Brisbane Lions to revel in ‘high-octane atmosphere’ at GMHBA Stadium

The Brisbane Lions are ready to ‘tick off’ another box by defeating the Cats in Geelong.

Lions coach Chris Fagan will remind his players to ‘remain calm’ against Geelong. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has declared the “gloves are off” on Friday night when the Lions bid to beat the Cats in Geelong for the first time since 2003.

No longer the punching bags they once were, the Lions are aiming to extend their undefeated start to the AFL season to four matches.

Doing that at GMHBA Stadium, where the Lions haven’t beaten the Cats in 19 years, is a task easier said than done but in-form Brisbane is up for the challenge.

“We hadn’t won at a lot of grounds in a long time, and gradually we’ve been able to tick those off against good opposition,” Fagan said on Thursday.

“If you want to be a good team in this competition you’ve got to win on the road.

“Over the last five years we’ve never shied away from any challenges we’ve had thrown at us.”

And for three of those years, the Lions have been a “decent side”, according to Fagan.

“As have they, so when the better sides play each other, it’s on – the gloves are off,” he said.

“I wouldn’t have thought it would be any different (on Friday) night.

“We have a healthy respect for Geelong, they’ve been a team that always play in finals and over the last three years we’ve been able to do the same as that.”

Lions coach Chris Fagan has Brisbane ready to win in Geelong. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

However, the Lions won’t make the mistake of showing the Cats too much respect.

“Hopefully we can show them we’re really maturing as a team.” Fagan said.

“Geelong have been up there a long time and they like to stamp their authority on other teams that might be emerging.

“We’re happy for it to continue for both of us because it probably means we’re somewhere up there near the top.”

The maturity that Fagan will demand will be vital, with the rivalry growing between the teams in recent seasons and sometimes boiling over.

The Lions were robbed of a win at GMHBA Stadium last season when they should have been awarded a holding the ball free-kick, which was within goal-kicking range, in the dying stages of a one-point loss to the Cats.

Fagan and Cats coach Chris Scott also exchanged words last year, while former Cat Lincoln McCarthy kicked a late match-winnner for Brisbane at the Gabba over his old club in 2019.

“What we hope is our players remain calm in that high-octane atmosphere,” the Lions coach said.

Another ex-Cat, Darcy Fort., will be the Lions number one ruckman on Friday night after big man Oscar McInerney was suspended for a week for striking North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri in Brisbane’s huge 108-point win over the Kangaroos.

Tom Fullarton will replace McInerney in Brisbane’s 22.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions to revel in ‘high-octane atmosphere’ at GMHBA Stadium