THE Lion is the fiercest of animals. With its size and raw power, it's the undisputed king of the jungle.
In South Africa with the Australian Institute of Sport-AFL Academy squad this week, I got a reminder of just what an awesome beast it is. The way it walks, the respect it commands from other animals, the leadership it exerts over other jungle beasts — what it's like to gaze into the lion's eyes, knowing the lion could rip you apart in a flash.
To see the lion in its natural glory is to read the powerful story about the dominance of one animal over another.
Or in a football sense, a psychological hold one team might have over another team; how one team can become the nemesis of another, and the extended time it might take for internal scarring to heal.
And it's about the defining moment at which the "victim" will stand and escape the clutches of the overpowering "king".
Back in the 1990s, the North Melbourne-Essendon rivalry was special. The Kangaroos used to bully the Bombers time and again until 1999, when the Dons decided it was their time to step up and not take any more. A defining moment.
Then Essendon became the dominant team through until 2001, when it faced a Brisbane Lions team initially unsure of where it stood against this awesome power but ultimately about to conquer its rival and set its own period of dominance. A defining moment.
Geelong had started last year in indifferent form until meeting West Coast at Skilled Stadium in round seven. At the time, I labelled it a game so big it would determine whether the Cats would go on and fulfil their potential or flutter out of gas without a whimper. Another defining moment.
Collingwood faces a potentially defining moment tonight at the Gabba; a chance to escape the emotional clutches of the Lion.
It's something that goes back to the 2003 grand final, when the Magpies, up against a battered Brisbane side and expected to win comfortably, were eaten alive. By 50 points.
It's like Geelong's grand final massacre of Port Adelaide last year. What will be the lasting effects?
To this day, I don't believe the Collingwood scars of 2003 have fully healed.
Despite personnel changes on both sides, the scars run deep when it comes to the colour of the Lion, like the wildebeest that is on high alert whenever the Lions are around, watching over its shoulder in case of a surprise attack.
If I'm allowed to temporarily take back my Lions persona, it was as if we had them under the pump even before the game had begun.
You could look into the eyes of the Collingwood players and see the fury was not there. The "eye of the tiger" was missing.
It's an indefinable. Not anything that can be measured in a three-kilometre time trial or a beep test. Just a "gut feel". And it was especially strong after the Collingwood administration talked about "the monster the AFL had created" and mounted a campaign against the Lions over things such as the salary cap allowances.
To the Brisbane players, it was like an explanation of why Collingwood couldn't beat us. And despite changing personnel, it has continued.
That's not to say Collingwood cannot beat Brisbane. Last year, the Magpies had their first win at the Gabba since 1995. But last time they met, in round 17 last year, the wound was reopened. Brisbane posted its biggest win interstate against any opposition, by 93 points at the MCG.
Still, Collingwood got the very best out of its group last year. To get within a kick of a grand final against the eventual runaway premier was a sensational effort.
If Travis Cloke and Anthony Rocca can stand up week-in, week-out, and if Cameron Wood can provide consistent support to Josh Fraser in the ruck, the Magpies can be right in the mix again this year.
Outstanding against Fremantle last week, they desperately needed a second ruckman. And if Wood's debut in the black and white last week is any indication, he will be an ideal fit to not only provide good ruck support but to allow Fraser to be deployed in other roles.
The Magpies are a side very well coached that works very well to a plan, with a good mix of youth and experience and a terrific tackling and chasing ethic.
But still the scars of '03 exist. And not until they are finally eroded will it be any different.
Tonight? It could be another defining moment, but I'm on the Lions at home. Just a gut feel.
