Brisbane Lions keen for better start to AFL season after poor beginning to 2021

Brisbane’s poor start last year has ensured the Lions are “switched on” for Saturday night’s first-round clash against Port Adelaide at the Gabba.

The opening weekend of Brisbane’s 2021 AFL campaign was one to forget, with the Sydney Swans defeating the Lions on their own turf by 31 points.

It was the start of a disappointing first month of the season for the Lions, who lost three of their first four matches.

It led to Brisbane being under pressure for the entire year.

And while the Lions finished in the top four, the stress created by last season’s early losses is something they want to avoid in 2022.

“We had those patches where we lacked energy and we lost games, and then we were chasing a little bit to get back,” Brisbane star Hugh McCluggage said.

“We spent a lot of energy in those games following those bad patches to get back.

“You don’t run out there after those few losses thinking that you’ve got to play harder … but you probably do naturally because you want to get to the best position possible on the ladder and every game really does count.

“We’ve got to be switched on from the start.”

McCluggage said both the Lions and Port Adelaide had a “point to prove” following last season’s finals series.

Having finished fourth on the ladder, Brisbane lost successive finals matches, including a season-ending one-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Port placed second on the table but was thrashed by 71 points by the Bulldogs in a preliminary final.

The Lions are expected to have wingman Mitch Robinson and skipper Dayne Zorko available for selection.

Robinson has been forced into isolation but is due to get out on Thursday, while Zorko didn’t play in either of Brisbane’s two trials after having minor surgery to fix an Achilles problem.

“He (Zorko) has got the last few sessions really well (and) he’s moving well,” McCluggage said.

“’Zorks’ doesn’t lose his game touch and awareness. That’s one thing we know.”

McCluggage said the Lions weren’t burdened by expectation after a recent AFL captains poll had them second only to premiers Melbourne as predicted grand finalists.

“You’ve got to learn to accept it and thrive with that pressure,” he said.

“We’ve had it probably the last two years now, ever since we finished (in the) top four.

“You’ve got teams coming after you and chasing you. You become the hunted and we’ve just got to embrace that.”