Brisbane Lions Captain Tom Rockliff says it’s all about The Voice for his team this pre-season.
With the youngest playing list in the AFL, on-field talk has been an issue for the Lions as they build experience.
Rockliff said one of the big differences so far in the 2016 pre-season has been the amount of chatter on the training track.
In Ryan Bastinac, Tom Bell and Josh Walker, they recruited players with AFL experience and the extra voices at most sessions are apparent.
Rockliff said the addition of fitness boss Damien Austin from the Sydney Swans was also being felt.
"The training standards, with boys pulling each other up, is the big change," he said.
"Just making sure we're getting quality sessions … I think that's something Damien has started to instil in this group.
"I think it's important we have that focus and the leaders have followed up.
"You want to set that standard of getting the most out of each session. I think the training standards and communication have gone to another level."
Rockliff said on a personal level, he was adjusting to his first pre-season without good mate Jack Redden.
Redden and Rockliff were both drafted by the Lions in the lead-up to the 2009 season and quickly became inseparable friends.
But after 129 games in the Lions' midfield, Redden has joined last season's runner up, West Coast.
"It's a bit funny," Rockliff told AFL.com.au following a Lions' training session.
"He's been here the whole time and we've come through together, so it has been a little bit different.
"He lived around the corner and our dogs were best mates, so they're struggling,
"It'd be interesting to get inside their heads and see how they're going."
The two still keep in regular contact and won't have to wait long to renew acquaintances on the field – the Lions are drawn to play the Eagles at Domain Stadium in round one.
Rockliff loves to niggle his opponents on game day and said not even Redden would be spared.
"I'm sure there'll be a bit of banter out there," he said.
"Reddo's not massive on the chat, but as everyone knows, I don't mind it, so there'll be a little bit come his way. "
