THE Brisbane Lions have firmly fixed their sights on adding silverware to the club's trophy cabinet in this Friday's NAB Cup Grand Final.
The game will be played at Etihad Stadium despite the Lions being the only undefeated team in the pre-season competition.
Despite coach Michael Voss's anger at the AFL decision to play the game in Victoria, veteran Lions defender Daniel Merrett brushed aside the issue on Monday, saying it would not spur the team on.
"We would have liked to (play in Queensland), but that's not the case," Merrett said.
"We get to go to Melbourne and prepare for round one again, another dress rehearsal.
"It's always good to play in a final, we're definitely not complaining."
The Lions will play at Etihad for the second successive week and will be back there again on March 30 for the opening round against the Western Bulldogs.
Merrett said the travel presented no problems, despite a short turnaround that saw the Lions return from Melbourne on Sunday afternoon and head back on Thursday morning.
The club will play its strongest possible team in the final, including ruckman Matthew Leuenberger, on-baller Jack Redden and defender Matt Maguire who were all rested against Collingwood on the weekend.
The Lions and Blues last met in a NAB Cup final in 2007, where Carlton won by 25 points before going on to finish 15th in a season that saw the demise of coach Denis Pagan.
Merrett is one of the few remaining Lions that played that night, and said he did not fancy losing another final.
"Hopefully we can get one back on them," he said.
"You always like to win. Losses always suck. The pressure picks up, the intensity picks up. For the young guys to be exposed to that so early in the season is perfect.
"It's all about winning games and creating that culture. To have a little trophy in the cabinet would be nice. It's been a while."
The Lions have never won the pre-season competition and last won a premiership in 2003.
Daniel Merrett is a defender in NAB AFL Fantasy. He averaged 68 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
