Brown should be OK to face Demons: Voss

Brisbane coach Michael Voss says suggestions that captain Jonathan Brown needs groin
surgery are "ridiculous" and the star forward should face Melbourne on Saturday
night.
The Lions skipper did not join his team's light training run in Melbourne on Friday,
instead conducting stationary handball drills.
Voss acknowledged Brown experienced some soreness during last weekend's win against
the Western Bulldogs.
But he said speculation that it was a serious injury was completely untrue and,
provided Brown felt all right on Saturday morning, he would play against the Demons
at the MCG.
"It's just a matter of how he pulls up now, barring pulling up bad he should be
right to go," Voss said.
"Reports of how bad it's been are just ridiculously off the mark.
"Don't worry, there's no need for an operation, no osteitis, I can guarantee you 100
per cent that's not the case."
Voss said all players had injury niggles at some stage of the season, but the Lions
would play it safe if there was any doubt over Brown's fitness.
"It's too long a season to take any risks at this time of year, if he's fit and
healthy he'll play, if he's not he'll miss out, but it's not diabolical."
The Lions brought two emergencies to Melbourne - Albert Proud and Troy Selwood - as
a precaution.
Brown has started the season in brilliant form, leading the competition with 19
goals, as well as taking 40 marks as Brisbane won their first four games.
But the unbeaten Lions will treat Melbourne with plenty of respect, after their wins
over Adelaide and Richmond in the past two rounds, Voss labelling them one of the
AFL's form sides.
"You can't dispute that, because they almost rolled Collingwood (in round two)
barring probably another five seconds, and they've been able to look after another
couple of opposition sides recently.
"So they go in pretty confident, we go in with an element of confidence too.
"We've just got to make sure we concentrate on the little things that got us into
this position in the first place and don't cast our minds any further forward than
the next contest."
He said his players would relish playing on the MCG, in what is their only home and
away match at the grand final venue this season.



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