Brisbane Lions intent on tasting success in Geelong for the first time since 2003

The in-form Brisbane Lions face their toughest test of what has so far been a successful season when they meet Geelong on Friday night.

Lachie Neale is set to play against Geelong despite hurting his ankle against the Kangaroos. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Former Lions star Luke Hodge says Brisbane’s “next step” on the road to winning a premiership for the first time since 2003 is beating the Cats in Geelong.

The Lions have made a flying start to the AFL season, with their hat-trick of wins highlighted by last Saturday night’s 108-point thumping of North Melbourne at the Gabba.

However, Brisbane’s next task – trying to take down Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night – shapes as a much tougher assignment.

The Lions haven’t beaten the Cats in Geelong since May 2003 when they secured a 14-point victory on their way to a third successive flag.

“It’s a really big challenge,” Hodge told SEN’SPat and Healsshow.

“This is the next step for this maturing team. There’s no doubt beating Geelong (away) … is massive on their radar.”

Hodge said he had “big expectations” for Friday night’s battle after conversations with Lions identities.

“If you talk to the Lions players and coaches, there’s still so much more improvement from them,” he said despite Brisbane’s pasting of the Kangaroos.

Hodge pointed to star forward Charlie Cameron kicking two goals and six behinds and talisman Lachie Neale have a “quieter” game after hurting his ankle.

Lachie Neale is set to overcome an ankle injury to play on Friday night. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“These are the games you have to get through and win well and then they’ve got to back up,” he said.

“They had a lot of injuries last year but they’ve hit the ground running this year and they’re looking to continue it this Friday night. This rivalry really builds.”

The Lions had Wednesday off, but Neale trained without any apparent discomfort on Tuesday and should play on Friday.

The Cats have elected to rest 33-year-old captain Joel Selwood from the match.

Geelong coach and former Lions premiership player Chris Scott said: “We’ve got some guys that we are going to be proactive with and they’re not going to play games even when they’re in good health.

“We want to have them at their best deep into the season and we think we’ve got a broad group of players that can all contribute, and we want to use them.”

Originally published as Brisbane Lions intent on tasting success in Geelong for the first time since 2003