Second-placed Brisbane Lions’ premiership credentials to be tested in next three matches

The Brisbane Lions have never been better placed at the halfway point of an AFL season, but plenty of work remains in their bid for the premiership.

Jarrod Berry celebrates after kicking a goal during the Lions’ win over the Giants. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Brisbane midfielder Jarrod Berry concedes the Lions must improve on their recent form to beat three of the competition’s best teams in their next three matches.

The second-placed Lions have never been in a better position at the halfway mark of an AFL season in terms of their 9-2 win-loss record and a percentage of 139.7.

However, it hasn’t entirely been smooth sailing in the past month against four teams outside the top eight.

The Lions still managed to win three of those four games, but a loss to Hawthorn was followed up by a narrow weekend home win over the GWS Giants, whose fast start caught Brisbane on the hop.

“Our trademark stuff that we hold ourselves to wasn’t quite to the standard we want,” Berry said.

“In the first quarter they came out and played really good football and we were poor.”

Despite recovering to beat the Giants, the Lions can ill-afford slow starts in their next three games, which are against the other three teams currently in the top four – Fremantle, St Kilda and Melbourne.

“It’s going be a good test,” Berry said.

“If we play our best footy, we’ll definitely match it with those teams. I love the challenge and I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s important that we are ready for those scenarios and don’t let teams get jumps on us.”

Jarrod Berry was a ball magnet in the Lions’ win over the Giants. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Berry was superb in Brisbane’s 14-point win over the Giants, posting a career-best 33 possessions.

“If you work hard enough, you do get to find the footy a little bit,” he said.

“I don’t really have games like that, but it was nice to get a few extra touches.

“When you sense it’s a tight game, you’ve got to be able to stand up and win the contested ball. That’s one of my strengths.”

It’s a strength the Lions will again need on Sunday at Optus Stadium against Fremantle, whose confidence is sky high after becoming the first team this season to beat reigning premiers Melbourne.

“They’ve got some really good midfielders and big bodies in there. Will Brodie, one of my good mates, he’s playing some great footy – it’s going to be on,” Berry said.

Berry said Hugh McCluggage, who missed the win over the Giants with a hamstring injury, would be fit to travel to Perth.

“That class, that ball use, his power running – he always makes a big difference,” he said of McCluggage.

Berry also tipped sidelined star Joe Daniher (shoulder) to return “in the next couple of weeks”.

“He’s training the house down,” he said of the ex-Essendon forward.