Brisbane will adopt a pack-hunting mentality in Saturday’s AFL semi-final against GWS, after success earlier this season using the same approach in a famous upset win over the Giants.

The Lions confirmed their finals credentials with a 20-point round-16 victory at Giants Stadium – one of their most-impressive displays in a memorable 2019 season.

Brisbane moved the ball with precision and pace against GWS, forcing the Giants to commit uncharacteristic errors.

That victory allowed the Lions to leapfrog the Giants into the top four. It’s a blueprint coach Chris Fagan will stick to for the do-or-die clash this weekend at the Gabba.

“That’s the thing about them, the contested ball clearance battle was the huge one in that game,” Fagan said.

“That’s their strength, it’s our strength as well and there’s been nothing that’s happened since that game with the way GWS plays to change our mind on that. That’s the key battle.”

After a year without major injury drama, Fagan admits deciding who will replace influential midfielder Mitch Robinson (hamstring) for the clash is a headache.

Fagan says he has up to seven candidates in mind but isn’t looking at a like-for-like replacement for his “unique beast” Robinson.

“I don’t think any club in the AFL, if they had a Mitch Robinson playing for them, his style, could replace him because he is quite unique,” Fagan said.

“We know we can’t 100 per cent do that but we’ll bring a guy into the team that will have his own strengths and be able to play to those.

“It’s what the good clubs can do. They can find replacements for guys when they’re injured.

“We’ve had a great run. It’s unfortunate for Mitch but I know somebody else will step up.”