Black passes the Lappin test

Tag : black & green

SPEARHEAD Jonathan Brown has been cleared to play West Coast andSimon Black is set to join him after passing a famed Brisbanefitness test.
In a massive boost to the wavering Lions, coach Leigh Matthewsdeclared co-captains Brown and Black fit to line up against a greenEagles outfit at the Gabba tonight.
Brown stretched out confidently at training to dispel concernsabout his hip yesterday but Black was put through a torrid "NigelLappin" test at the end of the session.
Assistant coach Chris Johnson lined up and pummelled Black for upto 10 minutes to test his injured shoulder much in the same wayLappin was belted by Aaron Shattock before the 2003 grand final winagainst Collingwood.
Carrying broken ribs, Lappin came through a series of vigoroustackles by Shattock to take his place in the decider.
Black spoke with Matthews and club medics for several minutes afterthe test in a sign he was touch and go but Matthews was confidentthe three-time club champion would play.
"We always thought Jonathan would play and he trained today andhe's OK," the Lions coach said. "We didn't think Blacky would play,to be honest, but he seemed to be OK during the session, so he'llprobably start off the field because we planned the game withouthim and we won't alter that but it's good to have him in our 22."
Pressed whether Black was able to bounce back after copping a nastyknock in the 37-point loss to Essendon at Telstra Dome last week,Matthews played down concerns.
"He's been given the all clear unless he pulls up badly," he said.
The Lions have wilted with upset away losses to Melbourne and theBombers, and Matthews acknowledged their confidence had dipped.
West Coast have won the past four meetings at the Gabba but thatwas a different Eagles outfit.
"We'll struggle to field a much younger in terms of gamesplayed and age and that makes it tough," said coach John Worsfold,who didn't hide his disappointment at midfielder Daniel Kerr'sindiscipline, which led to a three-week suspension.