Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley confident his side will ‘bounce back’ from shock loss to Gold Coast

Lions star Josh Dunkley is keen to prove doubters “wrong” despite Brisbane’s lesser form in away matches.

Lions star Josh Dunkley believes Brisbane will return to winning form against Fremantle. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lions star Josh Dunkley has dismissed suggestions Brisbane needs to finish in the top two on the AFL ladder to win the premiership due to their indifferent record away from the Gabba.

The Lions’ shock 41-point weekend loss to Gold Coast at Heritage Bank Stadium was the Lions’ sixth defeat of the season, with all having come on the road.

In contrast, the Lions have won all of their 10 matches at the Gabba this year.

Finishing first or second on the ladder will guarantee the Lions two home finals matches, which would give them a huge advantage in their bid to reach a grand final for the first time since losing the premiership decider to Port Adelaide in 2004.

And while second spot remains in third-placed Brisbane’s sights with four rounds of the regular season remaining, Dunkley said the Lions could win the flag from outside the top two.

Josh Dunkley is confident the Lions can ‘bounce back’ against Fremantle. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I see a few things pop up on social media, and I make sure I just save them in the back of my mind because hopefully come the end of the year, we can look back at it and prove them wrong,” the star midfielder said.

“I still think we’ve had a couple of interstate wins that have been positive for us.

“At times, you could probably say that we’ve been a little bit off interstate, but that doesn't change our mindset.

“You’ve just got to go into the game confident and as best as you can individually and then hope everyone else turns up as well. It’s more about the individual preparation.”

The Lions have another chance to improve their away record on Sunday against Fremantle at Optus Stadium in Perth.

“We’re going to really embrace this week, head over maybe a couple of days early and make sure we’re ready to go come Sunday because it’s a big game for us and we want to win it,” Dunkley said.

“Everyone can talk about first, second, third, fourth … but you’ve just got win games of football.

“It was a disappointing result (against the Suns), but we’ll bounce back this week.”

The Lions are set to be without defender Keidean Coleman, who suffered an eye injury in Brisbane’s loss to the Suns, while ruckman Oscar McInerney is also in doubt due to an injured ankle.

However, attacking weapon Zac Bailey is expected to return after missing Brisbane’s past two matches with a damaged calf.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley confident his side will ‘bounce back’ from shock loss to Gold Coast