THE BRISBANE Lions are looking on the bright side of their cruel collapse to Adelaide on the weekend as they prepare for football's toughest assignment.
Despite leading for most of the game, the Lions were helpless as the Crows took control of their clash at the Gabba on Saturday night with six unanswered goals in the final term, on the way to a 13-point win for the visitors.
Third-year defender Jordon Bourke, who was thrown up forward by coach Justin Leppitsch and kicked two goals, admits the team felt "robbed", but the manner of the defeat hasn't dented the Lions' confidence ahead of Sunday's clash with ladder leaders Fremantle at Domain Stadium.
"It was a disappointing loss," Bourke said on Tuesday.
"But at the same time it was probably encouraging that we held on for that long and put (Adelaide) on the ropes.
"They're a top-eight team, a very good team with a lot of mature bodies around.
"The boys didn't stop, I think the effort was there for the full four quarters.
"It was pretty positive afterwards."
Bourke, 20, was a forward in his junior days and relished the opportunity to return to his attacking roots against the Crows.
His two goals came in the first quarter as the Lions took an early stranglehold on proceedings.
"I found out throughout (sic) the week. I was a bit surprised," he said.
"But I've played there before. It was a good change-up.
"If you can play in more than one position you're obviously a bit more valuable."
The Lions are rank outsiders to beat the Dockers, who are two games clear on top of the AFL ladder having lost just once this year.
But Bourke remains confident they can spring what would be the upset of the season - provided they can squeeze a little bit more out of themselves.
"When our game plan's on and all the boys are up and about, I think we can match it with any side in the comp," he said.
"That's shown throughout the year and this weekend will just be about the four quarters and putting it up to Fremantle."
