AS SATISFYING as exciting youngster Rhan Hooper's AFL comeback has been, Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews still wonders what might have been.

Hooper's much-publicised pre-season walkout for personal reasons set the Queenslander back so far back in the Lions pecking order that Matthews admitted that he may not pick the small forward at all in 2007.

The wily coach named Hooper in the Lions side just days later.

Hooper has since been part of a Brisbane side that has gone on a four-game winning run, keeping their slim finals hopes alive.

His 23-possession, nine-mark, three-goal effort in Brisbane's last round 93-point thrashing of Collingwood was typical of his red-hot form since his return.

Hooper's seven goals in six games is a source of pride for Matthews - and frustration.

"He spent the first half of the season doing his pre-season (because of his walkout). We've got five games to go and he's just got there," Matthews said.

"We are really pleased with what he has done in the last few weeks, but there's 17 rounds gone.

"If he had done his normal pre-season he might have been doing this in the first month of the year and we might have won a few games and we might be in finals."

But Matthews is the first to praise his young charge who only made his AFL debut last season, playing 11 games.

"He's done very well, he's been very impressive. What he's got is good long-distance stamina," he said.

"Not too many have extreme speed and that ability to cover ground.

"He is a forward who can push up forward and still get back so he's been really important."

Hooper's next assignment is the Kangaroos at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Matthews has named an unchanged team for the first time since round seven.

Since making a season-high six changes for their successful trip to Subiaco in round 14, the Lions have been stable thanks to a four-game winning run that has kept alive their top-eight dream.

The team must still win all of their five remaining games to be any chance of September action.

Another key to the Lions' turnaround has been defender-turned-forward Jared Brennan.

Brennan was at his damaging best last round, dining on the Pies with a career-high seven goals.

Due to his hot and cold form, Brennan has always been given the backhanded compliment of "mercurial" or "enigmatic".

But those days may be numbered, according to Matthews.

"He's proved unequivocally that he can be a good quality AFL footballer consistently over a few weeks," Matthews said.

But he will continue to be kept honest by former Rising Star nominee Mitch Clark, who is lurking in the reserves.

"That doesn't mean Mitch won't force his way in if his performances are consistent enough," Matthews said.

"If the senior team is doing really well then you can get frozen out for a period of time - if he's good enough he will be playing senior football."