The Brisbane Lions are going deep into the mental side of sport as they attempt to bounce back from multiple AFL finals heartbreak.
A top-four team for the last three seasons, the Lions' finals record during that time is a disappointing 1-5.
Chris Fagan's team bowed out in straight sets last September, falling to the Western Bulldogs by one point in a semi-final thriller at the Gabba.
After rising from the ashes in 2019 following a dark decade, star midfielder Jarryd Lyons says the Lions were no longer pleased simply being near the top.
"The game's come such a long way and there's so many experts in that mental field and we've sort of tapped into a few of those this pre-season," Lyons told SEN.
"I think that's where elite sport is heading.
"Players are so fit; that's not the issue anymore, it's above the shoulders.
"'Fages' has been pretty keen to tap into that in different ways.
"You can get that on the track, but also off the track too which has been good."
"Just becoming mentally strong in those big moments.
"We need to transfer it into finals footy now and we're well aware of that."
The Lions will be buoyed by the return of former No.1 draft pick Cam Rayner, who missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in a practice game.
Electric forward Eric Hipwood is also working his way back from the same injury, suffered in a loss to St Kilda in July last year.
But Lyons estimates Hipwood could be back as soon as round five, with the 24-year-old way ahead of schedule in his recovery.
"Eric's flying, I've never seen a big guy move so well," Lyons said.
"He's just to get back into the footy side of things and start hitting a few bodies and getting into some contests."
