MIDFIELDER Mitch Robinson has conceded enticing players to the Brisbane Lions has its challenges with the club's out-dated training facilities.
The Lions are in talks with local, state and federal governments to secure the funding required for a new training base – likely to be near the Brisbane Airport.
It's been an ongoing battle for the club for the more than three years since its proposed move to Springfield under former chairman Angus Johnson fell over.
Presently the Lions split training between nearby Coorparoo, various swimming pools in Brisbane's eastern suburbs, and an ageing gym that sprawls beneath the Gabba.
Speaking on SEN radio on Thursday morning, former Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger said his move to Essendon was a stark wake-up call to just how tough the Lions had it.
"There's no natural sunlight in the Brisbane training facility," Leuenberger said.
"You go underground and they have a pokey little gym, not much of a meeting room and tiny offices.
"At Essendon, it's huge. The gym is almost as big as the Brisbane Lions facility."
Leuenberger said he hoped his former teammates would get funding for a facility as it was a "thrill" to go to the Bombers who had plenty of money and a great training base.
Robinson, who was thrown a lifeline by the Lions after being delisted by Carlton at the end of 2014, said his club's current setup was far from ideal.
He refused to use it as an excuse for poor form – saying the players embraced it - but said a new facility would be a great selling point to prospective players.
"I think facilities can definitely give teams an advantage with weights rooms and rehab areas," Robinson said.
"It (a new training base) would be great, especially with trying to get players up here.
"The weather's amazing, high 20s, but inside (the gym) you feel a bit claustrophobic at times in the dungeon.
"(For) enticing players to come up, it'd be good if we had a new facility."
The Lions play Hawthorn at the Gabba on Saturday and will wear an indigenous jumper designed by Robinson's partner Emma MacNeill.
Josh McGuinness wears the 2016 Indigenous guernsey at a press conference this morning.
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