Finals failure leaves Brisbane Lions hungry for atonement and drives pre-season

Brisbane Lions’ finals failure has left them hungry for atonement, says midfielder Mitch Robinson. And one stat from the Lions’ pre-season camp should have their flag rivals worried.

Sam Skinner kicking in a drill at today’s session at the Brisbane Lions pre-season camp at Kingston's Twin Ovals. Picture: Brisbane Lions.

For anyone who thinks Brisbane may be complacent after roaring up the ladder and making the AFL finals in 2019, Lions enforcer Mitch Robinson has a stat for you.

“In the 3km time trial, 18 guys did PBs (personal best times),’’ he said.

“Every club says they are fitter than ever and use all the pre-season cliches under the sun but that number tells you that the boys have come back with a great attitude and are in great shape.

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“We have a chip on our shoulder because we weren’t happy with how last year ended losing those two finals.

“Although we had a great home-and-away season, the way the finals went left a sour taste in our mouths. We gave ourselves a great opportunity with the double chance but we didn’t make the most of it.

Lachie Neale and Zac Bailey compete for the ball during a pre-season drill.

“People might think we might be complacent, but that’s not the way we are going to go about our footy.’’

Brisbane arrived in Tasmania on Friday for an eight-day training camp and had their first field session in Hobart on Saturday.

It is the fourth year the Lions have bucked the AFL trend of ‘heat training’ and headed south to the Apple Isle.

This year’s camp will feature two match simulations as well as leadership and bonding activities.

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“It’s a good chance to beat the heat and spend time with blokes that you probably wouldn’t spend a lot of time with away from football,’’ Robinson said.

“We’ve got the new draftees and the guys who have come in via trades or free agency and it’s a good opportunity to take them through our culture and what it all means.

“We’ve already spoken about our trademarks and the pillars we’ve put in place to get everybody on the right path.

“We are pretty proud of the way we’ve set up a good culture that has made us a bit of a destination club these days.’’

Sam Skinner kicking in a drill at today’s session at the Brisbane Lions pre-season camp at Kingston's Twin Ovals. Picture: Brisbane Lions.

Robinson said with Brisbane entering their fourth season under senior coach Chris Fagan, they have been able to hit the ground running in Tasmania.

“We get into the nitty gritty pretty quickly and work on things like scenario-based training because we know the game plan and what Fages expects of us,” he said.

Brisbane will play Port Adelaide in their first pre-season hitout on February 23 at Burpengary followed by the March 8 clash with Carlton in Melbourne.

They open their 2020 premiership tilt against Hawthorn at the MCG on March 22.