Hi there kids,

At last…the AFL season is just days away and I don’t know about you, but I am really excited about Round 1.

I’m sure there will probably be a few butterflies in the stomach close to match time, but it will be more excitement and thrill of the contest for me, rather than many nerves.

I do have to say though that we are all individuals, and everyone reacts differently when preparing for a game of footy, especially a big one like the season-opener.

It doesn’t matter whether you are running out for the Brisbane Lions or the Ferny Grove Falcons Under 10s, some of us are going to get nervous.

Guys react in different ways to those nerves.

Some like to sit quietly in a corner and listen to music and try not to think too much about the game until it starts, while others like to do some boxing, play loud music and get really psyched up.

I don’t imagine there would be too many of you out there who would have the ghetto-blaster pounding out the tunes before a game, but it is important to let each individual do what suits him (or her) best.

I don’t know how many of you remember big Dylan McLaren, our ruckman who moved on to Carlton a couple of years.

Dyl was a happy, life-of-the-party type guy, but his nerves used to make him vomit just before the game started. Every time.

He was fine leading up to that point and immediately after it, and there are quite a few famous sportspeople who react that way.

Tim Notting is the same, and you’d never says ‘Possum’ was the nervous type

I would say to all of you kids out there who get nervous before their footy starts that it is a good thing. You obviously care a lot about the game and how you perform.

Just don’t let it control you. Remember to concentrate on all the basics of the game and your results should take care of themselves.

It’s like with the Brisbane Lions this Saturday – we will have to do all the little things right if we are to beat West Coast in Perth.

I don’t know if you remember, but nobody gave us a chance before we went over to play the Eagles at Subiaco Oval in the middle of last year. We beat them by every player sticking to the game plan and giving their best.

We’re aiming to do the same thing again this time.

All of the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into our training over the last five months will hopefully see us rewarded again.

Don’t forget that you can watch us live on the TV on Channel Ten in Brisbane from 7.30pm on Saturday night.

Go Lions!

- Jed