McCarthy pleased the breaks go his way, and not the body
FOR all the success he enjoyed in his first season with the Brisbane Lions, it is the confidence in his previously unreliable body that Lincoln McCarthy appreciates the most.
McCarthy’s move from Geelong to Queensland could not have gone any better.
After managing 29 appearances for the Cats in seven injury-ravaged seasons, he headed north with his AFL career on life support.
The 25-year-old could not have imagined how well 2019 would wind up as he played 24 matches and a pivotal role in securing the Lions a top-four finish.
McCarthy says spending a pre-season worrying about his form and not his fitness has been a revelation.
“That’s what’s really exciting,” he said.
“I’m not really worried about when’s my body going to break down or is this soreness going to lead into something? I’m purely just thinking about how we can get better as a team and as a forward line.
“Obviously we’ve got some dangerous players and it’s just about making that work as best as I can rather than thinking about my body. It’s good to be able to put my focus into that which has been enjoyable.”
The biggest question mark for he and his teammates before the season opener against Hawthorn at the MCG on March 22 is proving last year was no flash in the pan.
McCarthy is confident the change of attitude he has embraced will hold him in good stead.
“I definitely had to change my approach. Coming from Geelong I obviously had some negative experiences, I sort of just had to reset my mind a little bit and put some trust into the professionals and our resources,” he said.
“I probably used to come out from missing a few weeks and go at it like a bull at a gate but now I’m sort of working out it’s not really sustainable.
“If you’re a little sore you don’t have to try to be the best trainer on the day.
“I feel pretty fit and I’m just excited to attack the year.”