Adcock has hope Lions will capture flag soon

JED Adcock joined the Brisbane Lions just as their period of AFL supremacy last decade was coming to a close.

As he prepares to celebrate his 200th game tonight against North Melbourne, he is clinging to hope the next Lions dynasty is just around the corner.

“It’s eluded me now (a premiership) but I’m confident and hopeful this club in the near future, in the next few years, I think we’re pushing in the right direction,” Adcock said.

Adcock, who was replaced as captain this year by Tom Rockliff, was a second-round selection in the 2003 national draft – arriving at the Lions just after their third premiership in a row.

Eight years on and Brisbane appears bound for the wooden spoon, currently sitting last on the AFL ladder on the back of an ugly eight-match losing streak.

Adcock, 29, insists there are plenty of positives that can be taken out of their dreadful season, in particular the blooding of a group of youngsters described by coach Justin Leppitsch as the best Brisbane has seen in 10 years.

But there has been one key ingredient missing from their football education – wins.

“We need to get a winning culture back into this footy club. It’s been missing for quite a few years now,” Adcock said.

“We need to teach the young kids what it’s like and how to win.

“Even though it’s pretty obvious we’re not playing finals, we can still shape them and have some sort of decision on who makes it.”

Adcock will enter illustrious company at the club when he becomes the 11th Lions player to reach the massive 200-game milestone, joining the likes of Brisbane greats Michael Voss, Simon Black, Jason Akermanis, Jonathan Brown and Luke Power.