Ryan Lester played through some dark years for Brisbane where they lacked personnel in defence with Jack Payne and Tom Doedee missing for long periods, where he lined up on forwards much taller than him, and sometimes got exploited. His yeoman's work was rewarded when the club turned its fortunes around to win the last two flags. At this stage of his career he is an elder statesman, and rejoins the senior team as still part of its best 23, with Payne still on the LTI list, Darcy Gardiner injured and Doedee languishing at VFL level. Today's opponent holds no fears for him.
