OF ALL the unusual sources of inspiration for a football club, the Brisbane Lions are looking to draw hope from the deeds of champion horse Buffering ahead of the 2014 season.
Australia's best sprinter and the winner of three Group One races in the past six weeks, Buffering and trainer Rob Heathcote were signed up as Lions members on Monday morning.
The Brisbane horse started 18 times in Group One races without a victory before saluting on October 25 at Moonee Valley in the Manikato Stakes.
Since then it's been a hat-trick of Group One victories to clearly stamp Buffering as Australia's best sprinter.
After successive 10-win seasons and just one finals appearance in the past nine years, the Lions are hoping 2014 will be a similar reversal of form.
They have a new coach, a new board and 13 new players to integrate in a completely fresh start.
Vice-captain Daniel Rich is entering his sixth year, and after playing just two finals – both in his debut 2009 season – is looking for a change of fortunes.
"We all want to be there (the top) from the get-go, but the facts are it hasn't happened," Rich said.
"I can't speak for Rob, but it probably makes it (the wins) sweeter. Those losses wouldn't have made the wins as sweet as they are.
"We know we've got a long way to go, but there's only one way to get there, it's only hard work."
Heathcote said "persistence paid off" for Buffering, and believed it would for the Lions.
Without retired champion Simon Black to lead the midfield, Rich said it would take a collective effort to cover his absence.
He was loath to take the mantle as the Lions' best midfielder and said a number of other players had to step up.
"There's some pretty good midfielders in the likes of (Tom) Rockliff, (Jack) Redden, (Brent) Moloney is a super player, James Aish looks like he's going to be a really crucial player for the club going forward," he said.
"You look at any good midfield, whether it be now or in the past, it's not only one guy."
Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting https://twitter.com/AFL_mikewhiting
