AFTER a bleak first 10 weeks, Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.
After a horror draw to open their season, the Lions are last with a 1-8 record – a win plus significant percentage adrift of second-bottom Greater Western Sydney.
Leppitsch says with a stronger squad and matches against the bottom half in coming weeks, the Lions can now look to notch some wins, starting with Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday.
Tom Rockliff and Joel Patfull return after missing against the Kangaroos before the bye with a gastro virus, while Sam Mayes (concussion) and Matt Maguire (suspension) also come back to add class and experience.
Leppitsch says the Lions still have some bullets to fire this season.
"I think we've got a bit of a stretch coming up where we're playing some teams where we think we can win, get the score on the board," Leppitsch said prior to Friday morning's final training run.
"I think the year's proven so far the top four or five teams we've played like Sydney and Port and Hawthorn, Geelong, we haven't quite been able to match them for long periods of time, but there's others at the lower level we've been able to match for periods of time.
"I'd put Carlton in that category, we've got the Bulldogs the week after, then GWS.
"We've got some games coming up where I think we can be competitive to the point of victory, and that's what you want.
"It's a real opportunity for us. It doesn’t mean you're going to win any of those, but it gives the guys a bit of hope."
Aside from beating St Kilda, the Lions have played only two other teams outside the top-eight, losing by eight points to Essendon and 43 to Richmond after leading during the third quarter.
Leppitsch has also recalled Ryan Harwood and elevated former Essendon VFL player Zac O'Brien from the rookie list to debut against the Blues, as part of six changes to the team thumped by North Melbourne.
"It's a credit to Zac. A big part (of selection) is rewarding players that play well in reserves, he's done that, it's a credit to him coming off the rookie list."
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