Three wise men: Unsung Lion’s role in AFL revival
A couple of times a month, Ryan Lester, Dayne Zorko and Joe Daniher catch up with Brisbane Lions co-captain Harris Andrews for a coffee.
The Lions’ three wise men – they’ve played 658 AFL games between them – offer their insights from outside as a unique, unofficial leadership group that’s had value in a tricky season for the club.
“We’re still in touch with what the leaders are actually doing and what we’re seeing that we can help with the group a bit more,” Lester said ahead of Sunday’s Gabba clash with ladder-leaders Sydney.
“You transition through leaders but it’s important we’re not just old guys not giving anything.
“Joe’s a key player; you ride the waves with him, but he’s genuinely invested in what we’re trying to do and he sees the game really well.
“I still enjoy feeling like I’m contributing a little bit and that’s around the stuff like, ‘Okay, we’re winning. But are we winning the way that will suit us in the long run?’.”
The 31-year-old will play game No.198 against the Swans, Lester again an instrumental member of the Lions’ defence after years of fighting for a position.
He remained at the club when other stars fled at the end of 2013 and has survived on one-year deals for his last seven seasons.
His perspective and a steady approach has been crucial in a season he admits, for once, wasn’t going to script at 2-5 after losing last year’s grand final by four points.
“That was the first time … over the last five years we’ve always lived up to expectations and we weren’t and certainly felt the pressure of that,” he said.
“But Fages (coach Chris Fagan) was very good, said we were doing a lot right.
“It turned a bit for us.
“Clearly we’ve got the talent and experience in our group and that nice sprinkling of young guys.”
In previous seasons the Lions have been able to plot their progress in blocks of four weeks.
It’s a luxury they haven’t been afforded in a 2024 season that sees them among 12 teams between second and 13th separated by two wins.
“It’s literally been week-to-week because of the hole we found ourselves in,” Lester said.
“After the bye, against the Bulldogs (in round 13) it was, ‘all eggs in’ … we had to get a result.”
They’ve won all six games since then and have soared back into the top four thanks to eight wins, one draw and a loss from their last 10 starts.
Now, rather than survival, it’s about the little tweaks again.
Rebooting their team defence, firing earlier this season when their offence wasn’t, will be a focus against the clear frontrunners.
“Our ball movement’s been nice at times, but that’s not what we want to always rely on,” Lester said.
“At the start of the year our defence kept us in games, now we’re scoring and that’s slipped.
“We want to improve that and week-to-week it’s finding those different little motivators.”
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