For Lions. a home match means wives and children being forced to move out
Harris Andrews and his teammates have barely unpacked in Brisbane but some of their partners have already moved out as the Lions adapt to their latest COVID-19 lockdown scenario.
Quarantine rules mean wives and families of Brisbane Lions players must move out to allow the team to play a home match this weekend. (AAP Image/Darren England)
Due to play Collingwood at the Gabba on Saturday, the Lions will enter a 48-hour lockdown that will mean the players’ partners and children can’t go to school or work if they choose to remain at home.
Some players have opted instead for hotel stays, while some partners have taken off for a weekend on the Gold Coast.
It comes after the side went from Tasmania late last month to a West Australian quarantine set-up before arriving home on Tuesday.
All-Australian defender Andrews is making the most of an empty house, admitting a giant tomahawk steak is on the menu before they look to build on last round’s 64-point defeat of Fremantle.
“My partner’s gone down to the coast for a couple of days with some of the girlfriends, so I’ll be locking down by myself,” he said.
“I haven’t had a bachelor life for a long time.
“There’s a little bit of uncertainty with that, but if you have a fixed mindset you’re not going to go very well.
“The guys are open to different opportunities and I found in Perth it was a great opportunity for players to build relationships.”
Saturday’s game will be Brisbane’s second at the Gabba in 11 weeks, with losses to St Kilda, Richmond and Hawthorn in the past five weeks dropping them to fifth and cause for some introspection.
“We sat down, had a look at some of the things that made us a really strong team in the middle part of the season and that we have sort of gone away from,” Andrews said.
“That energy and that pressure … as a footy team you have to focus on the little things, celebrating little wins and get around guys when they do things well.
“We went away from that for a couple of weeks there and teams were able to get on a bit of a run … and it was a really great effort to play with some strong energy and pressure (against the Dockers).”
Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale is set to return after missing last week’s game with gastro, while Darcy Gardiner is another likely in.
The trusted defender had shoulder surgery after an injury suffered in May and has a reputation for finding top form without needing to be ushered back through reserve grade.
“It’s fantastic to play alongside him,” Andrews said of a potential back-six reunion.
“He’s a bit of a mongrel, Diz and that’s what we absolutely love about him.”
