Lions on the loose

Brisbane Lions young gun Todd Banfield kicks ahead in a match against Geelong Cats at the Gabba last year.

DAVE HUNT

PLAYERS and supporters are set for a treat during the Brisbane Lions Community Camp in Bundaberg tomorrow.

Club assistant coach Gary O'Donnell will head a pride of Lions to hit the city that will include established senior players Jed Adcock and Todd Banfield and four young guns, Adam Spackman, formerly of Hervey Bay, Jesse O'Brien, Jordan Lisle and Andrew Raines.

Former rising star Daniel Rich was originally named in the touring party but Brothers Bulldogs AFL Club vice-president Mark Mason, who is coordinating the day, said that he had unfortunately succumbed to an ankle injury.

"But Todd Banfield is of similar stature to him, a hard-tackling goal-kicking forward, and he is a great replacement. He has already played 41 games and is another of their brightest young talent," Mason said.

Mason said the Lions' players would be split into pairs for visits to schools.

"At 11am two players each will attend Moore Park, Bundaberg State High School and Shalom College, then at 12.30pm they will be at Norville, North Bundaberg High and Bundaberg Special School," he said.

"They will start with questions and answer time, followed by 30-minute interactive skills clinics.

"Then there will be a combined primary schools clinic for all at Walkervale State School from 2-3pm, followed by an Auskick Superclinic at St Luke's Anglican School from 3.30-4.30pm, and at the same time there will be a coaching session for ambassadors by Gary O'Donnell.

"Finally, all six players will attend a skills clinic for the Wide Bay under-14 representative side at Brothers Bulldogs' grounds from 5-6pm, when Gary O'Donnell will be miked up for all local coaches to listen to as he conducts the session, and that also will give a great insight for them.

"Throughout the day, it will be a great chance for many kids to learn from and be inspired by a top coach and the Lions players, and see the pathway that is available that Adam has followed and is open to all talented young players."

O'Donnell and the players will then be guests at a dinner at the Old Bundy Tavern from around 6.30pm, which will be hosted by local radio personality Ross Kay.

Tickets are $30 a person and can be purchased from the Old Bundy Tavern or the Brothers Bulldogs and Across The Waves clubs.

The dinner will feature tables of eight and Mason said there would be a mini-auction first up for tables to bid on a particular Lions player/players to be seated at their table.

"It will just be a great day for the code before the Community Camp moves on to Hervey Bay on Friday, and the dinner will also be a great chance for fans to mingle with some of the Lions," Mason said.

"It will be a great chance for many kids to learn from and be inspired by a top coach and the Lions players"