CHRIS Fagan was concerned how Brisbane would respond following heavy back-to-back losses, but the Lions answered their coach in emphatic fashion against Gold Coast on Saturday.

The 49-point QClash victory moved Brisbane back into the eight with a 4-2 record and restored some lost confidence after losing poorly to Essendon and Collingwood in the past fortnight.

"As a coach you always worry how much confidence that can rob out of a young group but I thought today we responded in the manner you'd hope," Fagan said.

"We'd been a bit off the mark for a couple of weeks in the contested possessions and clearances and pressure and today we got all that back.

"When we do that we're a pretty reasonable side."

After a first-half arm-wrestle, Brisbane – and more particularly Lachie Neale – broke the game open in a game-changing third quarter.

Although contested possessions (135-134) were close, the Lions held a more significant advantage there for much of the game.

It was a far cry from the Bombers and Magpies performances.

They also won clearances (46-35) and tackles (69-59) in a rounded display more reminiscent of the footy that took them to a hat-trick of victories to open their season.

Mitch Robinson (25 touches, three goals) won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal, but Neale changed the game in the third term.

"He set the game alight," Fagan said.

"They looked like they were starting to get on top and suddenly they were three goals behind, all on the back of some great work he (Neale) and our rucks did at the centre bounce.

"That's the kind of player he is.

"He prides himself on lifting in the big moments, and I don't know whether he knew that was the big moment, but it was in the game ... it was the turning point."

Fagan said he was also pleased to see Jarryd Lyons (28 disposals) and Charlie Cameron (21 and two goals) return to their best form.