JACKSON Paine is confident he's the man to stop the Brisbane Lions' long search for another key forward.
Since the departure of Daniel Bradshaw (2009) and the botched stay of Brendan Fevola (2010), the Lions have conducted a fruitless pursuit to find a partner for Jonathan Brown.
In the past three seasons a host of players have tried – and generally failed – to cement a spot either alongside Brown or as his replacement when he's been injured.
Aaron Cornelius was recently axed after five seasons, where despite his enormous talent, he could not conjure more than 25 games.
Mitch Clark left for Melbourne at the end of 2011 and Bryce Retzlaff got the chop after 2012.
Jordan Lisle and Stefan Martin have been recruited during that period, but have also been unable to lock down a spot.
Regular fullback Daniel Merrett played full forward for most of 2012, while Brent Staker was also used predominantly in the front half during the past season despite missing the best part of two years through injury.
The Lions also recruited Michael Close and Marco Paparone from last year's draft pool, but they will take more time to develop.
It appears to be a numbers game at the moment, and 20-year-old Paine is hopeful he can provide the answer.
With two seasons in the AFL system at Collingwood, Paine says he is ready to contribute straight away and said he can't wait for the new opportunity.
"You're in the AFL system because you want to play AFL and I wasn't getting that opportunity down at Collingwood and hopefully I can put my best foot forward here and make that happen up north," Paine said.
Paine has played six senior games, but none in 2013.
At 191cm and 92kg he is a similar build to many of his new teammates, but believes he has a few tricks in the bag.
"I think I have a bit of versatility in the forward role. I enjoy getting up the ground and working my opponent over but I also enjoy the physicality of it.
"I'd like to learn a lot of things from Jonathan, but I also have that mobile get-up-the-ground forward role."
Another player seeking more chances at the Lions is former Geelong ruckman Trent West.
The 26-year-old was stuck behind Nathan Vardy, Mark Blicavs, Dawson Simpson and Hamish McIntosh at the Cats, and was hopeful of finding a spot in the Lions' line-up alongside Matthew Leuenberger.
He said new coach Justin Leppitsch had given him no assurances, but he was keen to do whatever possible to break into the team.
"I just think the opportunities up here outweigh the opportunities in Geelong at this stage, so pretty excited to do what I can to get in that side," West said.
"[I'm] not too sure what the coaches want to do. If I can go forward and play more there and he (Leuenberger) can play back-half ruckman, I'm not sure exactly. Hopefully we can both fit in the one side."
