Fresh from securing back-to-back wins for the first time in more than 12 months, the Brisbane Lions will approach this Saturday’s clash against Sydney with some momentum and confidence.

The match, however, also presents arguably the Club’s greatest challenge so far in 2012.

No team boasts a more favourable win/loss record against the Lions than the Swans, who have tasted defeat just 11 times in the 28 meetings between the two sides since 1997.

Even during the Club’s triple-premiership era, Sydney proved somewhat of a ‘bogey’ side for the Lions.

The Swans now stand as one of the competition’s in-form sides, and currently sit second on the ladder with 10 wins from their 13 matches.

The Lions, meanwhile, have jumped into 12th position on the back of consecutive 10-goal wins against the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.

Assistant Coach Mark Harvey says that Saturday’s match against the Swans will provide a better indication of exactly how far the Lions have come.

“I think it’s important for our young group to understand how to create a winning culture - even though it’s against sides that are in and around where we are (on the ladder),” Harvey told LIONS TV as part of the regular Vero Coaches’ Wrap video.

“Now we get to pit ourselves against a top four team this week on the road. (The SCG) is a different ground - it’s wide and not necessarily long.”

“We’ve got to embrace the game physically first of all. They have a number of good quality structures in their team and are pretty strong all over the ground, hence that’s why they are where they are.”

The Lions will be buoyed by the fact they were able to upset the West Coast Eagles - another quality top four side - back in Round 10 at the Gabba.

“We beat West Coast about three or four weeks ago, and there’s no reason why we can’t take it right up to the Sydney Swans,” Harvey said.

“We need to start closing the gaps on these sides.”