The ambition of being Queensland’s premier football team is firmly entrenched in Guy McKenna’s round three line-up, but the Gold Coast mentor says it’s the four premiership points, not the bragging rights, that is the primary focus leading in to Saturday’s QClash.
“It’s like I said to the boys, there is four points on this and if we want to play the style of football we want to play we have to play that each week, whether it is a milestone or a QClash,” he said.
“You have to turn up to play each week. You can’t just come up to play Brisbane; that is our mentality.
”I don’t think I have to build it up from my side of things. I think the players get and understand it.”
Tomorrow will mark the first time McKenna and his rookie counterpart in Justin Leppitsch square off in the coaches box, and having watched the Lions closely this season, ‘Bluey’ is confident Brisbane’s new boss will have his pride ready to atone for their early season losses to Hawthorn and Geelong.
After a forgettable 2013 trade and exchange period, the Lions went on to enjoy a terrific pre-season under their club’s three-time premiership winner, and have shown an ability to execute Leppitisch’s newly introduced game plan.
“There has been a subtle change… there has certainly been growth in some of their players,” McKenna said.
“Some of their players which have sat home at full forward are now getting up into the midfield a bit more.
“(Sam) Mayes is a terrific young player, and is spending more time up forward because he can find the ball, is a good mark and can generally hurt the opposition.”
But McKenna is confident his side’s winning record at home will give it a handy confidence boost heading into tomorrow’s game, with Gold Coast having won six of their last eight at Metricon Stadium.
“Our recent history at home has been good. The supporters have been rewarded by that and they’re starting to come through the gates because there is something exciting on-field.
“That has certainly been our message to the players leading into this week, and hopefully they can come off the ground and be proud of their efforts.”
