Brisbane have been given a massive boost ahead of Friday’s AFL qualifying final against Richmond with Harris Andrews an almost certain starter.

The key defender hasn’t played for the Lions since tearing his hamstring against Collingwood three weeks ago but coach Chris Fagan says he’ll play against the Tigers barring any setbacks between now and Friday.

“Obviously we’ve got to train today and another session Thursday morning that he’s got to get through but right now it’s looking positive,” Fagan said.

“By the time we get to Friday night it’s 28 days since he injured the hamstring which is plenty of time for a hamstring to repair.”

Fagan dismissed any suggestion the Tigers’ omitting key forward Tom Lynch would influence his decision on whether to risk Andrews or not.

“If Harris Andrews is fit, he plays because he’s in our best team,” Fagan said.

Midfield bull Jarrod Berry is also set to return from the shoulder injury that sidelined him since the Lions’ win over Gold Coast earlier this month, in another boost to Fagan’s team as they aim to end a long losing run to the Tigers.

Brisbane have lost 15 straight to the Tigers in a streak stretching back to 2009 which includes a defeat in last year’s qualifying final at the Gabba.

Fagan said there would be no hiding from the Lions’ poor record against the Tigers heading into Friday’s match.

“Across the course of the last couple of years in particular, we’ve played many teams that have had long winning runs against us and we’ve been able to change that,” Fagan said.

“There’s one left.

“There’s an element of respect around the Tigers for what they’ve done, aura is a big word – sort of supernatural.

“I’m not sure they’re supernatural they’re just human beings like we are.

“Two years ago we put up a list of teams we hadn’t beaten for a long, long time and we’ve been just ticking them off.

“Our players have been up to that sort of caper for a couple of years now so this week is no different.”