Birchall move pays off

Healthy appetite for more as delighted Grant triggers Lions extension

A REVITALISED Grant Birchall says triggering a new contract for next season has vindicated his decision to join the Brisbane Lions as he strives for a fifth premiership medallion.

The ex-Hawk managed only eight games in the previous two seasons due to injury issues, but has played 14 for Brisbane this year and is poised to extend his illustrious 262game career into 2021.

“I’ve reached my trigger to go on again next year, but I’ll sit down with Fages (Lions coach Chris Fagan) and those guys at the end of the season and nut out all that,” the 32year-old said.

“I think I’ve proven my body can hold up and I’ve been doing my bit for the team, so I don’t see any reason why I wouldn’t (go on next year).

“But we’ll have a chat with Fages and Nobes (football boss David Noble) and see where the club’s at and all that sort of stuff.

“That will happen at the end of the season.”

Birchall’s wealth of finals experience should prove invaluable to the Lions as they prepare to face Richmond in the qualifying final at the Gabba on Friday night.

The four-time premiership player urged his teammates to take the game on against a team that monstered them in last year’s qualifying final at the same venue.

“I think the last two times we’ve played the Tigers we’ve kicked inaccurately, so we need to be a little bit more precise and match their hardness and pressure,” Birchall said.

“It’s going to be a big game and we’re looking forward to having a crack against them.

“They’re the best in the business.

“So if we want to be the best we’ve got to beat the best.”

The Lions are set to be bolstered by the inclusion of AllAustralian full-back Harris Andrews, who trained strongly on Friday and declared himself fit to face the Tigers.

“He’s only 23 but acts like he’s 30 and he’s been there for 15 years,” Birchall said.

“It would be awesome to have him back out there and the boys absolutely love him.”