Brisbane's 2018 season has had two distinct themes, noticeable improvement and heartbreakingly close defeats.

The Lions' streak of narrow losses has tallied to five within just seven points or less.

One of these losses was the Round 7 clash against Collingwood at the Gabba. 

Ahead of Saturday's rematch at Etihad Stadium against the Magpies, lions.com.au is throwing backing to the last time we met. 

It was a pulsating match that came down to an exhilarating final few minutes.

With just over two minutes remaining, a composed kick from Dan Rich to Dayne Beams just inside 50 gave the Lions hope. 

The former Magpie kicked a clutch set shot from 50m. The scores were tied at 18.6 (114) a side and the Gabba crowd was alive.

But Chris Mayne scrapped a behind to put the Magpies in front and Jaidyn Stephenson iced the win with a goal in the dying seconds when he ran into an empty goalsquare. 

Collingwood won 19.7 (121) to 18.6 (114). 

For the Lions, it was a heartbreakingly narrow defeat.

Dayne Zorko returned to form in stunning fashion, set free to play without the handbrake of a tagger, and kicked four goals in his 34 disposals to go with 10 tackles.

Beams (31 touches and two goals) was also fantastic, Lewy Taylor (four goals) played what was one of his best games of the season and first-year players Cam Rayner and Zac Bailey made huge contributions.

Debutant Matt Eagles overcame a nervy start to finish with 11 disposals and four marks.

After the match, Chris Fagan was full of praise for his team.

"I really rate that performance by us tonight. In terms of our development, probably, in my short time at the club, that’s our best performance."

It was the 17th time in a Brisbane match that both sides have kicked 18 goals, and, more significantly, the first time this has happened since 2008.

On that Sunday afternoon in May, the Gabba crowd tallied to 21,850, which was the biggest the Club had seen since Round 10, 2016. 

BRISBANE                3.0     10.0     14.2     18.6     (114)           
COLLINGWOOD     4.2     10.3     15.4     19.7     (121)           

GOALS
Brisbane: Zorko 4, Taylor 4, McStay 2, D.Beams 2, Robinson, McInerney, McLuggage, Berry, Cameron, Bailey
Collingwood: De Goey 5, Thomas 3, Stephenson 2, Pendlebury, Mayne, Howe, Treloar, Moore, Phillips, Cox, Varcoe, Hoskin-Elliott

BEST 
Brisbane: Zorko, Taylor, Rayner, Beams, Martin, Bailey
Collingwood: De Goey, Thomas, Sidebottom, Phillips, Howe