Competing with the AFL's elite has encouraged Brisbane as they look to rebuild.

But ultimately losing to them is still hard to swallow, Lions young gun Daniel Rich admits.

The Lions get another chance to gauge their progress when they host fourth-placed West Coast on Saturday night.

But Rich said they were no longer looking for positives against the AFL's best - they wanted wins.

Rich on Wednesday still cut a frustrated figure over last round's 18-point loss to Collingwood after giving the defending premiers an almighty scare at the MCG.

"Losing isn't the best thing but there were a few positives that Vossy has spoken about coming out of the game," he said.

"It was a good performance by the boys but we're never going to be happy with a loss.

"We haven't really been blown off the park by anyone, but that's a good sign that we're not too far away from competing with the good sides.

"It's going to take a lot more hard work but, hopefully, we'll get there next year and the years to come."

There will be no shortage of motivation for the Lions (4-16 record) to break their frustrating run against the soaring Eagles.

Rich - who returned from a foot injury as a substitute against the Pies - is part of a huge WA contingent at the Lions.

The likes of ex-Eagle Brent Staker as well as Matthew Leuenberger, Mitch Clark, Simon Black, Todd Banfield and Ash McGrath are from the west.

But clearly state allegiances - and friendships - will count for little this weekend.

"You don't go out of your way to lift for the game but it's always good to play against mates," said Rich, whose friends include Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui.

"Obviously, I know quite a few of them and I'm sure a lot of the other boys do as well, so it's good fun."

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