Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault announce return of 2019 premiership hero Josh Underwood for clash with AMR

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault has been given a massive boost with the return of a premiership hero as they try to resurrect their season. Former East Perth midfielder Josh Underwood is set to return for another stint at the Lions after a scintillating 12 games in 2019. The news comes on the eve of Saturday’s must-win clash with reigning premiers Augusta-Margaret River which the club has confirmed Underwood will play in. The 25-year-old featured a dozen times for HBL in their premiership year, but remarkably finished fifth in the best and fairest and was named second best on ground in the grand final demolition of Eaton behind ruckman Jack Fletcher. Lions coach Ryan Macintyre said Underwood’s 12 games in 2019 had almost become folklore at the Brunswick. “Since those 12 games he played, it has been a talking point at the club that it would be great to have him back at some point once his WAFL time had finished,” Macintyre said. “He is a quality player and we are really looking forward to having him back.” Underwood said he was excited to take on the reigning premiers with some of his 2019 teammates including Ben Ablett, Jack Fletcher and Jonathon Fenwick. “A few of the boys have been messaging me over the last couple of months to see if I could come back down,” Underwood said. “I’m really excited to run out on the weekend with some of my old premiership teammates and take on the reigning premiers. “I think it is a really good opportunity for us.” The signing is welcome news for 2020 Hayward Medallist Brendan Tingey, who looked set to shoulder the midfield load for the Lions after the loss of Ty Anderson and Jesse Crichton heading into this season. Despite the late announcement, coach Macintyre said he expected Underwood to not miss a beat on his return to Brunswick Oval. “We are a very young group and the midfield is probably in the area where we were one or two blokes short,” he said. “Having Josh back will help us out a huge deal and probably help Tingey as well having someone in there to help him out each week. “He has done a full preseason at East Perth and only finished up there on Wednesday night. “I am expecting him to be in really good knick and be the standout performer for us on the weekend.”