The Brisbane Lions have arrived in Melbourne with a near full-strength AFL squad after being unable to train at home due to the devastating floods in south-east Queensland.
With the AFL club's training base under water, the Lions made the call to head to the Victorian capital early ahead of Friday night's pre-season clash with the Western Bulldogs.
Only captain Dayne Zorko and injured forward Eric Hipwood did not make the trip from the club's best-22.
The Lions trained at Collingwood's Holden Centre headquarters on Wednesday in preparation for their match with the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, a rematch of last year's epic semi-final at the Gabba.
"Because of what's happened in the past two years you're sort of almost ready for anything, so you just get on with it," Fagan said of the floods.
"Fortunately we've been able to come down a day early and get a good training session in because there wouldn't have been anywhere to train in Brisbane this week otherwise."
Lions players and staff have avoided the worst impacts of the flooding disaster, with veteran midfielder Mitch Robinson among those helping in the clean-up efforts.
"(The Brisbane community) wrap their arms around us, they turn up at the Gabba and cheer us on," Fagan said.
"There's been some devastating events this week for a number of people, fortunately most of our guys have been okay but elsewhere there's been a fair bit of chaos.
"We're pretty proud of what we do in the community and whatever happens up there ... we want to get behind them."
Fagan declared Zorko was on track to play in the Lions' season-opening clash with Port Adelaide at the Gabba on March 19.
The 33-year-old recently underwent minor surgery on his ankle and is currently isolating after a family member tested positive for COVID-19.
"We think he'll be right for round one, that's the expectation at this stage ... if everything goes to plan he should be right for round one," Fagan said.
Hipwood has made significant progress in his recovery from an ACL injury last year and the Lions are hoping he can return by mid-May.
