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Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says their round-six loss to Collingwood has primed the Lions for their final push for a top two AFL ladder finish.
There has been no shortage of highlights for Brisbane coach Chris Fagan in 2019.
But the Lions mentor has revealed he will look back at his high-flying side's darkest day of 2019 to prime them for a top two AFL season finish.
Fagan would be forgiven for lingering on Brisbane's 91-point rout of Gold Coast on Saturday night at the Gabba.
It marked their eighth straight win but more importantly Fagan rated it their most complete performance of 2019.
However, Fagan said their round-five, 62-point loss to Collingwood would be the home game he would be referencing before their regular season run home against Geelong and Richmond.
Back in round five, the stage was set for Brisbane to announce their arrival as a finals force against the Pies in a rare sell out home game in an even more rare prime time TV slot following a winning season start.
History shows it all went pear shaped.
But Fagan reckons lessons learned from that debacle will ensure they will handle the situation this time and step up against heavyweights the Cats and Tigers with a top-two finish in sight.
"It was invaluable that Collingwood experience," Fagan said.
"We sat down and talked about the pros and cons of that one and learned a lot as a footy club, that's all part of it.
"Some clubs get to play those sorts of games all the time but for us it has been rare.
"So to get that sort of experience earlier in the year was great. I am pretty sure it will stand us in good stead for next week."
Fagan will no doubt revel in their club record thumping of the Gold Coast.
Charlie Cameron was the standout, earning comparisons with Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli from Fagan after the small forward's stunning six-goal haul earned him the Marcus Ashcroft Medal.
Yet Fagan believed the Collingwood clash provided the ideal lead-up to what they expected against the Cats and Tigers as they looked ahead to their first finals campaign in 10 years.
"It will give us some good feedback as to where we are really at and we look forward to it," he said.
"No matter what, playing against those teams you learn something and become better for the experience."
Not that Fagan doubted his side's belief.
"You can see players growing before your eyes," he said.
"In a week we have to face a great club (Cats). If we want to be a good team we have to play in these games all the time - get used to it, that's what I say."
