“Teams win matches, squads win premierships.’’

That quote, which forms one of the core principles of Chris Fagan’s coaching philosophy, has allowed the Lions to draw positives from a period of unprecedented change at the selection table.

Not since Fagan backed his men in to bounce back from a heavy defeat by Geelong at the SCG in Round 6 last year to overcome GWS a week later have the Lions named an unchanged line-up from one match to the next.

Fast forward to Round 9, 2021 and that will be the case once more after the twenty-two that accounted for Fremantle at the Gabba on Sunday were entrusted with the tasking of bringing the Cup back to the Gabba in QClash 20.

The Lions opted to manage some players through the periods of condensed fixtures last year while injuries to regulars such as Harris Andrews, Darcy Gardiner and Daniel Rich last season and Cam Rayner, Daniel McStay and Lachie Neale this season have forced Fagan and his match committee to regularly call on some of the younger talent developing their skills in the reserves.

Deven Robertson, Tom Berry, Keidean Coleman, Tom Fullarton, Jack Payne, Connor Ballenden, Harry Sharp, Jaxon Prior and James Madden have all made their AFL debuts since Round 1, 2020.

Fagan said while having the biggest names available week after week would make life a bit easier for the coaching panel, injuries did help the Club prepare for the future.

“You always need opportunities to be able to bring younger players into your side so you can see what they can do at the level,’’ he said.

“Teams win matches but squads win premierships, so you need to be increasing your depth all the time.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve gone in with an unchanged side and the blessing in disguise from that has been the number of young players who have been given their chance at senior footy.’’