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Lions keep their eyes on the prize, no matter how far away it might seem

The Brisbane Lions are eyeing a top-two finish to set themselves up for an AFL flag push, but are determined not to lose their short-term focus along the way.

Aug 09, 2024, updated Aug 12, 2024
Lions coach Chris Fagan heads out during a Brisbane Lions AFL training session at Brighton Homes Arena in Brisbane. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

Lions coach Chris Fagan heads out during a Brisbane Lions AFL training session at Brighton Homes Arena in Brisbane. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

Chris Fagan’s men have surged to the top of premiership betting markets and will start favourites against fellow contenders GWS at the Gabba on Saturday.

But the clash serves as a timely reminder to the Lions that they can’t take their eyes off the ball.

It was the same opponents who delivered the Lions a season-worst 54-point thrashing on Anzac Day that left them reeling at 2-5 on the back of last year’s agonising grand-final defeat to Collingwood.

The turnaround since then has been remarkable, with Brisbane losing just one of their past 13 games and rattling off nine consecutive wins.

“We’re feeling pretty confident,” Lions defender Brandon Starcevich told AAP.

“When that streak started we were sort of hanging in the balance and we just kept that mentality going that we’ve got nothing to lose.

“We’ve just got to keep that rolling, but there’s been no easy games the whole year and the Giants are going really well.

“That ‘Orange Tsunami’ as they like to call it – where they just start flicking the ball and moving it quickly from one end to the other – that’s what we’ve got to stop.”

The Lions could match the second-longest winning streak in club history – accounting for Brisbane Bears, Fitzroy and post-merger records – with victory over GWS.

It would also be another step towards a top-two finish, possibly a minor premiership, and the chance to enjoy home-ground advantage in their first two finals.

“Home finals makes the world of difference, so if we can lock that in it sets us up really well,” Starcevich said.

“But it’s one week at a time at the moment.

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“That belief and playing with nothing to lose is that same mentality that we’ll roll with for the rest of the year.”

Starcevich was central to Brisbane’s physical approach in last week’s 85-point thrashing of St Kilda, blunting dangerous goal-sneak Jack Higgins.

The 25-year-old now has his eye on another battle with GWS captain and match-winner Toby Greene.

“It’s a good match-up and he’s one of the best in the comp so you always look forward to it,” Starcevich said.

“You just can’t switch off against Toby.

“One minute he’s leading up and the footy and if he doesn’t get used he’s popping out the back with space and time to make you pay.

“And he can kick them from just about anywhere, so you’ve got to be switched on for four quarters.”

Brisbane have made just one change to their side, naming Irish defender Darragh Joyce as a replacement for the injured Bruce Reville (fibula stress reaction).

Giants vice-captain Josh Kelly is back after five weeks out with a calf injury, while veteran Lachlan Keefe will play his first game of the season.

Keefe replaces ruckman Kieren Briggs, who has been managed.

 

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