The Brisbane Lions' nine-game losing streak is irrelevant to Senior Coach Chris Fagan, who will continue to focus on the club's little gains and build "a house of bricks" that won't be blown over.
Fagan cited the cautionary fairytale of the three little pigs after his team's 45-point loss to Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday, which contained a number of positives for his young team despite the final margin.
The coach said he had been charged with keeping the club focused on the big picture and wins and losses right now were not relevant to the club's mission of building for long-term success.
"It's like the story of the three little pigs, you know, we're trying to build a house of bricks that's going to last for a long time," Fagan said."
"To do that it's going to take us a period of time to develop our list and develop our players to the point where they can compete really strongly against all teams."
"We know what it is we're trying to do and we all wish it would hurry up. But you only get to play one game a week. So it takes time.
"By and large we keep our focus on the big picture … that's what I've been charged to do since I've been at the club and that's what I'll continue to do."
Fagan was encouraged on Sunday by the early form of young forward Eric Hipwood, who kicked a brilliant long-range goal, and prized draft pick Hugh McCluggage, who won a season-high 19 possessions.
The Lions played their best football in a third-quarter fightback, cutting the margin to 10 points on the verge of three-quarter time before their more experienced opponents put their foot down.
"We came here today, we brought 15 players aged 22 or under for the experience to play against Collingwood at the MCG and they'll all be better for it," Fagan said.
"We look through and find the positives, but we don't ignore the errors where they need to improve. That's the sort of environment you have to create as you rebuild a list.
"The players have been very positive … we've trained consistently well all year and our players prepare every week as though it's a Grand Final.
"Credit to them, and I know in the end if they stick with that approach, there will be ups and downs, but they'll come through the other end and they'll be better footballers and we'll be a better team."
