Lions eye top four spot on AFL ladder - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Lions eye top four spot on AFL ladder

By Jim Morton 26/05/2008 05:40:59 PM Comments (0)

Brisbane look in their best shape since playing a fourth-straight AFL grand final in 2004 and Jonathan Brown has urged the Lions to pounce on a gilt-edged opportunity.

The improving Lions (5-4) pulled off their first back-to-back win of the season against St Kilda on Sunday and can further cement their place in the top eight with upcoming home games against North Melbourne and Fremantle.

Spearhead Brown talked up Brisbane's chances of being a premiership contender if they used the next fortnight at the Gabba as a springboard towards the AFL's top four.

And with the sixth-placed Kangaroos sitting just two points ahead of the Lions, Saturday night's clash takes on extra importance as the Lions eye their first finals campaign in four years.

"They're another side that are around us on the ladder so these are eight-point games for us," Brown said.

"We spoke before the Carlton (round eight) game that this is a big month for us, so we're two down and two to go and North are obviously around us and Fremantle a little bit down.

"We want to use these home games to our advantage ... in what is an important month-long block.

"If we can get the next two games it would build some real good momentum and obviously a lot of individuals will get confidence in their own games."

Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews kept a lid on the Lions' 46-point win over the Saints at the Gabba with a post-match riposte for allowing the Saints to kick six of the last seven goals.

The Lions have now lost their last four final-quarters in succession, costing them valuable percentage points.

But Brown, who bagged six goals for the second week in a row, said there was enough to be happy about from a sparkling first three quarters to be pleased with the outlook.

"All in all it was a very good win," he said.

"You are going to be very positive after that and it was the first time we've won two in a row this season. That was a good hurdle to get over because we've been inconsistent."

Classy young midfielder Jed Adcock said it was imperative for Brisbane to start putting together four-quarter performances to show they can challenge the top three teams.

"If we're going to come up against the sides like Geelong, Hawthorn or the Bulldogs we can't have that mindset, whether it's a top team or bottom side," Adcock said.

"I think it's a mental (thing) we were up by 70 points and took our foot off the gas and let other sides back in.

"At the start of the season we were having poor starts and good finishes and now we're having good starts and poor finishes so hopefully we can put four quarters together."

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