Lions turn to Smyth for edge

BRISBANE coach Chris Fagan has called on the expertise of basketball great Phil Smyth to help the Lions cope with a shorter turnaround time between matches this season.

The in-form Lions, who beat Port Adelaide on Saturday night, will back up on Thursday night against Geelong at the SCG.

Less time between matches this season could become common as AFL officials battle COVID-19 restrictions and complications that have already led to fewer games and shorter quarters.

“I had a good chat to Phil Smyth (pictured), who’s obviously a basketballer of high note within Australia and also a coach, and basketballers play on short turnarounds all the time,” Fagan said.

“I’ve chatted to him about how you go about that. Your preparation’s a little bit different, you’re more in recovery mode, so we’re ready for whatever comes our way.”

Fagan revealed the former Boomers captain worked in a consultancy role with the Lions last year.

However, he would not share Smyth’s most valuable piece of advice.

“I’ll keep that to myself. Maybe some other clubs don’t know it, so it might be a competitive advantage,” he said.

Geelong also played on Saturday and, like the Lions, have to travel interstate for the match.

“You can’t train much and five-day turnarounds are quite unusual, you don’t do them all that often, but it’s a similar turnaround for Geelong,” Fagan said. “Their (Geelong) system’s really good. They’ve got an amazing array of experienced players.”

Despite suggestions Cats star Gary Ablett may be rested on Thursday night, Fagan expects him to play. Fagan confirmed Lions skipper Dayne Zorko would play.