Top Lions sent for shoulder surgery

BRISBANE has paid tribute to leaders Dayne Beams and Tom Rockliff for defying the pain barrier after booking the Lions stars into end-of-season shoulder surgery.

Captain Beams and deputy Rockliff are expected to recover in time for November’s pre-season after finally going under the knife for injuries they had been enduring for months.

Rockliff requires a full shoulder reconstruction for his injury initially sustained in Round 8, while Beams battled on from a complaint also suffered earlier in the year.

The pair finally booked surgeries after Brisbane ended the season with the wooden spoon following its 51-point last-round loss to North Melbourne at the Gabba.

“They were in a bit of pain,” Lions senior physio Clint Frazer said.

“Dayne needed a few injections over a few weeks to get on the paddock, but both boys did a good job.

“They made a good recovery and they were playing well with their injuries.

“That’s part of being an AFL footballer. It’s part of what you sign up for.”

Frazer said Beams underwent surgery on Tuesday while Rockliff would go under the knife in a fortnight.

“Both should be back for pre-season training in November – we expect no problems out of that at all,” Frazer said.

Meanwhile, unlucky defender Sam Skinner, 20, will undergo a third knee reconstruction in his short career in the coming weeks.

Frazer said Mitch Robinson (foot), Tom Bell (ankle) and Allen Christensen (collarbone) were all close to recovering from season-ending injuries.

“Allen Christensen is back in full training. He trained with the NEAFL boys – he even did some contact work,” Frazer said.