The focus might be on Brisbane coach Michael Voss but Lions co-captain Jed Adcock said senior players had felt the pressure, prompting an honesty session that might yet turn their AFL season around.
Players did their best to end speculation that off-contract Voss had until round 15 to secure his job by upsetting Essendon last round.
However, Adcock credited a player heart-to-heart weeks earlier with helping reverse the fortunes of the Lions – and quite possibly those of Voss.
Adcock said some “home truths” were discussed after North Melbourne thumped them by 63 points and they slumped to a 1-3 record.
“It changed things a little bit,” said Adcock, who will celebrate his 150th AFL game against Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday night.
“It made you think what you could do better and maybe what you are not doing?
“A lot of it came down to our training, accepting roles on-field and getting that done.
“(And) when the pressure comes (to respond). Last weekend, we responded a lot better.”
They have gone 2-2 since the candid meeting, highlighted by last round’s stunning 10-point win over the Bombers at Etihad Stadium.
Voss appeared in the critics’ sights after the Lions’ underwhelming start to a season that promised so much following their NAB Cup triumph.
However, Adcock said the senior group felt the heat – especially himself.
“A little bit. Myself and the rest of the senior group, we weren’t playing well for the whole first month of footy,” he said.
“Since the home truths came out a month ago, training changed a bit, intensity picked up, on-field roles were getting done – things have changed.
“The senior core definitely had to step up and I think, across the board, the senior group is having much more of an impact on game day.
“We know we are now on the right track but we can’t get complacent.”
Vice-captain Tom Rockliff came out in support of Voss after the last-round win, saying he was the “right man for the job”.
But Adcock was surprised there was already speculation about Voss’ future.
“Obviously if you are winning, speculation will go away,” he said.
“I would be surprised if a winning coach gets fired at the end of the year.
“I have been really surprised by the speculation that has been made so far.
“He has taken a lot of heat when it should have been directed at the senior core of players.”