Daniel Merrett says the ‘doomsday’ predictions surrounding the Brisbane Lions in the media have caused no distraction to the team whatsoever.

In fact, Merrett almost welcomes the negativity as extra incentive to prove their doubters wrong.

“To be honest, as a player, it’s perfect because there’s no expectation on you and it gives you that extra fuel in the belly to prove them wrong,” Merrett told Dom Fay and Michael Whiting in the most recent Fancast on LIONS TV.

“If no one expects much, that suits me fine.

“It’s all about performances out on the field, and that’s where we intend to do our talking.

“There’s been a bit of negative noise outside the Club, but the boys have a lot of faith in each other and will be playing for each other.

“We won’t let stuff like that affect us.”

It probably doesn’t help that the Lions have been dealt arguably the toughest task in football for their season opener – taking on reigning premiers Hawthorn at their near impenetrable ‘home away from home’ in Tasmania.

But the Club isn’t about to use an unkind fixture as any sort of excuse.

“You’ve just got to take it on, don’t you?” Merrett said.

“We play footy because we love it, and it doesn’t matter where and it doesn’t matter who. I think the boys are really excited to get away as a team.

“Footy’s a funny game and, as you could tell from last weekend, anything can happen.”

Merrett said the team was also buoyed by the re-signings of some key players throughout the week.

“I just like that the main core of our group has stuck together.

“There are signs that we’re definitely building.”