Brisbane Lions AFL Finals: Simon Black explains why home final is so important to premiership hopes

Brisbane legend Simon Black says securing a top-two finish is crucial if the Lions want to break through for the club’s first premiership since the three-peat era of the early 2000s.

Brisbane Lions players leave the field after their victory against the Adelaide Crows at The Gabba. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane legend Simon Black says securing a top two finish is “critically important” if the Lions want to break through for the club’s first premiership since the three-peat era of the early 2000s.

Chris Fagan’s side hosts St Kilda on Saturday afternoon and a win would clinch a top two spot and with it a home qualifying final.

Fagan’s Lions have won all 11 of their home games this season and statistically boast the greatest home ground advantage of any team in the competition.

Their scoring, clearance and contested footy numbers skyrocket at the Gabba and those three metrics are often clear indicators of success in September.

Simon Black (middle) has explained how the dominant Brisbane sides of the early 2000s approached their finals campaigns.

Black’s Lions were a fearsome opponent no matter the venue but at home they were particularly punishing on rivals and he feels a similar air of superiority with this year’s version.

“We used to talk a lot about making our home ground a feared place for opposition sides to come and play and the current team has been able to create that,” Black told this masthead.

“Leigh used to talk about building the pyramid.

“X amount of wins makes you top eight, x makes you top four and x makes you top two which guarantees two home finals.

“For Brisbane that top two finish is critically important. Being able to wrap up a top two spot is invaluable in attacking a grand final spot.

“Late in the year any travel you have to do compounds even more, so being able to launch your September campaign from a two home finals perspective is incredibly significant.”

The Lions have reached the semi-final stage or better in each of the past four seasons but never made it past the preliminary final hurdle.

They have won just three of nine finals in that span and only one – the incredible comeback victory over Melbourne at the MCG last year – has come away from the Gabba.

But Black believes the lessons learned from previous failed campaigns will hold the Lions in good stead when the whips are cracking next month.

The Lions are a much more fearsome opponent when playing at the Gabba. Picture: Getty Images

“Twenty years ago, in 2003, we lost to Collingwood in the first week of the finals and we had to come up against them in the grand final (where Brisbane won by 50 points),” Black recalled.

“You have to be durable not just physically but mentally as well. It’s a big step up.

“Brisbane has played some really good games in the past three or four years. They have experience to springboard and not be overwhelmed in big games.

“They understand high pressure games these days and they’ve been a quality side for a while now, so the question is can they take that next step?

“Their ability to handle the pressure of the big moments and big games is something they’ve learned a lot through failure and success so yes, I believe they’re well-placed to handle it and take that next step.”