AGGRESSION will again be the cornerstone of the Brisbane Lions' challenge on Sunday as they try to upset Geelong at the Gabba.

The Lions talked the talk ahead of last week's match against premiers Hawthorn, and despite fading to lose by 48 points, backed it up with a hard-nosed, aggressive brand of football.

It cost them vice-captain Tom Rockliff, who was suspended for the Cats clash, but two-time club champion Joel Patfull says it's an edge they must maintain.

"You've got to try and be physical and take the contest to those good teams," Patfull said.

"If you don't, they'll run over the top of you. It's a focus."

The Lions trained hard on Thursday morning in wet conditions.

Rain has set in over the past three days in Brisbane, and although expected to clear up by Sunday, it's likely to be a wet contest.

Patfull said the Lions took confidence from last season's two showings against Geelong – one, the remarkable Ash McGrath goal after-the-siren victory at the Gabba, and the other a heartbreaking one-point final round loss at Simonds Stadium.

"The fact we can match them," he said, when asked about the positives they could draw from last year.

"We can play good footy and we can compete and stick in the game when we need to.

"We got a bit of confidence out of the games we played against them last year."

"I'm sure they'll be fired up and ready to go. They probably owe us one up here. We're ready for a big game and looking forward to it."

The versatile Patfull said there was every chance he would spend time marking Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel, who kicked four goals in his predominantly forward line role in round one.

"If Stevie Johnson spends time forward I'll probably spend a bit of time on him as well.

"They play a lot of players through that forward line so I could have a few roles I think."

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