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Brisbane coach Chris Fagan noted after Saturday's loss to Essendon that his emerging team is still a work in progress

Chris Fagan called it a snake after three ladders.

The Brisbane coach says he won't dwell on Saturday's 47-point AFL thumping from Essendon, given they only have a five-day turnaround for their big Holy Thursday home clash with Collingwood.

Fagan was also philosophical after Saturday's nasty reality check at the MCG, noting his emerging team remains very much a work in progress.

It was their first loss this year after two pre-season wins and the 3-0 start.

"Everybody gets excited (but) we still have lots of challenges ahead of us," Fagan said.

"Today was a great experience ... (Essendon at the MCG) was a little bit intimidating.

"We're disappointed but I'm sort-of pragmatic about it too."

Fagan noted that especially in the first half, nothing went right.

Essendon were able to transition out of defence far too easily and Brisbane's contested ball work was down.

Their forwards, so good in the first three games, were largely anonymous.

"We were just a bit off," he said.

"I can't work out why, I didn't notice anything during the week.

"We made them look really quick and they are a quick side but our reaction time wasn't great either."'

Lachie Neale continued his strong start to the season with 40 possessions but the midfielder was a rare shining light.

While the Lions rallied in the second half and pulled to within 28 points early in the last quarter, they couldn't convert their chances and inevitably, Essendon steadied.

They will need to be a lot better next Thursday night at the Gabba.

"There's something good about losing - it sharpens you up a little bit and gets you back on the job, makes you think about the things you need to do a little bit better," Fagan said.

"So that won't hurt us. Collingwood are a big challenge."