Lions want to shed 'momentum team' tag

Apr 28, 2017 - 3:23 AM Chris Fagan admits Brisbane's AFL rivals would rightly see them as a "momentum team", a tag he is keen to dispose of as quickly as possible.

Fagan's developing Lions side hosts Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday after impressing in patches against the Western Bulldogs last week only for them to fall away badly towards the end.

With a wealth of quality young talent on his list, the building blocks are in place and Fagan knows it's just a matter of time until they start playing like last weekend's second quarter - when they led the reigning premiers Bulldogs by 38 points - for longer periods.

But until then, he has to be both "patient and impatient" as they deal with their teething issues.

"We're not happy that it's happening, but as long as we're seeing growth and improvement we'll be satisfied because we know in the end we'll get there," Fagan told reporters on Friday.

"Our good's really good, and we've got to find ways to be able to play like that more consistently.

"We're trying not to be a momentum team. That is definitely what opposition clubs would be saying about us, and that's fair enough.

"We really want to be a team that grinds away to win and doesn't concede too many goals in a row. That's a work in progress."

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley recognises the Lions, who have made the finals only once in the last 12 years, are clearly on the right track.

"They are a young team being coached really well at the moment," Hinkley said.

"They have got a bit of excitement back in their footy club and it looks like they have got some belief and that comes pretty quickly and becomes dangerous for any (opposing) team.

"The competition shows week-in week-out that it's dangerous to go anywhere and not respect the opposition.

"Every game is a danger game in the AFL. If you don't respect them, you end up in trouble."

The Power are warm favourites despite the loss of skipper Travis Boak to a hamstring injury, but midfielder Hamish Hartlett is set to return and will likely slot straight into his vacated midfield role.

Brisbane have made three changes, the most notable the inclusion of ruckman Michael Close, who Fagan said would play most of the game as a third tall forward.

Source: AAP