WHERE AND WHEN: The Gabba, Sunday September 2, 4.40pm
LAST TIME: Brisbane Lions 18.6 (114) d Western Bulldogs 7.14 (56), round 13, 2012, at Etihad Stadium
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds

Following successive wins against Adelaide and Port Adelaide, the Brisbane Lions will be looking for their first hat-trick of victories since the opening rounds of the 2010 season. While the Lions have ridden the good form of captain Jonathan Brown, midfielders Daniel Rich and Jack Redden and half-forwards Dayne Zorko and Josh Green in recent weeks, the Bulldogs have been in free-fall. They've lost 10 straight but showed glimpses of their best in a 34-point loss against Geelong on Sunday. A Lions win would give them 10 for the season - a mark few thought possible at the start of 2012.

THE FOUR POINTS
Brisbane Lions
1. The Lions looked out on their feet three weeks ago after a horror stretch against West Coast, Richmond and Carlton, but have bounced back in the past fortnight. A win on Sunday would have them buoyant entering the off-season on the back of three straight wins, while a loss would undo some of the recent good work. Ten wins for 2012 was a pipe-dream at the start of the season but can become reality with a win on Sunday afternoon.

2. Pressure is one area the Lions have improved markedly, and it's being led by tackling twins Jack Redden and Dayne Zorko. Redden had an incredible 13 tackles against the Power last week to move him into second place overall in that category, while Zorko had six. Of those who have played more than three games, the pair is now ranked third and second respectively (behind North Melbourne skipper Andrew Swallow) for average tackles a match.

3.  Will it be Ben Hudson's last game? The former Adelaide and Western Bulldogs veteran has been a warrior for the Lions this year. The 33-year-old has played 17 of a possible 21 games and has filled the No.1 rucking void left by injured Matthew Leuenberger. He has competed manfully at stoppages and been a terrier when the ball hits the ground, averaging almost five clearances a match. Michael Voss would be tempted to offer the 'People's Beard' another one-year contract as security for his ruck division.

4. Josh Green is rapidly playing himself into a permanent position in the Lions' forward line. The 20-year-old Tasmanian has grabbed his chance with both hands, kicking 14 goals in 11 games. Against Port Adelaide he was dynamic, kicking three goals with a mix of clean hands and good finishing skills. In six matches, Green has kicked multiple goals and been a consistent scoreboard presence.

Western Bulldogs
1. Can Adam Cooney back it up? Just when some scribes were preparing to pen his footballing obituary, the Brownlow medallist produced a vintage display - a season-high 28-touch effort against Geelong. The power, the precision - it was all there. Will his problematic knee allow an encore performance?

2. Could Zephaniah Skinner be ready to finally explode on the AFL stage? The 23-year-old played the best game of his brief career against the Cats, gathering a career-high 17 possessions, taking a couple of contested marks and kicking a goal. His high leap, mobility and flair add a touch of unpredictability.

3. The Dogs' chief midfielders Ryan Griffen and Matthew Boyd have had leather poisoning over the past fortnight. Despite being part of losing teams, Griffen has amassed a club record 47 touches against the Sydney Swans and 37 against the Cats while skipper Boyd has racked up 35 and 46.

4. Above all else, Brendan McCartney has been hell-bent on making the Bulldogs a good hard-ball team. The Dogs certainly lived up to their coach's expectations in this area against Geelong, winning the contested-possession count 150-124 and the clearances 42-23. Now they just have to make them count.

AFL.com.au prediction: Brisbane Lions by 42 points

The views in this story are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.