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Brisbane Lions midfielder Hugh McCluggage knows there's a lot of expectation around the AFL club and he's learning to deal with it.

Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage admits dealing with the heightened expectation at the Lions is a new challenge in his AFL career.

McCluggage was one of the Lions' best in their 44-point round one win over premiers West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday.

That victory came despite the Eagles holding a 27-point lead at quarter-time and will only increase the belief the Lions are poised to be big improvers in 2019.

The 21-year-old said changing his mindset about what the club can achieve had been a different experience coming into his third season of AFL football.

"You've got to enjoy it. We probably haven't had those expectations for a long time now and it's a little bit different for us," McCluggage said.

"We're going to have to learn how to deal with it. At the same time it gives us great confidence and belief that we can play well against the best sides."

The Lions obviously enjoyed their victory but McCluggage said attention had already started to turn to this weekend's trip to face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

The Kangaroos will be eager to bounce back from a shock 82-point loss to Fremantle on Sunday.

The Lions last tasted victory against North in 2014, losing their past six clashes.

"We've moved on already to next week and what we can do to beat the Kangaroos," McCluggage said.

"They're obviously a good side.

"They didn't play a well as they would have hoped on the weekend but we're looking forward to the challenge."