A reinvigorated Lions will be hunting a win over an in-form Collingwood. 

Here’s three things you need to know before we take on Collingwood at the Gabba on Saturday night. 

3. Bring in the Reinforcements

The reinforcements are on their way for the Lions, with Darcy Gardiner and Lachie Neale set to return to the side ahead of Saturday’s clash against Collingwood.  

Gardiner will make his long-awaited return from a shoulder injury, with Senior Coach Chris Fagan backing the experienced defender’s proven ability to return without lead-up games at the lower level.  

Breezing through Thursday’s fitness test, Gardiner will bring plenty of experience and aggression to the Lions’ defensive machine come Saturday.  

The defender hasn’t played since undergoing surgery to repair a shoulder injury suffered back in Round 9’s 73-point win over the Suns.  

Lachie Neale will return to the midfield after missing last weekend’s clash against his former club Fremantle with a stomach complaint.  

 2. Battle in the Middle 

With both the Lions and the Magpies boasting two of the most impressive midfields in the competition, Saturday’s clash could be won or lost in the middle. 

Skipper Dayne Zorko continues to lead from the front and set the standard, with the gutsy midfielder gathering 34 disposals, 10 tackles, 11 inside 50s and a goal.  

While Jarryd Lyons has also starred for the Lions in recent weeks, with his 38 disposal and nine clearance effort a highlight in the side’s Round 20 loss to Hawthorn. 

Their efforts combined with an in-form Oscar McInerney and reigning Brownlow Medallist, Lachie Neale continue to make the Lions midfield one of the most dangerous in the competition. 

However, Collingwood has an equally prolific midfield, with Jordan De Goey, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom and Brodie Grundy all standing up and leading the Magpies on the field in recent weeks.  

De Goey has turned his game up a level in the back half of the season, polling votes in six of his last seven matches for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award. Averaging 30.1 disposals a game since Round 13, he has dominated the midfield in recent weeks. When accompanied by a firing Adams, Sidebottom and Grundy, the powerful Collingwood midfield presents a challenge to the Lions. 

 1. The Magpies Have a Score to Settle 

It’s always a tough rivalry whenever the Lions play Collingwood. However, this time, the Magpies have a score to settle.  

The last time they met, the Lions walked away victors in a one-point thriller at Marvel Stadium that saw Zac Bailey kicking a goal after the siren.  

Despite Collingwood dominating the score line for all but three minutes of the game, the Lions fought back to get within five points in the dying moments of the game, with Bailey stepping up for the Lions. 

With Collingwood on the hunt for their fourth win a row, and the Lions looking to push for a Top 4 spot before Finals, there’s every chance this game could come down to the wire again.