Brisbane Lions shrug off Swans thumping as finals bid looms

BRISBANE'S Jed Adcock insists his side's belief has not been scuttled by their 47-point belting by Sydney on Saturday.

BRISBANE'S Jed Adcock insists his side's belief has not been scuttled by their 47-point belting by Sydney on Saturday.

The Lions were aiming high against the brilliant Swans, even without Matt Maguire, Ash McGrath and late withdrawal Simon Black.

While they asked some difficult questions, the home side demonstrated their class.

The match pitted first against 12th and one would have expected the contest to unfold in the way it did.

But Adcock maintains the Lions, who will now prepare for Saturday's Gabba clash against finals rivals St Kilda, believe they have the weapons to match the AFL's top four.

"We know we're there," said Adcock, who refused to accept Sydney was in another class.

"That belief still continues on. It's about choosing better options.

"We came into this game with the full belief we could win.

"At half-time we still had that belief.

"The game can swing in an instant and we have to make sure we're prepared."

The Lions are backing themselves to topple eighth-placed St Kilda, who are four points ahead, in a classic "eight-pointer" clash.

St Kilda fired a shot for the underdogs when five-goal star Stephen Milne led them to an emphatic win over Essendon.

Brisbane must regroup quickly and Lions coach Michael Voss said he expected more from his men.

The bar they set in wins over West Coast, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne is the one they must clear every week.

The Brisbane midfield was schooled by the Swans and only Pearce Hanley and, to a lesser extent, Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko, Andrew Raines and Josh Drummond played with real composure.

"St Kilda has been a good side for a long time and that doesn't change just because they have a new coach," Adcock said.

"We need to pick and choose when we hit those targets that are maybe a bit difficult.

"We can't take them all the time in dangerous areas. That just gives them opportunities to kick goals. Sometimes you have to play a bit safe when the pressure comes on."