The competition's most prolific midfielder through the first four rounds has his eyes wide open about the challenge that awaits Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday night.

Lachie Neale, who has amassed a whopping 155 disposals through one month of the season, says the Collingwood midfield is the best in the competition.

And if the Lions are to win, they'll have to do a better job of slowing them down than they did against Essendon on Saturday.

Neale says it's the depth of the Magpies that makes them such a handful.

"They're probably, on paper, the best midfield in the comp," Neale said following a light training session on Tuesday morning. 

"They've got ball winners across that midfield line.

"Their wingmen, Sidebottom and Phillips are going really well … Grundy in the ruck, fantastic ruckman, one of the best in the comp if not the best.

"They just bat so deep you can't contain all of them, we've just got to, as a group, get on top of them."

That midfield depth includes former Brisbane skipper Dayne Beams, who is now expected to resume his place in the team after being a late withdrawal against the Western Bulldogs with illness.

Neale said the Lions would do their homework on Beams.

"We'll do our research on their midfield as a collective and Dayne's part of that," he said.

"He's a quality player and was very good for this footy club for a few years." 

On Monday Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko said his team's midfield and forward line had to improve its pressure from the effort against the Bombers. 

While his teammates struggled, Neale racked up another 40 disposals to continue his blistering start to the season.

The former Fremantle onballer was not getting carried away by his hot form.

"It's round four, there's another 18 rounds to go.

"I'm just trying to back it up each week and play to the best of my ability and help this team win games of footy."