Tom Rockliff still harbours some guilt for missing two matches this season through suspension.

Two separate behind-the-ball incidents – albeit both minor – meant Rockliff was forced to sit out the Lions’ matches against Geelong (Round 2) and West Coast (Round 17).

The Lions suffered narrow home losses in both outings, and were left wondering ‘what might have been’, had their Vice-Captain been available to play.

Rockliff is now determined to make up for that lost time by leading from the front in the final five games of the season.

“I’ve let the boys down this year with two silly suspensions,” Rockliff told The Courier Mail.

“You set yourself for a game even more when you really want to repay your teammates.”

Rockliff’s return performance against the Gold Coast Suns last Saturday was one of his finest – collecting a record-high 47 disposals to go along with 11 clearances and 10 tackles.

He now ranks second in the AFL for average disposals this season (30.6 per game), behind Gary Ablett, and leads the competition in tackles (9.2 per game).

Such figures has the 24-year-old firmly in line for a maiden All-Australian berth, however individual plaudits are not a motivation.

“You play footy for team success. I’d happily have less of the footy if it meant we won more games,” Rockliff said.

“All-Australian selection would be a great honour but at times Brisbane can be out of sight, out of mind so we’ll wait and see.

“I’m just proud of the way we’ve turned things around in the second half of the season given all the injuries we’ve had. The boys have really stepped-up.”