Brisbane star Hugh McCluggage says the Lions are intent on sustaining their “edge” this week to make sure a second prolonged break between matches in lower than a month doesn’t damage them of their AFL preliminary closing towards both Melbourne or Carlton.
The Lions gained’t play this weekend after reserving their place in a preliminary closing the next week by beating Port Adelaide by 48 factors in final Saturday evening’s qualifying closing on the Gabba.
Brisbane and the remainder of the highest eight additionally had a weekend off lower than two weeks in the past when no matches have been performed for 10 days from the tip of the common season to the beginning of the finals sequence.
Encouraged by his facet’s begin towards the Power following the break, McCluggage is hopeful of a equally robust starting from the Lions towards both the Demons or the Blues on Saturday week on the Gabba.
“It’s a maturity thing,” he mentioned.
“While you do switch off a little bit in the first week (of the two-week break between games), you still need to keep a little bit of edge about you and train really well on the Saturday when you do get the weekend off because it’s hard to just turn it on and flick a switch once you do get to the game, especially after a week off.”
The Lions additionally reached the preliminary closing final yr however didn’t have the posh of a break after ending sixth on the ladder and enjoying sudden-death soccer from the beginning of their finals marketing campaign.
Physically, and maybe emotionally, spent after back-to-back wins in do-or-die affairs towards Richmond and Melbourne, the Lions have been spanked by 71 factors by eventual premiers Geelong as they fell wanting the grand closing by per week.
In 2020, the Lions additionally misplaced a preliminary closing to the Cats however that defeat got here after a weekend off earned by a 15-point qualifying win over Richmond.
“It is tough to wait (to play) but … we’re hoping that we’ve learnt a lot over the past few years, and the fact that we’ve also been in that position before should help us to be able to relax this week and take everything in and enjoy the experience for what it is,” McCluggage mentioned.
“You never know how often you’re going to get to play in finals series.”
McCluggage starred for the Lions towards Port, defying a knock to his hip with a efficiency that included 26 disposals.
Following Will Ashcroft’s season-ending knee harm in July, McCluggage mentioned he had “enjoyed the challenge” of enjoying extra of an “inside role” reasonably than being confined to a wing.
“Playing a little bit more inside, you’re going to be around the contest a little bit more,” Brisbane’s vice-captain mentioned.
“I still felt like as a wingman and as a forward earlier in the year, I was letting myself down with a few of the parts of my game that I consider ‘non-negotiables’ – that has nothing to do with the position you’re playing.
“I have definitely improved in the basics of my game in the back half of the year. I’ve been a little bit cleaner, and my ball use has been a little bit better.”
Source: www.news.com.au
