Learning process for Fagan
BRISBANE Lions coach Chris Fagan has used basketball great Phil Smyth to help his team prepare for tonight’s big match against Geelong off just a five-day break.
While the Cats have had the same amount of time to prepare for tonight’s 7.40pm blockbuster at the SCG, Fagan is anticipating Smyth’s advice will come in handy as the unpredictable season unfolds, possibly with more short breaks between games.
But he was tight-lipped when asked what was the best advice delivered by the fourtime Olympian.
“I’ll keep that to myself. Maybe some other clubs don’t know it, so it might be a competitive advantage,” he said.
Fagan acknowledged the second-placed Lions and Cats (third) would enter tonight's game with limited preparation, acknowledging he was wary of Geelong.
“Their (Geelong) system’s really good. They’ve got an amazing array of experienced players,” he said.
“If you look at their midfield ... (Gary) Ablett, (Joel) Selwood, (Patrick) Dangerfield — you’d probably say at the end of their careers they’re all going to be Hall of Famers.
“Their form’s been strong and they always, under Chris Scott, have been tremendously competitive.
“They win a lot of games of football so we know it’s going to be a big test.
“We’ve got a lot of respect for Geelong.’’
Fagan confirmed Lions skipper Dayne Zorko would play after recovering from the calf injury that kept him out of Brisbane’s win over Port.
“He’s had a good training block over the week and he’ll be selected in the team,” he said.
Fagan said the Lions would initially take 27 players to Sydney, but more might be called on depending on the length of their stay in NSW, which is currently for two matches.
“The other boys are staying up here having practice games against West Coast and Gold Coast,” he said.