We let AFL.com.au writer Peter Ryan inside the den during the INC Pre-Season Training Camp. Here's what he took from the experience.
DESCRIBING Brisbane Lions midfielder Allen Christensen's words as profound would be overstating things.
But his line, simply delivered to teammates in the middle of University of Tasmania Stadium during Friday morning's training session, was apt.
"It's a work in progress, 100 per cent," Christensen said.
Although he was merely responding to an aspect of the Lions' ball movement, the 25-year-old had inadvertently captured the mood at the club under new coach Chris Fagan.
Christensen is part of a group speaking up, encouraged to take ownership of the Lions' direction.
"I think that is the way they learn. That is the culture you try to create, where everyone has got to have an opinion, everyone has got to have a thought," Fagan told AFL.com.au.
With a teaching background and a lifetime of football experience, Fagan hasn't said much yet.
When he has, it's more often than not a question to the group or a quiet direction to an individual.
Eric Hipwood looks to evade Ryan Harwood's chase at training. Picture: AFL Photos
That his style is permeating the club was evident earlier in the day when Josh Schache was handed an iPad and asked to kick off the pre-training meeting by positioning players in a forward stoppage set-up on a big screen.
As Schache methodically completed the task successfully, Fagan could be heard above the din.
"No pressure," he said.
The words were delivered quietly, in an avuncular tone from the corner, as the room patiently awaited the 19-year-old's response.
Minutes later Josh Clayton volunteered to the group, as footage was shown, why his decision during a passage of play was not the best one.
In the next 15 minutes, at least 10 more players put forward a view on what should or could happen in a game.
No pressure.
None, at this stage anyway.
The Lions enjoy the Tasmanian sunshine as they train in Launceston. Picture: AFL Photos
That will come, inevitably, in something of a rush post-Christmas, with just under 100 days left between now and when the ball bounces for the Lions' season opener.
Right now though, Fagan has been concentrating on catching the players doing the right things, after noticing some had a tendency to chastise themselves too much after mistakes.
"In the process of that, you switch off and things are happening and you're not concentrating," Fagan said.
Dayne Beams gives the orders as the Lions go through their paces. Picture: AFL Photos
As the urgency in the voices increases when the players hit the track, it is assistant coaches (some new, some already in place) and players delivering messages.
The first thing that strikes an independent observer of the Lions is the youth. Eleven teenagers on the list, 10 players yet to debut, a sprinkling of solid players – many who have, for whatever reason, plateaued in recent seasons.
Some have more experience, but few stand above everyone in terms of achievement.
That means the responsibility to contribute falls to everyone.
The second aspect is that everyone is encouraged to invest in the development, with mistakes considered inevitable.
The appointment of the measured David Noble as football manager and Fagan as coach has brought optimism that the plan – guiding both on and off-field – will be solid, sensible and outward looking.
When Pearce Hanley was traded to Gold Coast in October for another first-round draft pick next season, and the Lions took four picks within the first 24 selections to the NAB AFL Draft, the direction was set.
Although granted a priority pick after the first round following several unsuccessful seasons, the Lions Academy represents an asset that will assist the club on its path of regeneration.
That is, if its potential can be harnessed properly.
Tom Bell (left) and Allen Christensen share a laugh in Launceston. Picture: AFL Photos
A leadership program has been in place too, with different quartets being given responsibility to lead each week (as the club heads to a vote on its leaders at the end of pre-season), and Fagan made it a priority soon after starting in the job to catch up with every player individually.
Although no one at the Lions underrates the task ahead after such a poor recent past, they won't limit what is possible.
"If attitude and effort count for anything, then these blokes deserve to improve and should improve," Fagan said.
Jarrod Berry (left) and Daniel McStay put in some boxing training. Picture: AFL Photos
The ball whizzes from one end of the ground to the other, the game plan only presented to the players last weekend, soon after they arrived in Launceston.
At the camp they have done little out of the ordinary except live together 24 hours a day.
The training block was just shifted to more temperate weather, with the opportunity to bond while staying at the University of Tasmania a bonus.
Fagan is happy with the rate of progress.
"The pleasing part during the match practice we did was that you could actually see they have taken in the stuff we taught them in the game plan. It's not perfect yet, but they're trying to do it," Fagan said.
But as Christensen said at the outset, it's a work in progress, 100 per cent.
Chris Fagan watches his charges train in his first camp as senior coach. Picture: AFL Photos
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