TO NAIL down his spot as the heir apparent to Jonathan Brown, Jordan Lisle says the instructions are simple – play like a big bloke.

The Lions have desperately searched in recent years for a sidekick to their ageing co-captain and have yet to settle on someone.

They've tried Aaron Cornelius, Stefan Martin, ruckmen Billy Longer and Matthew Leuenberger, rookie-elevated Sam Michael, and Lisle, all with limited success.

Lisle came via trade from Hawthorn at the end of the 2011 season and has played just 10 games in Lions colours.

But his last two appearances have been promising.

The 23-year-old kicked a career-high three goals against Fremantle and was solid in last weekend's miraculous victory over Geelong, kicking 1.1 and setting up a crucial goal for Pearce Hanley in the final quarter.

He has taken six contested marks in the past fortnight and shown flashes of what the Lions recruited him for.

On Sunday Lisle comes up against his old club in Launceston and said he was keeping things simple.

"I've been going OK. I'd still like to do a few things better," Lisle said before the closed training session on Thursday morning.

"For me it's about playing like a big bloke. Creating a contest, trying to chip in with a few shots on goal every week and bringing the little guys into play by bringing the ball to ground."

Now in his fifth season in the AFL system, Lisle has learnt from some of the game's best forwards.

Initially it was Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead at the Hawks, and now Brown.

"They're three stars of the game," he said.

"Buddy's a super athlete, he covers the ground. Roughy's a really, really smart player, one of the smartest I've ever played with. Then you've got Browny, who is super courageous and strong, plays how a big bloke should.

"I suppose what you can learn from them is almost everything you could want in a key forward."

Lisle said he was still mates with a few Hawks but would push that aside on Sunday.

"Hawthorn has got a lot of stars. If we stress about Hawthorn I don't think that's going to be the key for us. We just need to stick to our own game plan.

"I'll try and give the coaches a couple of things I remember they used to try and do and hopefully that'll help us to get the win on the weekend."

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting