David King has applauded Brisbane’s decision to drop senior players Jack Gunston and Daniel Rich from the senior side a fortnight ago.
Since making the tough call, the Lions have banked two important wins against Sydney and St Kilda where they’ve been able to give more opportunity to younger players.
Kings says that by making the decision to omit both Rich and Gunston, a strong precedent has been set to the other members of the side.
“When you’re moving (Jack) Gunston out of your team because he can’t put pressure on, you’re saying to those that are surviving selection ‘we’re prepared to pull the cord here and have you out of the team’," King told SEN's Crunch Time.
“Last night they got 46 points from forward half turnovers, they got 16 scores from being able to put pressure on the opposition, that’s their most for the year.
“They’re not looking for a new system or three players to stand up and be wildcards, they’ve got the talent, they’re just looking to create their own enthusiasm or another standard that permeates throughout the group.
“There’s only one way to do that and that’s by playing kids and hold those that are embedded in the team to higher standards and that’s what dropping Rich and Gunston has done.”
Even if fit, King doesn’t see Rich and Gunston slotting back into the senior side given how well players like Jaspa Fletcher, Darcy Wilmot and Kai Lohmann are playing.
“I don’t know how they get back into the team, they're not playing at the moment and are doing a training block but their spots have been serviced so well in the immediate two weeks,” King added.
“I know there’s a long way to go, but right now, I think Chris Fagan would be pleasantly surprised with what Fletcher has been able to do and what it’s done to those on the edge.
“(Kai) Lohmann is another one we don’t talk enough about, I think he’s a high quality half forward.
“(Darcy) Wilmott going to half back has change their whole backline and their ability to run and carry. He took that big run down the wing, I haven’t seen a Brisbane player do that for 15 years.”
The Lions will host Richmond on Thursday night at the Gabba in Round 16.