Two words sum up why the Brisbane Lions are confident ahead of Saturday’s AFL clash with West Coast at the Gabba – Simon Black.
But form Lions midfielder Pearce Hanley reckons their winning hopes hinge on another word – composure.
Hanley couldn’t hide his excitement over Black’s long-awaited return from a knee injury, despite the Brownlow Medallist sending a scare through the camp with a training no-show on Friday.
Lions football manager Dean Warren later assured reporters Black had skipped the Gabba session as a precaution after “feeling a bit off” but would definitely play.
Much to Hanley’s relief.
“He adds a bit of class and experience around the stoppages which is needed,” Hanley said of Black who makes his 2013 debut after three reserves games.
“We are all looking forward to him coming back. It’s exciting to see him running around again.”
However, Hanley said the Lions would be more focussed on turning around their poor starts.
Three times in as many interstate games this season the Lions have been jumped early.
Last round was a classic example – they trailed Sydney by 40 points at the first break before being thrashed by 60 at the SCG.
Asked what would turn it around, Hanley said: “Composure.
“When the pressure has been on and teams re-jig what they do we haven’t dealt very well.
“But we have put in a lot of work and this week we should have a much better start.”
Both sides boast a 2-4 record but their season prospects could not be more different.
The Eagles are flying high after a last-start 70-point win over the Western Bulldogs and the return to the starting side of All-Australian ruckman Nic Naitanui.
In contrast more pressure was piled on Lions coach Michael Voss after Brisbane slumped to their third 10-goal loss of the season, in Sydney last Sunday.
But Hanley said of the pre-season premiers: “We definitely have belief – we will turn it around.”
A last gasp James Polkinghorne goal handed the Lions a two-point Gabba upset over the Eagles in round 10 last year before West Coast hit back with a 98-point thumping in WA two months later.
Hanley said the Lions were a “more mature” side than the one that last faced West Coast.
But he was still scratching his head over how to combat Naitanui.
“He’s a freak. Hopefully he doesn’t jump on my head at any stage,” he said.