How heartfelt words and some metal ignited Freo's rise

What do you get when you combine a wharfie, a boat and a single link of a chain?

For Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir, he hopes the answer is a piece of long-craved silverware.

In 2024, and with his team in the doldrums with just four wins from 11 games, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan famously told his players that if they're walking on thin ice, they may as well dance.

The mantra resonated, and four months later the Lions were hoisting the first of their back-to-back flags.

Last year, Brisbane's theme was "run towards the fire" in a bid to avoid them playing it safe.

Fagan even got a firefighter in to talk to the players about what it's like to actually run towards a fire.

Brisbane haven't revealed their theme for 2026 just yet, but don't be surprised if it's something Michael Jordan related.

The Lions' hat-trick hopes looked shot when they conceded a whopping 14 goals in the third quarter of their 78-point loss to GWS in round 11.

The following month, NBA championship winner Luc Longley was invited in to speak to Lions players about keeping alive the deep desire to win despite already experiencing success.

Longley won three NBA rings while playing alongside Jordan at the Chicago Bulls, and Brisbane will be aiming to snare their own three-peat this Saturday.

Last season, Fremantle used Australia's drought-breaking win in the 1983 America's Cup as inspiration.

Players even visited the WA Maritime Museum in the lead-up to the finals to see the Australia II vessel with their own eyes.

Fremantle were sent packing at the first hurdle, losing to Gold Coast by a point in an emotion-charged elimination final in Perth.

During the club's exit meetings a week later, Longmuir gave each player a piece of a chain.