Rather than focus on the imposing pair, Embley said applying midfield pressure and restricting forward line supply was the secret to overcoming a new-look Brisbane Lions side that will also include former Eagle Brent Staker.
“I don’t think we should focus too much on Fevola and Brown,” Embley said from Subiaco Oval. “They’re quality players, they’re going to have shots on goal and they’re going to take their marks.
“I think from our point of view it’s just really important that we apply a lot of defensive pressure - especially through the midfield - and hopefully stop the quality of footy going inside their forward line."
After a cursed pre-season that has seen them play in extreme weather and have a game cancelled due to flood-like conditions, it has been hard to gauge the Lions’ form.
Michael Voss is also likely to take up to five of his off-season recruits into the Gabba clash, with Fevola, Staker, Andrew Raines, Matt Maguire and Amon Buchanon impressing the coach.
Embley said the Eagles had seen little of the Lions through the NAB Cup/Challenge series, but they would travel to Brisbane knowing what to expect.
“They’ve got a good blend of experience and youth and Michael Voss is an extremely good coach as well - his players will be ready to go,” Embley said.
“We know what to expect. They’re going to be a great side, they’re going to come out, they’re going to be really hungry and we’ll be ready to go too.
“I feel like we’ve had a really good pre-season and I think our NAB Cup form has been really encouraging.”
Also crucial to the Eagles’ chances in round one will be the form of star Daniel Kerr, with a quad injury restricting the key onballer to two pre-season hit-outs.
Embley said Kerr would headline a young and hard working midfield in 2010, adding that career-best football was still ahead for the 2005 Brownlow Medal runner-up.
“Kerry’s going extremely well, he’s had a terrific pre-season and his body’s really great,” Embley said.
“He’s setting himself for a good year [and] I still think he’s got his best footy ahead of him.
“We’ve definitely got a group that’s heading in the right direction and we’ve got a lot of young guys who are working extremely hard.
“We’ve got a full list of players to pick from and I know there’ll be some players really unlucky not to play this week.”
Andrew Embley is a $382,900 midfielder in this year’s Toyota AFL Dream Team.
Daniel Kerr is a $271,600 midfielder.
