 (30).
Lyons said he will be looking to get his hands dirty against Brisbane in what will be a reflection of his role at his new club.
“There are some blokes that can really run and carry through the team so I’ll be happy to work in and under, get the hands dirty and get it out through a few of our quick blokes on the outside to get it forward,” Lyons said.