At this exact stage of the season last year, the Brisbane Lions were struggling with just two wins from their first seven matches.

Among their early defeats were three 10-goal blowouts against North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs, and the Sydney Swans.

It was therefore no surprise that the Lions were given little to no chance of toppling a resurgent Essendon outfit in Round 8 at Etihad Stadium.

But the Lions, who wore a commemorative guernsey to recognise the Club’s Three-Peat anniversary, proved their critics wrong by securing a hard-fought 10-point victory.

Sound familiar?

12 months later and the Lions once again approach their Round 8 clash with Essendon in a similar predicament.

This time around the Lions are placed 18th having won just one of their first seven matches, however the match is being played at their home in Brisbane.

Lions Assistant Coach Murray Davis remembers their 2013 encounter fondly, and hopes that it can provide a blueprint of how the Club might cause another upset this Saturday night at the Gabba.

“Last time we played Essendon, it was probably our pressure (that got us over the line). So we’ll need to replicate that if we’re going to be in the game,” Davis told LIONS TV as part of the Vero Coaches’ Wrap.

“Hopefully we can do that and stay in the contest for longer periods.”

Coincidentally, the Lions will once again be donning a one-off commemorative guernsey – this time a Bears-inspired design to celebrate the upcoming Hall of Fame.

“I think it’s important for the boys to remember all those who’ve gone before them in that jumper,” Davis said.  

“It’s a great opportunity for us to recognise the efforts and work that people have done with the Club from back in that day.

“But we know the jumper alone won’t get the job done for us.”