The Lions will kick off their first finals campaign since 2014 when they meet Collingullie-Glenfield Park in the qualifying final at Robertson Oval on Saturday.

GGGM will go into finals with one of the most inexperienced finals squads but that is no concern to Macri.

“The guys are young, but Aaron Proctor has played in a premiership, so has Jacob Olsson, so has Jesse Lander so there’s still a few in there that have got finals experience,” Macri said.

“We’ve obviously got a young group but playing finals is what it’s all about. We know it’s an important game but it’s part of what you do as a footballer, to play finals footy.

“I’m confident the way we play footy will be able to stand up in finals atmosphere.”

Macri is no stranger to premiership success. He coached the Lions to the 2006 flag and was bench coach at GGGM in 2010 when they went through the year undefeated.

He believes the Lions’ footy will stand up in finals.

“Just the way they go about attacking the footy and the opposition,” he said.

“You don’t have to have talent to do that and it’s not something I’ve had to overly drill into the team.

“I noted it in the pre-season in one of those game style drills, the want to get the footy back was really clear and it’s rolled into the season.”

The Lions go into finals full of confidence. They have won their last six straight games, including a three-goal win over the Demons.

“Definitely, the last eight rounds we’ve played every team and only lost to Griffith by 19 points,” he said.

“We’ve beaten everyone else so I’m pleased with the way we’re going and earned our start at finals.

“It’s going to be exciting to see how the team goes on the weekend but we’re looking forward to it. It’s exciting for the club.”

GGGM lose midfielder Scott Proctor to a hamstring injury. He hurt it in the final round win over Coolamon and will miss the Lions’ first two finals at least.

Fellow midfielder Josh Bubnich will come into the team after missing the win over the Hoppers.

Macri said the Lions are keen to quell the influence of Jayden Klemke and his fellow midfielders.

“Earlier in the year when we played them, they really opened us up on the outside and moved the footy well,” he said.

“We can’t afford to let them do that. We want it to be going the other way and getting the ball in quickly to our key forwards.”

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