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Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says his rising AFL team is finally learning how to defend successfully.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says the proverbial penny has finally dropped for his barnstorming AFL team.

Most are lauding the Lions' attack for a brilliant burst of seven consecutive goals in the first 22 minutes of Sunday's win against Port Adelaide.

But Fagan is more satisfied with another aspect of Brisbane's 14.13 (97) to 6.13 (49) victory at Adelaide Oval.

"To be able to keep Port to 49 points, that's a pretty special effort," Fagan said post-match.

"We often talk about the highlights of footy - the marks, the kicks and the goals.

"But the highlight for our game was the way we defended, no doubt."

Fagan's Lions sit in third spot on the ladder, with four games at home in their last half-dozen matches before finals.

And the coach reckoned the strong launching pad into the playoffs was due to defence rather than attack.

The Lions have conceded 100 points or more in a game just once this season, a round four loss to Collingwood.

"Learning to defend takes time because it's a system and everyone has got to play their role," Fagan said.

"And we have had a really young group for a few years.

"They have stuck at it, they have learnt it, they understand the different things you need to do in different scenarios.

"People like Luke Hodge have been very important in helping them to learn that, but our coaches have done a fantastic job as well."