The AFL Finals might be out of the equation for the Brisbane Lions in 2014, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t play a role in helping shape September.

Two-time Club Champion Joel Patfull recently declared the Lions still had plenty to play for in the final six rounds of the season, and wouldn’t be simply ‘shutting up shop’.

The Lions players and coaches will also be keen to avoid being part of the equal worst season in the Club’s merged history (in terms of wins and losses).

That title is currently held by the 2011 Lions, who won just four of their 22 matches to finish 15th on the ladder (Gold Coast and Port Adelaide both had less wins).   

The Lions also managed just five wins and one draw in 1998, when the Club 'won' its first, and only, wooden spoon post-merger.

But with some promising form over the past month, the current-day Lions will be confident of causing another upset or two and altogether proving a thorn in the side of the AFL’s Finals aspirants.

Fans needs only reflect back at that fateful 1998 season to see what sort of influence a team with ‘nothing to lose’ can have on the final make-up of the top eight.

In the final round of the season, the Lions hosted reigning Grand Finalists St Kilda at the Gabba, and bookmakers understandably had the odds firmly in favour of the Saints.

After all, St Kilda were sitting in fourth position and looked headed for another assault on the flag, while the Lions had won just four matches for the year and were limping into the off-season on the back of seven consecutive losses.

But the Lions lifted for popular teammate Andrew Bews in his final AFL game, and spurred on by an excitable home crowd, held on in a tense final quarter to claim a memorable one-point victory.

The loss saw the Saints slip to sixth on the ladder, and they were subsequently bundled out of the Finals in straight sets.

As for the Lions, the win essentially cost the Club a priority draft pick.

Four and a half wins would have ensured the Lions had the first two picks at 1998 AFL National Draft, but instead they were left with just Pick No.1 (used to recruit Des Headland).

And while some fans bemoaned the fact that the Club essentially ‘lost’ a draft selection, history tells us it meant little as the Lions went on to win the first of an historic hat-trick of premierships just three years later.

It’s hard to measure exactly what effect wins such as that one against St Kilda in 1998 have on a playing group – but there’s no doubt it is considerable.

Lions.com.au takes a look at the Club’s run home and the potential implications they could have on the ladder.

ROUND 18 v GOLD COAST @ THE GABBA

After winning five straight QClashes, the Lions surrendered their Queensland bragging rights to ‘little bother’ Gold Coast after suffering a 53-point loss earlier this season.

The Suns have continued to shine brightly this season, and are pretty much guaranteed to finish ahead of the Lions on the ladder for the first time in their short existence.

With a relatively kind fixture, Gold Coast are also expected get their first taste of the September action – even with superstar Gary Ablett sidelined for the season with a shoulder injury.

So what better way for the Lions to seek revenge than to hand their cross-town rivals an unexpected defeat at the Gabba, and put a severe dent in their Finals chances.

ROUND 19 v MELBOURNE @ ETIHAD STADIUM

Only nine percentage points currently separates the Lions (17th) and Melbourne (16th) on the ladder, with both clubs set to go head-to-head at Etihad Stadium in Round 19.

The result won’t have any implications on the Finals, however it could well determine who finishes ahead of who by season’s end.

If the Lions are to elevate themselves a rung or two on the ladder late in the season, this match presents a genuine opportunity for them to do so.    

ROUND 20 v ADELAIDE @ THE GABBA

Adelaide sits one game outside the top eight and will need to make the most of every opportunity if they’re a chance to play in September.

Most football ‘experts’ would have already pencilled in the Crows’ trip to Brisbane in Round 20 as a likely win, however the Lions obviously will have other plans.

If the Lions can secure a win at home, Adelaide’s Finals prospects will start looking grim.

ROUND 21 v COLLINGWOOD @ THE MCG

It was the Lions who stood between Collingwood and the 2002 and 2003 AFL premierships, and the boys from Brisbane will be hoping to have another say on the Pies’ premiership dream in 2014.

Collingwood looked to be firmly entrenched in the top eight, however a couple of recent losses has them suddenly on shaky ground.

They’ll fancy their chances against the Lions in Round 21, but anything can happen when you’re under lights at the MCG.

The occasion could be made even grander with Vice-Captain Tom Rockliff set to line-up for his 100th game.

ROUND 22 v FREMANTLE @ THE GABBA

We all know what happened the last time the Lions played Fremantle, and it wasn’t pretty.

But this time around, it will be the Dockers travelling across the country to face the Lions.

Fremantle will be eyeing off a top two spot, ensuring they get home ground advantage through to the Grand Final. However, the tightness of the competition means that an unexpected loss could threaten their top four chances.

ROUND 23 v GEELONG @ SIMONDS STADIUM

It will be déjà vu for the Lions as they round out their season for the second straight year in Geelong.

In 2013 the visitors came within a single point of upsetting Geelong at the Cattery, and there’s no reason why they can’t go one better this time around.

The exact date and time of the match is yet to be finalised.