Past and recent history is spurring on the Brisbane Lions, particularly their proud midfielders, in an attempt to scratch an 11-year MCG itch.
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See subscription optionsThe Lions will meet Collingwood at the venue on Saturday, seeking their first win against the Magpies there since 2014.
That statistic is misleading considering they've only played there three times since 2014, with four- and one-point losses in the Lions' past two attempts.
A pair of Brisbane victories at what's now Marvel Stadium are wedged in between, but the 11-year drought remains a box to tick at the Lions' Springfield headquarters.
A four-game losing streak against the Magpies, including a one-sided Gabba defeat earlier this year, and the Lions' historic 66-point loss to Gold Coast on Saturday are also front of mind for coach Chris Fagan.
"We have to bounce back, no choice," Fagan said of the third-placed side.
"We're so disappointed with the way that we played last week.
"It was a very un-Brisbane-like performance.
"It's Collingwood, they've had the wood on us ... haven't beaten them at the MCG since 2014, so there is one thing left to do.
"So, yeah, that's where we're at."
Like against the Suns, it has been the Lions' usually stoic midfield that has struggled to control proceedings in their four-game losing run to the Magpies.
Nick Daicos, still just 22, continues to torment opponents and rival coaches alike.
He had 38 touches, eight more than any other player on the ground and 13 more than any Lion, in the Magpies' 52-point win earlier this season.
"Most teams can't, let's be honest. Otherwise we wouldn't be talking about him like we are," Fagan said of how to shut down the Magpies gun.
"We've got to get our own hunt right and win the ball ourselves and deny him opportunity, that's key to it."
Fagan has opted to rest first-choice ruckman Oscar McInerney, calling up the inexperienced Henry Smith to share tap duties with Darcy Fort against the Magpies.
The Lions will also forge ahead without small forward Kai Lohmann (calf) and Conor McKenna (hamstring) for the regular season, and luckless defender Keidean Coleman (quad), likely until next year.
"Lose a soldier and replace them with another soldier, that's the mindset," Fagan said.
"(Last season) we had some injury crises and out of that identified some players that ended up being pretty handy for us."
Australian Associated Press
