IN-FORM forward Jonathan Brown says the Brisbane Lions can lay the foundation for a sustained run at the finals with home victories over the next two weeks.
The Lions are a perfect two-for-two since the Hall-of-Fame Tribute Match bye, with comprehensive wins against Carlton and St Kilda.
Gabba meetings with North Melbourne and Fremantle now await, and another two victories would take the Lions’ record to 7-4.
”(St Kilda) are another side around us on ladder – it was one of those eight-point games,” Brown said.
”We did focus before the Carlton game that it was a very big month for us. It’s two down and two to go.
”North are also around us on the ladder and Fremantle a bit below. We really want to try and use these home games to advantage.
”If win the next two we can build a bit of momentum and it will put us in a good position before we start another series of away games.”
Brown now has 27 goals for the season, with 12 having come in the last fortnight – six apiece against both the Blues and the Saints.
He said a week on the sidelines in round seven had provided an invaluable freshen-up.
”The week off was probably the biggest thing for me – it helped me get over couple of things and freshen the body up,” Brown said.
”I hadn’t had a spell since November, and it was the first solid pre-season I’ve had for four or five years. The week off probably pushed my energy levels up a notch.
”I’ve backed my training off a bit to freshen up. Because of a few niggles, I’ve pulled back on the training and done most of my work on weekends, and I’ve felt better for it.”
Lions coach Leigh Matthews was disappointed with the side’s finish against St Kilda, with the Saints outscoring their hosts eight goals to four in the final term of Sunday’s 46-point win.
Brown said he could understand his mentor’s frustrations.
”Leigh has pretty high expectations of the group, and as a group we do as well,” Brown said.
”I think we’ve got the talent to not just be nine or 10-win team, so Leigh is going to keep pushing us.
”He’s been disappointed over the course of our last four games with our last quarters. After the game, he asked the group if it was a physical or a mental thing.
”We think we’re pretty fit with our tackling and chasing, so mentally we’ve probably been switching off.”
