YOUNG Lion Ben Keays has said that he may channel the pain of the 2004 Grand Final loss against Port Adelaide if he’s named for this weekend’s game.
Keays, then aged seven, was in the stands on that special day in September, watching his beloved Lions go for their fourth straight Grand Final win.
“I was there actually, in ’04, at the Grand Final,” Keays revealed to the boys on the From The Players’ Lounge Podcast.
"I was in tears when we lost… I was that distraught.
"And the Port Adelaide song played over and over again.
"I was obviously pretty young at the time, but yeah, it wasn’t a great time.”
When asked if he’d take that emotion and memory from 2004 into this weekend's game if selected, Keays said:
"Yeah, I hope so. Obviously it’s different now, a different team and that, but there’s always been a little fire burning in me as a Lions supporter towards Port Adelaide.
"That’s probably something I might use if I’m lucky enough to go down there.”
Mitch Robinson said that he hadn’t experienced ‘more heat’ in games against Port Adelaide, but suggested that it might be a good idea for the players to watch footage from the 2004 Grand Final.
"That’s actually a good idea, we might play some footage this week of that Grand Final I think, that’d be a good little motivator,” said Mitch Robinson.
Listen To The Show
Also on this week’s From The Players’ Lounge Podcast:
- The boys review the Sydney game
- Ben Keays talks about his debut
- What did Rocky say to the boys after the game?
- The secret to Mitch Robinson’s turnaround
- How are the boys preparing for our game against Port Adelaide
- Adelaide Oval: The AFL’s loudest and hardest ground
- Last time we met Port Adelaide
- Keays relives the pain of the ’04 Grand Final as a Lions supporter.
- Could Beams return?
- Keays talks about the Hyundai Help For Kids Lions Academy
Do you have someone you want to feature on the podcast? Send through your thoughts by tweeting the boys and using #LionsPlayersLounge
The From The Players' Lounge Podcast is now on iTunes. Make sure you subscribe and give the podcast a rating and a review.
More From The Players' Lounge
The Boys are joined by Tom Cutler
