When Brisbane took Cam Rayner with Pick 1 in the 2017 National Draft, they knew the type of player they got.
A forward-midfield bull whose power and strength was likened to that of Dustin Martin, a star of the competition who was the first - and only since - to secure a Brownlow medal, premiership and Norm Smith medal in one fell swoop.
However, Rayner hasn't quite lived up to the expectations of being the illustrious first pick in the draft, sometimes succumbing to the pressures and getting lost in games.
Like the 24-year-old, the Lions began season 2024 slowly after narrowly losing in the decider last year to Collingwood, before an impressive turnaround that has seen the club roar back into premiership contention.
Rayner has kicked goals in the past eight games - ironically in sync with Brisbane's win streak - as well as pinch-hitting in the midfield to get effect, something he and the coaches have worked tirelessly on.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
โIt's been good, having a lot of clarity with (my) role,โ Rayner said on Tuesday.
โI'm just trying to find different ways that I can impact the game that suits my game โฆ being able to have a balance between the both of them (the forward line and midfield) and seeing where I feel like I can impact the game at different stages.
โIt probably comes back to my fitness as well. I feel like I'm running out games really well and having impact in the later parts of the game, which I probably didn't use to.โ
The club's early-season slump was a shock to the competition, but Rayner says Chris Fagan has helped the club adopt a mantra that has lifted the Lions back to where they belong.
โWe have a โpound the rock' mantra at the footy club and I feel like that's what the season's been like,โ Rayner revealed.
โYou've just got to keep smashing at it, keep smashing at it, and eventually it will turn.
โNow it's turned, which is really good, and we just want to keep that going all the way through.
โWhat probably makes it easy to keep that level (is) knowing that if โฆ we're going to get challenged, we can probably drop down. If you don't keep that energy up, then you can get found out straight away.
โOne of the main things this year is that any team's beaten any team, and it's been a challenge every week, so you've just got to make sure you keep trying to find ways to build the energy around the club.โ
Brisbane sit second on the ladder heading into the final month of the home and away season.
A home qualifying final is up for grabs and with clashes against St Kilda (away), GWS, Collingwood (away) and Essendon to come, tipsters would back in that outcome.
