Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage says the Lions’ rise from outside finals bet to AFL premiership threat is down largely to smart recruiting.

While Lachie Neale’s arrival from Fremantle late last year was always viewed as a huge pick-up for the Lions, McCluggage said the impact of fellow new faces Marcus Adams and Lachlan McCarthy couldn’t be overlooked.

McCarthy has gone from a player who could barely get off the treatment table at Geelong to an ever-present member of Brisbane’s forward line – easing the burden on Eric Hipwood, Daniel McStay and Charlie Cameron.

At the back, former Western Bulldog Adams is often taking on the opposition’s key forward, allowing vice-captain Harris Andrews to drift across the backline and increase his influence.

Additionally, McCluggage says with Neale’s impact in midfield freeing up captain Dayne Zorko, it’s no wonder the Lions have enjoyed their best season in a decade.

“Every one of those boys that we’ve brought in from other clubs has been huge, on field with their playing and their skills, and also their leadership – Hodgey (Luke Hodge), he’s brought a heap,” McCluggage told AAP.

“It’s been great recruiting and great to play with those guys.

“Zorks and Harris and those guys that have been shouldering the load for quite a while are quite happy now to share it around a little bit.

“They’re reaping the rewards and playing great footy as well.”

The Lions are enjoying a weekend off ahead of their first finals campaign since 2009 beginning next Saturday at the Gabba against Richmond.

Tickets for the highly anticipated final took less than an hour to be snapped up. A capacity crowd of 35,000 is expected to descend on the venue where Brisbane have lost just once this season.

The Tigers will head north with plenty of confidence, however, having beaten the Lions by 27 points last Sunday at the MCG – their 13th win on the bounce against Brisbane.

Richmond have also won on their past eight trips to Brisbane, a record stretching back to 2005.