Brisbane Lions only focused on securing 10th successive QClash win

The Brisbane Lions have vowed to not look far ahead in their quest for a top-two finish and their first AFL flag since 2003.

The Brisbane Lions have promised to avoid becoming distracted by the battle for a top-two spot on the AFL ladder, fearing it will derail them from maintaining their dominance of the Gold Coast Suns at Heritage Bank Stadium on Saturday.

With five rounds of the regular season remaining, the Lions are four points adrift of second-placed Port Adelaide, who have lost their past two matches.

If Port loses again in Saturday night’s Showdown against Adelaide, the Lions will finish the weekend in second spot – thanks to a superior percentage – if they win a 10th successive QClash.

Finishing the season in the top two would secure the Lions the advantage of two finals series matches at the Gabba, where they haven’t lost this year.

“The ladder fell our way a little bit (last) weekend with Collingwood coming over the top of Port, so it does, I guess, open the (top-two) opportunity up a little bit, but one thing we’ve been just trying to focus on is getting the job done every weekend rather than look too far ahead,” Lions forward Linc McCarthy said.

“As soon as we look too far ahead, we seem to come unstuck, so it’s going to be a big game this weekend.”

Linc McCarthy (centre) is congratulated by Lions teammates after kicking a goal against Geelong. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

McCarthy promised the Lions would not underestimate the 14th-placed Suns, whose below-par season recently cost Stuart Dew his coaching job.
“We really rate them, so we’re going to have to be at our best,” the 29-year-old forward said of Brisbane’s Queensland rivals.

“We just think they’ve really improved year-on-year, and this year, I feel like in particular they’ve become a consistently competitive side.

“That’s giving them chances to win, but their losses haven’t been too bad either.

“They’ve tested some really good sides this year and beaten some good sides as well, so this weekend, it’s going to be a good contest. Hopefully, all our boys are up for the fight.”

The Lions will be without young star Will Ashcroft, whose debut AFL season is over after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Brisbane’s home win over Geelong last Saturday.

“Obviously, it’s pretty devastating,” McCarthy said.

“He’s had a cracking start to his career, not many better, to be honest, but this is a little speed bump for him.
“It’s pretty hard to cop for him right now, given the way he was going, but we’ll get around him.

“It’s a tough period, but you learn so much from these sorts of things, and he’ll come out of it better.”