The Brisbane Lions will fly south a day earlier than normal as they plot an end to a 22-year AFL winning drought in Geelong.
The defending premiers will depart on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s clash with the in-form Cats at GMHBA Stadium.
The Cats have won 13 straight against the Lions at the venue, dating back to 2003, including a pair of one-point wins and a 10-point victory in their last encounter three years ago.
Chris Fagan’s side usually travel the day before a game but veteran defender Ryan Lester said they had adopted a grand final-like approach to the fixture.
“It’s more, ‘What’s the best prep to give ourselves the best chance to get the result?’,” he said.
“You fly to Melbourne, then drive to Geelong, so that gives us a full day Thursday to get some quality out of our captain’s run leading into Friday.
“Whilst we haven’t done it before, we’ve done something similar for the grand final. So, if it gives ourselves the best chance, then why not?”
Lester’s Lions are licking their wounds after frustrating back-to-back losses where inaccuracy in front of goal hurt them.
They kicked 0.8 from 10 shots at goal in the final quarter of a five-point loss in Adelaide two weeks ago, then had 31 scoring shots to GWS’s 22 in a Gabba loss on Saturday.
They’ve won just twice in their last six fixtures but, after a 5-0 start, still sit third.
“To do it two weeks in a row (is frustrating) but we’re an experienced group that’s been through lots of different scenarios over the last six or seven years,” Lester said.
“And it’s quite similar to ones we had last year. We’re confident we know our footy is still good enough.”
He’ll have a key role in a re-jigged backline alongside Darcy Gardiner, who is set to replace Jack Payne after he had surgery on a ruptured patellar tendon on Monday.
Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron (44 goals) will be Lester’s responsibility.
The Cats forward was kept goalless against Gold Coast two weeks ago but otherwise kicked seven, six, five and six majors in his last four games.
Lester, 32, kept Cameron to one goal from eight touches earlier this season and two goals from 17 touches in last year’s preliminary final.
“It’s a mixture of excitement and a bit more nervous playing these games … he’s probably the best forward in the league,” Lester said.
“If I can do my little bit for the team, it’ll help us. I probably don’t play on the best forwards every week, they’re generally bigger boys.
“But in different weeks different people have key matchups and this week it’ll probably be one for me. He’s got a lot of weapons. He’s a very good player. I’ll see what I can do.”
