THE BRISBANE Lions are a far better side than their lowly ladder position suggests, according to Lions forward Ash McGrath.

After ending a seven-game losing streak with a win over North Melbourne in round nine, followed by a 40-point domination of Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Lions are beginning to show the competition what they are capable of.

"I thought we've been playing pretty well for the first seven rounds," McGrath said of the Lions' indifferent start to season 2011.

"We only lost a few games by small margins. Our record could have been a lot better than what it is."

Four of the Lions' seven losses this season have been by 13 points or less, and the Lions' average losing margin for 2011 is just beyond four goals, adding weight to McGrath's observation.

"The boys have never lost faith and we knew that if we kept doing what we're doing things will change for us," McGrath said.

The most notable recent change for the Lions has been the inclusion of skipper Jonathan Brown back into the line-up after missing seven matches with multiple facial fractures.

The burly centre half-forward could only manage three behinds against the Crows on Sunday, but his strong presence and leadership is something that cannot be measured on the stats sheet.

"To get the big fella Browny back, he gives the boys a focal point," McGrath said.

"Browny didn't kick any goals today, but playing without Browny the last couple of weeks we've had to find other ways to kick goals. Other blokes are popping up."

McGrath was one of those 'other' blokes, booting four goals, including three crucial goals in a see-sawing second quarter to give the Lions the ascendancy by half-time.

Todd Banfield also stepped up with three goals, while Mitch Clark and teenager Bryce Retzlaff chimed in with two apiece.

"Having Browny there just adds cream to the cake I suppose," McGrath said.

McGrath has reinvented himself as a crafty small forward this season, after playing primarily as a running half-back since 2008. But McGrath is no stranger to the Lions' attack, with a 35-goal season in 2005 proof he knows his way around inside 50.

The 28-year-old, who kicked an equal career-best six goals against Gold Coast in round seven, said he was relishing his role back in attack.

"There's a little bit more freedom up in the forward line rather than playing down back," McGrath said.

"I haven't played with Browny down in the forward line for about three years so it was good to team up with him once again.

"But if Vossy needs me down back, I'm more than happy to go back down there."

McGrath said it was important for the Lions to continue their good form and carry their momentum into round eleven, where another gruelling assignment looms against the Sydney Swans at the Gabba.

"Sydney's always been tough. But if we keep doing what we're doing and keep to our structures, there's no reason we can't roll them," he said.

"It will be good to pay the supporters back and have a win."

Max covers news from AAMI Stadium for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_MaxPhillips

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the club