Star Brisbane midfielder Will Ashcroft has revealed that his mild-mannered coach Chris Fagan utilised the power of not just one, but multiple strong sprays to the playing group during the week.
The Lions had produced an unusually timid performance in their 53-point Qualifying Final loss to Sydney last weekend. And with the season on the line at home in a Semi-Final against Adelaide, Fagan was keen to rouse his troops with a bit of old fashioned direct feedback.
Speaking on the 3AW broadcast after Brisbane's 53-point victory over Adelaide, Ashcroft said Fagan was vocal throughout the week as he urged his players for a response.
"I think 'Fages' was a bit up and about. We probably needed a bit of a rocket to be honest," Ashcroft said.
"We've probably done it a couple of times this year and sort of lowered our colours and we know what that looks like. But to do it in a final is pretty poor and we all knew that and were pretty embarrassed with our performance.
"We did our rating system and I think (Josh Dunkley) is the only one who had a half decent game last week and everyone else was below their average or playing their trademark footy.
"Even the captain's run meeting we do, Fages was still animated and getting into us, and I didn't mind it to be honest. I think we needed that push."
Fagan got the response he would have wanted from his players as the Lions thundered into a fifth straight Preliminary Final.
Brisbane will travel to take on Hawthorn at the MCG next Saturday in a bid to secure a spot in the Grand Final and make history with a three-peat of flags.
