AFL: Finals struggles ‘hardening’ the Brisbane Lions

The Brisbane Lions will be ‘better’ for Saturday night’s finals experience against the Western Bulldogs regardless of the result.

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has his side ready to meet the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is adamant the Lions will have made progress this year even if they suffer a straight sets finals exit on Saturday night.

Having been beaten by minor premiers Melbourne in last weekend’s qualifying final at the Adelaide Oval, the Lions host the Western Bulldogs in an elimination final at the Gabba.

Victory over the Bulldogs will allow Lions to at least match last year’s feat of reaching a preliminary final.

But defeat at the Gabba would result in the Lions suffering season-ending back-to-back finals losses for the second time in three seasons and reduce their finals record over the same period to one win from six matches.

However, Fagan said he had a “bigger picture philosophical view on finals that just the immediate result”.

“Both (previous) years we’ve been beaten by both the grand finalists, and we’re a young developing team,” the Lions mentor said.

“Don’t forget (three) years ago, we couldn’t get ourselves off the bottom of the ladder.

“Part of the process of becoming a great side is getting into finals and playing and doing your best to win them and let those experiences build.

“We played a great time last week in Melbourne, who have been on top of the ladder for pretty much for all of the year, and they played exceptionally well, and we’ve got a difficult task against the Dogs.

“We know the job in front of us, but win or lose, that result doesn’t define us or have (the media) describe us as a team that can’t play well in finals.

“I look back at the Richmond team that became the fantastic team of recent times and three years in a row they lost elimination finals, and then they didn’t make the finals.

“It’s all about the learning process and the hardening process, so whichever way the game goes (against the Bulldogs), we’ll be a better club for it.”

Deven Robertson (right) trains hard with fellow Lion Joe Daniher. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Fagan praised the attitude of fit-again pair Ryan Lester and Callum Ah Chee, who have only been named as emergencies in their returns from respective hamstring and groin injuries.

That’s despite the Lions having made two changes to the team that lost the Demons.

Rather than recall Lester and Ah Chee, Fagan opted for young duo Jack Payne and Deven Robertson as the replacements for the concussed Daniel McStay and the dropped Jaxon Prior.

“They (Payne and Robertson) bring some speed, they bring some energy, some youthful enthusiasm – it’s a great experience for them to be playing finals footy,” Fagan said.

“They can play in a variety of positions for us as well, so it gives a bit more flexibility.

“The roles that we want played don’t suit Ryan and don’t suit Cal.

“When it comes to the crunch, you pick the team that you think is going to beat the team you’re playing against, so there’s harder decisions made at selection probably than they are during the year.

“They (Lester and Ah Chee) are fully understanding. They’re great team guys, they are part of our squad this morning because they’re emergencies, and their attitude and encouragement amongst the group was fantastic as I would expect because they’re two fine men.”