Jarrod Berry has crunched the numbers and attempted to bust some myths as the Brisbane Lions prepare for an emotional West Coast.
Jarrad Schofield will coach the Eagles on Sunday after the departure of long-time AFL premiership-winning mentor Adam Simpson.
Berry, who will play his 150th game fresh off securing a new five-year deal to remain a Lion, concedes emotions will be a factor in what is colloquially regarded as a danger game for the more stable club.
"The typical thing is that if you sack a coach everyone says you win the next game," Berry said, before giving Simpson unprompted praise for his 11-year stint.
"I think the stats actually say it's around 50-50."
Brisbane have won five straight to push back within one victory of the top four, while the Eagles (3-13) remain well off the pace.
"It (emotion) is one thing you do expect from a team that's lost their coach," Berry said.
"It's about us when we go over there, and playing our style of footy. We've been playing with great momentum."
Berry joined good mate Hugh McCluggage in committing long-term to the club after they'd arrived together in late 2016, the same time coach Chris Fagan started.
He said it was "special" to share the journey, but clarified that they weren't a package deal.
"It wasn't a big factor, just one of those little ones lingering in the background," Berry said.
"Obviously not the be all and end all ... if he left I wasn't going to leave, sort of thing.
"But it's nice that we're both here and pretty driven."
