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Jarrod Berry's raw accountability after last year's gutting grand final loss has inspired his Brisbane Lions teammates on their unlikely return to the decider.
Regrets, the Brisbane Lions have had a few.
And they've done it their way to earn a shot at redemption.
Jarrod Berry's inspiring, emotional accountability has resonated with a playing group keen to correct the record against Sydney on Saturday at the MCG.
A year ago Chris Fagan's side were left distraught after coughing up a late lead in an exhilarating four-point grand final loss to Collingwood.
Berry gave away a 50-metre penalty that got Steele Sidebottom within reach, the Magpies veteran launching a decisive long-range bomb that proved the difference.
The 26-year-old, whose mother Jedda died of breast cancer in 2013, took responsibility for that loss and vowed to repay his teammates in an emotional post-game interview on Saturday.
On Monday Berry told AAP he had learnt to rationalise that disappointment.
"Giving a free kick away in the grand final isn't tough," he told AAP.
"Resilience and toughness is battling cancer for seven years and that's what mum did and what I've been able to fall back on and know I've dealt with worse things.
"It's (the grand final loss) a touch point; there are triggers along the way and I was really challenged with it early on but our psychology staff here have been incredible for me.
"It's not cut and done with it. It's part of the journey and you've got to be able to accept that and how it's part of you as a footballer.
"If we are to win it, it's going to be so much sweeter, whether now or later in my career."
Defender Brandon Starcevich has his own demons to bury, Bobby Hill using him as a step-ladder on the way to a match-winning four first-half goals in the 2023 decider.
"It's hard to say regret, but you do wish you did something here or there," Starcevich told AAP.
"Everyone has those moments you'd like back. But you can't change them, you have to move forward and that's what drives you to make sure those things don't happen again.
"(Berry's accountability) was pretty powerful stuff, the sort of stuff you don't usually share with others.
"Everyone sort of feels responsible and it's what drives you and motivates you going into preseason and little moments in the year.
"I certainly related heavily with what he was saying."
Starcevich will have another tough assignment, with Tom Papley lurking as a huge threat up front and Isaac Heeney likely to spend time in his vicinity.
"Those guys give them a huge boost, limiting them will be a big part of the game," Starcevich said.
The Lions will need to replace injured ruckman Oscar McInerney after he twice dislocated his shoulder in Saturday's comeback defeat of Geelong, Darcy Fort the man most likely to fill the void.
The Lions had earlier rallied from 44 points down to beat Greater Western Sydney in their semi-final, while they sat 13th midway through the season with just four wins from their first 11 games.
Brisbane will host an open training session at their Springfield base on Tuesday before flying south on Wednesday, a day earlier than before last year's decider.
