Arabic version: رسالة لونغلي تعزز مساعي بريزبن للفوز باللقب

According to ABC News, a July meeting with former NBA champion Luc Longley has helped Brisbane Lions players as they pursue a third consecutive AFL premiership. Brisbane will face Fremantle in Saturday’s grand final at the MCG.

Longley, a Fremantle native and the Dockers’ number one ticketholder in 2006 and 2007, won three NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls from 1996 to 1998. The Lions are playing in their fourth straight AFL decider after a season that included losses in their opening two matches, a 76-point defeat to Carlton and a 53-point qualifying-final loss to Sydney.

Cam Rayner said Longley’s experience of maintaining motivation after success had resonated with the squad. Rayner said the former Bulls centre’s message was that players should be motivated by the game itself, adding that Brisbane’s hunger had returned to the level required.

Midfielder Jarrod Berry said Longley’s team-first approach also suited Brisbane’s values. Berry said Longley took satisfaction from teammates succeeding and that the selfless work of players beyond the club’s stars helps make the Lions special.

Brisbane is trying to become the sixth team to win three consecutive V/AFL premierships and the first since Hawthorn’s 2013-15 run. The Lions previously won three straight flags in 2001, 2002 and 2003.