from FootyHeads

HOOPER RETURNS HOME

Friday, February 23rd, 2007 at 9:52 am

BY BRAD KLIBANSKY

THE Brisbane Lions have received some good news on the eve of the NAB Cup with the return of young gun Rhan Hooper, who suddenly left the club two months ago citing personal reasons for his departure.

Hooper and his manager Peter Whitehead met with Brisbane Lions Coach Leigh Matthews and football manager Graham Allan yesterday to discuss his future with the Lions. Hopper told the Club he had wished to continue his 11- game career with the Lions and resume training immediately.

Coach Leigh Matthews said the Club would honour Hooper’s request, but ruled out an immediate return to senior action.
“We owe it to our members and supporters to be transparent wherever possible,” Matthews said. “Rhan has said he wants to resume training and the Club has agreed to his request.

“However, he will require a couple of months of serious catch- up training before he can even be considered to play.”

The Lions have taken measures within the AFLPA guidelines to discipline Hooper with a $7000 fine for his two- month absence.

from FootyHeads

LIONS PLAYERS QUESTIONED

Thursday, February 1st, 2007 at 10:24 am

BY BRAD KLIBANSKY

THREE former Brisbane Lions players, including former premiership captain and Brownlow Medallist Michael Voss, as well as present Lions midfielder Simon Black were interviewed by Victoria Police yesterday regarding a Melbourne hotel brawl last September.

As reported in today’s Age, Police flew to Brisbane this week to interview 2002 Brownlow medallist Black, recently retired premiership captain Voss and former teammate Craig McRae as well as former Lion and present assistant coach Craig Lambert over a ugly incident that occured at St Kilda’s Prince of Wales Hotel that left a man unconscious.

“Two officers from the St Kilda police station have travelled to Brisbane to gather information from the current and former Lions employees about the matter that occurred back in September 2006,” a Lions spokesman said.

“The club understands that all concerned are giving the police full co-operation with their inquiries.

“The club is disappointed at having any employees involved in police investigations.

“No further comment can be made by the club at this stage as the matter is now in the hands of the police.”

There have been no charges laid over the incident at the present time.