A year older and wiser, Brisbane won’t be resorting to taunts to rile arch rivals Gold Coast ahead of Saturday night’s Gabba clash.
On the contrary, Lions vice-captain Daniel Merrett on Wednesday seemed intent on finding the lighter side of their looming Queensland AFL derby after Simon Black’s now infamous jibes came back to bite them last year.
Ex-Lions Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli were branded “mercenaries” by Black ahead of the inaugural Q-Clash in 2011 – and the pair proceeded to inspire an eight-point, round-seven boilover at the Gabba.
“That really worked for us last year, didn’t it?” laughed Merrett on Wednesday.
Merrett also couldn’t keep a straight face when asked how to stop Suns captain Gary Ablett.
The Brownlow Medallist’s season stats are no laughing matter.
He has amassed disposal hauls of 42, 40 and 45 respectively in the first three games – and kicked two goals in each.
“It’s pretty unbelievable, isn’t it? I think we’ll play two blokes on him, or maybe even three,” Merrett smiled.
“Maybe we’ll try and sneak an extra one on the field.
“I don’t know. How do you stop someone that’s averaging 42 possessions each week?
“He’s their man and it’ll be one of our boys’ job to stop him.”
However, another one-on-one contest was on Merrett’s mind on Wednesday.
Lions captain Jonathan Brown will make his Queensland derby debut this weekend – and Merrett warmed to the prospect of Brennan marking his former teammate.
“I hope he (Suns coach Guy McKenna) does put Jared Brennan on Brownie – I would like to see how he goes in those one-on-one contests,” Merrett said of Brown, who returned from facial surgery in last round’s 29-point loss to Fremantle.
“But I doubt it will happen.
“I think Johnny is just glad to be back out there. He had a bit of a quiet one on the weekend so he’ll be ready for a big one.
“He’s really fired up. It’s great to have him out there for his first one.
“It’s that backyard rivalry – you always like to beat your neighbour (and) we are trying to get that rivalry going.”
Merrett’s mood turned deadly serious when asked about the importance of a win with Geelong (home), Essendon (away) and Collingwood (home) coming up in the next month.
“We do have a tough draw coming up,” he said.
“Just to get us to 2-2, it’d be nice coming into a tough part of the season with a couple of wins under the belt.
“Last year, there was a couple of close games we should have won that really cost us.
“If we win those close games, we are a chance to sneak into the eight, so games like this are important to get those wins on the board and get that confidence back after a couple of bad losses.”
