Latest news with #JaspaFletcher
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'It'll all pan out': Kiddy's return gives Fagan options
Chris Fagan isn't sure how he'll distribute his embarrassment of halfback riches but is confident Keidean Coleman's return won't stifle Dayne Zorko. Coleman will play against Melbourne on Sunday at the Gabba, 14 months after suffering a knee injury in last year's season opener. His last complete AFL game was the 2023 grand final in which he dominated the first half with incisive, aggressive kicking and finished runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal voting. Coleman's injury allowed the versatile Zorko to shift back into defence, where the veteran flourished and earned All-Australian honours in their premiership season. Emerging pair Jaspa Fletcher and Darcy Wilmot have shown dare, poise and accuracy transitioning into attack, trademarks that have become non-negotiable for good teams in modern football. "It's not just Kiddy (Coleman) ... Zorko is probably the best in the competition at it, Jaspa Fletcher, Darcy Wilmot too," Fagan said on Saturday. "It's great to have those sorts of players in the modern game ... to change angles and break through team defences and Kiddy adds another layer." They can't all fit at once though, Coleman's return at the expense of the concussed Jarrod Berry likely to push Wilmot, Fletcher and Zorko to the wings or further forward in a new-look rotation. Fagan is confident Zorko and Coleman can combine as halfback weapons but, with midfielder or wing Berry only a short-term out, won't predict how things will look later this season. "They can both play there but Zorko can play in a lot of positions, so can Jaspa and Darcy," he said. "It'll all pan out. I'm not 100 per cent certain what it'll look like down the track. "Sometimes injuries unfortunately have a say, so we'll wait and see." Brisbane have spluttered at times in their premiership defence but still sit on top of the ladder at 7-1-1 following a draw with lowly North Melbourne last Sunday. Fagan acknowledged they were lucky to escape with a draw in Hobart but remains unruffled with a longer-term view. "It's just a point in time. I'd rather be there than not there, but a lot of challenges still to come," he said. Darcy Fort has been omitted from the side, Eric Hipwood tasked with deputising for Oscar McInerney in the ruck and Conor McKenna also back in the fray. The Demons (3-6) are 15th but won three straight before losing to Hawthorn last week. Coach Simon Goodwin has recalled first-year forward Aidan Johnson for his third AFL outing, while Jake Melksham and Harrison Petty are also back in a big boost. Jacob van Rooyen, Koltyn Tholstrup and Matthew Jefferson were all dropped.
News.com.au
08-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Jaspa Fletcher keen to add to his AFL achievements with Brisbane Lions
He has already achieved so much in his short AFL career, but young gun Jaspa Fletcher has much more he wants to accomplish with the Brisbane Lions. Having made his top-flight debut for the Lions in June 2023, Fletcher has already enjoyed more success than some players do in their entire career. At 21, he has played in two AFL grand finals and was part of the Brisbane team that last year secured the club's first premiership since 2003. On Sunday, Fletcher will achieve another milestone when he makes his 50th AFL appearance in the Lions' clash against North Melbourne in Hobart. 'It's gone by real quick,' he said. 'When I first heard that I was going to debut, it was obviously one of the best moments of my life. 'From then on, I just tried to play every game as a bit of a bonus … and I just thought if I could try and play a final, it would be pretty cool. 'Now to look back on a premiership and 49 games is something pretty special.' Tassie Fans! Heading to the game? Check the Game Day Guide â†' — Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) May 7, 2025 And having won a flag, Fletcher wants to be part of a Brisbane dynasty. 'I just want to keep playing consistent footy, and as long as the team is winning, I'm pretty happy and the club's pretty happy,' he said. 'I love the club. Great people upstairs, great people in the footy department, and great boys. 'The end of the year is probably a little bit far away to look ahead to, but if we can keep getting back to there and keep playing consistently throughout the season and into the finals, we'll be pretty happy.' Fletcher is also pleased with the way he is evolving as a footballer. Having spent most of his time at the Lions as a wingman, he has this season also been used on the half-back line in the absence of Brandon Starcevich, who remains sidelined with concussion issues. 'I've been enjoying it,' Fletcher said. 'Darcy Wilmot and Dayne Zorko, they're pretty easy to learn off, and then you've got Harris Andrews, Ryan Lester and Jack Payne around you, so it's made life easier for me. 'They get around me each and every week, and I'm just confident I can go out there and play my role. 'The half-back, the wing and half-forward are probably all similar roles. They're all connected out on the ground. 'If I get to run out there in the 23 each week, in front of home fans or away, I'm going to be pretty happy. Wherever it is on the field, I'm just happy to take my part and play my role.' The competition for half-back spots is set to increase after Keidean Coleman made his long-awaited return from a knee reconstruction in the club's VFL team last weekend. 'It's always exciting for the club when you've got that much depth,' Fletcher said. 'I'm very happy for `Kiddy' (Coleman) that he got through unscathed last week. 'We love it when we have that competitiveness among each other.' The Lions have lost Sam Day for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered in Brisbane's QClash win over the Gold Coast Suns last Sunday.
