Jaspa Fletcher took himself to uncomfortable places in the AFL off-season with the Brisbane Lions' four-point grand-final loss to Collingwood firmly in mind.
And the second-year wing has taken notes on his more seasoned Magpies opposites as he looks for ways to flip the script in 2024.
The father-son pick and his Lions teammates will get their first chance in an Easter Thursday clash with the premiers at the Gabba, the game carrying extra weight given both sides' winless seasons.
"It was a pretty special day for a 19-year-old to be a part of," Fletcher mused of the Lions' 2023 flag near miss.
"All of the pre-season it was in the back of my mind, to go one better.
"Training was a bit harder; you make yourself feel uncomfortable so when those situations do come along you feel much more prepared to take it on."
Magpies wingers Josh Daicos and Steele Sidebottom played pivotal roles in the see-sawing contest and Fletcher has studied the tape.
"Collingwood's list, its pretty stacked all over the ground," Fletcher said.
"I do my review and see what they like to do and how they like to play and find ways to shut that down and do my role to help the team win."
Sidebottom won't play on Thursday, the veteran managed and speedy Oleg Markov has been dropped with John Noble and William Hoskin-Elliott into the side that's started 0-3.
Darcy Gardiner and Jarryd Lyons have been dropped while Conor McKenna (hamstring) is the other change for Brisbane, who were set to debut Adelaide recruit Tom Doedee before the defender's Tuesday knee injury.
Lachie Neale returns from injury for Brisbane while talls Jack Payne and Darcy Fort have been promoted.
North Melbourne were the most recent team to start with three straight defeats and win the premiership - in 1975 - and the last to start 0-3 and make a grand final, just a year later.
Geelong, the 2022 premiers, went 0-3 to begin their defence last season. They finished 12th.
Brisbane (0-2) had a bye last weekend and coach Chris Fagan said the club had used the extra time between games to lower their eyes.
"When Steve Smith goes into bat I'm tipping he's not thinking about getting 100," Fagan said.
"I'm tipping he's thinking about playing every ball on its merits and working his way there.
"We've played some exceptionally good football over the first two weeks, it's not like we've just been bad all the time.
"We've had a bit of a wake up call ... I'd be amazed if we're not back in the moment but whether that's good enough to win, who knows."
