Brisbane’s premiership credentials passed their latest examination on Saturday in a thrilling Gabba win coach Chris Fagan says will serve them well in September.
The Lions trailed by 17 inside the final 10 minutes in a grinding top-of-the-table clash with Geelong, but found a way to a ninth-straight victory.
Charlie Cameron booted five while Lincoln McCarthy rose for a terrific hanging mark and goal inside the final 90 seconds to win it against his former club.
Fagan acknowledged the intensity and pressure was up compared to previous weeks and that it couldn’t have come at a better time.
“We found another way to win. We just toughed it out,” Fagan said.
“They’ve felt it now. There’s nothing like doing it (playing top teams) to learn.
“It’s a great experience for our players and, even better, we were able to come out with a victory, which will give them a lot of confidence.
“That’s a good taste of what’s to come.”
If Richmond beat West Coast on Sunday it all but locks in a top two result for Brisbane, regardless of the outcome between them and the Tigers in their final-round clash at the MCG.
“It’s a good position to be in, to know we’ve got a double chance,” he said.
“It’d be good to have a double chance and home final first week (as a top-two side).
“We’ve got a big job next week at the MCG.”
Brisbane are likely to be without in-form goal sneak Allen Christensen (hamstring) for at least one game after he limped off late in the second term.