They say sport is often played in the mind not just on the field.
Over the years, coaches have constantly tried tactics to give their players a mental edge over their opposition.
Kevin Sheedy and Alastair Clarkson were renowned for it with the latter famously running around Manuka Oval in Canberra in 2019 to prepare his Hawks at the time to play the Giants in the first-ever game in the snow. It worked with the Hawks causing a massive upset against their more fancied opponents.
And it appears his mate Chris Fagan has taken a leaf out of Clarko’s book to give Lions an edge over Port Adelaide.
Having not defeated Port Adelaide in Adelaide since 2021, Fagan knows the Brisbane Lions will be in enemy territory when the two sides meet at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon.
To prepare for the hostile conditions, ‘Never Tear US Apart’ by INXS – a song sung by Port Adelaide fans before home games – was played at Brisbane’s training session this week.
Brisbane Midfielder Jaspa Fletcher told Sam Edmund on SEN’s The Captain’s Run on Friday: “For our warm-up yesterday, we had ’Never Tear Us Apart’ going.
“It’s more to get us used to what’s going to happen when we get there.
“It helps get their crowd up and about. From the outside, it’s a pretty cool experience to watch it. So, to be out on the ground this time, it’s going to be quite cool but at the same time, you’ve got to narrow your focus in on the game.
“It helps get their crowd up and about and get the hostility going so we’ve just got to focus in.”
As co-captain Harris Andrews prepares to play his 200th game this weekend, Fletcher says he has been exceptional in his development.
Meanwhile, Fletcher confirmed that friend and star midfielder Will Ashcroft could potentially be back next week.
“He’s definitely ready to go. He looks fit, he looks strong. He’s been spending extra time in the gym, “ Fletcher said.
“He’s doing sessions in the pool. I’d love to see him out there next week. If that’s the plan with the club.
“I don’t fully know but if I get to run out with him next week, it’ll be definitely special.”
The Lions face the Power at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon, while Ashcroft could return in Round 16 when they host Melbourne at the Gabba.